OCEAN EYES (ENG)

CHAPTER IX

It's already dark outside when I climb the stairs to the porch with a big smile on my face. I can't believe I spent the whole afternoon exchanging kisses with Matthías. Who would've thought I'd end up feeling things for the arrogant volleyball player who threw a milkshake all over me the first day of summer? I touch my lips, remembering his against mine.

When I close the main door I lay my head against it, still on the clouds, smile on my face. I feel almost weightless.

- What just happened? - says a childish voice.

- Your sister just got kissed. - dad says, looking at me through the music sheets.

- Dad! - I say, finally realizing I'm not alone in the room.

- Well you did! Look at her! - he says, pointing at me.

- Ugh. - Johan grumbles from the couch, where he's been playing videogames.

- Look at that face. - dad laughs.

- Dad! Stop! - I scream, running to him, cheeks all red.

- Let's write a song to your sister! - dad tells Jonah as I chase him in circles around the piano.

- I think I'll throw up. - my brother sighs, locking himself in our room.

- Nina got kissed. - dad sings, playing some chords on the piano.

- No, no! - I laugh, embarrassed- Stop! Enough!

- Okay, okay, okay...-he stops, suddenly coughing.

- Are you okay?

- Yes, yes. But-

- What? - I frown as I look at him, smiling.

- Wow. - he just says. We exchange a stare in silence.

- Okay, I'm going to sleep. - I finally chuckle.

- Still there. - he calmly says.

- I hate you. - I say, and I can't help but smile.

. . .

- I can't believe you're actually carving our names into the tree. - I say from the top of the branch.

Matthías drove me in his old red truck to this quiet and humid forest beside the road. It actually took me while to climb it, but it's been worth it so far. I stare at him in silence as he scraps the tree with a pocket knife.

We've been hanging out together lately. Decent dates. To the beach, to the aquarium... I even got the chance to swim in the tank properly equipped this time. A once in a lifetime experience for me, and his presence made it even better.

- What's your second initial? - he asks, his husky voice tingling in my ears.

- Not telling you! This is really lame- I laugh, but his ocean eyes stare at me and I instantly melt- L.

- L.- he repeats, carving it besides the N he already wrote.

- But make it look nice. - I smile, running my hand through his soft hair.

After carving our names on the tree he helps me get down and we head back to Matthías' truck. He drives safely but gives me sideway peeks now and then, smiling lightly. I feel my heart beating faster every time I catch him doing so.

- I like this song! - I say waving my hand through the wind, windows down.

- Okay. - he stops shuffling through the radio and rests his arm on the seats, near my shoulders.

- Ask her if she wants to stay a while- I hum along- And she will, be loved, and she will be lo-o-o-ved.

- Wow. - he looks at me; amazed- You can really sing! Is there anything else I don't know about you?

I shrug, making him burst out laughing. He then places his hand on my lap, and I lean in to give him a peck on the cheek while he keeps on driving. A crooked smile appears on his face, and oh God, isn't he handsome. I don't regret anything, Matthías kinda saved this summer from being hyper boring.

- It doesn't matter, anymore! - I sing.

- Anymore! - he yells. He's a terrible singer.

- No! - I laugh.

- Just go with it! We got it! - he laughs too, and I obey- Look for the girl with the broken smile!

- No! - he really is terrible, but I join him anyway- Ask her if she wants to stay a while. And she will...

- Will! - he yells.

- No! Stop! - I cover my ears.

- Be loved!

He really makes me laugh. That kind of laugh that takes on you completely and makes your stomach hurt and your eyes cry a little. A real good laugh. When he leaves the main road and enters a dusty road I raise my eyebrows.

- Where are we going?

- It's a shortcut, trust me.