Dormmates

Chapter 11: The Weekend Getaway

The late afternoon sun filtered through the leaves as Daniel zipped up his duffel bag, the excitement of the weekend getaway building within him. He had been hesitant when Miguel first invited him along on the trip, unsure of how he'd fit in with Miguel's group of friends. But Miguel had insisted, and the promise of learning how to swim from Miguel himself had been too tempting to pass up.

"Come on, man, we're gonna have a blast!" Miguel had said, flashing that easy smile of his that always seemed to put Daniel at ease. "Plus, you're not getting out of learning to swim this time. No more excuses."

Now, as Daniel watched Miguel toss a few last-minute items into his own bag, he couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and anticipation. The thought of spending a weekend at the beach with Miguel was thrilling, but it also filled him with a strange anxiety. Would this trip change things between them? He wasn't sure if he was ready for whatever might happen.

They joined Miguel's friends in the rented van early the next morning, the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon. The group was lively, filling the van with chatter and laughter as they drove out of the city and toward the coast. Daniel found himself relaxing bit by bit, especially as Miguel made sure to include him in the conversations, sharing inside jokes and stories about their dorm life that had everyone laughing.

As they approached the beach, the landscape shifted from urban sprawl to the open expanse of sandy dunes and the glittering ocean beyond. Daniel couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement as the salty air filled his lungs and the sound of waves crashing against the shore reached his ears.

The cottage they'd rented was cozy and charming, nestled just a short walk from the beach. It had two bedrooms, one for the girls and one for the guys, and a spacious living room with large windows that overlooked the sea. The decor was simple, with light-colored wooden furniture and soft, pastel-colored cushions that added to the laid-back beach vibe.

"Nice place, huh?" Miguel said as they unpacked in the bedroom, tossing his bag onto the top bunk he had claimed. He looked down at Daniel with a grin. "You ready to hit the beach?"

Daniel nodded, though his heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Yeah, let me just grab my stuff."

A few minutes later, they were all walking down to the beach, towels slung over their shoulders and the sun warming their skin. The sky was a brilliant blue, the kind of blue that seemed endless, and the ocean sparkled in the sunlight, waves gently rolling in to meet the shore.

Miguel wasted no time, peeling off his shirt and sprinting toward the water with a whoop of joy. Daniel couldn't help but watch, his eyes tracing the lines of Miguel's toned back and the way his muscles moved under his tanned skin. Miguel looked so at home in the water, so free and unburdened. Daniel envied that ease, the way Miguel seemed to belong in every place he found himself.

"Come on, Daniel!" Miguel called out, already waist-deep in the water. He waved him over, his smile wide and inviting. "You can't just stand there all day!"

Daniel hesitated, his feet sinking slightly into the warm sand. He had always felt self-conscious about his lack of swimming skills, and now, with Miguel watching, he felt that familiar anxiety creeping in. But then Miguel took a few steps back toward him, the water lapping at his thighs, his expression softening.

"Don't worry," Miguel said, his voice reassuring. "I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you."

There was something in Miguel's tone, a quiet confidence that made Daniel feel braver than he had in a long time. He took a deep breath, letting the sea breeze fill his lungs, and stepped forward, letting the cool water wash over his feet. It was refreshing, almost soothing, and with each step, Daniel felt a bit more at ease.

When he reached Miguel, the water was up to his waist, the waves gently tugging at him. Miguel moved closer, his hands resting lightly on Daniel's shoulders as he guided him deeper into the ocean.

"Just relax," Miguel said, his voice low and calm. "Let the water hold you up."

Daniel tried to follow Miguel's instructions, focusing on the warmth of Miguel's hands on his skin and the steady rhythm of the waves. He could feel Miguel's presence beside him, steady and reassuring, and it gave him the courage to let go, to trust.

"There you go," Miguel said, a smile in his voice as Daniel floated for the first time. "See? You're doing great."

Daniel looked up at the sky, feeling a rush of accomplishment mixed with something else—something that had been quietly growing inside him since the moment they had met. He glanced at Miguel, who was watching him with a proud smile, his wet hair slicked back and his eyes bright.

Before Daniel could say anything, a wave caught him off guard, pulling him under the water. Panic surged through him as he lost his grip on Miguel and felt the cold rush of water fill his mouth. He flailed, trying to find the surface, but everything felt disorienting, the world spinning around him.

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him up. Daniel gasped as he broke through the surface, coughing and sputtering, his chest heaving. He felt Miguel's arms tighten around him, holding him close as they both caught their breath.

"Are you okay?" Miguel asked, his voice filled with concern. He brushed a wet strand of hair away from Daniel's face, his eyes searching Daniel's for any sign of distress.

Daniel nodded, still trying to catch his breath. He felt a mixture of embarrassment and relief, the lingering fear slowly dissipating as he realized he was safe, that Miguel had him. "Yeah... I'm okay," he managed to say, his voice shaky.

Miguel's grip on him didn't loosen, his hands still firm and protective on Daniel's arms. "I'm sorry," Miguel said softly, his forehead almost touching Daniel's. "I should have been more careful."

Daniel shook his head, wanting to erase the worry from Miguel's face. "It's not your fault. I just panicked."

For a moment, they stayed like that, their faces inches apart, the world around them fading into the background. Daniel could feel the rapid beat of Miguel's heart against his own, the warmth of his breath mingling with the cool sea breeze. There was something electric in the air between them, something that made Daniel's pulse quicken and his thoughts race.

But just as Daniel felt the courage rising within him to speak, to finally tell Miguel what had been weighing on his heart, one of Miguel's friends called out to them from the shore.

"Hey, guys, come on! Lunch is ready!"

The moment shattered like glass, and Miguel pulled back, giving Daniel a small, apologetic smile. "We should go," he said, though there was a note of hesitation in his voice. "You must be starving after that."

Daniel nodded, swallowing back the words he had been so close to saying. "Yeah," he replied, his voice quiet. "Let's go."

They walked back to the shore together, Miguel's arm still loosely draped over Daniel's shoulders. The others greeted them with laughter and lighthearted teasing, unaware of the tension that still lingered between the two of them. They ate lunch on the beach, sitting on towels spread out over the sand, the sound of waves crashing behind them.

But Daniel couldn't fully focus on the food or the conversation. His thoughts kept drifting back to that moment in the water, to the way Miguel had looked at him, the way he had felt in Miguel's arms. Something had changed between them, something that Daniel couldn't ignore.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the beach, Daniel knew that he couldn't keep his feelings hidden any longer. He had to find the right moment, the right words, and tell Miguel the truth. He didn't know what the outcome would be, but he knew that he couldn't keep living in the shadow of what might have been.

He looked over at Miguel, who was laughing at something one of their friends had said, his smile bright and carefree. Daniel felt a pang of longing mixed with determination. He would find the moment, he would find the words, and he would speak his truth.

But for now, he would wait, watching the sun dip below the horizon, the colors of the sky blending with the sea, as the day came to an end.