First multichapter, woot woot! I'm so excited! Let's go!
"H-hello! My name is Antonio Fernandez Carriedo. What is your name?"
He was right up in my space, smiling in a way that was obviously meant to be friendly. To be honest, it was a bit unnerving, especially since I hadn't been expecting to look up into a pair of bright green eyes.
He was still staring at me intently. I vaguely recalled hearing a question and my brain slowly processed what he'd said. "…Lovino." I answered. "Lovino Vargas.
"I know, knew, som- a person… with the name Vargas."
"The relevance of this was lost on me. I moved on. "So…" I checked the paper in my hand. "Antonio. You're my mentee."
"Que- uh, what?"
What was his problem? "You're new? I have to help you?"
He smiled again. "Yes!"
I squinted at him. Was he just dumb? "Well, I need your sheet."
"You need my…"
"Sheet. That paper in your hand." Jesus.
"Oh!" He handed it to me then began talking about something incredibly banal. I ignored him and looked over the sheet. Phone number, email, notes, he's from Spain-
Oh.
"…but also chocolate ice cream is good because-"
"Antonio," I interrupted. "Do you speak English?"
"Yes! But…no." I raised an eyebrow. "I speak English, but there are many words that I do not know." He clarified.
And the light is shed.
I tried to be gentle, which really isn't my forte. "Okay. On the first day of school," I paused, checking his face for understanding, then continued. "Meet me by the cafeteria."
"…Meet…"
"Uh, go to the cafeteria," I revised.
"Go to the cafeteria. Yes!"
That seemed to be it, so I leaned against the wall and sat down. To my surprise, Antonio didn't leave, opting instead to sit on the floor next to me.
"Do you want to listen to words that I know?"
What? "…Yes?" I responded tentatively.
"Yes! I am going to start with food! Potato, carrot, apple, chicken, candy, uh…cookie, espinachy, hamburger, pancake, egg, milk, cheese, uh…orange juice…"
I closed my eyes and sighed, already regretting signing up for this.
000
"Lovino!" The minute I walked into the cafeteria, I saw Antonio kneeling on a chair and waving his arms like I was a mile away.
"Who's that?" Feliciano prodded my shoulder.
"No one," I told him, avoiding eye contact with the idiot flagging me down. "Go away."
Feli shrugged and skipped over to his friends. I grimaced when he tackle-hugged the muscle headed German he liked so much. I'd have to send a few choice words the bastard's way later.
"Lovino!" Antonio shouted again.
I finally looked at him, walking over to where he was sitting- or rather, kneeling- and pushed him back into his chair. "Stop making such a scene," I said, reluctantly taking the seat opposite him.
He laughed nervously. "Yes…"
I could tell he had no idea what I'd said, but didn't really care. Remembering that I was practically required to talk to him, I pretended to make an effort. "Do you have everything you need?"
"I do not know," He said uncertainly. "What do I need?"
I shrugged. "Pens or pencils…notebooks..."
He nodded in affirmation. "I have those."
"Good." I took out a book, intending to ignore him.
"What are you reading?"
"A book."
"Which book?"
"None of your business."
"What?"
"Just shut up."
"What?"
"Oh my God…"
"Wha-" The bell rang. Hallelujah.
I started to leave, but no such luck.
"L-lovino! I do not know where I have to go…"
I sighed. "Give me your schedule."
"Uh…" I was preparing to explain the word when he held up a hand. "I do not want you to tell me, I know this!"
I rolled my eyes and waited.
Antonio bit his lip and muttered something in Spanish.
"Antonio, we have to go," I said impatiently.
"…You can tell me."
I picked my words carefully. "It's a paper. It has your classes on it. And it says when you go to them."
"…Oh. It is here." He dug the schedule out of his bag and gave it to me.
"You have gym first… same as me." I didn't even bother hiding my displeasure. A quick scan of the paper told me that we had almost every class together- just the sort of thing those administration bastards would do. Antonio took his schedule back, his eyes lowered. Well, I thought, if humiliation keeps him quiet, it's fine by me. "Come on."
000
After many attempts throughout the day to ditch Antonio, I became resigned to the fact that he was going to stick to me like a leech.
"Barcelona is… very good. There are many tall buildings and cathedrals and pretty view of the… water," He babbled as we left the school. "People once in a while say it is similar to the city of New York. Do you like the city of New York?"
"Uh, I-"
"Hello, Lovino!" Feliciano appeared out of nowhere, clinging to my arm. He peered at Antonio, who smiled brightly. "Who's your friend?"
"He," I laughed, "Is not my friend."
"In any case, who is he?" Feliciano persisted.
"Antonio. My name is Antonio."
"He's from Spain," I added. I then leaned closer to Feliciano and lowered my voice. "And his English is absolutely awful."
"Lovino!" Feliciano cried indignantly. "That's not fair at all. Do you know as much Spanish as he knows English?"
I rolled my eyes and started to walk ahead of Idiots 1 and 2, who were quickly bonding. Figures. Within minutes they'd managed to exchange phone numbers and life stories, and they probably would have continued if I hadn't reminded that we had places to be and homework to do.
Feli wouldn't shut up on the way home, rambling on about how much he wanted to try gazpacho and describing it in a way that made it sound like a V8 in a bowl. I wasn't sure why, but the whole thing irked me. When Feli and the dumb Spaniard clicked, I could help feeling… a little jealous. That bothered me just as much. Jealous? Really? There had to be a better word for it, one that didn't sound so petty. One that made it clear that I didn't give a damn who Antonio was friends with. It sure as hell wasn't me, so why did I care so much? It must be because everyone likes Feli better than me. I assured myself.
Because there was no way I wanted to be Antonio's friend.
Good start, I think. Right? If I get good responses I'll probably be inspired to update sooner~! If you don't tell me you like it I won't know! Don't be shy!