Chapter Two

Finn's POV

It was Saturday at six in the afternoon when I arrived home, whistling. Although tired, I was so happy our neighbor Mr. Dave Anderson asked me to clean their backyard. He paid me twenty reais for just an hour of work! That's awesome!

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., I worked as a crew member in a fast-food chain and earned twenty reais a day. After that, I would go to the church to mop the marble floors, clean the walls, scrubbed the comfort rooms and raked the Bermuda grass. I have to work during weekends, so I could help my mom with our daily household expenses. My mother, Karina Martins, worked as a caregiver. But her income was just enough for our house rent, food, electricity, and water. There was no excess for us to save during rainy days.

I was on scholarship in school, so my mother does not have to worry about my tuition fees and other school expenses. I made sure to get good grades every year, so I could maintain my scholarship in our school. It was not really hard. I enjoyed studying and learning new things every day. I considered it a challenge that I have to get through in order to succeed in life.

I admit that it was hard being poor and being surrounded by rich kids in our school. But I earned their respect because I made sure to excel in everything that I do.

With regards to my father, I never knew him. Mom said he was Greek and he already died when I was born. My mother was an unwed mother. That was the reason why I took her family name, Martins.

I opened our front door and shouted. "Mom, I'm home!"

"I'm in the kitchen, Finn," my mom shouted back.

I went directly to the kitchen and smelled the delicious aroma of my favorite dish, moqueca de peixe.

"Hi, Mom. Hmm...that smells delicious." I kissed her cheek.

"You looked so tired."

"I'm fine, Mom. I shovelled the dirt in Mr. Anderson's backyard. He was going to landscape it by himself. He was so generous, he gave me twenty reais."

"My goodness, that's too much!"

"Yes, I know. And he was asking too much about you."

Mom blushed. Hell! She never blushed before. She must like him, too. I didn't have a problem with Mr. Anderson. He seemed like a good person. If he ever decides to court Mom, well, it was fine with me. She deserved to be happy.

"Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving.

"This is already done. Set the table, okay?"

"Okay, Mom," I said to my mom and immediately set the table for dinner.

***

After dinner, I took a bath and brushed my teeth. I decided to call it an early night, since I have to wake up early for my job at the fast-food chain the following day.

I just finished my bath when my cell phone beeped. I went to the bedside table to check my text message. It was from my first cousin, Kelly.

'Finn, you have to come here in the house, now. I have an emergency and you're the only person who can help me. Consider the money you owe me paid if you get here in fifteen minutes.'

What!? Kelly was crazy. But I would be crazier if I don't go to their house within fifteen minutes. I owed her fifty reais. That was a lot money, if she would consider it paid.

I took a clean white shirt and faded blue jeans. I dressed up as fast as I could and put on my sneakers.

I was running downstairs and shouted to my mom. "Mom! I'm going to Kelly's house. I'll be back in an hour or two."

"Okay. Drive slowly."

I took my motorbike out from the garage. It was second hand and my mom's birthday gift for me when I turned seventeen last month. I knew she paid it on an installment basis from her employer.

I arrived at Kelly's residence in less than fifteen minutes. My Aunt Clara opened the door. She was my mother's younger sister.

My mother and Aunt Clara were both orphaned at a very young age. Their parents died in a car accident. The nuns in an orphanage took care of them until they were eighteen years old.

Aunt Clara got married to an architect, Uncle Carlo Riviera. They might not be that rich, but their family lived comfortably.

"Hi, Aunt Clara. Where's Kelly?" I greeted my aunt with a kiss.

"She's in her room, Finn. Just go upstairs."

"Thanks, Auntie." I said and immediately ascended the stairs.

I stopped outside Kelly's room. I was about to knock when I heard voices of girls talking and giggling. I suddenly panicked. What am I doing here? I asked myself.

I suddenly got nervous. Hell! What if my long-time crush, Nina Peres, was inside the room? Kelly and Nina were classmates, and they hung out together in school.

I recalled the first time I saw her in church. I was thirteen years old. My mother and I were sitting behind her and her family. I was so captivated by her innocent face, like an angel's, with amazing green eyes and dark brown hair. Her long hair was so shiny like silk that flowed down to her waist. She was absolutely beautiful. The most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my entire life.

Since that day, I never stopped dreaming about her. She was my dream girl. I promised myself that someday, I would be very rich like her family. I would strive to be the perfect man for her. Someday...

I fixed my hair with my hand. I was wearing my old white shirt and old, torn, faded blue jeans. God, I'm a mess. I was thinking of going home and changing, or never coming back at all. But the 50 reais was a lot of money, and Kelly would consider that debt paid.

I inhaled deeply. My hands were shaking. Instead of knocking on Kelly's door, I texted her.

'I'm here, outside your bedroom door. What's going on?'

In less than five seconds, Kelly­­ came out of her room.

"Finn! I'm glad you're here." Kelly hugged me. "You're my savior."

"Of course! You said it's very urgent. What's going on? Who's with you in your room?" I asked her. I really wanted to know if Nina Peres was inside her room at that moment.

"My friends, you don't know them. Anyway, I asked you here because...you remember you owe me 50 reais from last year?"

"Yup. How could I ever forget? You keep on reminding me every time we bump into each other."

"I do not! Actually, you owe me 50 reais plus interest, that makes it 100 reais now."

"What? Are you crazy?" I was shocked.

"I'm just kidding." Kelly laughed at me. "Since you're here now, consider it paid already."

"Really? Just like that? That's really great. Thanks!"

"Oops...not so fast. You have to do something for me first."

I was confused, and I asked her. "Huh? What?"

"Just something to make our slumber party more fun. I promise you, nothing embarrassing." Kelly explained.

"Are you sure? I don't trust you, Kelly."

"Finn! Believe me, okay. Just remember that you won't owe me money anymore."

"Okay, fine." I conceded.

"I just need 15 minutes of your time."

"Huh? What am I going to do for 15 minutes?"

"Just wait and see, okay? Trust me."

"Okay, okay...make sure I won't be embarrassed."

"You wouldn't, promise." Kelly answered bossily. "Let's start your 15 minutes now. Turn your back on me and bend your knees, you're so tall." Kelly ordered me, and I groaned. I turned my back on her then she covered my eyes with a handkerchief.

"Hey! Is this necessary?" I complained. I sensed trouble at that moment.

"Shh...don't talk and stop complaining. Fifteen minutes, remember?" Kelly said firmly.

"Okay! "

Kelly blindfolded me. I got irritated. She tricked me. I heard her opening her bedroom door, and there was a commotion.

Kelly said, "Shhh...no talking."

I knew there were girls in her room, but I can't figure out how many they are. She took my arm and led me further in her room. I heard another door open. I was thinking it was a bathroom door. Then she pushed me inside the room and automatically locked the door. What the hell? This is not a bathroom, this is an empty closet! I thought to myself.

"Hey!" I yelped when I felt someone. A girl? I tried to get out, but Kelly quickly shut the closet door.

"Kelly! What the hell are you doing? Let me out of here! You tricked me." I shouted. I removed the handkerchief from my eyes.

"Shhh...be quiet." The girl standing behind me whispered.

"Hey! Who are you, and what are we doing here inside this closet?" I said angrily and banged my hand on the closet door.

"Today is my birthday, and this is the surprise that Kelly and my friends planned for me."

"A surprise, huh? Being locked in a closet with a guy? That's stupid." I got angrier now. I looked up and saw a ray of light from Kelly's room. At least, there's ventilation. We wouldn't die in fifteen minutes, being trapped in here. That was the first thing that came to my mind.

"I know. I was shocked at first when they told me to go inside the closet. Now that you're here, I get the whole picture of their surprise. I didn't have any idea about this until now, promise. I'm just cooperating." The girl had a very soft voice, so feminine and demure.

I was not convinced with her explanation. I wanted to snarl at Kelly. But since she was not around, the girl in the closet was a good candidate to snarl at, at that moment.

"Why pick me?"

"I told you I did not know any of this. I'm sure Kelly picked you. You're her cousin, and you can come and go in her room. Her parents wouldn't mind. So, I guess that's the reason you're here."

"Well, she tricked me into coming here!" I said angrily, feeling so uncomfortable being inside the small closet. "I don't know about you but my face hurts, being pressed up against the door."

"You can turn around and face me. There will be more room for us if you do." The girl's voice was really getting me. She had an amazing, sweet, soft voice. A very soothing voice that anyone wouldn't get tired of hearing.

I turned around slowly and was very careful not to touch any sensitive part of her body. I put my arms above her head to avoid touching her. I was trying to see her face, but it was all black.

"It's so dark in here." I said to whoever she was. She smelled so good, a combination of roses and jasmine. Her scent stirred all my senses. So fresh like a garden of flowers. Her skin was so soft. I bet she was wearing a pair of skimpy shorts and a top. Her entire body was touching mine! What the hell? Her body felt so soft, especially her breasts that were pressing just below my chest.

"Yup. We are stuck in here for fifteen minutes." The girl said, her breath fanning my neck.

"That's what she said to me. So, you girls hang out with Kelly, are you classmates?" I asked her.

"Yup. We hang out together almost every weekend and often do it here in her place. Why?" she queried.

"Nothing really... Well, I have a big crush on one of your classmates, but she doesn't seem to notice me."

I told the girl about my crush, so she wouldn't be scared thinking I would take advantage of her inside the empty closet. Besides, I didn't want her to get the wrong idea of me and her becoming an item because of our intimate situation at that moment.

"Really? Have you told her how you feel?" The girl was excited all of a sudden.

"Of course not, I mean not yet. There hasn't been an opportunity to do so. We are not even friends. I avoid telling Kelly. She has a tricky little mind, she could ruin every little chance I have." I laughed. At least we're having a conversation now.

"Then maybe I can help you. I can introduce you to her."

"I don't know, you could be as tricky as Kelly." I smirked.

"Hey...you're mean. I'm not like that."

I laughed at her. She remained silent for a few seconds. To continue our conversation, I said to her. "Okay then, if you really intend to help, I'll get your number. I could ask for your help if all my moves will not succeed."

I took my cell phone out of my front pocket. I opened my phonebook. "What's your cell number?" I asked her.

"55-21-9219-1432." The girl dictated her number, and I keyed it in my contact list.

"Okay...and your name?" I asked again, looking at the screen of my cell phone.

"Nina. Nina Peres."

Suddenly, the room felt so tight. I could not breathe. My heart pounded so fast, and my pulse rate was in a riot. I could feel my sweat running down my forehead and my neck. I could not believe what I heard.

Then I looked at her face. With the dim light of my cell phone, I saw Nina's pretty face smiling at me. I was so stunned. I felt like I was about to die at that moment.