*[ ] Indicate Spanish is being spoken *
It’s the next day after school, suspension was your usual. Since I couldn’t go to school, I hung out with Pierre before meeting up with Mateo. I head out when I get his message, but I end up bumping into one of Satan’s little minions. Damn it, I should’ve stayed in longer! We both exchange a face full of disgust. Anderson looks down to see three candy bars in my hand.
Rolling his eyes, he mumbles, “Dumbass.” I was tempted to punch him again, but he’s saved when Teagan and Leah come out of the store. Hmm, I didn’t see them in there.
“Okay, Andy! We can go now!” Leah says when she notices me, “Oh, hey, Kian! What are you doing here?”
Before I can answer, Teagan gasps dramatically, “Oh my god, are you guys finally making up!”
I roll my eyes with a chuckle, “The world will end if that ever happens, but I was…,” I notice Mateo waiting for me down the street, “...heading over to Mateo. I’ll see you two around,” I tell them before speed-walking over to Mateo.
He gives me a confused look, “What were you talking about with them?” I hand him a candy bar.
“Nothing, Teagan and Leah were just saying hi while Anderson was being himself.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’ll never understand this brawl between you two,” he mumbles as we head to his house. It’s a good thing he doesn’t have soccer practice every day, I’d die from lack of socializing.
“And I’ll never understand how he’s dating Leah! She’s like, too good for him!” I complain as I munch on my chocolate bar.
“The jealousy is strong, Kian,” he teases. I ruffle his hair to piss him off.
“Hey–it took me forever to look this good!” He scowls, getting a solid punch at my side.
I hiss at the pain, “What? Is there a special someone you’re trying to impress–” I bite my tongue as his eyes are shooting daggers. “I mean…you still look handsome!” I chuckle nervously. Five years into this friendship and he still scares me. It’s humiliating, this pipsqueak could serve my ass on a silver platter if he wanted to…
Anyway, we finally reached his house. Mateo opens the door, shouting, “[Grandpa, are you home?]”
We hear the clatter of dishes in the kitchen.“[I’m in the kitchen, is Kian with you?]” Abuelo Diego says back.
“[Of course], Mateo just can’t leave me alone,” I tell him with a chuckle. Mateo clicks his tongue as we head over to the kitchen. My tiny heart explodes when I see Martina in a high chair.
Mateo picks her up, “We’ll be upstairs, Abuelo.” “Okay, [I’ll prepare some snacks.}”
***
“He gets on my nerves, dude,” I mumble, cooing at Martina lying on my stomach.
Mateo chuckles, “You get on my nerves.” I gasped loudly. Mostly to have Martina laugh, but she just gives me a look as if I’m stupid.
“But you love me, so the case is different,” I smile after laughing at her expression. Mateo turns around to face me.
“Yeah...no,” he answers coldly.
“Fine, I can leave if you hate me so much,” I say, sitting up and putting Martina on the floor to crawl.
“Please do, it’ll save me the trouble.” I ignore him, watching Martina crawl away at full speed. Cute.
“Well, I’m the only one who’ll listen to you vent about Rahim,” I say, flashing Mateo a cheeky grin. He clicks his tongue, tossing me a controller.
I genuinely feel bad for Mateo. It’s not fun to be stuck in an unrequited crush for like, a year. “He’s straighter than a ruler,” Mateo says, despite Rahim never having a girlfriend...I’m just saying. Then again, I have no right to act like I know what I’m talking about. I haven’t crushed on a girl in a while, the last one was in middle school and those don't really count. Maybe I’ll find a girl to crush on this year…
Mateo suddenly smacks the back of my head, “Quit daydreaming.” I rub my head, glaring at him. Fine, we’ll play like that!
I rest my head on his shoulder, “Shush, I don’t want to play anymore.” I hear the boy groan in annoyance, whispering, “I don’t know why I put up with you.”
***
“What! What do you mean you forgot to tell me!” I complain as I hear shuffling on the other side of the call.
“It slipped my mind! It’s only for today, you’re acting like I’m leaving forever!” Mateo says as if that’s an excuse for forgetting to tell me he’d be absent today!
“This is how I start my day from suspension? I’m going to be bullied into the corner without you, Matty.” I pout, hoping I managed to guilt-trip him. Though, I can feel Mateo rolling his eyes.
“Dude, stop being a drama queen. And quit calling me Matty, I have to get going–”
“Nooo, Mateo–”
“Byeeeee”
With a little snicker, he hangs the phone. I chuckle as I send him a text that reads “I hope you’re happy that you’ve left me all alone” I’m not even shocked he responds with something snarky. “Suck it up, buttercup.” I’m about to reply when the 5-minute bell rings right as I enter the school.
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