Butterfly and Flame - Alina and Evan

The Phone Call

Miranda was belting out her song when it suddenly stopped. Her eyes opened up immediately and she found herself staring right at the bare chest of a tan and gorgeous Christian. Mr. GQ himself. Her jaw dropped open and she could only stare at the hot and sexy man right in front of her. As his smile broadened she snapped her mouth shut before she drooled and took her AirPods out and simply said "Hi"....... as she looked at Christian in his swim trunks and bear cheated. "Hi yourself. I didn't want to startle you. Can I jump in with you. It's been a long day". She couldn't tear her eyes of his chest and so she just nodded as she bit her lip. He was in the tub in a flash. Moments later  his feet touched her ankles briefly making her hyper aware of his physical nearness. "What were you listening to? I only caught a few words at the end there that you sung pretty well". She remembered that she was singing at the top of her lungs because she thought she was alone and she felt her face flush with heat. "Uhhh.....oh yeah it's Juanes. He's a Columbian rock singer and ..." he interrupted saying  "I know who he is, I saw him perform in Germany. He performed with a bunch of other artists including Metallica at a international non profit concert for the awareness of land mines and the damages they still do". She was transfixed by his smile and his eyes and she vaguely heard what he said but then it registered that he knew who the artist was and he knew a lot. "Wow, I'm impressed. You want to listen? She offered him her left AirPod as she put her right one in her ear and then said "don't worry I cleaned my ears this morning. No ear wax!" He chuckled at her lack of adherence to the niceties and her preference for saying exactly what was on her mind as if though they were two friends who had known each other for years. He loved that. She was completely comfortable with who she was and made no apologies for it. Not that she had any reason to apologize for anything. She was unexpected, transparent, and real. He put the AirPod in his ear as she selected another track, a slow and melodic song sung with Nelly Furtado. He enjoyed it a lot especially because they were listening to it together. They were both watching each other and when it got to be to much for Miranda looked away a little and then ended  right back at staring at hime again. The track changed once more  and a love song began to play. He understood Spanish and could speak it fluently but the slowness of the song allowed him to follow the songs subtle meaning and take it in. He reached across the space between them and moved a strand of hair that fell across her eyes. As he moved it he touched her cheekbone and then traced it down to her lips. All the while never breaking eye contact.

Luis waved at the pair as they walked in the diner. He noticed everything about Sophie as she walked beside Leo. She wore black skinny jeans tucked into black Timberland boots. She wore a white Hensley with a puffy vest over it. Her long coppery hair with all its layers moved as she walked towards him. She was  beautiful and no longer the little kid sister he had always seen her as. He and Alina were best friends, dance partners, confidants and for two minutes in high school they were a couple but he had never felt for her or any other woman what he had been long now feeling for Sophie. "Hey, I thought you guys forgot about me. I ordered hit chocolate for everyone." He smiled at them both but his eyes automatically went back to her face and noticed that she was as focused on him as he was on her. He needed to talk to Leo about it but he hadn't gotten the nerve up yet. She want just Leo's little sister. She was his twin and their bond was nothing short of otherworldly. They got sick at the same time. They loved  and hated the same foods, music and sports. Always supportive of each other and always in tune with the others feelings. When Leo has been injured and lost the use of his legs she had physically felt his pain and suffered with him. She suffered more that it was he who lost his ability to walk and not her. She would seek his approval and if he didn't give it they would all suffer for it. "Thanks" said Leo. Looking at Luis who in turn was looking at Sophie who had turned to look at her feet when Leo looked at her. He sighed and putting his hands in the table said "alright you two. It's as obvious as the sun in the sky. So how long have you two been, ah..... how long have two been....."
He was having a hard time saying it so he laughed and finally said "Look whatever you two are feeling I just want you both to know that whatever happens it will affect all of our friendships and relationships so make sure this is for real". Looking at Luis he said. "Your my brother, and I love you man. But I'll break your neck if you don't take care of her. And don't think that this wheelchair will stop me". Sophie turned red and punched Leo in the arm. "Leo..Sophie and I have only gone out a couple of times and we've been....."Sophie stopped Luis and said "Leo, Luis has been nothing but a gentlemen.
Dinner, movies and running. That's all we've done but we weren't trying to hide anything it just kind of happened a little at a time. I just didn't want it to be a big deal until we knew where it was going." Leo looked up at both of them and said "so do you know where your going with it then?" Sophie smiled and Luis took her hand in his and said "Leo, I love Sophie. I've never said that to another woman ever. I know I'm a bit older than her but I've known her almost my entire life. And you must know that I would never hurt her." Leo saw as Sophie took Luis hand and squeezed it and then it was Leo's turn to smile. "Ok. But you two are telling the parents and Alina and Miranda. I'm out!"