I pulled on a blue hoodie and quickly descended the spiral staircase. Putting one foot in front of the other, I clung onto the banister as a precaution. It was only six o'clock and already the sun had slipped behind the clouds. My mood was rather on the shaky side and the last thing I wanted to deal with was a problem concerning me. I felt extremely venerable and on the brink of a breakdown. Maybe I'm getting my period or something…I thought to myself.

I could hear the rain beating down upon the rickety roof, which mixed in with the clanking of my heels against the cement flooring. Faster and faster became my movements, as I finally arrived on the bottom floor. Pulling my jacket tighter around my body, I pushed open the front door to feel a cool mist spray against my face. The next thing to follow was a gentle breeze. I squinted my eyes and tried my best to make out the shapes under the gloomy sky. Looking from side to side, I spotted a darkened figure leaned up against a brick wall opposite of me. The individual lighted up a cigarette and coolly allowed the smoke to escape from the corner of their mouth. Taking a couple steps under the streetlight, I came to the realization that the mysterious person was actually a tall man. He had curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. Stubble gently grazed the sides of his cheeks and almost disguised the small beauty mark at the corner of his mouth. The man wore a tan jacket and a form-fitting brown shirt. His dark jeans hung loosely off his hips and revealed the color of his maroon boxers underneath.

Not sure what to do or how to react, I remained frozen in place for a few seconds. The man continued to keep his eyes level with the ground and grotesquely smoked his cigarette. My hands slid into the pockets of my hoodie, as I awkwardly shifted my weight from one leg to the other.

"Do you usually stare at strangers you don't know?" the man asked in a slight Spanish accent. So, he's Latin…go figure. I bit my bottom lip and tried to come up with a clever come back, but couldn't think of anything.

"I was just…I mean, I didn't think to…" My voice cracked and faded away into the cool night air. A gentle rain sprinkled down upon my head and tickled the surface of my skin. The man smirked a little and took one last inhale from his cigarette before flicking it onto the pavement.

"Not quite articulate with words either, I see" he asserted in a saucy tone. My mouth dropped open in protest, but I decided to let that comment slide.

"Actually, I was just catching a cab and grabbing a bite to eat. So…" I began to take a few steps towards the street, but was stopped by the sound of the stranger's voice.

"Why are you so nervous, Señerita?" he murmured. I quickly turned my head to be met with a pair of intense almond-shaped eyes. My tongue became dry and my hands experienced a tingly feeling that surged through my veins.

"I don't talk to strangers" I replied calmly. Although I appeared to be in control on the exterior, my interior was having a spastic frenzy. The man took a step into the light and hung his thumbs on the belt loops of his pants. My heart beat raced a little faster, as I staggered backwards.

"So instead, you stare at them…" he declared suavely. Slightly slanting his eyes, he studied my body and the expression on my face. I couldn't help but blush profusely and take another step away from him. He had a dark olive complexion that would make any girl crazy, but I was too nervous to take any interest in that thought at the moment.

"I really should be going—" I stuttered, as the man approached me with a bit more haste. He was now less than two feet away and closing in.

"You aren't going to eat alone, are you?" he asked suddenly. I shrugged my shoulders and gazed out along the street. A few cars passed by and an elderly woman sauntered down the sidewalk.

"As I said, I don't talk to strangers—"

"Carlos Selenez" he cut in with an extended hand. I stared at the gesture for a moment and hesitantly shook his hand.

"Rory Gilmore" I announced in a small voice. He nodded his head and pointed up towards the apartment building.

"My sister lives on the third floor. I was just visiting her a couple minutes ago and got the sudden urge for Chinese food. You interested?" he inquired quickly. I could detect a hint of nervousness in his voice, which surprised me since he appeared so sure of things.

"I don't know…" I answered uncertainly, as I swayed my head from side to side in contemplation. He mumbled something in Spanish under his breath and rolled his eyes.

"Señerita, I'm not asking you to marry me. I'm just asking if you want to get something to eat" he added in a frustrated voice. I flashed him a timid smile and stared down at my feet.

"Chinese food, huh?" I restated curiously. Carlos nodded his head and sighed.

"So, what do you say?" he questioned impatiently. I nervously bit the inside of my cheek and bobbed my head in acceptance. He smiled and ran his fingers through his curly hair before flagging down a cab.

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It was strangely quiet during the cab ride and I felt rather tense sitting next to an extremely attractive Latin guy. He didn't seem to care very much about whether or not we kept a conversation though. I think he just appreciated the company.

"So, which Chinese restaurant are we going to?" I asked unexpectedly, filling up the silence. The cab driver quickly glanced up at his rearview mirror and smirked. I knew it wasn't the perfect conversation starter, but I had to start somewhere. In all honesty, I didn't know anything about this Carlos guy. He was a complete mystery to me.

"It's called Won-Tong's and they have the best Chinese food in all of New York City" he remarked with an assured expression on his face. I smiled and gazed out the window at the passing traffic. My mind flooded with other potential questions that I was just yearning to ask him.

"Have you lived in New York all your life?" I questioned once more. Carlos shook his head and turned his attention over to me. This sudden switch made me feel slightly self-conscious. Here was this gorgeous guy and here was me: messy hair, a pair of old jeans, a hoodie and an overly large t-shirt. Why couldn't I have at least worn one of my nicer shirts and jeans without a gigantic hole in the back…I thought to myself.

"No, I was born and raised in Puerto Rico until I turned sixteen. Then, my mama brought my brother and me here." I nodded my head in fascination and unintentionally gawked at the body that lay underneath his formfitting shirt. He had a very lean and well-sculpted chest. I bit my lip and tried to push the erotic thoughts out of my mind. Think about Tristan or something…I suggested internally. Taking deep breaths, I attempted to actually listen to the words coming out of his mouth. But instead, all I could picture was Carlos shoving his tongue down my throat. STOP doing that! I yelled in my mind.

"So, how about you? What's your life story?" he asked with a roll of his tongue. I loved the sound that formed from the Spanish accent. It was smooth and charming.

"Well, I was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut and my mother's also a single parent. Christopher, or otherwise known as my dad, died a couple days ago." My voice went slightly hoarse, as I diverted my gaze out the window. Carlos' expression became very stern, as he whispered in a sensual voice:

"I'm truly sorry…"

I sighed and pretended to act like everything was fine, but in actuality, I was on the verge of breaking down. Today was just not my day emotions wise. One minute I would be cheerful and the next, I felt like the entire world was against me.

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The Chinese restaurant was amazing and the conversation I shared with Carlos was ten times better. It seemed like everything just flowed with him. I could act silly, laugh about stupid things, and say absolutely anything without worrying what he thought about it. We just clicked in such a way that I started to develop a small crush on him. I know it sounds awful because I slept with Tristan only two days ago, but I couldn't help it. Carlos had this perfect smile and this incredible voice that hypnotized me from the moment he opened his mouth.

I ended up drinking a lot of alcohol that night and becoming a little too friendly with my newfound friend. Carlos adjusted to my occasional bursts of laughter and my random or abrupt actions. At one point, I got up from my seat and sat on his lap. Cradling my head on his shoulder, I whispered nonsensical jumble. He smirked and proceeded to gently stroke my back.

"Señerita, I think you've had too much to drink" he cooed in my ear. I groaned softly and wrapped my arms tighter around his neck. Carlos pushed back his chair and allowed me to hang on him for support.

"I'll just pay for this in cash" he informed the waiter, as he threw a few bills onto the table. Then, he helped to guide me out of the restaurant with the intention of getting me home safely.

I'm so tired…" I slurred, as another giggle escaped my lips. Carlos laughed at my helpless state and kept a firm grip around my waist.

"Taxi…Taxi!" he shouted, holding an outstretched arm at the edge of the main road. After a few failed attempts, a yellow cab finally slowed down to a stop a couple feet away.

"Come on, Señerita" he murmured gently, as he carried my limp body over to the vehicle. I opened the door and fell flat on the backseat.

"Carlos, I don't feel so good…" I stammered in a muffled voice. My fingers gripped the seat and my legs curled up beneath me.

"Where to?" the driver barked in a thick New Yorker accent. The sound of his voice made me wince, as my head started to pound.

"22nd and 3rd please" Carlos responded casually. He ran his fingers down my hair and tried rubbing the small of my back. A sickening feeling started to develop in the pit of my stomach. The liquids swished and churned about burning a hole in my insides.

"I'm going to be sick" I warned, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. It felt like someone had just kicked me in the stomach forty times over. The stopping and going of New York traffic didn't help either. One minute we'd be speeding and the next we'd be rushing to a sudden stop. The major shift caused motion sickness to develop.

"Carlos…" I groaned, wrapping my arms about myself. He just whispered little things in Spanish, while massaging my shoulders.

When we finally reached my apartment, Carlos paid the fare and aided in lifting me out of the vehicle. I became so sick that he ended up carrying me in his arms. He walked up five flights of stairs and didn't complain in the least.

"Carlos…" I groaned once more, running my bottom lip up the side of his neck. I could feel him tense underneath me and shift my body up higher along his waist. He finally made it to my floor and slid my body down into a standing position.

"I need your key to get…which one is yours?" he asked, motioning towards the several doors lining the hallway. I squinted a little and stumbled backwards only to be caught by his strong arms.

"Hey, take it easy…" he ordered, as he supported me with his body.

"That one" I proclaimed in a faint voice. Carlos took the keys from my hands and hastily unlocked the door. I was extremely glad when he finally got it open because my insides couldn't withhold any longer.

I darted across the living room and into the bathroom, collapsing next to the toilet. My hands clutched the porcelain bowl, as vomit came flooding out. The feeling was absolutely disgusting and miserable. I especially hated the fact that Carlos had to witness me in such a state.

After about four times, the necessity to cough up my dinner and my lunch subsided. Carlos stood by my side the entire time. He made sure to hold back my hair and continued to rub my back as a way to relieve the throbbing.

I sat on my knees with one hand clasped around the toilet bowl and the other holding up my head. The glands along my throat stung from the acid pushed up beforehand. My eyelids felt extremely heavy and my head resembled a hundred pound weight.

"Are you alright?" he inquired after awhile in a concerned voice. I nodded my head and took a deep breath.

"I just want to get some sleep" I mumbled, as tears began to well up in my eyes. Carlos tenderly removed my arms from around the toilet and wrapped them around his neck. Then, lifting up my weak body, he carried me to my bedroom and laid me down.

"Get some rest, Señerita" he droned softly. I tightly clenched my pillow and tried to forget the painful hammering inside my head. Carlos lifted the comforter from off the chair near my desk and securely covered my entire body.

"Sueños dulces…" he muttered in my ear, as he kissed the top of my head. Before I knew it, I was drifting off into a deep slumber; oblivious to everything around.

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Hey Guys: Hoped you liked the chapter. In order for me to know to continue, I'm going to need you to review. That way I can tell whether its worth finishing this story or not:0 So, REVIEW!!!! Thanks a lot

Brittany