A/N: Hey, guys! I'm finally back! Sorry I've been MIA for so long. After the last chapter, I got a really bad case of writer's block. But finally, I was able to get back on track and start writing again. So now, I'm back.
In this chapter, Curt and Adam translate a passage from Spanish to English. My Spanish is a bit rusty because I haven't spoken a lot of Spanish since my Spanish class ended last Spring (I can't take it this year). I wrote the entire passage that they translate myself. I didn't use a translator, I only used my Spanish-English dictionary to look up a few words I didn't remember. Other than that, it was only my brain. I DO realize that the grammar is not going to be 100% and I'm sorry for that. I just wanted to make you guys aware of that.
I do not own, nor am I affiliated with Curt Mega or the Lynch family. However, I do own all of the original characters that appear here (Finn O'Brien, Adam Martella, Sophie Woods, etc.) The events that take place in this story are entirely fictional, and I do not mean any harm to Curt Mega or the Lynch family through the writing of this story.
Sorry I kept you guys waiting so long. Without further ado, here is the next chapter!
Curt felt like he was on top of the world.
Everything just seemed to be going right. On the way into school, the bus ride with Riker was awkward. Riker hadn't seen him dancing with Rydel, but he'd certainly heard about it. Curt made it clear that there was nothing going on between them, and luckily, Riker believed him. After that had been cleared up, Curt asked how things had gone with Tiffany. Things had gone well, or so Riker said. Curt hadn't forgotten about the almost-kiss that Riker and Tiffany had-but before she could, Riker had run away. Curt was still confused about that, but he knew that it was none of his business.
After the awkward bus ride, things got better quickly. In language arts, they were going to be reading To Kill a Mockingbird, which Curt was actually pretty excited about. Biology was okay, but math had been fantastic.
"I graded your tests from last week," Mr. Schaefer said. "You're welcome."
The class didn't say anything, except for one kid named Jimmy, who raised his hand.
"Yes, Jimmy?" Mr. Schaefer said.
"Who got the highest score?" Jimmy said.
"Excellent question," Mr. Schaefer said. "Should I tell you?"
"Yes!" several kids said.
"Curt-not-Curtis," Mr. Schaefer said, gesturing to Curt. Everyone in the classroom looked over at Curt.
"Me?" Curt said, shocked.
"Yes, sir," Mr. Schaefer said.
Curt was amazed. He'd had a good feeling about the test after he took it, but he didn't think he'd done that well on the test.
"Wow," Curt said. It was all he could think to say,
"You earned it, Curt-not-Curtis," Mr. Schaefer said.
Curt turned his head to see a brunette girl staring at him.
"So close, Lauren," Mr. Schaefer continued. "2% more and you would have tied with Curt-not-Curtis."
Lauren looked over at him again, and then returned her attention to Mr. Schaefer. Mr. Schaefer grabbed the stack of tests and passed them out quickly, placing them face-down on the student's desks. One-by-one, the students turned over their tests. Some cheered, some groaned. Others just shrugged. Towards the end of the pile, Curt got his test back. At the top of the test, 98% was written and circled in red ink. Curt couldn't help but smile.
That good feeling lasted into civics, when Curt and Riker presented their projects. The whole presentation went off without a hitch. Riker did most of the talking. It was funny; Curt never would have predicted that Riker would be so good at public speaking, especially with how shy he had been when they had first met. But no, Riker was cool, calm, and collected, speaking as though Azroth had been the only thing he'd ever known. Curt had interjected at parts, but he did nowhere near as good a job as Riker. But even then, Curt was proud of their presentation. Hell, he was proud of their entire project. He was pleased with how the report had turned out, and Riker had done an amazing job on the map. They were going to do well, Curt could tell.
The rest of Monday had passed by uneventfully, and now it was Tuesday. Curt was still riding high. That morning, he and Riker hadn't said much on the bus ride. In Civics, Mrs. Butler passed back their rubrics. Curt and Riker had gotten an A on the project.
"Riker! Look!" Curt said, practically shoving the rubric in Riker's face.
"Cool," Riker said, scanning the rubric. He didn't seem adequately excited. In fact, he seemed really sad.
As soon as the bell rang, Riker disappeared. He didn't show up to lunch.
"Where's Riker?" Curt asked when he sat down.
"I don't know," Finn said, shrugging.
"Maybe he's just running late," Sophie said.
Curt hoped that was the case. In the meantime, he talked with Finn, Sophie, and Adam.
"What'd you and Riker get on your project?" Finn asked.
"An A," Curt said.
"We also got an A," Finn said.
"Good to know your suffering was worth it," Adam said.
"Yeah," Finn said.
"How is the little she-devil these days? Has she been spreading any gay rumors lately?" Adam said.
"No, but she has developed a creepy crush on Mr. Schaefer," Finn said.
"Ew," Sophie said.
"Who's developed a creepy crush on me?" Mr. Schaefer said from behind them. Finn put his head down on the table, Sophie pretended not to exist for a few moments, and Adam just began to laugh. Curt just sat there.
"Just this girl we know," Adam said.
"I see," Mr. Schaefer said. "And why is this so gross, Miss Woods?"
"It's not gross, it's just creepy," Sophie said. "You're married and you have a kid Finn's age."
"Valid point," Mr. Schaefer said.
"Wait, Ryan is Finn's age?" Adam said, scratching his head.
"I think we've covered that, Adam," Finn said.
"Yeah, he's growing up," Mr. Schaefer said.
"I met him when he was a shy little thirteen year old," Adam said.
"If it's any consolation, Adam, he's still shy," Mr. Schaefer said.
"Aw," Sophie said. "How is Ryan?"
"He's doing well. His soccer season's almost over, and he's bummed about that, but he's doing really well. He really is," Mr. Schaefer said.
"That's good," Sophie said.
Then, two boys began fighting at a nearby table. It started out as a yelling match, but it quickly evolved into a full-on fistfight. Mr. Schaefer looked at the scene and sighed to himself.
"I have to go," Mr. Schaefer said. "Duty calls. Miss Woods, Finn, Adam, Curt-not-Curtis; it was a pleasure."
Then Mr. Schaefer ran over to the nearby table. He pushed himself in between the two fighting boys and pushed them apart.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" he yelled until the boys calmed down. Finally, the boys stopped punching each other and resorted to glaring at each other. "What is going on here?"
Without responding to Mr. Schaefer, one of the boys lunged at the other one again. Mr. Schaefer pulled them apart a second time and dragged them out of the cafeteria. The cafeteria was so noisy that most of the cafeteria was oblivious to whatever had just happened.
"Well, that wasn't awkward," Curt said.
"What? Our conversation with Mr. S or the fight?" Finn said.
"Both, I think," Curt said.
"You've got to watch out for that man. I swear he's part ninja," Sophie said.
Curt nodded.
"You okay, Curt?" Adam said.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Curt said.
"You seem glum," Adam said.
"I'm not glum," Curt said. "I'm just worried about Riker, that's all."
"Maybe he got tied up somewhere," Finn said.
"Maybe," Curt said. Although, he didn't think so. They were about a quarter of the way through the lunch period: too much time had passed to consider him as just being "late". Two minutes was late. Not this long.
"Or maybe he's just eating with Tiffany today," Sophie said.
Curt hadn't thought of that. He scanned the lunch room. Finally, he saw Tiffany sitting at her table, but Riker wasn't there.
"He'll turn up soon. He always does," Adam said. "I mean, it isn't that hard for him to hide. He kind of stands out."
It certainly felt strange without Riker at the table. Although Riker never talked much during their lunchtime conversations, his absence was definitely noticeable; at least to Curt. The lunch period passed by, and before Curt knew it, he and Adam were back in the library. They were currently working on the future tense in their Spanish class, and as usual, their teacher was doing a shoddy job of explaining it.
"So, what's the homework?" Adam said.
"We were given a story and we have to translate it," Curt said.
"Ugh," Adam said. "Alright. Go grab that one Spanish handbook and a Spanish-English dictionary, please."
Curt jumped up and ran back to the Spanish materials section of their library. Curt grabbed the handbook and one of the dog-eared Spanish-English dictionaries and started back towards his Adam's table.
"Curt," someone said from behind him.
Curt froze. He'd know that voice from anywhere.
"Riker," Curt said. Curt turned around to see Riker, hiding within the stacks of books. Curt wondered if he'd been here since Civics. The rims of Riker's eyes were red, making it obvious that he had been crying.
"What's wrong?" Curt said.
"Tiffany broke up with me," Riker said.
"Oh," Curt said. Riker's strange behavior in Civics and his absence from lunch were suddenly starting to make a lot of sense. Riker nodded.
"I'm sorry, Riker. That really sucks," Curt said.
"Yeah, yeah it does," Riker said. His voice was starting to sound gravelly, like he was going to cry again.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Curt asked. Riker shook his head.
"I don't think so. Thanks for trying, though," Riker said.
Curt held his arms open, offering a hug to Riker if he wanted one. Riker didn't seem to notice, so Curt put his arms down.
"No problem," Curt said. "I'm really sorry."
"It's okay," Riker said. "I should let you get back to your homework. I'm sure Adam needs you."
"Yeah," Curt said. As much as he wanted to stay here with Riker, he needed to get back to Adam.
"Bye," Riker said.
"Bye," Curt said, before starting to turn around. He started to walk back to Adam, but then something stopped him. "Riker, wait."
Riker stopped in his tracks and turned around, giving Curt a confused look. Curt ran up and threw his arms around Riker. At first, Riker seemed surprised, but then he returned Curt's hug. After a few seconds, Riker pulled away.
"You really need to get back to Adam," Riker said.
"Yeah, I guess so," Curt said.
"Thanks," Riker said. "I needed that."
"No problem," Curt said. Then he and Riker parted ways.
"Took you long enough," Adam said when Curt returned to the table.
"Sorry, I ran into Riker," Curt said.
"Oh," Adam said. "Why was he MIA from lunch?"
"Tiffany broke up with him," Curt said.
"That's too bad," Adam said. "Now, I see that you really care about Riker, and I really appreciate that, but Spanish is slightly more important than his relationship woes."
"Okay. Let's get started," Curt said.
The two boys pulled out their packets and read the story that they were supposed to translate.
Hay una chica que se llama Ana. Este fin de semana, Ana irá a la cine con su novio, Fred. Ellos llegarán al cine a las tres de la tarde. Fred comprará los boletos para la película. Luego, Ana y Fred caminarán a el soporte de la concesion. Fred comprará las palomitas, dulces, y refrescos. Cundo los dos tienen la comida, ellos irán a el teatro y mirarán por asientos. Cuando ellos encuentra asientos, los dos sentarán, y ellos verán la película. Despues de la película, Ana y Fred irán a un restaurante. Ana comerá cena con Fred, y luego, Fred caminará con Ana a la casa de Ana. Fred besará Ana, y dice"Adios" a Ana. Estará un dia perfecta.
Using the handbook and the Spanish-English dictionary, they worked on translating the passage. Between the two of them, they managed to get it translated.
"There is a girl whose name is Ana. This weekend, Ana will go to the movies with her boyfriend, Fred. They will arrive at the movies at three in the afternoon. Fred will buy the tickets for the film. Then, Ana and Fred will walk to the concession stand. Fred will by the popcorn, candy, and sodas. Then, when the two have the food, they will go to the theater and look for seats. When they find seats, the two will sit, and they will see the film. After the film, Ana and Fred will go to a restaurant. Ana will eat dinner with Fred, and then, Fred will walk with Ana to Ana's house. Fred will kiss Ana, and say goodbye. It will be a perfect day," Curt said, reading his and Adam's translation.
"You know, normally people do dinner and then the movie," Adam said.
Curt started laughing.
"So, does this sound okay?" Curt said.
"I really don't care, as long as we have something to turn in," Adam said.
Then, the bell rang, and Adam and Curt headed off to Spanish. Finally, after what felt like a century, the bell signifying the end of the day rang. Curt practically bolted from his last class and to his locker.
"Curt! Curt!" he heard someone yelling after him. He turned to see Finn running towards him.
"What?" Curt said as Finn caught up to him.
"What are you doing this weekend?" Finn asked.
"I don't know. I don't really have anything planned," Curt said.
"Good," Finn said. "I was going to ask if you wanted to go ice skating with us on Saturday."
"Okay," Curt said. He'd never been ice skating before, and he wasn't sure if he'd enjoy it, but it certainly beat sitting at home all weekend.
"So you'll come?" Finn said. Curt nodded. "Excellent. Cool. That's all I needed."
"Okay," Curt said. Curt finally reached his locker and opened it up, immediately putting on his jacket. Then, he shoved the folders and notebooks he needed for tonight into his backpack, and tossed his pencil case in there.
Curt walked out of the front doors of the school to the line of buses waiting outside. He found his bus, and then got on. Riker was already in their seat, staring forlornly out the window.
"Hey," Curt said.
"Hi," Riker replied.
The bus ride was silent and awkward. Riker just stared out the window. It was a lot like Curt's first few days at Littleton High, except for the fact that Riker wasn't even listening to his iPod. He was just staring out the window, not saying anything. Curt left Riker alone, knowing that if Riker wanted to talk to Curt about it, he would.
Finally, towards the end of the bus ride, Riker said something.
"I really wanted it to work out between me and Tiffany," Riker said.
"I know," Curt said. It was all Curt could think to say.
"No, I needed it to work out between us," Riker said quietly, speaking to himself.
This made Curt curious, but he didn't push it. Again, if Riker wanted to talk about it, he would. Finally, the bus pulled into his neighborhood. Once they'd gotten off the bus, Riker walked away, hanging his head as he did.
That's that. I know, not my best work, but I hope you guys liked it anyways.
Once again, I'm sorry about how long it took to get this one up. I can't guarantee that I won't get writer's block again, however, I do know what I did to push myself into writer's block, and I'm taking measures that will hopefully keep everything sailing smoothly. Writing can be really unpredictable at times. Hopefully if I do end up getting writer's block again, I'll be able to fix it quickly and move on.
Thank you to all of you who sent me words of encouragement while I had writer's block. It definitely kept my spirits alive, and made me determined to fix the problem as soon as I could.
The support you guys have shown for me through the writing of this fic has been outstanding. It truly means a lot to me.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I plan to be back soon with the next one. It's going to be chock-full with Rikurt fluffiness, so I hope you guys stick around.
Love you guys :) xoxo