Behind A Smile [Wattys 2023]

6 - I Think I like You

It was the last stretch of summer. I haven't heard a word from Nat after that...unfamiliar incident at the movies. I tried calling and messaging him but still nothing. This was suspicious to me because usually he replies ten seconds after...weird. Plus today is the weekend when he is most active. Could something be up? Did something happen after I left Scarletts place 5 days ago on his birthday?

Regardless, I was packing for a trip to Puerto Rico with my family. Heck, we might even pit stop by Cuba, the birthplace of my favorite Voltron Paladin, Lance!

I was just about to put another tank-top in when my two brothers burst into the room yelling and being annoying.

"Give me back my trunk, Ozzi!" Liam.

"NEVAH!" Ozzi.

I hid a smile and continued packing as if nothing happened and there weren't two boys running around behind me.. Why? Because arguments never lasted long between those two. Mum made sure to put a stop to it

—

"Ha, I win again," I said savagely. We, Liam, Ozzi and I, were playing magnet checkers on the plane while our parents slept in the seats across from us. "No fair," Ozzi groaned. "You guys teamed up against me. I just know it!"

Liam and I exchanged glances. "No we didn't. It's just a friendly game," he told Ozzi.

"Yes you did!"

Ozzi continued to mock us all the way to the baggage claim at the airport in PR.

"Yes you did.." Ozzi whispered, still not dropping the checkers thing. A hand came down harshly on my younger brother's head, making him yelp in pain. My mother glared down at him, "Drop it." We were silent after that, only doing what we were told.

Finally after like 15 minutes of waiting we got a car and we were good to go. My mother found it necessary to change into more breathable clothes so we did that too.

+Kaja's (me) Outfit+

-Light pink tank-top with a blue butterfly printed on front

-mini ripped shorts

-sandals

+Ozzi's Outfit+

-t-shirt

-black basketball shorts

-green and white crocs

+Liam's Outfit+

-Printed t-shirt

-cargo shorts

-sandals

The first thing we did was eat then find a place to spend the nights. We found a little cafe/dining place, with a parking lot, not too far from the car rental.

"I call getting the spots!" Ozzi said, running past us to a free table on the right.

My mother encouraged me to communicate in Spanish since she considered it good practice. I was learning Spanish in school and had just finished an end of the year test on many subjects including Foreign Language. I was able to order a few things with no trouble. However, being a translator for my parents, in all honesty, gave me a headache.

Cleaning up was simple. We packed left overs and swept crumbs off the table before leaving to find shelter. The one we chose-after debating two places- was off the highway and by a beach. Perfect!

---

        I logged onto Bubble out of habit, nearly spitting out my drink when I saw a notification from Nat. What took so long?! My face fell. This one was dated before the day we were supposed to hang out at the movies:

Chrome_Tali: See you at the movies, you adorable sharpshooter ;)

My face flushed. Again, those complicated feelings...

In the kitchen, the sound blender cut out and we got called to try what mom made. She called us to try. It was so fruity!

That night instead of going to bed like I should have, I was still chatting with Nat. It bugged me how he didn't even apologize for disappearing for so long. I sighed and tried the breathing technique Liam taught me. I listened to my surroundings. It was pretty quiet except for Liam snoring above me on the top bunk.

Chrome_Tali: I j learned I can't draw for crap

Kaja_O'2: Lol, neither can I. ugh..my head hurts

Chrome_Tali: stop putting yourself down, you're an amazing artist!!

Kaja_O'2:  Thanks...

Chrome_Tali: You ok?

Kaja_O'2: A lot is wrong actually. First, some douche bags thought it was okay to f*cking call me an it. Just because I have angular shoulders, fem curves and hips a little narrower than they should be, DOESN'T GIVE U THE RIGHT TO F*CKNG LABEL. 

Kaja_O'2: Second, my head hurts because I have to be the translator for my parents.

Chrome_Tali: Darn. I'm sorry, wanna do some writing to help you feel better?

I contemplated for a bit. "So you are basically asking me to role-play with you at 10:35 pm? Okay...," I thought out loud, under my breath.

Chrome_Tali has left the chat

Chome_Tali joined the chat

I furrowed my eyebrows. I know I shouldn't make a big deal out of this but it bugged me how finicky Nat was. He left for 3 hours! And it wasnt even 10pm in Arizona!

Kaja Kaja_O'2: U ok?

Kaja_O'2: Nat?

Votra: Huh?

Kaja_O'2: Hi. Where'd you go?

Voltra: I didn't go anywhere

I pursed my lips annoyed.

Kaja_O'2:  you didn leave j now?

Chrome_Tali: I needed to clean something

Voltra: Dont worry about it, im back now.

Voltra: Rp?

A pit opened up in my gut, I hate being kept in the dark. But being the nice softie, I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Kaja_O'2: ...Sure. Who starts?

Eventually that became almost every night, we got closer and closer, and began to put Ily's in our messages. It was strange to me how I let myself still do that even though my gut told me something is up.

Soon I had a burning question on my mind. I wanted to know the answer to my complicated feelings...

So the next evening I decided to confront her and sort out my confusing feelings.

Kaja_O'2: Hey...Nat? I-I have a question that I had in mind for a while....

Chrome_Tali has joined the chat

Chrome_Tali: Hey, whats up?

Chrome_Tali: Me too actually. But you go first

Kaja_O'2: I might wrong...but..

Kaja_O'2: D-do you like me?

Chrome_Tali: as a friend or...

Kaja_O'2: ...both?

Silence. I drummed on my lap as I waited anxiously for his response. My mind was screaming.

Chrome_Tali: Y-yes and yes

I covered my mouth from screaming in happiness. Omg! But for some reason this confession didn sit right.