One summer I was minding my business when the people who own the house next to mine came with some of their friends from New York to visit. I live in Puerto Rico and almost every summer the Padilla family comes back to stay for a few weeks. The father got relocated a few times but now they call New York home. They didn’t want to sell their house and I’m glad. They have a son, Gilberto, who I hang out with. Nice kid. He’s a few years younger than me but we always got along.
I’ll never forget the summer I heard voices on the other side of my fence. I asked if I could come over and of course Gilberto said yes. When I walked up, there was the blonde girl that was trying so hard to get my attention. I pretended not to notice. I looked right over her to see the quiet girl with cool glasses trying to hide from me. It wasn’t until I sat down to talk to them, that I noticed just how pretty she was. Gabby…
I knew she was younger than me but after talking to her that night, it was like she was so much better than the girls in my own grade. I couldn’t even stop thinking about her when I went home that night. I felt kinda bad cus I could tell that my friend Gilberto really liked her. I didn’t know if that was his girlfriend or what. I just knew that she was someone I wanted to get to know. We did share a moment that summer. And I will never forget it.
I pretty much knew that Molly liked me. I just didn’t feel the same way about her. She’s okay but I never felt for her the way I felt about Gabby. As time went on things just got so complicated. I was in love with Gabby and so was Gilberto. Molly was in love with me and well…nobody was in love with Molly. And she didn’t like that one bit. I knew that Gabby felt something for me. She also felt something for Gilberto. I hated that. I couldn’t stand the fact that they lived near each other and I was so far from her.
Thinking about all that happened that first summer and everything after, I can’t believe how lucky I am. My love for Gabby is so much stronger; we’ve been through a lot. I can’t tell you what the future holds but I know I’m looking forward to it. After what went on, I can handle anything.
JUAN TORRES
Juan According To May
Juan Torres is the older, attractive friend of Gilberto Padilla. We first meet Juan when the other characters, Gabriella, Molly and Gilberto, travel to Puerto Rico. Juan is fourteen, while the others are just twelve years old. With Gabriella being mature for her age, Juan takes a liking to her right away. This is much to Molly’s dismay, as she developed a crush on Juan immediately.
Juan is well-mannered like his friend Gilberto. He lives with his mother, next door to Gilberto’s vacation home in Puerto Rico. He displays confidence, and is pro-active when he wants something, or someone.
As Juan ages, he grows to be, the epitome of tall,dark and handsome. At some point, Gabriella joins Molly in admiring Juan. The physical attraction is dangerous, considering, that Gabriella and Gilberto have always had a thing for each other. The chemistry taking place in the group of friends, only complicates things. Juan is not afraid to take action, when it comes to the object of his affection. Although, he respects the relationship Gabriella and Gilberto have, he doesn’t hesitate to put it all on the line.
As time goes on, Gabriella finds it much more difficult to stay away from Juan. Gilberto is her best friend and, they too have obvious chemistry. But the chemistry with Juan is more of the physical kind. The chemistry with Gilberto is emotional. Juan finds himself in Gilberto’s shadow, since Gabriella has Gilberto on a pedestal. I have to admire his grace in handling the delicate situation.
I can identify with Gabriella’s tendency to be drawn to Juan. He represents the man’s man, the take charge, steadfast guy, that women might not admit desiring, in these days.