My Sister's Boyfriend
60

"You're not going to drown, or die, or anything. I promise not to let you go.

"No, no, no... I'd rather watch you surf. Have fun! - he smiles encouragingly. Igor rolled his eyes, let go of the board and came over to me. I was confused and surprised. Then he took my towel off my shoulder, threw it next to his board and just threw me on his shoulders. So, quite natural. I ended up gasping in surprise. I remained quiet, in shock, until I realized he was walking... To the sea! -Eeyore... EEYORE! LET ME GO.

I could feel him going into the water as he laughed. Then I felt the water on my feet and Igor let me go. I sank slightly, until I felt Igor holding me by the arms, keeping me on the surface. The water lapping at our necks. We were finally at the same 'height'. It was weird.

"No deaths so far, see?" I took a deep breath. Being aware of the seawater in my body. From the gentle swings that the water made. Of how tightly Igor gripped my arms, and how close I was to him. I felt the wave, even before it touched me. At that point Igor pulled me closer and before I could even scream, he sank us. The wave rushing past our heads. We emerged, I blinked, and Igor pulled me closer. I brushed the hair out of my eyes. And I looked at that cheeky smile. "I hate you, Igor. I coughed, and he laughed harder. Throwing your head back. The sun touching his hair and him touching my skin. I felt goosebumps, from the cold, for Igor. For everything...

He seemed to notice my confused gaze, staring at me more steadily this time. I noticed my lips parted and I could taste the salt water. I did my best to avert my eyes from Igor's. But it was hard. My stomach churned, and I almost collapsed when I noticed his lips getting closer and closer. So.... Another wave took us by surprise. Interrupting that awkward moment. I sank and Igor gripped my arms tighter, pressing me even tighter to him. In those measly seconds, underwater. I felt something brush against my lips. Quickly and safely. Lips on mine for a few seconds and fingers grabbing my arms in a way that hurt.

We emerged again, I took a deep breath. Confused. There was probably water in my brain. I looked up, blinking furiously. Until Igor's face came into focus. He looked as dismayed as I did. I let go of his arms and used all my effort to reach the beach, walking awkwardly. Feeling the sand on my feet and grabbed my towel next to the board, wrapped myself in it and walked again, confused, not looking back. I could hear Igor calling me further back. I didn't look back. I was angry, I don't know what. Not only anger at having made me go into the water, anger at him making me feel safe and even satisfied in the midst of my fears. Anger at maybe having imagined that kiss. Peck. Whatever. Maybe I miscalculated. Igor wasn't that far behind me. He pulled me by the arm, causing me to turn sharply. With my free hand I brushed the wet hair off my face again and I could already feel myself shaking. Igor's eyes were confused, still. Confused and yet decided. Her hair dripped water and dripping drops from her arms. Slowly, without any explanation, he approached. A very familiar attitude, Igor never expected. It took seconds for my brain to realize what was going to happen. So my body didn't wait long enough for his lips to touch mine. I stretched out on my tiptoes until I felt the brush of his lips. Igor grabbed the back of my neck and then I fully felt his lips filling mine. It was a kiss between two strangers, I imagine. Slow and smooth. It was a surprise for both of us. Less for my body. I'm used to that familiar touch, to that familiar way of holding my hair at the nape of my neck. It was like a past, that kiss. Salty lips, the sea breeze, my angry will. But everything was different. I felt angry. And we were... Friends. There was not only the cruel physical attraction, but that friendship. That acquaintance for each other. Igor broke the kiss before I did.

I gasped, the oxygen coming back to my brain. I let go of Igor. Absolutely confusing. I didn't look at his face, leaving him planted in the back and running to my house. Looking for family security. Trying to believe that I would wake up in my bed knowing that none of this had happened. That nothing had been spoiled. (...)