Chapter 11

- Nicolas? I called out, and he replied in a tender voice, Hi princess.

Isabella: are you busy now? Can we talk?

Nicolas: I'm at church. Can you wait until the devotion is over?

Isabella: oh yes, yes, fine, then we talk later.

Nicolas: I'll call you back when I get home, is that okay?

Isabella: sounds great

Nicolas: perfect, kisses, see you soon.

Isabella: see you later, kisses

(1hr and a half later ...)

Video call on:

Isabella: hi

Nicolas: Hi Isa, what's up?

Isabella: I'm fine, and you?

Nicolas: I'm good

Isabella: how was the devotion?

Nicolas: it was terrific, excellent! Shall we go on Sunday?

Isabella: to church?

Nicolas: yes, do you accept?

Isabella: of course, totally

Nicolas: it's on Sunday at 6:30 pm?

Isabella: yes

Nicolas: so, I'll be passing by to pick you up at that time, is that okay?

Isabella: okay

Nicolas: I think you will like it.

Isabella: so do I

Nicolas: How was your night before yesterday? Did you sleep well?

Isabella: Oh yes, a lot ... what about you?

Nicolas: very well. Did you enjoy our night?

Isabella: I loved it. Will there be a second one?

Nicolas: Well, it depends

Isabella: on what?

Nicolas: on you

Isabella: so definitely there will be another one; a shy, pleasant smile appeared on my face.

Nicolas: cool! He grinned and looked so funny, and I just smiled; how was your day?

Isabella: it was great; I took a karate class today

Nicolas: Really? I can't even imagine you fighting; I'm caught me by surprise right now

Isabella: I didn't imagine it either, but it was a good experience

Nicolas: Good, did you beat someone up? He asked, smiling.

Isabella: I punched a lot.

Nicolas: um, and who did you punch like that?

Isabella: the air, I said, laughing and making Nicolas laugh too.

Nicolas: you are an amazing girl

We kept talking until almost midnight until I looked at the time on my wristwatch

Isabella: geez, I didn't notice it's that late; it's Bedtime.

Nicolas: Oh, already?

Isabella: you know, classes tomorrow morning, sorry

Nicolas: okay, I also have an early class tomorrow.

Then we'll talk later. Wishing you the sweetest dreams as you drift off to sleep. May God be with you, and good night.

Isabella: same to you, sleep well, take care, good night, a kiss. See you later I hang up and racked down

On the following day

I woke up at the same time as always. With the same morning rituals, I took the towel went to the bathroom, took my daily shower, did my hygiene, put on my uniform, put on eyeliner, a light pink lipstick, fixed my hair and went down to the kitchen.

Isabella: Good morning dad, mom.

Lorenzo: good morning, sweet child

Marcele: Good morning princess.

I sat down for breakfast, and after a few minutes, I went to school. Paula, Rafa, and I were in the schoolyard talking about a Literature assignment, and I realized that Rafa was very meditative and a little sad since the beginning of the class.

Isabella: sweety? I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Rafaela: hey, she answered

Isabella: Is everything okay? I asked, a little bit worried.

Rafaela: oh sister, I don't know, I don't think so, she said with a sad look.

Paula: What happened? She asked with a worried look upon her face.

Isabella: It's Eduardo, isn't it?

Rafaela: I think I like him, she said sadly. And now what do I do? Paula and I just looked at each other seriously before hugging her

Paula: Oh honey, it's going to be alright.

Isabella: I'm sorry, but I don't know what to say to comfort your heart

Rafaela: I think I'm going to get away from him; he's already gone, it can't work like that, spending hours and hours talking only makes more attached to him to the point of making this distance a real pain, she said with a sad look, she looked so gloomy at that moment.

Paula: what does he think of all this? What did he say?

Rafaela: He likes me a lot, and if it weren't for this problem of him living in another state, he would do anything to stay with me.

Paula: it's hard

Rafaela: I agree

Isabella: do you think getting away from him is the best way out?

Rafaela: that's Another problem. I don't know if it's the best way, on the other hand, I don't want to get away from him; I know he's already far away, but not talking to him will make things worse; I don't want him any further than he already is.No one has ever made me feel so good the way he does, you know she confessed, low-spirited.

Paula: come here she said, hugging Rafa.

Isabella: think straight, if walking away from him is terrible for you, then don't walk away; if he's doing you well, go ahead, let it all happen, he'll come back here, it's just a matter of time, if you are enjoying each other so much you can work things out; who knows what might happen in a month or two?

Rafaela: You're right, thanks, sister. I love you two, my crazy partner, she said

in the middle of a group hug.

Paula: We love you too.

[...]

I caught myself pondering once again, lonely and bored with an empty head until I decided to go to the gym again and definitely enroll in karate classes

Lucas: Hi, did you choose for good now?

Isabella: Hi, yes

Nicolas: I didn't see you today at school

Isabella: I didn't see you either. So, what's up, is everything okay?

Lucas: Yes, and you?

We continued talking for a few minutes, and I briefly told him about Nicolas then we started training, and After two hours, we left. I went to the fridge, grabbed a piece of cake, a jar of juice, sat down at the table, and had a snack. The house was empty as usual; my parents were still at work, and Aunt Luh was off. When I finished eating, I took a relaxing shower the training had been more tiring today. I put the phone to charge, grabbed the towel and headed towards the bathroom, took another shower, and then just threw myself on the bed. About 15 minutes later, I heard the doorbell ring; I hurriedly got up and grabbed a dress from the closet. While I was still coming down the stairs, the doorbell rang again; I had no idea who it might be.

Isabella: just a minute!

I opened the door, and to my surprise it was Nicolas

Nicolas: Hi, he said with a smile on his face holding three beautiful red roses.

Isabella: hi, I said, shuddering and a little uncomfortable because I wasn't appropriately

dressed. Come in, I said, giving him some room to enter, and he hugged him.

Nicolas: I brought you some flowers. He handed me the roses a little awkwardly.

Isabella: How beautiful, thank you_ I kissed him on the cheek, a little shy, and avoided looking into his eyes; what a surprise!

Nicolas: I tried to talk to you but I couldn't so I came here, he said while his hand went scratching his head

Isabella: Really? My cell phone is on charge, I was in the shower, and then I lay down for a while

Nicolas: okay, alright, am I interrupting something?

Isabella: no, no, of course, you aren't. Do you want to take something? A juice, soda?

Nicolas: no thanks, I'm good

Isabella: okay then.

We sat next to each other in silence for brief seconds, and then I remember what Rafaela said "if he doesn't kiss you, you kiss him," and I don't know if he heard me gulping.