Derek had been standing outside the interesting light brunnete boy’s room on his phone, answering urgent texts from his brother when Simon left the room, shower stuff in hand as he briskly walked down the hall, not noticing Derek’s presence.

Soon after hearing whimpering and pleas of apology from the inside of the room. No doubt being that ‘Zay’ kid.

This isn’t trespassing, the door was left ajar. He told himself, peeking into the room to see the small boy sobbing and apologizing to someone with his eyes closed. It didn’t look like he was on the phone.

When he shifted, Derek smoothly backed away from the door, feeling as if he intruded on something he shouldn't have.

Great, now I’m being a creep. He thought, walking down the hallway back to his room. He entered to see Chris looking troubled at stacks of homework, and grunted in amusement.

“Oh hush, Derek, I don’t have time for you making fun of me.”

“Need a soda?” He offered, feeling slightly bad, but no matter.

“Yea, that’d be great, How's that weird small british kid by the way?”

“Crying in his dorm room.”

Derek was grabbing his wallet to stop by the vending machines when Chris swiveled in his seat, looking utterly mortified.

“And you didn’t console him?”

“He looked like he wanted to be left alone.”

“Look man, I know you were raised to be cold and without love or whatever, but get your ass back there and ask what’s wrong!”

“He’s probably just homesick.”

Chris gave me a look to show that he knew that was a load of bs.

“I saw the scars on him. They weren’t fresh.”

I looked down, feeling shameful. “What if it doesn't help? What if I make it worse?” I asked, feeling scared to give affection. “I’m not good with this stuff.”

All my life I had been taught to be ruthless. To always speak with brute force. My father would greatly disapprove of me dressing like a nerd to keep a low profile.

“Listen man, You need to trust me. He needs someone. He’s on a completely different continent and his emotions are running high. Getting a concussion probably didn’t help.”

“I know” Chris gave me a look that clearly indicated if i didn’t leave now, he would do something to me in my sleep. So I got up and headed back, only to see Simon already in there on his laptop and the little british boy sleeping soundly.

I turned and sat outside the room for 10 minutes before collecting a soda from the vending machine and heading back to my room.

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I awoke to my phone flashing that I had an incoming call.

“Yes?”

“Hey hermanito*, Are you up?”

“Now I am,” I groggily answered.”

“Good, you need to meet us at the usual place to pick up some stuff later today.”

“Do I have to-”

“Si.”

Before I could say or process more, He hung up on me, leaving me still half asleep with my bright ass phone shining on my face. “Uuugh.” I grumbled, and rolled over after turning my phone off.

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“Fuck you, and FUCK YA CHICKEN STRIPS!” My loud friend, Jess yelled, she had been on a cruise with her family, therefore, gone for the past week.

“I don’t have chicken strips, so there!” Maia said, sticking her tounge out at Jess.

“Why am I in between you two?” I asked.

“No reason. Oh yea, did you hear about the new british kid? I heard that he’s super cute. I also wouldn’t mind if he moaned my name in that delicious accent.” she said, while casually eating whatever luxury mac n cheese she had.

I choked on my sandwich, spluttering as I stared at her. “ew , Jess we’re eating!” Maia said, reaching over me to smack Jess.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it.” she scowled, rubbing the red spot forming on her freckled skin.

I turned away quickly, feeling my cheeks flush. My name did sound great though. I thought, continuing to eat.

“Oh look, let’s call him over!” Jess excitedly yelled, standing up, and proceeding to call Zay over.

“Uh, hullo?” He asked as Jess sat practically vibrating in excitement to hear him talk.

“Oh my god, your voice is so cute!” She squealed, reaching to put him in a hug. He looked rather alarmed.

“Jess, leave the poor boy alone.” Maia said, before I could get involved.

Reluctantly, Jess sat back down, but crammed Zay right in between her and me.

“Hullo, Derek.”

“Hey, Zay.”

Jess and Maia looked at us, intrigue on their faces. “How do you two-” Before Jess could finish, Zay smirked, and spoke up, leaning on me to face her. “We had a good bang at a party a couple a nights back.” There was dead silence for about 7 whole seconds, before Jess slammed her hands down and yelled:

“Oh my fuck, you guys would be actually perfect!”

While Maia sat, not-so-discretly taking a photo of Zay leaning on me.

“You two need to stop.”

“Well you’d be cute.”

“That doesn’t mean we should be in a relationship.”

I noticed Zay looking grimly down at his food as my argument went on.

“You good, man?” I asked, concerned.

“Yea, I just have a headache, concussion and all, yea?” He laughed,his smile and laugh looked and sounded genuine, but his eyes swam with so many different emotions, I couldn’t pick one from the other.

“Ok, If you say so.”

“I’m just going to go back to the dorms to rest.” He left, leaving his food here, annoying, but he looked like he was about to hurl, so I let him exit.

“Why didn’t you follow hi-”

“Not another word, Jess.” I grumbled, picking up both my tray and his, disposing of the trash and putting them on the rack, before exiting as well, I needed to think.

Hermanito - Little brother in spanish