Regal begins her morning jog as she packs her raven hair in a messy bun; her forehead has a black headband around her oval face, wearing a black leggings and gym top that stops above her abdomen. She runs across Hector’s house hoping she would get a sight after yesterday’s incident.

By the reason that she can spot his car at his front porch, she can guess that he’s also inside. So, she takes multiple turns hoping he would see her once and there, she can ask how he feels. This wasn’t the first time he was having family troubles, it was one of the reasons her parents banned she and her sister from speaking to him.

Meanwhile, Ryle and he dated for about two weeks even after her parent’s rule. Well, no surprise because Ryle was the bad sister and she, she’s the good one. One who is always supposed to do things perfect and right, it was no surprise if Ryle broke the rules, but it is different for Regal.

For Regal, it didn’t matter if her sister dated him. She knew Hector before Ryle and they spoke about personal things while he still lived here, they had a good friendship and she would never take it for granted.

Ryle went into relationships for the fun of it, but her she was into it because she wanted to impact and be impacted. It was the difference between them. Regal would never do anything for the fun of it; she follows her heart and thinks about the feelings of others before any decisions—an opposite comparison to her sister.

After what it seems to be the eighth time running around the park, Regal decides to just go ahead and ask how he’s faring. She climbs on the porch of his house and it evokes some good memories of when they sat beside each other while he played his guitar.

Regal smiles when she remembers it and she draws the carillon of the door and waits for him to invite her in.

There is no answer, so she knocks again and stares around.

Coming.

She hears his voice from inside, so she organizes herself once again and then, she remembers how soaked she must be in this moment. Regal almost kicks herself when she realizes how tattered she looks, but she can’t make a run anymore.

The door opens revealing Hector and his indecent chest, out in the open.

Regal gulps when she sees his strong arms and his scattered hair in real life, she pinches herself to find out if this is real.

“Morning, sorry I just got out of bed.” His voice is as deep as ocean water and cool as rain dews.

“Morning.” Regal only remembers.

“Come in.” Hector pushes the door open for her and she walks in, closing it behind her.

They walk over to the kitchen and the broken pieces of the chandelier are disappeared.

How are you? Hector says as he opens the fridge.

Huh? Regal asks because she’s looking at the interior of the house instead and seeing how it has changed over the years.

“Your injuries.” Hector smiles at her.

“Oh, I don’t even feel it anymore.” Regal says while she walks closer.

“Still sweet.” Hector whispers.

What? Regal knows she heard something lovely but she can’t put her fingers around it.

“You’re still sweet, Rea.”He says as he hands her a mini box of almond milk.

She collects it and stares at it.

Is it still your favorite? We used to have it at my front porch, you remember? Hector asks.

How can she forget, it is one of her best memories.

“No, I still miss the sound of your guitar.” She says sitting on the stool, looking at the almond milk.

Do you still play? Regal asks.

“Yeah, but I’m a little rusty.” He says and Regal chuckles as he pulls a sit close to her.

“Why are you here, anyway? What happened to college? Regal asks.”

I quit. He answers.

You quit? Then, what are you gonna do? Regal’s hazel eyes are filled with curiosity as Hector remembers.

Hector smiles when he sees the sparks in her puppy eyes and he can’t help it, but long to see it again and again.

“I want to start my own business, Hector says and waits for the criticism that’s she would give him, but the spark in her eyes doesn’t fade away as he expects it too.”

What kind?

“I plan on making my own soft drinks, it’s called Pluto.” Hector answers and waits for some reaction he expects, but Regal is still smiling.

“That’s lovely, Hector.” Regal says and there is wonder in her eyes.

I support you, you know that right? Regal asks because she doesn’t want him to be carried away by any other’s opinion.

“Thanks for your support, Rea, it means a lot.” He says and there is a good silence between them.

Do you have plans for today? Hector asks.

“My parents are out this weekend, so, I’ll probably be home with Ryle’s wild friends”. Regal says after air quoting ‘wild’.

How’s Ryle too? Hector asks.

She’s good too. “You guys need to break the barrier between each other, it doesn’t have to be like before, but at least, there should be a little friendship. Regal says as she opens the almond milk.”

“Right, he answers.

“If Ryle will be in with her wild friends, aren’t you going to hang out with yours too?”

Regal smiles drops a bit and Hector sees it.

“I’m better off alone, I guess.” It’s so much better without boys who can’t wait to tear your underwear apart, I value friendship and conversations. I just don’t belong in that group and I don’t think I will ever.

Hector chuckles as he hears her speak.

What about you college boy? What have you been doing? Any wild friends yet? Regal asks as he bats an eye.

“Yes, but I haven’t had my wild experience yet.” Hector says and Regal has a different meaning to what he says, her cheeks heat up in the process.