The Rise of the Nations

Chapter 5

As we got closer to the fire, I could see a group of people situated around the bonfire. I was expecting for it to be a mix of elders and other grown-up types but almost everyone there was around my age. I recognized a few of the girls from the competition and a few of the other people from when they’d come up to the table to give their greetings. When they saw us approaching, all conversation sort of ceased and died down, all the attention on me and the two tall guys flanking me.

“Hey everybody!” Tokala called out, waving, “This is our new friend Mica. Mind if she joins us?”

There were choruses of ‘no’s’ and Rio took me around and introduced me to some of the people while Tokala went to grab us drinks from the cooler. I met a lovely long haired Native American girl with dark arched eyebrows and a straight nose named Joy and her tall and equally stunning boyfriend Jay. As Rio took me around, naming person after person, I noticed one of two things; one, almost everyone was paired up and two, everyone was gorgeous. The girls had flawless skin, long noses, straight and beautiful hair and were tall and model-like thin but lean like a cat. The guys where tall, handsome and looked as if they worked out, but instead of a gym, they had a healthy color to their skin that suggested they spent more time outside than inside.

I forgot most of the names, which was super embarrassing, and I made a mental note to stay by Tokala or Rio so they could throw me some subtle reminders when need be. After introducing me, I went to find Tokala to see what was taking him so long to get the drinks. HE wasn’t at the cooler so I grabbed Rio a beer and a wine cooler for myself. On my way back, I passed by one of the trucks parked closer and saw an oddly shaped shadow. As I watched, the shadow detached and became two people. They shifted and the soft glow of the bright fire fell across their faces and what I saw I wish I could have forgotten right then and there. One of the people looked over the other person’s shoulder and met my eyes. Her’s widened in shock and I abruptly turned on my heel and briskly walked back to the fire, handing the beer to Rio and trying my hardest to erase the image of Sparrow, Rio’s ex-but-not-really, locked in a kiss with Rio’s cousin Tokala. A part of me was sad because I had really liked Tokala, but another part of me was happy that it could confidently pursue Rio without stepping on anybody’s toes. I had to remind myself that while Sparrow apparently had no qualms with making out with Rio’s cousin, Rio still may not be over her, and I in no way whatsoever, wanted to be a rebound. Not that I was the type for one-night stands; I’m not. But I think if Rio was the one offering, I’d be able to make an exception without much difficulty.

As I approached the bonfire I saw Rio talking with someone new. I only saw him from the back but he had broad shoulders and shoulder length hair. He had his hands in his back pockets and was wearing a short sleeve shirt, showing off his well-muscled arms. From the back I was already drawn in and as I approached, Rio looked over the mystery man’s shoulders and smiled at me. When he waved, the man he had been talking to turned around and my heart stopped cold. He had a square jaw, thick dark eyebrows and almond shaped eyes. If I thought the back view was nice, the front was even better.

I had to reprimand myself mentally; no way was I going to fall for yet another pretty face. First Rio, then Tokala and now this guy; what was going on with my hormones? I warily approached and handed Rio his beer.

“Hey Mica, this is my half-brother Antinanco, though we just call him Nanco,” Rio said taking his beer and introducing us, “This is Mica. She came alone so Tokala and I are keeping an eye out for her. Where is Tokala anyway?” Rio started to leave to look for him and without thinking; I reached out and put my hand on his chest to stop him.

“I think he went to the bathroom. Only in the woods,” I said, thinking quickly, “So unless you want to see his ding-dong, he’ll be back soon.”