Ale x Yn Imagines

Sunshine and Rivalry

Excitement was in your chest as you got off the bus and felt the saltwater breeze rip through your hair. In Florida, summertime meant Isa Escudero, your best friend, sun, and sand. However, it also meant hanging out with Ale, her elder brother, with whom you'd long had a rivalry.

It was obvious when you two first met that you two were going to get along poorly. He was handsome, fit, and obnoxious in his confidence. On the other side, you were competitive, tenacious, and unafraid of a challenge. Ever from your first encounter, you two had been at odds, and every summer since then had been full of friendly jabs and competitive games.

You cried out, "Hey, Isa!" as you saw her waving from the beach home.

"Here I am!"

"Happy days! Enter now! Isa smiled and drew you into an embrace. "You have time for dinner right now!"

The fragrance of grilled fish permeated the air as soon as you stepped inside the beach home. With a sly smile on his lips and his dark hair unkempt, Ale was already seated at the table. With mischievous gleam in his eyes, he joked, "Look who finally decided to show up."

You shot back, rolling your eyes, "Shut up, Ale." "I didn't request your opinion,"

"You need someone to hold you accountable," he retorted, swaying back in his seat with a smug smile.

Even though you were laughing and joking around at dinner, you couldn't get rid of the feeling that Ale was staring at you. He seemed to know how to push your buttons at all times, and this summer you were going to refuse to let him get to you.

Isa recommended spending the next day at the beach. Her eyes gleamed with pleasure as she cried, "Let's have a sandcastle competition!"

"Excellent idea!" you exclaimed, ready to demonstrate your prowess. "Isa, I'll work with you."

"Don't move so quickly!" Ale crossed his arms and spoke up. "I wish to play for Isa's team. You'll still end up losing.

"As though you could construct a respectable sandcastle," you retorted, your rivalry stoking. "You're in!"

There was a lot of competition. Ale attempted to divert your attention with his absurd antics while you and Isa toiled tirelessly, creating moats and towers. However, you noticed that as the sun rose higher in the sky, you were smiling more than you had expected. Ale's lighthearted taunting started to seem more enjoyable and less irritating.

The competition evolved into a cordial rivalry as the day went on. Ale and you teasingly nudged each other, and you saw, for the first time, how his eyes glistened with laughter. Perhaps he wasn't entirely awful after all.

Later that evening, Ale and you found yourselves sitting on the beach, watching the waves break on the sand, as the sun sank below the horizon, turning the sky pink and orange. You two were by yourselves as Isa went to get some munchies.

"May I ask you a question?" Ale said up, interrupting the cozy quiet.

"Yes," you said inquiringly.

"Why do you act like you despise me every time?" He enquired,His voice was unexpectedly grave.

You paused, not sure how to react. "I'm not against you. I simply... I find it annoying that you are constantly so competitive.

Ale laughed a low laugh. "I suppose I occasionally overact. However, I didn't mean to bother you. Simply said, I found it amusing.

You crossed your arms jokingly and responded, "Fun for you, maybe."

With a sincere gaze, he turned to face you. "Until recently, I had no idea how much I loved spending time with you. You know, you're kind of cool.

His words caused your heart to accelerate. "Escudero, you're not so bad yourself."

Then Isa came back with a snack bag, breaking the moment. Her smile became taunting as she questioned, "What are you two talking about?"