My Sister's Boyfriend
45

I saw Alexander holding back his laughter. I snorted. Me and my great mania for exaggerating. I still couldn't believe everything. I didn't feel guilty anymore. I just felt... Wrong. Surprised, in shock. It was a lot to take in. But seeing that Ceci also did things wrong, it made me feel... best. And I didn't care about Igor's feelings. Technically, he deserved it.

"I'm sorry for the wrong things I did to you. Are you very hurt?

-Sincerely... No. I mean, I've gotten used to it. I'm not even that surprised. But my ego has been hurt... I wish you'd told me that, dammit. "I calmed down, hugging me tighter. "That he had told me that he had kissed Ceci when she was still with Igor. It would be good to leave myself on the subject. I'm your best friend, aren't I?

"Technically you're my girlfriend..." Or is it not anymore? I bit my lip, confused. He waited for my answer.

"I don't know. Do you feel like I'm your girlfriend, or another one of the girls you used to forget about Ceci?

"It sounds like you're judging me by talking like that. He said, partly annoyed.

-Sorry. That's it, the truth.

"You did it too. He snorted.

"You're right, and that's the problem. We shouldn't have done that.

"I don't regret it. It was great to stay with you. He said seriously, but then smiled. "You're a better kisser than I ever thought.

-Thanks! - I laughed along with him. We looked at each other, accomplices. And I knew that the storm had passed between us. I bit my lip, already decided. -Alexander... I like you... But.

"We're not boyfriends.

"You love Ceci. I said the obvious, he grimaced, when he spoke it was my turn to grimace:

"And you love Igor.

"We were immature in doing that.

"I don't want to lose you, Malu." The way he said it caused an uncomfortable pinch in my heart. I smiled sweetly.

"It won't. It's just that... It's obvious that you're going to go after Ceci. And it's obvious that I don't have the patience to see my ex-boyfriends with my sister. You know... It's usually kind of weird. I smiled at him, who shook his head smiling too. "Well, I think we should take a break.

- A while is just an excuse not to break up now... Own experience.

"That way you make our lives difficult. I rolled my eyes. He laughed, but his expression turned serious again afterwards.

- Finish everything or just a while? It's better to finish it at once, don't you think?

"I think you're right...

-But... Malu?

-Yes?

- Are you giving Alexander's boyfriend, or best friend a break? - I smiled broadly at him.

- To her boyfriend.

"So the friend has a chance of coming back?"

"You could say I wouldn't give you the pleasure of seeing him get away with me.

"That makes me relieved. I smiled slightly, and went to hug Alexander. I knew things wouldn't be the same anymore, and it hurt me. At least I still had it, didn't I? But I still had other things to sort out. Like Igor. We should have 'the' conversation, definitely. About Ceci... I'd rather not even think about it.

After Alexander left my house. About two hours after our conversation, I got up determined and went to do what had to be done. It was late afternoon and the weather was beginning to cool down. I shook my arms, already sighting the beach. I walked among the sand, staring absently at the deserted beach. Then I spotted him.

I knew I would find him there, waiting for me. Don't ask me why, but I was thinking more about the obvious than anything at that moment. It was on a beach, near the sea, perhaps the same sea but in different places, that everything had its beginning and its end. Our beginning and our end. It was only natural that this is where everything should be resolved.

"You took your time. He said, I knew he must be smiling now.

– Unmatched punctuality is undoubtedly not my strong suit. I murmured, my voice louder than I had imagined. He was sitting on the sand, looking out to sea.

"I hope Ceci wasn't too cruel to you.

"You shouldn't be worried about me, but about her. That is... I'm done with her. I murmured, begrudgingly. He let out a faint laugh. Standing up, now looking at me. I continued to hold on to myself. Angry and fearful at the same time. "So she told you...?"

-No. She just came mad at me. You know how it is. She skips the reasons and takes action. At least I still have hair..." I ran my hands through my hair, he smiled slightly, still sad. "And well," Alexander told me. "Did he tell you about the party?"

- Urrun. By the way, how's your head? I murmured, sarcastically.

He rubbed his forehead and I suppressed a laugh.

"Maybe you should start visiting your relatives at the rodeo." Or not. Maybe it must be bad for your male ego to see a real man riding you.

"That's cruel, you know?" I'm bad. My girlfriend cheated on me and you're making fun of my beef family. I could get depressed.

"You get over it. - he smiles, putting the discomfort aside momentarily.

-You're right. I get over it. We stared at each other, until I had to look away. Looking at the floor, avoiding eye contact.

- Well, Igor... I have no idea why I'm here. But I'm willing to listen, you know? I want to hear your explanations, if any, for everything.

"How lucky I am that I don't have words now. That's weird... I always rehearse the words of what I would say to explain to you everything that happened. And now, they're gone. Because I know that no matter what I say, it's not going to bring you back to me.

-Try. -Whispered. He smiled sideways, running his hands through his hair. Longer now.

"It seems like the older I get, the more I tend to do stupid things. Especially when it comes to you. I lose my common sense when it comes to you. Because I always put aside everything, all the consequences, just to have you close to me. My mistakes never seemed so bad to me, because in the middle of them there was always you. And tell me, how is it possible for you to be wrong? Even the wrong to good near you. It's because you're good and because you're so good, it makes everything even better.

"Don't say I'm good. It seems more like a lie.