Chapter 18 (Gardel)
"Hey Francis, where´s Birdie?"
"Oh, mon ami, where do you think? He used his chance while you were in the bathroom and ran away from your huge ego."
"How funny", Gilbert took his seat next to Francis, they were now at a restaurant Matthew had recommended; they chose a table in the balcony since the night was so warm.
"Whatever. You and Antonio are the ones having fun, I hate going out with you guys when you both have dates; you two just brush me aside."
"Don't say those things Francis, we´re not ignoring you", Antonio pouted to his friend
"You more than anyone," Francis glared to his friend, but to no avail, the Spaniard just turned around and continued his figh-… conversation with Romano, leaving Gilbert and Francis talking alone again.
"You know it was about damn time we did this to you, you're always the one leaving us behind for some pretty woman." Gilbert smiled widely.
"Well but that's just playing around. It really doesn't require all my attention."
"You're a bastard."
"Oh come on, do you think the girls I flirt with fell in love with my personality? Hell no! They're just after the looks, it's not like I'm stealing them, it's a win-win, you should know about this too Gilbo."
"Francis, you're way too used to the flirting game."
"My point is that you and Toni are going for the real thing now, I don't disagree with that but I hate been excluded."
"You could always make a move on the waitress; she's kind of your type."
"My dear Gilbert, all the women are my type."
Gilbert rolled his eyes, "How could I forget that? Now tell me where´s Birdie?"
"What are you, his mother? He had an important phone call and he said he'll be outside for a while."
"You could have said so from the beginning."
"Don't be so full of yourself just because the boy was able to stand you more than 24 hours."
"Keep trying damn fag, even if you don't like it Mathew loves me."
"Yeah sure, why don't we ask him directly?"
Gilbert turned around and Mathew was standing behind him with an unimpressed look on his face, Gilbert couldn't help the flush of embarrassment that was covering his face.
"Hey Birdie," he said with a shaky voice.
"What did you say about me loving you? Honestly, I find hard to believe that somebody even likes you."
"Ohonhonhon, that face was worthy of a picture, come petit Matthew sit next to me so you don't have to deal with this air head."
Francis felt a hard kick under the table, a sign that he should shut his mouth. But it really wasn't necessary since Matthew rejected the offer and sat next to Gilbert.
"See, Birdie? You just can't hide it," Gilbert was grinning at the blond boy.
"I can still sit on the other side of the table, you know."
"Fine, I won't say anything else, but it´s pretty obvious you enjoy my company."
Matthew stood up but Gilbert grabbed his sleeve.
"Just kidding, Birdie, and besides don't you think you'll be very much on your own all night if you join those two?" Gilbert pointed to where Antonio and Romano where sitting.
Matthew had no choice, "Fine, but save your awesome comments for yourself."
Just after that dinner arrived, while eating Gilbert noticed Matthew was a little down, as if something was bothering him.
"Matthew, I have to say this place is amazing. How did you find it?" Francis was really enjoying his meal.
"Well Arthur and my brother have known each other for a long time, so I've been at the beach house many times with Alfred, and well there were times in which I felt out of place…uhm you know what I mean" The disgust showing in the face of the people around him was enough for an answer. "Uhm, well I decided to explore a little by myself, and well I know many places around the area that way, but this restaurant in particular is one of my favorites."
"It's really good, mon cher."
"Wow, you should be proud Matthew. Francis hardly likes the places Gilbert and I take him."
"That's is, my dear Toni, due to the lack of good taste in your choices, but Matthew here really recognizes good cuisine."
"Well, I'm not really that good", sadness showed in Matthews face.
After some time eating and chatting, Gilbert couldn't help feeling worried for Matthew; the boy wasn't the same as always. He finally decided to ask him what was wrong when some tender music started playing.
"Oh today is Saturday, there's live music today", Matthew said momentarily coming out of his thoughts.
"It just keeps getting better; it's great you've been our guide today, Matthew. You really know good places." Francis hugged the younger boy but quit immediately when he saw the German across the table glaring at him.
"You hear that Toni? Isn't it your favorite song? What's the name of it?" Francis looked back to Antonio.
Antonio listen carefully for a few seconds, "Yeah you´re right…Por una cabeza"
Gilbert joined the conversation, "Oh now I remember back in high school you were a huge fan of Gardel, right?"
"I'm still it's just that I don't listen to him all day long like I used to."
"Romano would you like to hear the story of this song?" said the Frenchman.
"Uhm, sure why not" Romano raised an eyebrow.
"Please don't say anything embarrassing, Francis."
"I won't do that Toni, it's actually about that one time you participated in our high school showcase, you remember? When you danced tango, you were incredible."
"Hey there's nothing embarrassing about that story, how come every time you tell stories about me you choose the bad ones" Gilbert objected.
"That's because there are no good ones Gil."
"I find that very believable" Romano said, a grin on his face.
"Is this your revenge, Lovinito?" Gilbert said with poisonous tone.
"Please, guys, we're having a good time right?" Antonio tried to calm them down.
"So you are a great a dancer?" Romano looked at Antonio.
"Uh... No, not anymore, it was a long time ago; my mom forced me to take dancing lessons…"
"And he became really good at it right Gil?" Francis blinked an eye to Gilbert.
"Of course, I doubt you've lost it, it is a natural talent on you my friend"
"Guys stop it you know I no longer…"
"You should show Romano!"
"What! No! There's no way we could" Romano was about to suffer a panic attack.
"Well if Roma want's to try"
"Hell no!"
"Don't be shy Romano our friend is the real thing, just go"
"No" Romano was all red.
"I'll show you then," Antonio raised and extended his hand to Romano. "Come with me I'll be fun"
"What are you saying…? I don't care anyway, I don't know how to dance."
Romano stared at the hand in front of him not sure of what to do, but as if his body wasn't listening to his mind, he took Antonio´s hand and followed him outside the balcony were the music still could be heard but there was more privacy.
"I don't want to do this" Romano was serious.
"Why not?"
"I told you I don't dance."
"Give it a try, I'll show you."
"Stop it bastard, I don't like people making fun of me, I bet that's why your friends got me into this."
"Roma… they'll never do something like that." Romano rolled his eyes. "Trust me" Antonio's face was suddenly dark, "I will never let them."
Antonio was not as good as when he was younger but he still had the grace in his movements. Romano and he fitted each other's body perfectly. They both lead and followed at the same time making the music theirs. In the table remained Francis, Gilbert and Matthew enjoying the spectacle.
"That sure is a nice view," Francis sighed. "I think you two should give it a shot as well."
Gilbert and Matthew choked on their drinks.
"And leave you here all alone? I don´t think so." Dancing was not one of Gilbert's talents, and even the most awesome had to admit his own limitations.
"Ah don't worry about me, guys, actually I'm asking you to leave so I can have a talk with our pretty waitress."
"I knew it." Gilbert said.
Francis then whispered to his friend. "Seriously, Gil, don't let go this chance, we´re leaving tomorrow, you should at least ask for his number don't you think?"
The idea wasn't bad at all, and besides Matthew looked a little down, Gilbert would do whatever he could to make him smile. "Ok then, come with me Birdie, we'll follow those two," the German pulled Matthew out of his seat without asking.
"What? But I don't know how to dance."
"Birdie, don't worry I suck at it, we're doing this for Francis remember? The poor guy is alone all night, he deserves his share of fun too."
Matthew just sighed. "Fine."
They stayed away enough from the other couple, which by that time was deeply immersed in the dance. Gilbert tried his best but it wasn't working out, he knew he was making an idiot of himself trying to dance, he just had no coordination (it was a family thing) but he liked to see Matthew laughing.
"Well you weren't lying at all, you suck at this."
"It's not like you're an ace of dance, Birdie."
"Well at least I don't step on your foot every time I try to move!"
"I'm doing it purpose."
"I knew it."
"I have a great idea, why don't we leave this for the experts and you and me go for a walk."
"Sure, anything is better than this."
They left the restaurant and started walking towards a small park; the place was lonely since it wasn't tourist season. Matthew was still laughing at Gilbert's lack of rhythm.
"Seriously, Birdie, you're not that talented yourself."
"I know" Matthew said with his face down trying to hide something from Gilbert.
"Well I guess it had to compensate."
"What did you say?" the blond looked at Gilbert with confusion.
"I mean being so talented in other things you had to at least fail at something."
"Oh, shut up."
"No joking this time Birdie, you're a great cook, you're good at sports and well you´re …" the last part Gilbert almost murmured.
"What I didn't hear you?"
"Uhm… it wasn't important" Gilbert blushed a little.
"What the hell, where did all the confidence go?"
"Hunh?"
"Oh my god, you´re blushing. I bet what you said was something embarrassing"
"Well yeah…I mean no, no it wasn't."
"Then tell me," it was a challenge.
"Ok, I'll tell you," Gilbert grabbed Matthew by the waist and closed the distance between them, their faces almost meeting.
"I think you´re hot, Matthew."
"What's with this all of a sudden," now it was Matthew's turn to be nervous.
Gilbert didn't say anything else he just pressed his lips against Matthew's. The latter was very surprised but answered the kiss almost immediately. The kiss became more intense, the German knew that if he continued he couldn't stop himself, so he finished the kiss sweetly.
"That was one hell of a kiss, birdie."
Matthew tried to recover the tone in his voice, "Well, I guess that's how you compensate the not dancing at all."
"Now you´re getting it."
"But I think we shouldn't do this."
Gilbert froze at the words, "What! Why? Didn't you like it? I can do it again if you want."
"It's not that, you don't know me at all."
"But I want to, Birdie. I'm serious."
"That's why we shouldn't get involved."
Gilbert stood still, "I know you like me too so give a good reason."
"You want a good reason? Fine, I'll give you one. I received a call today, I applied for scholarship, and I was sure I was getting it, so I got a job and looked for an apartment, now they're telling me just a couple of days before classes start, that I didn't get it. I… I don't know what I'm going to do now. I had everything planned; now I won't even have enough money for… anything. Alfred has helped me enough already, I can't bother him anymore," Matthews eyes started filling with tears of frustration.
Gilbert didn't know what to do, "Birdie, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to; I´m going back to Canada, so my parents can say 'I told you so'. I think we shouldn't go further with this."
Gilbert didn't say anything else, he couldn't.
That's why I never let myself get involved, that is what Francis does too, even he doesn't say it out loud, I don't blame him, he thought the same as me, that perhaps this time, it would work out for me, that perhaps I had finally find that special one.
I'M SORRY I DIDN'T SUMBIT ANYTHING RECENTLY BUT I'VE BEEN UNDER MUCH PRESSURE THE LAST MONTH, I HOPE U STILL LIKE THE STORY, THANKS FOR THOSE OF U WHO ARE STILL FOLLOWING