Dies Solis: Prosa Oratio

 I'm trying something new, as I'm deep into edits of two Kpop Romance books. While those books will take a while to be published, I will share this new story with you.  Never before have I shared an entire novel this way. Before, I would add the odd Teaser Tuesday, but most of those never got published. So instead of publishing this straight away, I shall share a chapter every week on Sunday with you. 

This is scary since I'm a pantser, and usually, my betas are the ones who make sense of certain aspects of my storylines. However, I like instant gratification, and maybe, receiving feedback from readers, or the casual reader, will be fun. Most of you who email me do it because you love my characters. So I think in that respect, I'll be safe… but now watch me jinx myself. XD 

So I guess, without further introduction, here's the first installment of Prosa Oratia. I hope you enjoy it. 

An eternity in the rain

YA story

Marilyn Almodóvar

Chapter One

Paddington

 

I watched him lean closer to the door frame, a questioning look in his eyes. My hand reached for the door, and I closed it before standing opposite him.  Haru had gotten a lot taller over the summer, and it was clear that something had changed in the way he was carrying himself around. He’d always had a stylish walk due to his years’ training as a ballet dancer. He was also a wide receiver for our football team and was the pitcher for our baseball team. The name Haru Oh was well known in our school and most schools in our county.

“Were you busy?” He asked sheepishly, knowing that this was when I usually spent reading in my room or writing.

“Not really,” I lied as he cocked his head to the side and offered me one of those smiles that made his whole face light up.

“Liar,” he chuckled and then looked around. “Are your brothers here?”

“No, they’re still up at the farm. They’re coming back tomorrow with my dad.” I replied as I pointed to the porch swing.

Once we sat down, like we’d done countless times before, he stretched his long legs while mine dangled beside them.

“So, how was Seoul?”

“So, how was the coast?”

We both asked at the same time.

“You go first,” I said with a smile and then ran a hand through my unruly curls. “I want to know all about Seoul.”

“It was good. My family is doing great, and of course, once it was time to come back, everyone cried.” He said, nodding, but I could see there was something he wasn’t telling me. His eyes darkened for a moment, and then he turned up the charm. It wasn’t hard to see why most girls in our school had the hots for him. Including me, though I didn’t think we would ever be closing that friendship line. “So, how was the coast? Did you get to surf?”

“It was good but short-lived, cause my grandma fell, so we had to go to the farm. My mom and I just got back this week. Aunt Gladys and Uncle Mateo are arriving tomorrow, and they’re staying until January, so my dad doesn’t have to worry too much about spending time there.”

“But she’s okay, right? Your gran?”

“Yes, she’s a feisty gal, as my granddad says,” I told him and then nodded.

“Ah, well, that’s really good.”

“Yeah, and she got really irritated with us… I mean, she’s so used to doing everything for us, she didn’t like being waited on.”

“Really? I would totally have you all at my beck and call.”

“You did already. No, thank you.”

“That was six years ago. I was ten.” He said with a chuckle. “And you didn’t even help that much. You refused to do things for me when you saw the bell.”

“Yes, oh, I’d forgotten the bell.”

“Haru.” My mother called as she came up the steps and stopped to look at us on the porch.

Haru stood up immediately and then smiled, bowing his head slightly. “Hi, Mrs. Salazar.”

“When did you get back?”

“Oh, we arrived last night. My mom said she’ll call you tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, good, I’ve missed her. I just got pizza. Did you eat?”

“I did, thank you.”

“All right, well, there’s plenty because I bought food as if my whole army was here.” She shook her head and then gave me a knowing look before walking into the house.

“What was that about?”

“She’s upset cause I broke up with Terry.”

“Oh? And you didn’t think your best friend should know about this?”

“You weren’t here, and I didn’t want to text you about this. I talked to Magdalena.” I said, offering him a grin.

“I bet she loved that.”

“Oh, yes, she totally thinks she’s replaced you as my bestie.”

“Lies,” Haru said, leaning closer once he’d sat back down beside me. “No one can replace me.”

“Of course not. Who else knows the exact time that I was born?” I asked, and he nodded again, his face inches from mine.

“Only someone who was born on the same day, ten minutes before you.”

“Oh, gross, that makes you both sound like you’re twins,” Magdalena said loudly from the steps as Haru pulled away from me so fast, he hit the back of his head against the metal of the swing.

“You should wear a bell,” Haru said through gritted teeth as I coughed to stop myself from laughing.

“I brought that book you want to read.”

“What book?”

“Some old witches series by Anne Rice. My mom has the whole collection.” Magdalena walked the rest of the way toward us and then handed me the book. “She also said that if you want something else after this, you can just swing by the house and pick yourself.”

“Well, I’ll probably like this, so I would love to read the entire series.”

“Noted,” Magdalena said as a smirk settled on her features, and her eyes returned to Haru. “So, were you going to text me?” She asked, turning on her charms as her dark eyes fixed on Haru.

“Why?” Haru asked with a shrug.

“Well, I thought you promised to think about my proposition.” She pouted the same way that she did around the other jocks.

“Wait, what are you talking about? What preposition?” I asked with a frown.

“I gave you an answer,” Haru said, standing up, towering over Magdalena’s lithe frame.

“Well, I thought that you just needed a change of scenery.” She purred as Haru rolled his eyes.

“I’ll text you later.” He said, nodding my way before he looked at Magdalena. “Lena.” He said, walking to the stairs.

“Sure,” I replied before hitting Magdalena’s shoulder with my hand. “What are you up to?”

“It’s clear that he’s into you. Making him uncomfortable by hitting on him will hopefully speed his confession.”

“You’ve been watching way too many k-dramas.” I shook my head as my mom opened the front door.

“Hey Lena, did you eat? Oh, did Haru leave?” Mom asked as I nodded, and Lena shook her head. “Well, come on in, we have tons of pizza.”

“Thanks, Auntie Ella,” Magdalena said as my mom disappeared inside the house. “So, what do you think about my proposition?”

“It’s going to blow up in your face,” I told her. “He’s not interested, not in me… not in that way. We’ve known each other since birth.”

“That’s just so gross. You two need to stop saying that. I swear, even with him looking extremely Korean and you looking extremely non-Korean, people will totally believe you’re twins.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I said, standing up as Magdalena linked her arm with mine.

“No, what is ridiculous is that you two are crushing on each other, but continue to say that you’re just friends.” She said as I stopped in front of the closed door.

“Even if that were the case, I couldn’t,” I told her sincerely. “I couldn’t lose Haru, and that’s what happens when best friends date.”

“Bullshit, and you know it. Your parents were best friends, who fell in love and married. And are still married. So don’t give me that lame answer.” She said, pushing the door open and walking through it as I took a deep breath in.  

It was impossible to deny it because Magdalena knew me well. But I didn’t want to admit that I would totally disregard everything if Haru asked me out and just say yes.