A/N: I'm really proud of this 🥺🥺

I'm sitting next to the community pool near the hotel that my school is staying in. We're currently on a class trip to Puerto Rico, as we've recently been learning about hurricane relief and ways to help. Today was a Sunday, and we had a few hours of free time to do whatever we wanted. A couple of my girlfriends and I decided that we'd go to the pool to see if we could meet some locals and get a better understanding of the culture here. My best friend, Jasmine, is currently trying to get me to fully come in the pool with her.
"C'mon Pippa, it feels so good!" I laughed as she tugged on my leg again.
"I'm perfectly happy sitting at the edge with my feet dangling in the water" Jas just shook her head at me and splashed the water onto me. I laughed and finally joined her in the water to engage in our little splash war. A few minutes go by and my other friend, Emmy, swam over to us.
"Cute boys, 3 o'clock" she whispered to us. I laughed but looked over towards the door to see the apparently cute boys Emmy was talking about.

There were two, one has shoulder length, curly brown hair, and freckles that spread across his nose and cheeks. Sure, he was cute, but the other boy was the one who kept my attention. He too had shoulder length brown hair, his wasn't as curly though. And it was obvious he wasn't used to having long hair, as it was haphazardly thrown into a ponytail, but the majority was falling out. He was older than the first boy; he had stubble. He was also slightly taller than the first boy. He laughed as the freckled boy said something and ran his hand through his hair, taking out the ponytail holder. I realize I had been staring and turn back around to continue my splash game with Jasmine.

At some point the two boys had come over to the three of us, but they had yet to introduce themselves. So I've just stuck to calling them freckles and the other one. When they first came over they were arguing over something in Spanish. I couldn't tell what they were talking about, as I take French instead of Spanish. Emmy stepped away to call her boyfriend, Daveed, and ask him to bring a net and a ball so we could play volleyball.

Finally, Daveed arrived with the ball and the net.
"I have a bet" freckles said after a few rounds.
"Let's hear it" Jas challenged.
"Boys vs girls, losers buy dinner" we glanced at each other and then agreed quickly. We played a few rounds and it was pretty obvious that the girls were going to win. Just as we were finishing our final game, the other guy slammed face first into the pole holding up the net. We all winced as he hit the pole.
"Are you okay man?" Daveed was the first one to respond to the guy. He laughed and nodded.
"Happens more than you'd think" freckles was nearly doubled over in laughter and just barely managed to get out,
"Well it looks like you girls won, how about we all get changed and meet back here for food?" We nodded and got out of the pool, grabbing our towels quickly as we were quickly becoming cold. Freckles and the other guy left and the four of us went back to the hotel to change.

About 45 minutes later all 6 of us were sitting at a bar in the warm sun. Daveed and Emmy were in a heated conversation about some tv show. Jasmine and freckles had hit it off nicely, I wouldn't be surprised if they disappeared within the next few minutes. That left me and the other guy.
"You never told me your name" his smooth voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"You never told me yours" I countered. I had only known this guy for a few hours.
"Let's play a game. 20 questions. But we won't tell each other our names until we're done." He smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkled and it was actually somewhat cute.
"Alright, let's start simple. How old are you?" I agreed to his game, taking a sip of my mango smoothie.
"28, you?"
"21" I hadn't realized he was so much older than I. He drummed his fingers on the table as he tried to think of a question.
"Oh, where are you from?" I smile thinking of my home.
"New York, I'm here on a school trip. I assume you're native?"
"You assume correctly. My friend Anthony and I had some free time today as my parents are with my abuela."
"Abuela? Sorry, I don't speak Spanish."
"Oh sorry, I just assumed.." he trailed off, scratching the back of his neck.
"Anyways it means grandmother"
"Oh alright" I smiled. He seemed nice. We continued trading questions back and forth until Jas came over to remind me that we had to be back at the hotel soon. I frowned.
"Alright. It was a please meeting you."
"It was nice to meet you too. I'd like to take you out for a drink before you leave" I smiled brightly.
"I'd like that" he handed me his phone and I put in my number. Jasmine and I got up to go find Emmy and Daveed.

As we were walking back to the hotel I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
"You never told me your name by the way" I quickly typed out a response,
"You never told me yours"
"Lin-Manuel. But everyone just calls me Lin. Do I finally get to know yours?"
"Guess you'll just have to find out when we get that drink" I followed this with my favorite emoji.
"Seriously?"
"Nah, it's Phillipa, but all my friends call me Pippa"
"Pippa. Beautiful name for a beautiful girl" I smiled.
"Thank you. I'll see you around, Lin"
"See ya Pippa" I locked my phone as Jas and I entered our hotel room. I showered and changed into my pajamas.
"Today was fun"
"Yeah, it was"
"G'night Pips"
"G'night Jas" I turned off the lights just as my phone vibrated again.
"Me me at the pool for sunrise. I'll bring breakfast." I smiled and sent a thumbs up before closing my eyes and falling into a peaceful sleep. I think Puerto Rico has become my new favorite country.