Oh my gosh hello reader! How are you? Sorry for the long wait (I lost internet for a while) but here is the (hopefully) long awaited second chapter. Enjoy!
Tuesday Morning
Naldo was whistling as he walked to the RV to meet Barry. He had his backpack – he was so proud to have remembered it this time! – and in his hand was a plain blue gift bag. The bag didn't matter so much as what was inside. Naldo had spent hours at the mall with the girls yesterday and had only bought one thing – a new jacket for Barry. He had wanted to buy him something because it would make Barry happy and that made him happy.
Just being with, or even near Barry, made Naldo happy. Then again, Naldo was always happy (he was always with Barry of course). It made him feel warm and safe, which was kind of ridiculous because he often go hurt by helping Barry. But he didn't care.
As long as he was with Barry, he didn't care what happened to him.
He stopped outside of the RV and took a deep breath. He could hear Barry moving around but didn't go in yet. He had to get himself under control as he thought about things. Every time he got near the RV, near Barry, it made his heart race. After a few minutes, he was ready.
Hi genius would love his present. His genius? Where had that come from again?
"Barry!" He called out as entered the unlocked RV. He caught Barry slipping his shirt on, and began to feel his face light up. Shaking off the odd feeling seeing a glimpse of Barry's stomach caused him, he grinned. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes indeed Renaldo. I was here all night doing some extensive research, and I am better for it. At least I will be." Barry smiled at Naldo, not quite meeting his eyes though. Naldo wanted to worry about that but didn't right now.
He still had his gift to give!
"What's that?"
"Oh! I got this for you!" Naldo exclaimed, showing the bag into Barry's arms. Barry grimed and opened it, pulling out a new jacket. He always wore jackets – 'layers are the key to science Naldo' he had once said – but he had never seen one like this. It was black, with science designs all over – there were constellations, test tubes, DNA strands, E=MC2, and who knew what else threaded into the fabric.
"Renaldo, I love it!" he said, slipping it on and pushing up the sleeves. "How do I look?"
"Uhh… great," Naldo said, his face heating up again. "I'm glad you like it. Can I hug you now?"
"Renal-" Before he could answer, Renaldo had his arms around him. Naldo felt him stiffen as usual but then he loosened up and slowly but his arms around him and hugged back. Naldo gripped the back of the jacket, and he felt Barry rest his cheek on his head. When had he laid his head on his shoulder?
"…Thank you Naldo," Barry said, his voice getting a little soft, and Naldo grinned as he finally let go. Barry smiled at him before he nodded and grabbed his bag so they could get going.
Naldo had never felt happier.
…
As they walked to school, Naldo was silent, which didn't happen often. Barry was playing with something on his phone, so he didn't quite notice, which gave Naldo time to think. His feelings towards Barry had intensified sometime between the fourth grade and now. He put a name to it much easier now.
He liked Barry.
This thought warmed him, and he very much wanted to tell Barry. But Naldo knew that that could result in him losing him, and he didn't want that.
He knew what he could do though.
He could talk to the girls! They were always in their business anyways, and they always knew what to do.
And having the power to time travel didn't hurt either.
…
Tuesday – Lunchtime
Naldo was humming as he stared at his plate. He had a sandwich and JELLO! It was a good day for him. It got even better when Barry sat next to him and gave him his jello as well. Now he had TWO JELLOS!
Barry was so good to him.
But Naldo had other things on his mind as the girls came up to them to eat with them.
"Cyd! Shelby! I need to talk to you two." He grabbed them and pulled them after him, leaving Barry alone, who just watched them go, one eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Whoa Naldo, whoa boy, calm down," Cyd said, dragging her feet to stop him. "What's got you all wound up?"
"Yeah you look tighter than a Jack-In-The-Box!" Shelby said, getting looks from the two of them. "Hey that's a real saying I learned it from my grandma. She's pretty hip."
"Anyways Naldo, what's up?"
"I like Barry." He said it so simply, but the two girls weren't really surprised. Barry had to work it all out, but Naldo just accepted it.
"Okay. And…?"
"I want to tell him, but Barry doesn't believe in love, so that complicates things. I want to know if you two can jump and find out what happens? I want to believe Barry and I could be happy, but he's so stubborn. But he does share his jello with me, so there's always a shot!"
"Naldo, just be yourself. If Barry has any sort of feelings for you, it'll come out eventually."
"You're right. Ooh JELLO LEFT UNATTENDED!"
"NALDO NO!"
…
Tuesday – After School
Naldo found himself in the RV after school as Barry worked around him.
"Barry?"
"Yes Renaldo?"
"I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry."
"I know. But I'm hungry now," he whined, making Barry roll his eyes as he continued to work.
"And what would you like me to do about it?"
"Wanna go get something to eat?"
"Aren't you full from all the jello you had at lunch?"
"I can never have enough jello, Barry." Barry barked out a laugh and went to sit across from Naldo, who was seated next to the alien. Naldo just smiled at him before he reached over the table and tugged on the jacket Barry still wore. "I'm glad you like this."
"Of course I like it. Thank you for the gift Renaldo. I needed that." Naldo smiled and finally found Barry would meet his eyes.
"I'm still hungry."
"Very well. I won't be getting any work done with you grumbling in the background. Let's go." Naldo grinned and followed Barry out of the RV.
He might now know it yet, but Barry really did make him happy.
…
Okay so the ending was super cheesy. I hope it was good though and gave you the same feeling chapter one did! See ya'll next time!
-JustMe133
