Once we greeted each other, Mateo and I headed to the front to get drinks and food. I nudged Mateo’s shoulder once we were far enough away from them.
“Are you okay–”
“It’s alright,” he sighs, “I’ll tell you when I want to leave. For now, focus on Caitlin! She’s obviously into you,” Mateo teases.
I feel my cheeks flush, “You think so?” I watch as Mateo rubs his temple in frustration,
“Positive. Now go, I’ll bring our food and drinks,” he orders.
“But–” Mateo shoots me a glare. I let out a sigh of defeat and went back to the table.
“Did you not get something?” Caitlin suddenly asks me.
I shake my head, “Mateo said he’d grab it for me.” She nods in response, resting her head on her hand. Rosalind suddenly says she’ll be helping out Mateo. Damn, I can’t imagine trying to hit on someone who has absolutely no interest in you. Doesn’t sound fun. Hopefully, she figures out he’s not exactly interested.
“So? Tell me about yourself. I hear about you quite often,” she says. I chuckle nervously, she has?
“Hopefully good things?” I smile.
She twists her lips, “It’s mostly about you and Andy.” I roll my eyes. Great, she's heard of me because of that? What an impression that makes. “But a few good things…like how attractive you are.” Okay, if I wasn’t already blushing, I’m scarlet right now.
“What about the other good things?” I flirt back.
She smiles with a chuckle.,“Hm, I’ll tell you eventually.” Again, I’m probably scarlet.
The food and drinks arrive moments later. I’d like to think Caitlin and I hit it off pretty well, but it came to an end when Mateo pinched my knee.
I dart my head at the boy, he’s not looking at me but his expression says enough. Shit! Quick think of an excuse, Kian–
Mateo suddenly gets up from his seat while looking at his phone, “Sorry to call this short, but something came up…” Fuck, okay. Get your Oscar award-winning acting ready!
“Is everything alright?” I ask Mateo, the other four seem to wonder the same.
“Yeah, Abuelo said he needed help with something,” he says.
“I can come with you, do you guys mind?” I look over to Caitlin, specifically.
“Oh no, it’s okay! We can meet another time…if you want,” She proposes.
I shoot her a smile, “Of course…”
We thank the four of them for the meet-up and head out. I let out a sigh and glanced at Mateo. The boy’s holding his head low, looking lost in his thoughts. I throw my arm around his shoulder,
“I think this calls for some ice cream,” I chuckle.
The boy gives me a look, “It’s like 50 degrees, right now.”
“Is that a no?” I hum.
He rolls his eyes with a smile, throwing his arm on my hand, “You’re paying.”
***
“I’ll take the triple-decker chocolate fudge sundae,” Mateo grins. I look at the boy with the most deadpan expression. He’s really using this opportunity to get the most expensive ice cream, huh?
He raises an eyebrow, “Aren’t you going to order?” He’s lucky I’m letting this slide…
“I’ll just take the cookies n’ cream cone,” I tell the cashier, handing her the money after she tells me the total. Mateo and I grab a seat as we wait.
Once seated, I look at him, “So? Do you want to talk about it?” I watch as he takes off his jacket, hanging it on his chair.
“What’s there to say? I knew this would happen eventually,” He huffs.
I purse my lips in concern, “Maybe just venting could help?”
Mateo stays silent for a moment before finally speaking, “I don’t know…it hurts, but I’m not as sad as I thought I’d be,” he ruffles his hair, “I just had a little bit of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could like me back…” I frown, I couldn’t think of anything to tell him. I’m no better in this department…
“But I’m also relieved. Maybe I’ll finally be able to get over him.” He shrugs, showing me a forced smile.
“I’m sorry, Mateo. I wish I could help–”
“Just listening is enough, seriously…But no more of this mopey stuff, where is my sundae??” He groans. I chuckle and decide to go with the topic change. It’s great that he told me what was on his mind. He has this habit of bottling it all up, so I’m not going to push more.
“Right, your triple-decker chocolate sundae–”
“Triple-decker chocolate FUDGE sundae, actually,” he smirks.
I roll my eyes, “Yeah yeah, it sounds disgusting either way.” Mateo smacks his hand on his chest as if I just offended him. So dramatic.
“You and Caitlin were being disgusting, but you didn’t hear me complain!” He grumbles. I suddenly lay my head down on the table with a cheeky smile,
“She seemed pretty cool –Ah man, I forgot to get her number!” I groan, looking up only to see Mateo being dramatic once again.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” he gags, holding a hand over his mouth. I roll my eyes at the bastard when our ice creams finally arrive. I look at them and think of taking a picture together.
“We should take a picture to remember–” I watch as Mateo devours the sundae right in front of me.
“Hm?” He says with a mouthful. I rub my temple and laugh,
“Never mind...”
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