SAU, LA'U TAMA AULELEI ! - CHAPTER 4

SAU, LA'U TAMA AULELEI ! - CHAPTER 4

pairing; teen!miguel o'hara x fem samoan oc

summary; Progress? Yes.

warnings/notes; this is so fucking rushed and not planned out.

series masterlist | prev chap | next chap

"They did one dance together, since when were they friends?" Miguel mutters, turning his attention back to notebook, pushing down onto his pen with more force than needed leading to the ballpoint of the pen to break. Ink rushing down and spreading along the white and blue lined paper. "That's just fucking great."

"What's wrong?" Sione elbows his friend, figuring out what he was looking at - more rather who he was looking at.

"Who's he looking at, g?" he looks at David who sat on the other side of him.

"Who else would he be looking at, dumbass?" David muttered under his breath. He motions his head across the room, and there sat Manaia and Seth chatting away like regular friends would.

"Fuck up," Sione pushes David, this leading to a small play fight between the two.

The brown-haired boy rolls his eyes at their little fight, getting up to grab the tissue box that was placed in front of the class on a table much smaller than every other student used.

Returning to his seat and wiping off the ink that was slowly seeping onto the table, he carefully reaches forward but feels himself being pushed from the side by Sione. Gaining balance, he places his hand flat straight onto the stained book. He groans in frustration rather louder than intended, "Fucks sake, Sione!"

This catches Manaia's attention from across the room. Maybe more few spectators other than just her.

"S'there something wrong, O'Hara?" The old lady up in front of everyone asks, pushing up her glasses that fell off the bridge of her nose.

He feels his face grow warm as pairs of eyes stared his way, "No, ma'am. I'm sorry," he apologises, rather more angry than embarrassed, he asks to go to the bathroom.

It was ridiculously hard to get the ink off his hands, the tap that stood a few steps outside the classroom had no soap, the water was freezing cold. And Miguel was not about to walk a few minutes to the bathroom only to find out it's locked.

It was ridiculously hard and time consuming, but not impossible.

It seemed like forever to someone else as their footsteps went unheard by the already-stressed boy.

"Are you okay? You seem bothered, Migs."

He turns around and walks forward, done and drying his hands, just as Manaia bumps into his chest.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Manaia," he apologises in a soft tone. Immediately his eyes are on the bun that was tied on Manaia's head, yet there was something missing. He watches as she bends down to pick up her pink sei on the ground, then offers it to him with an apologetic smile.

"Is it okay if you put it back on me, Miguel?"

A voice as soothing as hers can bring a man like Miguel down to his knees.

He watches her eyes light up as he nods with a gentle smile, "Come closer to me," he instructs, careful with his tone in case he came off too demanding.

She complies, taking a small step as she gives him the coloured flower. She feels her face grow hot as Miguel places his hand on her cheek making her look up at him.

After a few seconds, he looks down at her with a smile on his face then his eyes peer at his hand holding her face, "Sorry if it made you uncomfortable, I just wanted to get a clear look and then you know-"

He didn't feel Manaia pull away from such an intimate touch. And he was happy with that.

"It's okay, Migs," he watches as she gives a bashful smile, sensing she felt embarrassed, he pulls away.

Unknown to the fact of disappointment Manaia felt when he decided to break their small moment of intimacy.

Miguel sees a small permission slip in her hand, probably to use the bathroom he assumed. So he apologises, "Oh, I didn't mean to keep you here for that long, I'll let you go-" Hands are placed on her shoulders as a small apology, more of an excuse to get close with her, but as he begins to walk away, he feels a grasp on his wrist.

"I just made up a lie to see you," she nervously looks away, embarrassed about her truth yet a small speck of pride for being up front and honest.

Miguel feels himself growing more calm in her presence, even when her words were to make his heart race, "Why?" he asks carefully, not to come off rude.

"Wanted to check up on you, you looked really upset," she lets out a small feign cough, thinking carefully about her next few words, "Thought I can cheer you up, you know?"

Miguel's throat grows tight on him, eyes fixated on her hands that grip onto the side of her school jumper as well as her lips that form into a friendly grin. "That's very thoughtful of you, Manaia," Her eyes quickly shift from his face to the ground nervously, finally looking up at him as he lets out a small chuckle, "You always make me feel good."

mahi_sniffer: bro i caught them making out

bololicker: so THATS why they were so quiet when they got back to classsssssssssssss

aluaigioukae: NO FUCKING WAYYYYY

M.Ohara_99: No, that is not what happened

mahi_sniffer: alg just lie to the guy who's gonna be the best man at your weddinggggg alggg

aluaigioukae: fuck off thats my job

mahi_sniffer: no die its literally me

aluaigioukae: well IM the one who sent miguel manaia's @ WHICH WOULDVE LED THEM TO TALK MOREEEE

bololicker: WELL.

bololicker: you'd be wrong cos i stalk miguel's following every day, they indeed DO NOT FOLLOW EACH OTHERRRRR SHAME SHAME SHAME

aluaigioukae: HUH

aluaigioukae: MF YOU STILL HAVENT FOLLOWED HER

M.Ohara_99: ...

M.Ohara_99: I did follow her

bololicker: yeah then pussied out and undid ur request you dumbass

M.Ohara_99: I got scared.

aluaigioukae: ARE U SHITTING MY DICK RIGHT NOW

mahi_sniffer: ohhh so thats what she was sooking to me on the phone about

bololicker: wowww miguelllll wowwww

M.Ohara_99: Wait what? What was she saying?

mahi_sniffer: she called me a few nights ago saying she saw ur request and then tapped to accept it

mahi_sniffer: BUT THEN SAW U UNFOLLOWED HERRRRRRR STUPID ASS

M.Ohara_99: ..how did she even know it was me?

mahi_sniffer: WHAT OTHER OHARA DOES SHE KNOW THAT HAS A NAME STARTING WITH M OMG MIGUEL

aluaigioukae: you help miguel take a step forward and the mf just takes a hundred steps back smh

bololicker: tbh im surprised miguel's user isnt some cringey shit tbh

aluaigioukae: theyhatemiguel99 HAHA

mahi_sniffer: daddymiguel69420

bololicker: theyadore.m1 PFFFTTT HAHAH

mahi_sniffer: with his bio all like "me vs the world"

(this is literally me taking a dig at my girlfriend's ex... fk that bitch @zdawg14 HAHA)

M.Ohara_99: You all give me headaches.

[ mahi_sniffer: alg just lie to the guy who's... ]

M.Ohara_99 has replied to mahi_sniffer's message !

M.Ohara_99: If I were to have a best man, it would be my younger brother because my mother would tell me off for days if he wasn't.

mahi_sniffer: YOU HAVE A FUCKING BROTHER????

bololicker: is he hot

aluaigioukae: i mean looking at miguel, then yeah hes gotta be

mahi_sniffer: WHY IS NO ONE SURPRISED THAT HES GOT A BROTHER HELLO??

bololicker: me and david literally follow him on insta, he doesnt rlly post his face or anything

mahi_sniffer: yall are not gang

mahi_sniffer: but what does he even look like

mahi_sniffer: where does blud even live

M.Ohara_99: He lives with my father two hours away, but he is going to be living with my mother and I soon. He's going to be in our year.

bololicker: oh so yo mama single??

M.Ohara_99: Kiuga, please.

aluaigioukae: can we see what he looks like at leastttt he never posts his face

M.Ohara_99: Fine

[ M.Ohara_99 has sent a photo to pussy eaters ! ]

M.Ohara_99: That is my brother, Gabriel.

mahi_sniffer: god fucking damn

mahi_sniffer: damn damn damn

aluaigioukae: bros fine as fuck what the hell

mahi_sniffer: i mean not as fine as me but goddamn

bololicker: might catfish the bekis with this one...

aluaigioukae: g ur cousins dont count as ur bekis

mahi_sniffer: id personally never bring manaia around ur brother COS DAMN SHE'D GO CRAZY

M.Ohara_99: I rather you not say that.

Miguel feels his heart tighten at the little joke his friends make. Surely they were only joking around, right?

Weeks of studying had flown by Miguel tremendously slow. He was a prime student, top of his year every year at most, but his last year of high school raised the bar of intensity up to the highest level. Assessments, homework, and work were small in comparison to the non-stop yelling at home that his mother was causing at home.

"Miguel, baby! Have you cleared out the guest room? Your father said Gabriel will be here in a few weeks!" His mother's voice echoes throughout the house as he tried to gain some shut-eye on his desk, tired from the ginormous pile of text books he had to go through.

"My sweet boy, did you buy the snacks I texted you about? Gabriel loves them!" Her voice beams in delight. "Mama, he won't be here until a few weeks like you said," He replies, watching his mother frown. He pulls her into a hug, "It's fine, mama. He'll be here soon."

"Miguellllll, honey! Come say hi, I'm on the phone with Gabriel!" Miguel groans into his pillow, not wanting to force himself to converse with the one boy he barely talked to. He falls asleep just as his mother walks in with her phone in hand. Closing the door, she whispers on the phone, "Sorry baby, your brother fell asleep."

To be fair, his mother's loud voice wasn't as bad now that he thought of it. He guesses the reminder that his mother always gives about his brother moving in with them was what got him.

News of his brother that he only saw every few months was getting to him. Miguel couldn't tell if he was happy about being close with his brother like he used to be as a kid, or not; as they were both too late to form a bond close as they were at an age where they didn't care enough to do so. Being separated from young was hard on the teenager, unable to keep the relationship he once used to have with Gabriel was a major problem.

He remembers the last conversation he had with his brother was about literally nothing because they were both forced into a room and were supposed to get along by their parents. Awkward glances and feign clearing of throats, waiting for the other to start up a conversation was all Miguel could remember.

Gabriel being a year younger, yet smart enough to be in his year was enough for Miguel to have his reasons to be harder on himself, more than he already is.

Regardless of everything, he still found joy in the little moments where he wasn't studying or cleaning.

And much to his surprise, those little moments were with Manaia. Miguel wasn't surprised to see her getting teased by Sione every now and then, what he was surprised with was when Manaia decided to sit in the middle of both himself and Sione.

Small changes like this lead to them sitting next to each other during other classes they shared, sharing and exchanging lunches, talking to each other without having the boys forcing them to. They weren't considered close friends, but there was something still lingering between them. Compared to about 2 months ago, comfort with being around each other had grown.

"Sooo... you wouldn't date Sione if he was a girl?" Manaia questions the boy that sat across her.

Miguel chuckles before shaking his head, "I'd have to be high off my ass to even think about dating that idiot."

They both share a moment of laughter before Miguel notices all of her attention was on him. Giving him the same smile that makes his heart flutter, he avoids her longing gaze. He notices strands of hair falling in front of her face, no hair tie around any of her wrists. Instantly taking off the hair tie that was around his wrist, "Oh, here." He always kept one on when noticed a little shift in their growing friendship.

Manaia smiles gratefully and takes the tie. "You're very thoughtful, Miguel, thank you."

"No flower today, Manaia?" He asks after noticing there was no bright coloured sei decorating her hair.

"Haven't worn one for a few days after my brother tried to be romantic by taking them to church and giving them to girls," She rolls her eyes at the funny thought.

"Oh, Junior?" He asks trying to remember off the top of his head.

Manaia nods her head.

A thought lingers in Miguel's racing mind. He's still got them in his bag. Without thinking he reaches into his school bag and shyly shows the cute box of seis to the girl in front of him. She raises a brow at him.

"I.. got these for you. Ages ago, but I was too scared to give them to you," he looks away as his arm remains extended offering the box to Manaia. He feels her take the box from him. Miguel looks at her awaiting for her reaction.

She admires the box, fingers trailing along the frame as the clear plastic middle showcased two fake flowers. One, being dark purple that had specks of glitter on the leaves. Traditional Samoan patterns were checkered with the mix of purple and white. The second flower having the same design yet the two colours being red and blue.

"Miguel, they're so beautiful," She looks his way as she smiles at him softly.

Manaia gets up from her seat and walks over his way, now standing in front of him. She grows hesitant with her next step, but then she thought back to when Sione would pound motivation into her head whenever it came to making moves on Miguel. Just fucking do it or you're a pussy, he'd say as if it were helpful.

Somehow it was because Manaia bent down, placed her warm hands on Miguel's face before pulling him closer and kissing his nose.

"Yes! Yes! I fucking-"

"Did you get it properly? Stop moving, cunt!"

"Give me the phone, you dog! Let me see!"

Three boys were in a squatting position, cheering as well as pushing around with each other at the interaction their friends had. Hiding behind a bush, they recorded their friends grow closer and closer, saving it in a file titled, caught lackin'.

"Bro I fucking told you Naia would make the first move," Sione whispers, patting himself on the back.

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i dont even know where this was going, i havent planned shit.

i miss my girlfriend

oka se gay sole

shoutout to my girlfriend @zdawg14 🗣🗣🗣for reading my shit

nsfw under more EVERYONE LOOK AWAY‼️‼️‼️

i drew miguel wanking it now i think i got a kink of men jerking off LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOO

SAU LA'U TAMA AULELEI ! - CHAPTER 5

pairing; teen miguel o'hara x fem samoan oc

summary; Manaia hates the weekend.

warnings/notes; manaia getting walked in on, CREEPY UNCLE WE ALL HATE EM YK. a little junior x manaia sibling moment 🥹 this was indeed proofread poorly. HA.

series masterlist | prev chap | next chap

Manaia had spent her Saturdays either working, cleaning or babysitting. Often, it was all three in that exact order. She'd wake up at 6 am and get ready for her job that paid absolute shit, and return home to a filthy house. Of course, her mother was no use. Her uncle that just moved in was no use. However, they'd complain about anything and everything not looking the way they wanted it to. Her other siblings who liked to be in and out of the house were also no use. And Junior, well, he is still a clueless child who's barely explored the world, let alone school. To Manaia, she'd admit babysitting was the worst of them all. Her mother and uncle were out, leaving an underaged child to look after another underaged child.

Now, if there was one thing more annoying than a Saturday full of deep cleaning, then there wasn't much to be excited about on a Sunday morning. At all.

For it to only be 6 am, it was too early for it to be this loud. Manaia groaned into her pillow, blocking her ears as she heard her mother's loud voice echoing through the walls. Her younger brother was hugging her arm trying to dwell more in dreamland, but they both found it useless as they were unable to fall back into slumber.

"Get up! Get ready for loku! [church]" the elder's voice rung through every corner of their small house.

"Mhh," Manaia got up, scratching her head in anger as the yelling turned into chants of her name repeatedly. "Okay, I'm up," she says to herself as a response.

She finds herself laughing as she watches her younger brother, Junior, consumed by all three thick blankets. So that explains why she was cold throughout the whole night, "Wake up, baby, we have to get ready."

"But I'm tired," the boy gets up and rubs his eyes, Manaia wraps an arm around his shoulder while smiling, "I know, but you'll see your friends at church the faster you get ready, yeah?" She tries to sway her brother.

He smiles immediately at the thought, "You're right."

"I always am, now go wake up Pele before mum starts yelling again," She laughs as her brother sulks at the thought.

Manaia had spent her sweet time looking around for the perfect dress to go with the sei Miguel had gifted her, but every dress she had was either too dark or too light to suit the colours she had. She dug further into her cupboards, squealing with excitement as she found the perfect puletasi.

Changing immediately, she sat on her bed and took off her top. Midway of changing without a single warning, the door swung open. Manaia yelped in surprise, wrapping her front with her blanket.

"Sorry, your mum told me to tell you to hurry up." A deep voice informed, a hint of smug in their tone.

She looks at the door and there stood a relative of hers. One she never liked. He was cocky, prideful, as well as a fucking creep. Manaia knew well to keep her distance.

Frightened to respond, she nods her head and mutters a small thank you.

"Where's my ofu loku? I gave it to you to iron."

"No, you didn't. You said put it in the wash."

"YOU- Kiuga, don't fuck with me right now."

Both latter's shut their mouth as a shout runs through the walls of the small house, "Kiuga! Siana and her kids are coming over so we can go loku together, did you puga the kipoki!?" [ boil the kettle? ]

Kiuga groans in annoyance looking over at David, "I thought I told you to- nevermind," he sighs, yet think nonetheless that standing and doing nothing about his problem would do anything, "Okay, find me a white button up and a black ie at least? I'm going to clean before Nai comes," he leaves the room.

Manaia could feel herself growing a migraine. She was stuck between a guy who seemed to be scared of using deodorant - who also had the choice to sit in the empty front seat - and a kid who did nothing but cry because his mother yelled at him and sent him death glares through the rearview mirror. It didn't seem to help when her phone was on 7% and her headphones were forgotten at home.

Her hopes of a good morning are high when their car is parked outside Kiuga's house. She wishes to run out the car and knock on the door, but is crushed when her mother demands she help Junior fix his outfit as it's stained with snot and tears. He would not have been crying if her mother had learnt not to be so aggressive in the morning. Or in general.

Her mother and uncle leave the car.

She sighs, her heart breaks at the sight of her brother looking up at her with teary eyes. Gently wiping his snotty face, she cupped his cheeks and gave him a comforting smile, "Are you okay, my honey?"

Junior shakes his head, hiccuping back a cough. His breathing slows down.

"It's okay not to feel okay, baby. Would you like a hug?"

Without an answer, he wraps his arms around Manaia's waist.

"Mum's a meanie," Junior whispers with a pout on his face.

"Mum's just getting old. She can be very impatient, she doesn't mean to hurt other people's feelings," she runs a calming hand up and down his back.

"Are you going to be mean to me when you're old?"

"No, Jay. I can never be mean to you," she sighs.

Manaia looks out the window, just as Kiuga rushes to the door of the car and opens it with a wide smile, "Manaia!"

He looks over to Junior who's engulfed by his friend's arms, "Hey, Jay," he says softly, he takes a seat beside Manaia. Placing an arm on her shoulder as he smiles at the small boy.

"You're a strong boy, you'll be fine," he ruffles his hair. Junior smiles through his tears.

"Where's David?"

"Right here!"

The three look over at the opened car door, the feeling of being squished together in a small car was no problem at this point in their life, this wasn't their first time doing so. David pushes Kiuga over, forcing his big form into the car.

Since young, Manaia wasn't fond of finding friends. Places like school, family gatherings, and drink-ups her mother would host were insanely too much. It was crowded and full of people. Church of all things were the worst. Something about teaching people how to live "right", don't do this, don't do that, would be drilled into their ass, only for sin to be penetrated right into their minds right after a sermon. Hypocritical kids who would make fun of her for having a mother who drank and drank, who all unknowingly had fathers that were long gone because of the same sitch her mother was in. Her older siblings were no help to her problem either. They only made things worse for her at home.

She had her baby brother. He was enough. He was everything.

Until two beaming families had joined. There, she was introduced to Kiuga and David. Two cousins who lived a few houses down from each other, but shared the bond of two siblings. Just like Manaia and Junior.

They hung out at church. They hung out at Bible studies. They moved to her school and grew even closer. And that was where they all met Sione. Her now, best friend.

Speaking of which, Manaia's phone dings.

Sione <3: Naia, can you bring those white chips you gave me last time? 😞😞 I'll come early to school if you do i swear

"You're only use your messaging app? Did you delete your socials again?" Kiuga asks upon seeing seeing Sione's contact name.

Manaia nods her head, "Only for a while so I can study properly without my mum complaining. Do not Disturb barely works on me because I end up going on my phone anyway."

buzz buzz

(bololicker) M.Ohara_99 has sent a message to pussy eatersssss

M.Ohara_99: Good morning, everyone. I hope you have a good service today at church. Blessings to the three of you.

A smile creeps onto David's face.

"Is that the girl you've been texting for a few months now?" Kiuga asks beside him. He shakes his head.

"Nah, just Mig being Mig," he whispers, hoping the mention of Manaia's small crush doesn't get her all flustered.

"You know.. she's wearing the sei he got her," David raises a brow, "I think you should show him."

The two whisper to each other, Manaia looks over to them in concern, "Are you okay?"

They nod their head and smile at her.

David intervenes in their moment of silence, "Oh Naia, can I take a photo of you wearing your sei? I just want to make sure I get the right one for my mum when I go shopping next week," he winks slyly at Kiuga, who which he rolls his eyes at.

Manaia agrees blindly, "Get Junior and I in it! Come closer, baby," she wraps her arms around his head and he's forcefully squished between her arms and stomach, nonetheless the boy giggles.

"And.. there! Thanks, Nai."

David hits send and grins evily at Manaia.

"What is it?" She asks.

"Nah, nah, nothing."

buzz buzz

David chuckles to himself at Miguel's reaction.

M.Ohara_99 has replayed your photo!

M.Ohara_99 has taken a screenshot of your photo!

M.Ohara_99 is typing...

M.Ohara_99: She's effortlessly beautiful.

bololicker: you should come and tell her that yourself miggs 😼

"Ew! Get off, you're drooling on me!" Manaia squeals moving her shoulder as Kiuga groans at the interruption of his slumber.

"Sorry, what did I miss?"

"Nothing much," David whispers, "Pastor just mentioned another funeral we have to save money up for."

"Nothing much? Another funeral? David, that's so mean. That's so much to miss!" Manaia growls both the boys off for their behaviour.

"Who the hell died this time?"

Their voices were hushed down to a whisper as they sat at the back of everyone.

"It's so cold, why do they always blast the AC in here?" Kiuga comments.

"Cause everyone's too broke to have an aircon at home so they use it as much as they can-"

The three big AC's on the walls turn off.

"It's hot now, thanks a lot, Kiuga," Manaia says.

"How is it my fault!?" Kiuga bursts out as David and Manaia shake their head disapprovingly at him.

"I don't know, maybe God got sick of your complaining and turned the AC off for you to shut the fuck up."

"David, we're in church!"

"Ugh, it's so hot!" He leans back into his chair.

"If it's hot here, then imagine the heat in Samoa."

"Imagine the heat in Hell! If you three don't quiet down, I'll make sure you'll quiet down there!" An old lady that was sat right in front of them turned around, sick of their banter.

"Sorry, aunty," Manaia apologises, giving a toothy smile.

David groans, "Why couldn't it be her funeral we're going to?" He sneakily whispers to his close friends.

"David, don't be mean."

"I'm just saying."

"Manaia, I'm going to look so fucking good at this funeral. My chains and rings, all that shit."

"Kiuga, stop talking about it like it's a party. Someone died."

"Well everyone cries, then eats at the big ass table of food right after the service like it was nothing."

"Yeah," David chimes in, "Why go somewhere with a big feed and not look good?"

"...You're both right."

"When are we not?"

She shoves Kiuga in the side as he laughs.

Looking across the other side of the hall, she tries to spot her younger brother sitting with his friends. Smiling happily at the sight of Junior listening attentively to the sermon. She internally cringes at the sight of her uncle looking back at her.

Awkwardly looking anywhere but at him, Manaia focuses her attention back to the front.

"The hell is your uncle doing here? I thought he got deported." An annoyed Kiuga says.

"I thought he got deported twice back to Sa," David comments.

"My mum is letting him stay with us, don't know how long for."

"Speaking of your mum, where's Pele?"

"Home," Manaia says quickly, "She got into an argument with my mum this morning-"

"Are we going to ignore your creepy uncle just looking at you?"

"I rather just ignore him, stop looking his way-"

"If you three do NOT be quiet-"

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@zdawg14 hi :>

SAU, LA'U TAMA AULELEI ! - CHAPTER 6

pairing; teen!miguel o'hara x fem samoan oc

summary; One step forward, a few more back.

warning/notes; cursing, family issues, does this count as angst...

series masterlist | prev chap | next chap

High school was something you either hated or loved, there was no in-between.

"I fucking hate this class."

Sione already knew what he thought.

9 o'clock on the dot, students fill up the entirety of a classroom. Sometimes. Sometimes, students decide to come at any time they like. They can walk in through the door halfway through class time, even 5 minutes before the bell goes.

Manaia, the dear early bird, always made sure she walked into class looking clean and fresh. No bumps in her hair, nothing stuck in her teeth, lips are moist. Yet, when she doesn't feel all that prepared, she always has her best friend to help her out.

"Sione, do you have a toothbrush in your bag?"

"No, you weirdo."

"What? Why not?"

"Uh, I don't know, maybe because I use toothbrushes for you know, my teeth?"

"But-"

"I'm joking, here," He throws Manaia a brand-new 2 set of toothbrushes.

"When did you get these?"

"After the first few times you would ask me like I'm going to say yes, probably?" he jokes dryly.

Manaia beams at this, "So you got-"

"Yes, Naia, and gel too. Here," he throws over a mini container of gel over to Manaia.

She squeals and engulfs Sione into her arms. "Thank youuuu," she says happily.

"Yeah, yeah, fix your edges before your man comes."

9:28, Miguel walks in through the door. His hair is ruffled, cheeks slightly tinted and chest is heaving. "Ma'am, I apologise for being late," he says, voice hoarse and raspy.

Manaia shuffles in her seat.

"No worries, dear, take a seat."

He nods his head and makes his way over and sits next to Manaia, who looks down at her book nervously. Her arms stay enclosed to her side of the table. This wasn't the first time they had sat together, yet she always found herself unable to gather a single thought around him.

"Good morning, Manaia," Miguel greets warmly, giving her a polite smile, pushing her out of her thoughts.

"Hi, Miguel," giving a small wave, before turning around to Sione shaking him by his shoulder excitedly. He winces numerous times, "Okay, okay, I get it!" he whispers.

Miguel lets out a chuckle.

Feigning a face of calm, she smiles at Miguel. Her fingers gently brush back hairs that stuck out in front of his face, "Why were you late this morning? Are you okay?" she whispers.

"Had to help a family member move in and a few other things," he whispers to keep their conversation only to themselves. But a boy could only wish.

"Oh, you mean Gabriel?" Sione chimes in.

Miguel can feel his throat tighten as Manaia raises an eyebrow at her best friend, "Who?"

"Gabriel! Miguel has a brother, show her! show her!" Voice so hushed, the chatter among the other students were overbearingly loud and overwhelming Miguel.

"I didn't know you had a brother," a voice so soothing brought Miguel back from wonderland. "Is he younger than us?"

"Yeah.. yeah, he's younger," Miguel hesitates to say.

Manaia's face glows at the mention, "Oh, I bet he is so cute! He can get along with my baby-"

"Here, Naia. Look!" Sione shoves his phone into Manaia's face. "That's what he looks like, Miguel showed us before."

Miguel looks away annoyed, yet he finds himself curious of the girl's reaction. "Oh," He watches as Manaia's face changes, she smiles. "I thought he was going to be a baby." Her focus now on him. His heart tightens again. Her eyes travel up and down Miguel's form slowly, back to Sione's phone. Miguel hides the lower part of his body under the table at this.

"I think Miguel's cuter."

Sione had gone home early again. For the same reason as last time. That idiot. Kiuga and David hadn't even come to school, "We honestly couldn't be fucked coming today," they say over the phone call Manaia made during lunch, who sulked over their absence.

Neither Miguel nor Manaia found a reason to complain, anyway.

"You think I'm cute, huh?"

"I do not."

They were kept at a comfortable distance as they walked together along the empty sidewalk. Miguel had two bags on his back, Manaia's and his own. He offered to hold hers as hers was full of books that were thick as David's eyebrows, while his was full of air. The skies were painted grey, sly roaring of the sky had reached Manaia's ears as she looked up. "Hm," she feels a wet drop on her cheek, "It's going to rain soon," she whispers.

"Hm?" Miguel looks over at her, teasing demeanor long gone.

"I'm sorry, I think you should go home, Migs. It's going to rain soon," looking up at him with an apologetic grin, "Sorry for making you walk me home."

He smiles wholeheartedly, "It's fine, Manaia. I'll walk you home any time you ask," he stops walking. So does she.

He pulls out an umbrella, hands now fumbling around with the handle as he feels droplets multiplying, landing on the fabric of his tight sleeves.

Opening up the umbrella revealed how ridiculously small it would be to fit both of them underneath. No time was wasted as the light sprinkle grew slightly heavy, Miguel hurriedly took off his jacket before placing it on Manaia's shoulders. Giving Manaia the umbrella to firmly hold as he towered over her and the umbrella itself.

"You're going to get wet!"

"It's fine, Manaia. I-"

She pulls him by the side of his shirt, drawing closer to her. Instinctively he puts an arm around her waist. With his free hand, he takes the umbrella from her hand.

"What?" Manaia whines, "You're already holding my bag, Miguel, it's not fair."

"Am I?"

"Yes, Miguel."

"Really?"

"Mhm." The shorter girl nods her head.

"It doesn't feel like I'm holding your bag."

"Miguel."

"Manaia."

"But Miguel-"

"Yes, Manaia?"

"You're already holding-"

"You're pretty."

"...Pardon?"

"I said we're here."

They both come to a stop as Miguel holds Manaia closer to him. "It'll be better if we take the bus to your house." The bus stop had zero seats, they had zero reason to complain as they stood closer together. The bus came, they sat together, their knees touched and they didn't shy away.

"Wait, how do you know which bus to take to my house? I didn't even know there was a bus stop near my house."

"You have a best friend that tells me everything."

"And he didn't even bother to tell me? I've been walking 30 minutes every day to get home for the past 5 years!" Manaia whispers to herself, the boy next to her finds himself biting back a smile at her cute gesture.

She goes quiet as her phone buzzes in her pocket.

Sione <3: you didnt even give me my chips today u rat 😢

Manaia laughs quietly to herself, showing her phone to Miguel. "He's such an egg."

Miguel feels an itch at the back of his head. He's waited multiple years to be this close with the girl he's now friends with. As much as it annoyed him, he shut his mouth to not ruin the moment.

"That's the kid I met 3 months ago, right?" Gesturing to Manaia's lockscreen.

Her screen lit up showing the photo David had taken for him the other day, her in all her glory, wearing a dress that was in no comparison to her beauty. And there he saw the sei he had gotten her. Arms wrapped around her brother tightly like she didn't want to let go. He feels his heart dance.

"Mhm, that's my honey," she says.

He can only imagine how she would talk about him if they were an actual thing, but he couldn't be thinking of that right now, or at all. He had no right to. He wasn't hers. She wasn't his.

The bus had come to a stop exactly right where they needed it. They get off, Manaia observes the sidewalk she's on as Miguel opens back up the umbrella he held on to.

"I know this street! It's so close to my house! Could've saved me the long walk I've been doing," She sulks as Miguel puts the umbrella over her head.

They share a comforting, silent walk. "You know.." Miguel starts nervously. "My mother wants to bring along the boys to come and meet my brother. She wants them to get along with him because she says, and I quote, those boys are like my sons and I want all my kids to get along."

"Your mum is such a cutie!" she laughs lightly, tucking a hair strand behind her ear. "That's sweet of your mum to do."

"Yeah," he hesitates. "She knows how important the guys are to me and them meeting someone like my brother would be everything," trailing off, looking away from her longing stare. Eyes he wishes he could never look away from, but he finds himself doing so.

"Yeah?.." Manaia questions as he doesn't focus back on her.

"Well, I was just wondering if you'd like to come as well?" he rushes.

Miguel looks away again as Manaia tries to look him in the eye. "Oh.. I'm not really-"

"I mean you don't have to come is what I'm saying-" He curses at the thought of how rude it sounded, looking down at her parted lips, "I mean, I want you there-"

Manaia is fast to cut him off, "I wouldn't want to go if your mum doesn't know about me."

"She does because I talk about you." Miguel cries about how mind fucked he felt.

They walked in silence. It felt like Miguel was back at square one the first time he walked Manaia home. Manaia's driveway was in view, and so was the empty spot where her mum's car should've been. She sighs, looking over to the tall boy.

Nervously taking his hand into hers as they walk up to the door. It felt the same way just like it did before. Miguel could look anywhere but at her. Manaia could look anywhere but at him. Their fingers remained intertwined.

"I'm sorry if I sounded a bit sensitive earlier, Miguel," she apologises, her thumb brushing over the back of his palm. Miguel's heart slows down.

"It's okay, Manaia," he smiles.

She lets go of his hand, and awkwardly puts it behind her back shyly, "We're just, you know, friends. I just don't want your mum to think we're more than we already are."

Do words hurt more than action? Does action hurt more than words? Whatever the fuck it was, Miguel was fucking crushed.

"Yeah, I get that," he scratches the back of his neck to subside his feelings that were hurt. "But, you hold the same significance to me the way the other guys do."

"I do?"

Miguel nods his head, now looking Manaia in the eyes. "You do."

Manaia bites her lip nervously, a habit she had since she was a child. "Do you think we'd ever be something... more than what we already are?" she asks, slowly looking up at him. Her eyes held a sense of curiosity, wonder, and hope.

She tried to see through him, but his eyes were drawn to hers. Like they always are.

Miguel was always a hard case to crack. One can never know what he wanted, what he needed. A boy as blunt and "honest" as him, who would willingly try to know?

"No, Manaia. I think it would be best if we just stay as we are. Friends."

A beat.

"Okay.. that's fine by me," She whispers softly.

He nods his head for the fifth time that day.

Manaia smiles as he gives her bag back to her.

"Thanks for bringing me home, Miguel." She itches to say the stupid nickname she adored so much. She yearns to stand on her tippy toes and kiss his stupid face.

Manaia's heart strung the ugliest melody, thumping swiftly in comparison to the unstoppable rain that poured in front of them as they stood underneath the veranda. Throughout all this, she could only insult him with a word so small. Her heart was too big, yet the space in for him was empty.

As if on cue, the door swings open.

"Naia!" a small voice calls excitedly.

Miguel's eyes stay on Manaia when she turns away.

"Hi, baby," she says with a tone Miguel can't quite pick up. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Well, make it quick," another voice chimes in. Manaia looks up and nearly rolls her eyes.

She gives a look Miguel's never seen.

A figure behind Junior stares down at Miguel. He shifts uncomfortably.

"I was just going. I'll see you tomorrow, Manaia," Miguel is quick to say, putting up his umbrella and walking away before giving Manaia the chance to say her proper goodbyes.

"You didn't have to be rude, he just helped me get home," Manaia spits, pushing past the figure she calls her sister, picking up Junior in her arms.

"Yeah, well, I kind of have to see who's taking my sister away from being home, when she's got a brother back at home alone all day." her sister bites back.

"Alone? Pele, you're a University dropout, who is also unemployed, as well as not seeking to find a job. What business could you be doing outside of this house that's leaving Junior here all by himself?" She walks through the hallway of her home and into her room.

"You would rather I stay in a house with a fucking five year old and a creepy uncle, than go out? You're funny."

Manaia glares at her sister, who leans against the doorframe of her shared bedroom, "Don't use that language around Junior, at least?"

Pele scoffs, "Tsk, yeah, like you're such an innocent one."

Manaia feels her throat go dry. Pele laughs as a tease, more of a mock at her sister's growing tears.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

"You need to stop bringing that stuff up. I was a kid."

"A fucked up kid, yeah."

Manaia gets up and pushes her sister out of her room, trying to withhold her growing rage. "Get out!"

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i know but then i dont fucking know man 😞

hi big g :> @h13246879