My name is Theo Yuma and I’m 17 years old. Today’s date is December 17 2018 and I live in America but when I was 14 we had moved and I lived in Japan for 3 year at the time due to my father’s mother being ill. I used to be swimmer. To be exact I was a really gifted swimmer making a name for myself when I was a teenager. “Aqua Man” they called me. I’ve gotten use to the name because it was true. I was the best of the best in my team and I swam like the water was meant for me. It all changed until I met them. They, who cheered me on and then blamed me for not swimming fast enough. I still swam after that incident but not like how I used too.

3 months ago during that time my family had moved back to the US while I was still competing but shortly after the competition was done I then quit the team and left. After a few days I quit the team. I lost myself and I didn’t know what I was doing. I walked to a near by gas station and picked out something to drink. After paying for my drink I stop by a near by park. Sitting there drinking my cold water and walked by two kids holding hands walking side by side. The young boy who held the young girls hand so she can walk on white line balancing so she doesn’t trip or fall made me think of the time I held her hand at the beach. Nova Summer, my childhood best friend. The girl who made my heart beat with a smile. She was cute as a kid but when we became older I noticed she was becoming even more beautiful and it made me realize how much I liked her to the point I kissed her without her knowing. We did everything together, we were like 2 peas in a pod.

She’s my neighbor. Our room was across from each other which made it even more better because when we didn’t want to stop playing we would talk through our windows. When we finally reached the age of 14 we became cautious of each other like we knew how we felt for each other but we were to embarrass to admit it. God, how innocent we were. To be exact I’ve loved her ever since they day she moved next door when we were 8. But she doesn’t know that I’ve been in love with her for 6 years even now as we speak. After I moved away we still kept in touch. We would email and skype all the time until last year I stop talking to her because she had told me that she had a guy she like and they’ve been hanging out so she won’t be able to talk to me as much and I hated the fact that she had informed me that. It was like a slap into my face saying get real, your across the world while she’s back home so yeah eventually some guy will swoop her away from you. I was so angry that I had ignored her completely and focused on my swimming. She stop messaging me after that and I never heard from her since then.

My siblings still keeps in touch with her but that was it. She never asked about me and I never asked about her. I have 4 siblings. An older brother named William Yuma (22) and the triplets. Rome Yuma (15), Henry Yuma (15), Sunhee Yuma (15) and of course my parents Leyon Yuma (48), Natile Yuma (48). 2 parents, 3 brothers, and 1 sister. If your wondering about the age difference from William and my parents is...well William was adopted when he was younger. And my sister is the baby of the family and everyone is overprotective of her since she’s the only girl in house. Rome and Henry is just Rome and Henry. My parents are very beautiful people and that makes it very good genes for us kids to inherited their beauty. Even William have good looks and he isn't even our blood. Not to mention my parents are super rich since they own their own multi million business back in Japan and Korean. My father’s a businessman and my mother works along side with him. They travel a lot for work which means we sometimes take care of ourselves which is fine because they’re trip is no longer than 4-5 days. If the trip is longer than usual then Lisa, my parents secretary comes hangout with us. And no she isn’t a babysitter.

After walking in memory lane there was sting in my heart and it made me feel sad. I hated the feeling so I got up and went back to the dorms. That same night before going to bed I made a phone call to my brother William. He’s my person. The one who gets me and accepts everything about me. He even knows about Nova. But that night my heart was uneasy and I ended up explaining everything to him. He just laughed and said...

“ Theo, I don’t know whats making you feel like that but sometimes good things fall apart. We can dramatic about it but at the end of the day you coming to terms with your feelings will make you see the bigger picture.”

After our conversation we hung up and it got me thinking and he was right. I was so angry about everything that it made me not like what was happening to me. Who am I? I closed my eyes thinking to myself why is it so hard for me to breathe. Then Nova image came into my mind. I started to breathe softly and calmer. I start remembering all the good times we had and I eventually fell asleep.

The next morning I called my parents and had explain to them I’m coming back home and that I had quit the team. My parents didn’t really understand why but they eventually agreed and 1 week went by and I came back home, December 17th 2018 I’ve arrived back to my home town in the US. It was winter break for everyone so everyone was off school for the next 2 weeks. It was roughly 6pm when I arrived. My family had made reservations at a restaurant we always use to go as a family @7:30pm. Since everyone was busy they didn’t have time to pick me up so I called for an Uber and went home to drop off my stuff and went back into the Uber and went straight to the restaurant. I got there on time but no one was there yet. I called my younger brother but they seem to be stuck in traffic so I told them I would go get our table beforehand. As I was walking towards the door I can see young boy about my age talking to a young waitress around the same age from the glass door window. It looked as if he was flirting with her because she looked like she was enjoying the conversation. As I was opening the door some random girl walked pass me so fast that it caught me by surprise that I didn’t even see her face. All I could see was that she had on a white hat with long dark brown hair, skinny, height up to my shoulders, tan trench coat, skinny ripped jeans, with white shoes walked up to the guy and tap him on the shoulder and slap him hard.

I walked over to the bar and sat down and watched the girl keep hitting the guy. I laughed a little bit thinking that she caught him cheating. I turned to the bartender and ask for a cup of water and as I turn my head back to keep watching I caught a glimpse of the girls face and I see her. My eyes widen thinking that I might be mistaking her for someone else but no, who would ever forget this kind of face. Nova Summer is a face you don’t ever forget.

As I keep staring at her in disbelief the young man grab her by the hand and pull her out of the restaurant. I sat there for a few minutes gathering my thoughts and I got up and went out the door and started looking for them. I found an alley and walked towards it and just before I get to the end and turned at the corner, I took a deep breath and I couldn’t seem to let it out breath because I saw them....in the middle of the parking lot, kissing.

I was shocked seeing the kiss in that parking lot that I forgot how to freaking breathe.

I can’t believe it, it really was her. My eyes didn’t deceive me. Before I knew it, Nova had pushed him back and slapped him again. I took a step back into the alley leaning my back against the wall making sure they didn’t see me.

Nova: (calmly talking) Not once, not twice, but a third time I caught you with her giggling and being touchy looking like a idiot. How could’ve I’ve been so stupid to trust you again. We’re over Jason. For good.

Jason: (in a angry voice) you never trusted me in the beginning. How many times do I need to tell you?! She is my friend! The person who listens to my worries and gives me advice. If you can’t trust me on this than this relationship means nothing to you. (Trying to calm his voice) Look Nova, there are things I can’t tell you because its too personal for me to let you know (He puts his arms around her rubbing her shoulder reassuring her that it really was just that) please I’m not doing the thing you think I am. You know me enough to know that I will never do anything to hurt you? Let’s just forget about this whole thing and I’ll take you to go eat at your favorite place, alright?

Nova: (in an angry voice) there you go again! Do you think I’m fool to believe you. I’m your girlfriend! What’s so personal that you can’t come to me for advice that you have to go to her all the time. If you can’t even as much as tell me your worries than what am I to you? (Chuckles a little bit and pushed away his hands off her, she stared in Jason eyes with her big brown eyes taking a deep breath and letting it out sigh and in a sharpe tone) they were right. I’m just another pretty girl you want on your arm to show off. So no, I’m not hungry. I don’t know anything about you because you don’t want to tell me. To think I actually thought you give a damn about me. Your just like the rest of them. We’re over Jason. Go talk to whoever you want about your “feelings”. Goodbye.

As I watched Nova walking away, Jason standing there yelling at the top of his lungs....

Jason: “will screw you too! I dated you because I really did liked but you ending up just like I thought you would be! You were just another pretty girl, to good for anyone! No wonder your best friend never talked to you again!”

He sighs in frustration and got into his car and left. I came forward as my eyes was searching for Nova but it was too late. She had disappeared. *ring ring ring* Picked up my phone and saw my brother’s name on the caller ID (Henry)....shoot the restaurant. I looked at the watch and it was 8pm. I picked up the call and turned around walking back to the restaurant. When I arrived I can see my family there sitting at the table waiting for me. I had a big smile on my face when they saw me. Its been 3 months since I last saw them and I missed them like crazy! The first person who ran up to me first was Sunhee.

Sunhee: AAHHHHH! THEOOO!! (Jumps up on me and hugs me)

Theo: (I open my arms widely catching her in my arms, twirling her in a circle) whaaooo ahahaha. I missed you too. (Placing her down she gave me the sweetest smile ever and I couldn’t help it but pinch her cheeks)

Sunhee: owowow brother stop

Theo: ahaha my baby sister is the cutest! (It’s true she’s the cutest! What can I say...I dot on her, being a big brother is tougher than it looks)

My two younger brother walked towards me shaking my hands and as I hugged them and I pat them both on the back I looked at them with a grin...

Theo: Still looking good guys. I see ya’ll had a growth spurt. Almost as tall as me and a bit better good looking just like me ( I chuckled a bit letting them know how much I missed joking around with them.)

Henry: Damn right we did. Your not going to be the only tall one in the family anymore.

Rome: thats for sure. Besides being 6’1 ain’t nothing to be praised about. 5’11 is still good. Right mom?

Mom: (walks towards Theo and gives him a kiss on the cheek) of course sweet heart. Height is nothing, you all are tall and very handsome like your father and beautiful like me and nothing will change that. (She looked at me and smile) welcome home my boy. I’ve missed you.

I leaned in and hugged my mom tight. I missed her the most. I’ve been waiting for this warmth for so long I hugged her tighter and I can see my father walking towards us and he open his arm and hugged us both giving me a kiss on the side of head...

Dad: Welcome home son. We’ve missed you.

Everyone giggled and the rest of them came in for a group hug. The only one missing was William as he’s in college back in South Korea. His story is a bit complicated but long story short my parents adopted him when he was 7 years old. He was a son of a close friends of my parents who lived in Korea but his parents both passed away from an illness. It turns out his parents had gave the rights to my parents to adopt him and to take care of him and didn’t want neither of their families involved with William. I don’t know the whole story but I sense a lot of hatred when he learned the truth about his other families. As we ate, talk and laughed for a couple of hours we headed home. As I’m getting out of the car I looked next door and I can see that Nova came home as her lights in her room were on. Rome punched me on should lightly...

Rome: she doesn’t know your home you know.

Theo: (looking confused) you guys didn’t tell her?

Henry: Nope. Why would we. She has a bf. It would only cause more problems.

Sunhee: oh stop it guys. She’s in a rough situation besides we didn’t tell her because we thought....you didn’t want her to know.

Rome: you know she was disappointed when she saw us on the first day of school right.

Theo: (I had this curious look on my face) Why?

(Rome walked towards the house and I followed)

Rome: When she saw us it took her awhile to recognize us and when she did she welcomed us back and when she didn’t see you she looked a bit sad. I kinda figured so I told her that you were still busy with your swimming competition so your staying behind and she just said sure. Besides she wasn’t the only people who asked for you.

Sunhee: now that you mentioned it yeeaaah. I’ve got a bunch girls in the drama club asking me about you but I didn’t think you know them so I didn’t really say anything.

Henry: The coach from the swimming club was more sadder. Keeps asking us when your coming back.

(I laughed and walks towards the fridge and opens it and grabs a box of juice)

Theo: well I won’t be joining any sports team this year. I quit swimming.

My siblings looking at me like joke.

Siblings: pffft yeaaah right.

They laughed like I was joking.

Theo: I’m serious you guys. I’m not swimming anymore. I’ve already told our parents and I told William too. Look, I’m not asking you to understand my reason but just support me okay. I need a break from it.

Henry: Okay. We’re here for you.

Rome: yeah me too.

Sunhee: For you Theo, of course! No need to ask. Your our big brother too. Just let us know if you need anything.

I smiled and pat Sunhee head. I looked at my watched and its roughly almost 10:30PM.

Theo: Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I’m gonna go into my room and organize my stuff before going to bed.

Siblings: goodnight broo.

Theo: Night guys.

As I walked back through the living room I grab my stuff and head upstairs. My room was the last one down the hall. As I open the door and turned on the lights eveything looked the same. I drop my stuff next to the bed and closed the door and turning my head looking around.

I smiled to myself as nothing has change and that my room was still the same. I can see a picture of us when Nova went to the beach with my family. What happen to the innocent Nova who cried all the time. Who are you?...There, that same pain on my heart came back again like it did in Japan. I place my hand on chest patting it making sure that it was okay. I needed some fresh air as I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I went to my window and I opened my curtains and unlocked my windows. As I was opening them wide open I looked up and again, there she was....just looking at me with her big brown eyes. I was lost in thoughts as I can see that she’s gotten even more beautiful than before. This time she had put her hair up in a bun and wearing rounded glasses. Her perfect not so round face, her collar bone popping out showing her beautiful slim neck. And these medium size lips I kissed before was just staring at me.

I smiled gently at her leaning forward with my hands on the bottoms of my window...

Theo: Hi beautiful. Its been awhile.

The pain in my heart suddenly disappeared and instead......something else came on *thump bum, thump bum” I remember this feeling. No, I know this feeling. This feeling I held onto for so many years....had resurfaced.

“Hey beautiful, it’s been awhile”....

I waited for a response but she just kept looking at me without making a sound but all of the sudden I can see a tear drop running down her face and she backs away and closed her window on me. In my defense that was rude but I understand. Why would she say anything to me. We haven’t talked for about a year. I left my window open for awhile and I cleaned my stuff and shortly after that I took one more glance at her window and closed mine and I went to bed.

(Nova’s side)

I can hear the Yuma’s car driving into the drive way and they seem to be in a good mood. Ugh. Today sucks. *buzzzzz* a text message from Jason.

Jason: Nova! Are you really going to ignore me! We need to talk! Your over reacting! Pick up the phone please!?

I deleted the message and block him immediately. I hate man. All the do is lie and hurt you. I don’t know why I even dated that jerk. He was cute but now all he is, is a cheating scum bag. I open my windows for some fresh air and I can see his windows...

Nova: its still dark inside. (Takes a deep breath and lets it out).....Theo..

My heart started to tighten whenever I think about him. I touched my lips....remembering that day when he secretly kissed me. This boy I used to love. Who never hurted me suddenly just disappeared. Why? Why didnt you come back with your family? All this thinking made my heart hurt even more and all of the sudden I see lights coming from his room....What? All these thoughts of him returning ran through my mind and made me so anxious and I saw a light shadow of the person moving. All I could think of was “Theo, Theo, Theo” but I was also scared because its been 3 years since I last saw him.....how much would I recognize him. Maybe its just his brothers? Alot came into my mind. Oh shoot!!! The curtains moved! I can see his room! Then his windows open....I can see him smiling at me..oh crap.......its really Theo.

Theo: " hey beautiful, it been awhile."

It was really him. I was so in disbelief that I couldn’t answer him. IT’S HIM! IT’S REALLY THEO! MY THEO! Then I felt this tight pain piercing through my heart. I feel something running down my face. Tears? Why? Why is tear coming down my face? I don’t know why but I was getting sadder the longer I stare at him. He’s gotten taller, his eyes were still as kind as ever because the way he looks at me was still the same as back then. His comb over head hair style looked good. He's finally gotten his Adam apple like he always wanted. His figures looks great. He’s gotten very handsome. I step back and closed my windows and curtains as fast as I could and I started to panic!

Nova: omg...omg. OMG! Stop rolling down my face stupid tears!

I wiped away my tears and I ran to my bed and cover myself just thinking like what the hell just happened!!! Why is he back? Nonononono! I pulled the blankets down and just layed there. Theo Yuma is actually back home. Great....now what? I turn off my lights and doze off to sleep.

A few days had passed by and I never saw Theo. To be exact I never went outside of my house so I didn’t see anyone. Today was Christmas. I have two younger brothers\, 12 and 9. Kai (12) and Luca (9). I love them both dearly and I’m an overprotective older sister. My mom is a single mother and my drop dead father left us 3 years ago a few months after Theo’s family moved away. I don’t trust men. Their liars and when they get what they want\, they’ll leave just like that. Just like with Jason\, he cheated on me and lied about it so I dumped him. Honestly I really did like him. He seem different but I was totally wrong. *door bells ring* Huh? Who could that be?

I opended the door and saw Jason. I walked forward pushing him back outside a bit and closed the door.

Nova: "Why are you here Jason. I’ve told you that we’re not together anymore. What more do you not understand."

Jason: "You wouldn’t talk to me so I came over. Look I know your still angry but you have to believe me. But I didn’t come here to start a fight with you or anything, look here. I bought theses gifts awhile back for Christmas and I just wanted to come by to drop these off. There gifts for your brothers and your mom and you of course."

Nova: "It's fine Jason we don’t need your gifts. Just go home please."

(My mom opens the door.)

Mom: "Jason.....Nova is everything alright?"

Nova: "Yeah mom, Jason’s was just leaving ( I gave him the look that he better leave or else )"

Jason: "Hi Mrs. Summer I was just leaving but here these are you and the boys. Merry Christmas."

(Jason gave the presents to my mom quickly and left. My mom gave me the look and I didn’t like where this was going. I opened the door and went inside)

Mom: "Hold on there young lady. Now I know you guys aren’t together but you shouldn’t be mean to the boy."

Nova: "Mooom please no. I don’t want to talk about it. Just....give the presents to the boys okay. Im going back to sleep."

Mom: "Now hold on. The Yuma’s has invited us over for dinner tonight apparently Theo has finally come back home. Isn’t that exciting! I bet you didn’t even know that right? I saw him last night and Nova you are gonna fall in love!!!! He had gotten so handsome!"

Nova: "Wait, you saw him?"

Mom: "Yes. Our mail got mixed up again so I went over to give them back their mail and Theo open the door. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him haha."

Nova: "Okay mother. Ahmm look mom I'm not feel well so I’m not going over for dinner. Send my regards please."

Mom: "Are you okay? Just get some sleep if your not feeling well then. You can stay. Take some medicine before you sleep."

Nova: "Thanks mom I will. Love you!"

I wasn’t lying. I didn’t feel to well. I took some medicine and went to sleep. I woke up later that night and it was around 9pm. I went down to the kitchen and saw a note....

“We went to dinner at the Yuma’s. Come over if your feeling well. - mom.”

I wasn’t hungry so I drank a glass of water and I just went back to bed.

(Theo sides)

Nova’s mom: "I’m sorry if Nova couldn’t make it. She isn’t feeling very well these pass few day. And I’m sure you were excited to see her again Theo."

Theo: "It’s no problem Mrs. Summer. I’ll see her whenever she feels better."

Honestly I probably wouldn’t want to see her too. I wouldn’t know what to say to her anymore. After dinner I went to my room and her lights never came on.

It was New Years eve. Just two more days before break is over and we go back to school. We still haven’t seen each other. I don’t know if I hated it or I’m glad but I was started to feel anxious. How long do we need to wait again. I want to see her.

My brain started to hurt the more I thought about it. I went to the indoor pool my parents had built for me when I started swimming oversea. I know I said I wasn’t swimming anymore but swimming helps me get things off my mind. I jump into the pool and started swimming. I did a few laps back and forth. When I was done I lay on my back in the water allowing me to float. I stayed there in that position for while and I closed my eyes. It was quiet. I took a deep breath and went under water. I was stinking...I open my eyes and I can’t see anything. It was dark and I was scared. I raise my arms searching for the surface. I couldn’t see any light but slowly I saw a little dot shining brightly. I followed that small light with my hands and I came up to the surface. I was out of breath gasping for air. I swam backwards until my feet touched the ground. I wipe my face with my hands and pushing my hair back and turned around slowly and walked towards the stairs. I was soo zoned out that I didn’t see the towel hitting my face. I looked up and it was her, Nova.

Nova: "Hey. It has been awhile."