My Sister's Boyfriend

- And where is he? - She stared at me for a few more seconds, but ended up pointing in the direction of the hotel bar. I gave an obnoxious little wave as I crawled over and headed over there. The bar my father was in was the one in the closed area, not the other one that faced the sea. He was drinking a juice, probably with tonic, leaning over the counter, while talking to the waiter. I could imagine his polished and lively voice, always friendly and warm, like the good real estate agent he was. I stopped next to him. - Did you call?

- Yes. - he smiled a little. - Did you have fun at the beach today?

- They start.

- That's good... We remained in an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds. Impatient, I decided to break the silence.

- Dad, why don't you just say what you have to say?

- Right. - he took a deep breath. As I always did when I was going to say something that would upset me. - I wanted to know if you would mind if I went to dinner with Cristina at the restaurant in the city center.

- Just the two of you?

- AND.

- Thanks. - He smiled much more excitedly, he didn't smile back this time. - Are you sure? I don't want to leave you alone and...

- Dad. I love being alone. Dont care.

- You should have invited a friend to come with you, that way you wouldn't be so alone.

- They went traveling with their mothers... - My father made a face. Me too. I hadn't called my mother for a few days and my father knew it. He cared that I didn't spend as much time with her, but I didn't care that much. I tried to make him more comfortable, patting his arm lightly. - Don't worry. I am great. It is serious.

- Then fine. I'll bring you something from the center.

- Perfect. - I smiled at him, who rubbed my arm in a rare gesture of affection. I ended up feeling embarrassed and tried to escape. - Huh, I'm going to go upstairs to take a shower and put these things away, okay?

- Wait. Take the money for your dinner, since I know you don't like the hotel food. - he handed me some notes, which I squeezed between my sweaty fingers. - Carlos is there, go have dinner with him.

Carlos was Cristina's younger brother. He was dark-skinned with curls, which always made me believe that Cristina dyed her hair and had it permed. That alone explained her straight, red hair. Anyway, he was tall, 22 years old and almost as insufferable as his sister. He took real pleasure in teasing me and following my steps, as if monitoring me would somehow please my father and make him more generous.

- No, thank you. I turn around.

- No going out alone at night.

- Dad... Please, right? I'm pretty big now. Good dinner to you.

- Thanks. - I turned my back and went up the elevator calmly. I stopped in front of the brown door of my room and couldn't help but look at the door next door. I shook my head in disapproval, a little confused and shaken by the beach encounter by turning the doorknob. The room was well organized, a very rare thing for a disorganized girl like me. So to change things up a bit, I threw the bags on the bed and walked out onto the tiny balcony I had, leaving my sandy flip- flops behind. Facing the view of palm trees and the hotel's own swimming pool. I looked to the side.

There was another equally tiny balcony, identical to mine in many ways. The space that separated my balcony from that one was reasonably small. I imagined the guy Igor in the next room. I knew that at this time he would still be on the beach, enjoying the last waves, as it was starting to get dark. Looking at the balcony once again, I was sure I wouldn't get rid of him that easily. In other times, I would forget that episode. He had kind of turned me down in a polite way, but I didn't want to get involved with anyone in this place, even if it was just friendly. I wasn't good with any kind of relationship. My relationship status was always: no relationship.

Well, I knew I should make friends, since I was a communicative person, but I couldn't evolve into something more intimate. I didn't have any childhood friends, I didn't have a best friend or best friend. And that was kind of missing... I sighed, feeling the heat suffocate me a little, even though it wasn't as hot as it was in the afternoon. I went back to the room, taking a cold shower.

I left much more relaxed and carefree after the super cold and relaxing bath, and my routine singing. I liked to sing in the shower, like a good happy teenager. It was fun, especially when the water was cold and I was shaking slightly while singing some song that had a lot of screams and screamos. Wrapped in the hotel's fluffy, white towel, I went to my suitcase, which I hadn't unpacked, and being too lazy to look for something to wear, I just picked out a little dress, a bit purple that showed off my waist, it was a summer dress, cheerful and light that went to just above the knees. I put black sandals on my feet. And I decided to go down to eat something.

I got into the elevator, and ended up bumping into the boy who had said 'hey' to me while playing volleyball. As there were about five people with us in the elevator, he just smiled at me, a malicious smile that ended up making me blush. He was handsome; medium height, somewhat thin, with two huge blue eyes. Made of marbles. Embarrassed by the uninterrupted eye contact, I looked away. When the elevator door opened, I got out of it quickly. Thinking about leaving the elevator guy behind. But I couldn't help myself, I ended up looking back. A girl had stopped him right in front of the elevator, hugging his waist. But he still looked at me. Typical chicken.

I walked down the hall, with the money for my future dinner, which would be some snack, in my little bag on my side. Not knowing what to do, I decided to take a walk. I walked along the street, close to the beach, walking slowly. My sandals making a familiar noise at my feet. Observing how there only seemed to be couples along the way. It's Valentine's Day and I don't know? We are in the middle of November!

When I arrived on a reasonably empty street I started to feel footsteps behind me. I froze instantly, I hated the feeling of being followed. I quickened my pace, feeling a terrible chill down my spine. Wanting to find someone soon. I didn't dare look back, but I began to feel a kind of growing panic. I controlled myself not to run, until I felt the steps even faster, my pursuer was just a few steps away from me. Then, unable to contain myself, I started running. I felt the person behind me start to run too. A hand spun me around, pulling me against a wall and pinning me against it. I let out a sharp scream.