Opposite Sides of the Spectrum | Nick Mendez |Swagger

Confessions and Secrets

We ordered our drinks and found a quiet corner to sit. The café had a warm, inviting atmosphere, with soft jazz playing in the background. The lighting was dim, creating an intimate setting that made everything feel more personal.

"So, how was your day?" Nick asked, taking a sip of his coffee. His eyes met mine with a genuine curiosity.

"It was... okay," I said, trying to sound casual. I stirred my tea absentmindedly. "Just a lot on my mind."

Nick leaned in slightly, his expression softening. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I hesitated, my thoughts swirling with the day's events. After a moment, I decided to open up a little. "It's just some family stuff. My dad had a stressful conversation last night, and it's been bothering me. I don't really know what's going on, but it feels like there's something he's not telling me."

Nick's brow furrowed in concern. "That sounds rough. Do you think he's keeping something from you on purpose, or is he just dealing with his own issues?"

I sighed, looking down at my cup. "I'm not sure. I mean, I know he's been under a lot of stress lately with his company. But when he gets like this, it's like he shuts down and tells me nothing, while I'm left trying to piece things together."

Nick reached across the table and took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. His touch was warm and comforting. "Good thing I'm here to take your mind off all that stress."

"Thanks, Nick," I said, feeling a warmth spread through me at his words. "I really appreciate it."

We shifted the conversation to lighter topics, and the café's ambiance helped ease the tension. Nick's laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling more than I had in days. He told me funny stories about his friends back in Puerto Rico and how they always managed to get into hilarious situations. I couldn't help but laugh along, feeling a sense of normalcy and comfort.

At one point, as we discussed our favorite movies, Nick mentioned how he used to have movie marathons with his friends, complete with themed snacks. "We once did a Harry Potter marathon with homemade butterbeer," he said with a grin. "It was a disaster, but so much fun."

"That sounds amazing!" I exclaimed. "I've always wanted to do something like that. My friends and I used to have themed nights, but they were usually more about trying new recipes than movies."

Nick's eyes sparkled with excitement. "We should definitely plan a movie night sometime. Maybe with a Harry Potter theme?"

"I'd love that," I said, feeling a flutter of excitement. "That sounds cool."

The conversation flowed easily, and the more we talked, the more I felt the weight of my worries lifting. Nick had a way of making me feel at ease, and his presence was a welcome distraction from the complexities of my life.

--

As the evening drew to a close, the café's lights dimmed further, signaling that it was almost time to go. Nick walked me to my car, his hand brushing against mine as we walked side by side. The cool night air was refreshing, and the stars above seemed to twinkle with a sense of promise.

"I had a great time tonight," Nick said, his voice soft and sincere as we reached my car.

"Me too," I replied, feeling a sense of contentment. "It was really nice to get out and not worry for a while."

Nick looked at me with a hopeful smile. "I can take you out again soon. Maybe next time, I'll even let you pick the place."

"I'll hold you to that," I said, laughing lightly. "And I promise not to choose anything too crazy."

We shared a warm, lingering glance before I opened the car door. "Goodnight, Nick," I said, my voice tinged with genuine affection.

"Goodnight, Lila," he replied, his smile lingering as I got out of the car. "Drive safely."

Despite the uncertainty with my father, I felt hopeful that things would eventually be okay.

When I walked through the front door, I found my father in the living room, watching TV. His tired eyes flickered up as I entered, and he gave me a brief, exhausted smile. "How was your evening?"

"It was good," I replied, making my way into the kitchen. "Nick is really great."

"Nick?" My father's eyebrows shot up, his voice immediately taking on a sharp edge. "Who's Nick? How long have you known him? What's his last name? Where does he live? What do his parents do? Is he in your class? Does he have a job? Is he planning on going to college? What are his intentions with you?"

"Dad!" I interrupted, my patience wearing thin. "Can you just relax for a minute?"

"Relax?" he echoed, his voice rising sharply. "How can I relax when my daughter is talking about some guy named Nick I've never heard of before? What kind of father would I be if I didn't ask these questions?"I stood up, my frustration bubbling over. "A trusting one, maybe?" I snapped. "I'm leaving."

"Lila, wait—" My father's voice followed me, rising with a mixture of anger and concern. "I need to know who this person is. I'm not just going to sit here and let you date someone without knowing anything about him!"But I was already heading up the stairs; ignoring his barrage of questions, he yelled as I headed up the stairs. I slammed my bedroom door behind me, taking a deep breath as I leaned against it. I just wanted to enjoy the positive things in my life without feeling like I was under constant scrutiny. Hopefully, my father would eventually trust me enough to let me make my own decisions, without turning every small detail into an interrogation.

Despite the lingering questions about my father's conversation, I decided to trust him for now. Whatever he was dealing with, I hoped he would eventually let me in on it. Especially what that phone call was about. Until then, I can only focus on the positive things in my life, like Nick and cherish the moments that brought me joy.

"Lila?" my father's voice came through the door, soft and hesitant.I took a deep breath and called out, "Yeah, Dad?"The door creaked open, and he stepped inside. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I was... a bit too intense."

"It's okay," I said, sitting up in bed. "I get it. You're protective over your only daughter."He nodded, looking relieved. "I know you're growing up and making your own decisions. I just want what's best for you."

"I appreciate that," I said, though the unease about the earlier conversation lingered. "But if there's something going on, I'd like to know."He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I understand. I just need some time to sort things out."As he left my room, I felt a mix of frustration and sympathy. I knew he was dealing with something, but the secrecy was hard to handle. I resolved to give him space but also to stay alert.