Hi there! Here is the chapter 6, sorry for the long wait…
By the way, this story takes place in Chicago. However, I know little to nothing about this city since I don't even live in the USA, so I wanted to specify that everything I know about the city (mainly the locations…) I know it from Google and Google Maps… I try to take my characters to real world places but maybe I can get some things wrong…
Also, there will be a lot dialogs in Spanish in this chapter. As I know that everybody doesn't speak that language I will write the translations for the sentences right after the paragraph in which they appear (it will look like that: *translation*). I also want to apologize in advance for any mistake as I've only got a scholar level of Spanish.
Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Strange Place for an Encounter
Chapter 6: Familiares
I love spring, I think this is my favorite season of the year… You know, I love hearing birds sing, feeling the first rays of sun tickle my skin in the morning, seeing the trees blossom and explode with millions of colors. April of this year is pretty warm, but honestly, I'm not complaining at all. I mean, I'm enjoying it right now…
When spring comes, my two friends –Jacqueline (Jacks) and Emma- and I usually have a picnic on the lawn, in front of the school building. It's almost like a ritual; when the weather gets warm enough, every Friday, right after morning classes, we sit here and eat our sandwiches, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Then we spend hours chatting and laughing until our next class starts. And today is no exception.
Well, actually, I try to enjoy the moment. I had put my phone on my thigh so I could keep an eye on the time. But this phone just wouldn't stop ringing. The first time it vibrated, I ignored it because Emma and I were in the middle of a heated -if I can say so- debate on our favorite series. The second time my phone rang, I had just taken a bite of my sandwich. I frowned slightly and decided to take a look at the caller ID; Vaas. It surprised me a little since he never called on my mobile at this time of the day.
Although it intrigued me, I just decided not to answer. I actually haven't talked to Emma and Jacks about Vaas yet. The reason is still the same, I want to keep it kind of secret… So, I just tossed my phone onto my bag and took another bite of my sandwich.
"Oh my… Look at this… absolutely gorgeous." Jacks says, dramatically licking her lips while staring at someone. I can't see the so called 'gorgeous' thing –that I assume to be a man- that she's looking at since he's behind me. Only Emma can see him.
"Where, where?" The latter asks, literally scanning the place with her eyes.
"3 o'clock." Jacks immediately responds with a military-sounding tone that makes me chuckle.
"Oh Lord. Do you think he's single? Because I wouldn't mind being single with him, if you know what I mean." Emma tries to joke. I laugh again, putting my sandwich back in my lunch box and wiping my hands with a paper towel. Come on, this man can't be as gorgeous as Vaas, I tell myself, thinking of Vaas and his body, but I have to admit that the faces they make pick my curiosity.
"I hope he's worth putting my sandwich down…" I say with a threatening voice. The two of them immediately nod frantically as I slightly turn around to take a look behind me with as much discretion as I can.
And here he is. Red t-shirt put underneath a grey shirt with rolled up sleeves, dark jeans. Golden chain, golden watch. I knew he couldn't be as gorgeous as Vaas, because he is Vaas.
The first thing that comes to my mind is 'What the fuck is he doing here?' But I try to toss that question away and turn around to face my friends again. They're staring at me, like waiting for me to give my opinion. "Well, yeah but… not my type…" I say, shrugging. They seem disappointed by my answer. Of course, I lied…
They keep on staring at him as I take another bite of my food, trying to ignore the fact that Vaas is a few feet away from me and that… my phone is ringing again… I know Vass is calling me again. Jacks and Emma can hear my phone and they can see Vaas is using his. They start getting suspicious.
My phone rings again, they are sure of it now. I'm trapped, I have no other choice. I put my food down and sigh. I look at my friends; they cross their arms, tilt their head to the side and stare at me. They know.
I stand up quickly. "Not a single word." I order them with a threatening tone. They dramatically cover their mouth with their hand but I can still see their smirk. Oh, I will have to explain myself after that, and I know they won't be gentle with me…
"Vaas! Over here!" I call out, walking towards him. He immediately turns around and starts to head in my direction, tucking his phone back in his pocket. When we're close enough, he smiles warmly, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my cheek to greet me.
"Hey, I've been searching for you everywhere…" He says. "How come you don't answer your phone?" He continues with a teasing tone.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I was having lunch with friends." I answer, showing Emma and Jacks behind me. When they see we're looking at them, they theatrically wave to him, smiling widely. "Well, usually they're not that creepy, but…" I then say. Seriously you weren't there to see it but I swear they looked creepy… "By the way, what are you doing here?" I ask.
He snorts. "I just wanted to take you somewhere for lunch, but apparently I'm too late... By the way, am I not allowed to see you when you're here?" He asks pretending to be offended.
I let out a little laugh gripping lightly on his shirt to draw him closer. "That's not that!" I answer. "I- actually I didn't want my friends to see us together…" I admit, lowering my head to stare at his golden chain.
"Why?" He asks, tightening the embrace of his arm around my waist.
"You don't know how it is to be harassed with questions by two extremely jealous best friends…" I answer with a slight exaggeration, really slight…
"Jealous, uh? Well, would that make them even more jealous…?" He says, leaning forward to kiss me on the lips. He brings me even closer to his body. I grip at his shirt with more strength as he deepens the kiss, laying his free hand on the back of my neck as if he didn't want us to part. My heart is beating frantically and soon we have to stop to catch our breath.
I smile as I feel my cheeks redden. "You just awakened the furies…" I state, looking briefly at my two friends.
"Higgins Avenue, seven p.m." He suddenly says. He sees my confused look, though, and leans forward to whisper in my ear. "I want to take you out tonight." I blush at the sound of his deep voice.
I simply nod and in a split of second, he kisses me and walks away. I stand where I am for a long minute before coming down from my love high and walking back towards my friends. I sit down again and take another bite of my sandwich. When I lift my head, I can see Jacks and Emma's mischievous smile.
"'Not your type', uh?" Jacks asks, raising her eyebrows. Emma crosses her arms, staring at me. "We want to know everything." Jacks then orders as Emma nods. And that's how the interrogation starts…
Vaas called me later in the afternoon. He told me to join him in a shop on Higgins Avenue. He said it was an upholstery shop or something of the kind… He didn't tell me but I assume he works there. I'm also kind of excited to see where he works. I mean, I only know a few things about his life and I like to take every information that I can get about him. I really like him, and I really want something to happen, you know, between us…
So when I came back home, after a well-deserved shower, I quickly got ready to go out. I ate a quick snack as a meal and got on my way to the train station. And here I am, taking the blue line all the way up to Harlem station. I can't hide my excitement, I can't wait to see Vaas and spend the evening with him. And that makes me look like a teenager who has a crush on a cute guy. Actually, I have kind of a crush indeed… And sometimes I really doubt that I'm an adult…
Anyway, I try my best to keep my composure as I walk down the avenue. I immediately recognize the shop when I approach it. It's a cute little store with large windows on the façade. The front sign reads 'Upholstery'. Yep, this is the place!
Without wasting more time, I enter the shop, making the small bell hanging above the door ring. The loud Mexican music playing in the back shop and the roaring of sewing machines ring in my ears. As I take a step forward, a man immediately appears behind the counter. He looks rather old but he is smiling widely. I smile back and approach him.
"¡Holà!" He greets me. "Welcome, how can I help you?" He asks with a strong Hispanic accent, joining his hands.
"Hello. Uhm, is Vaas here? He said I could find him here…" The man frowns slightly, I can tell he didn't understand completely what I said. He nods, though and then turns around.
"¡Vasco, mijo!" He calls out, shouting to be heard over the background noise of the back shop. Someone immediately responds.
"¡Sí papa!" Despite the foreign language and the accent, I recognize Vaas' voice. I then put two and two together, the man is Vaas' dad and he doesn't speak English. I feel a little embarrassed, that's why he didn't understand me…
"Ven, alguien te necesita." The man then says. Vaas replies immediately.
*Come here, someone is asking for you.*
"Ya voy." I can see him coming from the back shop, trotting slightly to go faster. He is wearing a grey shirt that I assume to be his uniform. When he sees me, he immediately smiles.
*I'm coming.*
"Esta chica habla inglés, no he entendido lo que ha dicho." The man says with a worried look when Vaas comes up to him.
*This girl speaks English, I didn't understand what she said.*
"Está bien, no te preocupa." Vaas simply says to him, patting his shoulder. The man nods as Vaas rounds the counter and walks towards me to plant a gentle kiss on my forehead. He probably doesn't want to kiss me in front of his father, and I don't mind since the gesture is so cute!
*It's okay, don't worry.*
"Hi." I say with a blush. "I didn't know that he doesn't speak English, sorry…" I try to apologize, thinking I might have embarrassed his father.
"It's okay, don't worry…" Vaas replies before turning to his father and holding out a hand towards me. "Papa, es All-" Vaas starts introducing me but I immediately interrupt him.
"Buenas tardes, Señor. Soy Allison, una amiga de Vasco. Encantada de conocerlo." I say, reaching out to shake hand with the man. I can tell Vaas is quite surprised. His father is surprised, too, and pleased as well. He gives me a bright smile and shakes my hand.
*Good afternoon, Sir. I'm Allison, a friend of Vaas'. Nice to meet you.*
At this moment, I'm pretty happy to know a little bit of Spanish language. I have to admit that I did that partially to impress Vaas. And it apparently worked. Good thing for me, right?
"Mucho gusto." The man says.
*Likewise.*
I smile again at him before Vaas faces me and speaks. "Okay, can you wait for me just a few minutes? I'm gonna get changed so we can go."
I nod with a smile and he immediately disappears in the back shop, leaving me with his father. "Cita galente, ¿sí?" The man then says with a knowing smile and a nod.
*A date, right?*
I nod, laughing slightly. "Me parece que es una buena chica, amable, inteligente… hermosa. Vasco es un buen hijo, y un buen nieto, pienso que merece una chica como usted…" He continues, complimenting me.
*You seem to be a good girl, kind, smart… beautiful. Vasco is a good boy; a good son, and a good grandson, I think he deserves a girl like you…*
"Gracias" I answer. The word 'nieto' picked my curiosity though. I assume he sees his grandparents often, and takes care of them. "¿Cuida de sus abuelos?" I then ask, eager to learn more about Vaas.
*Thank you* *Does he take care of his grandparents?*
"De su abuela, sí, todo el tiempo…" He replies with pride. "Con la tienda, no tengo el tiempo para hacerlo yo mismo, pero Vasco siempre está presente para ayudar a su abuela." He insists with a nod.
*Of his grandmother, yes, all the time…* *With the shop, I don't have time to do it myself, but Vasco is always here to help his grandmother.*
Wow, I didn't know all that about Vaas. I can almost see him differently now. As Vaas returns from the back shop, having changed his shirt for a red one and having put on a leather jacket, I can't help but staring at him. He is smart, good looking, funny and thoughtful. It kind of makes him cute, actually.
"You ready?" He suddenly asks, wrapping an arm around my waist. I nod, still slightly immersed in my thoughts. "¡Adios!" He then says to his father before leading me out of the shop. He seems to notice my state as we walk down the street. "Are you okay?" He asks. I snap out of my thought and nod.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just… thinking." I say, smiling sweetly. He returns the smile and leans in to kiss me, on the lips this time. Oh, I waited all day to feel that again. I open my eyes again as we part.
"I wanted to take you to the cinema." He then whispers. So, cliché. I think. But prefect… I smile with approval. And on our way we go, walking side by side and holding each other hand as if we were in a romantic movie.
Except this is my romantic movie… and it's real.
So there you go everybody! Please leave a review if you liked this chapter. Bye!
Badi-otaku.
