Nice And Spice

1

"You know that feeling when reading a captivating book, the desire to step into the protagonist's world and truly live it? To surround yourself with the coolest friends, an enchanting L'amour incroyable, who makes you feel like you're on cloud nine everyday, and indulge in the admiration of all? Nah, I didn't either... that is, until I met ... him."

It all began just before my senior year of high school, on a splendid sunny Saturday. I was cruising through Silkstone Park on my bike when I spotted my friend Tané by the tranquil pond. I rode up to him, parked my bike, and joined him.

"¡Hola! Hace tiempo que no te veía," I greeted with a smile, switching to Spanish to delight Tané.

"¡Hola! Estuve de vacaciones en Nassau, Bahamas," Tané replied, grinning. He went on to regale me about his summer break, sparing no detail about the picturesque views, exhilarating cruise, and myriad of activities. The Ultimate Panoramic Room on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship provided a dreamlike panorama of the sea, lulling him to sleep each night.

Amid his story, I was sharing my own adventures, including a camping trip with my brother Mason. As I recounted my time, he interrupted.

"He has a good taste in men," Tané remarked, pointing out a guy glancing in my direction. I looked, catching a brief glimpse of him before he turned away.

"Wonder why he's looking at me. You're definitely the hotter one," I remarked, playfully. Tané was undeniably attractive, with his tan, fit physique, mesmerizing blue eyes, and alluring Spanish accent that never failed to tease and entice. Though I longed for more than friendship with Tané, he was straight, or so he claimed. But his actions and flirtatious banter left me wondering."

I sneak another peek at this guy who is checking me out. He's about 6' and muscular. His eyes have a flowing bluish hazel with a small hint of dark green. For a moment it seems like we're just looking into each other's eyes, but he looks away like he got caught on camera.

"Now who's staring?" Tané asks as he pushes me playfully.

"He's cute and adorable, almost like a dream or a mirage from a movie making everything else in the background fade to black, like we're the only ones there, besides, remember the day I first met you." I replied.

"You couldn't stop staring at my abs," he replies as I laugh.

"True, but they do look amazing," I tag on.

It's around three when Tané has to go, he promised to help his mom with some things around their house. It was just them, as his father had left his mom when he was just a child. He doesn't have a very good relationship with him, I found that out when I first met him. So I got his new number so I could text him later. I get up to go grab my bike when I see the guy staring at me again. I ride over to him and lean my bike against a nearby table.

"Hey, may I join you, please?" I ask. He nods as I sit down next to him.

"Hi, I'm Liam, I haven't seen you around here before, did you just move into the area?" I ask as I sit down. He looks up at me, I'm smiling patiently waiting for his answer.

"My name is Theo Jackson, I moved here from Stone View, Ontario." He replies with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting a mixture of excitement and curiosity as he takes in the new surroundings.

As Theo is telling me a bit about himself, I found my gaze dragged back to his eyes. The bluish hazel is a bit more blue, almost like a tranquil wave on the ocean.

"Would you like to hang out? We can head to my place, it's a short walk from here." I ask as I get up to grab my bike.

Theo casually mentions, "Yea, I've been feeling lonely the past few days." I sense a hint of excitement and nonchalance in his voice as he packs his book in his bag and we start walking.