The Lightning Clashes

2

Rebecca opened the door and gave me a fake smile, "Come in! Make yourself at home." She was wearing a skimpy red bikini to show off her slim hourglass figure.

"Okay, thank you." I came in and looked for Alex.

"Yo, Reina! Right here!" Alex's voice was weirdly comforting.

I mentally slapped myself. Making friends was the last thing I wanted to do. His voice was kind of unnerving.

"Hi." I walked over to him.

"Why aren't you wearing a swimsuit?" He was dripping wet from getting out of the pool.

"I forgot to pack it when I moved," I lied.

"No need as long as you can swim!" He pulled me into the water.

I sunk into the deep body of water, but he quickly pulled me up. Smiling, he splashed water in my face and I splashed him back even harder.

Somehow, I was having fun.

"Stop!" I playfully screamed.

"Never!" He pushed my head underwater and brought me up again, laughing.

"Hey!" I sputter in his face and gasp for air.

Attempting to wipe his face, he scrunched up his nose and squinted at me.

"What?" I asked, innocently looking up at him.

Without answering, he splashed me again, snickering.

His deep blue eyes twinkled brightly and the corners of his mouth slid smoothly into a wonderful, sweet smile. His hair fell completely on his face, completing a disheveled look, but his eyes screamed innocence. He reminded me of a puppy.

In our short time together, I started connecting with him. He seemed like a genuinely good person. I couldn't help but keep my guard up, though. I can't be fooled by his kindness.

I couldn't make the same mistake again. Even though I couldn't remember it, I felt that I'd been betrayed by someone similar to Alex before. An angel on the outside, but a criminal on the inside.

"Reina. You okay?" Alex snapped me out of my trance.

"Yeah, why?" I stared at his soft blue eyes. Then I looked away, confused.

"You looked zoned out. Here, I'll help you out of the pool." He scratched the back of his neck, nervously.

"Okay, sure." I grinned at him. He led me to the edge and I stepped out. I needed to sit down before I started to remember things. "You don't have to walk me all the way to the bench. I'm fine." I gave him a reassuring smile.

"No worries." He returned my smile.

We made it to the bench and I sat down, but he sat right next to me. I was terrified to look at him again. My heart was a thorn bush and he seemed to keep trying to wiggle his way in. He scared me because of how trustworthy he seemed.

"How are you liking Texas?" He asked in a soft voice.

"It's... interesting," I answered, referring to the fact that he was so persistent in becoming friends with me.

"Oh, why?" He murmured, awkwardly brushing a hair off his face.

"No reason." I put my guard back up.

***

"Reina Linh Parks!" My mom shook me awake from my peaceful rest. "Why you always late, huh?"

I shot up from my bed because of my mom, the Vietnamese threat. My clock read 8:00, so I didn't know what got her so riled up. Regardless, I quickly got ready.