Hellooooooooo! Hanna Cabrodi here! My biggest fear has come to life. I did NOT want to wait so long to update but what with college and my... laziness... I hadn't found the way to update. I also didn't have the drive to do so but tonight I found my mojo! Again, I sincerely regret having updated sooner! I hope this chapter makes up for it! Without further ado, I leave you with Chapter 8: Célame (Be jealous for me... not OF me, for me... Oy... I don't think there's a word in English for that... ANYWAY. GO ON. READ.)
*NOTE: THE ENDING OF THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN CHANGED!*
DISCLAIMER: UGH! HA! AIN'T MINE! LEAVE ME BE! OH! And neither is "No Es Una Novela" by Monchy y Alexandra. Just mentioning that just in case, even though all I did was MENTION the song... w/e...
9:15 PM, La Novia del Atlantico Hotel, Puerto Plata
Hillwood High School's senior AP Spanish students, after a strenuous day of air travel, had finally reached La Novia del Atlantico Hotel. The bunch stepped off of their bus and entered the welcoming hotel lobby waiting anxiously for the concierge to check them in and deliver their room keys while taking turns using a native's phone to call their loved ones informing them of their arrival in the Dominican Republic.
The lobby was filled with colorful Dominican paintings, straw furniture with plush cushions for comfort, homely wooden ceiling fans, marble floors which uniquely contrasted the countryside like accessories of the quarters and ceiling lamps with colorful glass to give the room a warm but welcoming aura.
The hotel was conveniently located in front of a beach to complete its caribbean vibe, the beach's enticing waves gladly welcoming visitors and tourists from all over the world to the Atlantic's Lover.
The group was in awe of the hotel's beauty alone, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at its aesthetically pleasing interior. They'd finally felt that they'd arrived in paradise.
Helga and Ashley began observing with interest paintings and found themselves intrigued by the vibrant colors the artists use to bring out the beauty of the Dominican countryside.
Harold snuck behind them. "WHAT'RE YOU GUYS LOOKING AT!?" The girls jumped in surprise, Helga glaring at her overweight prankster of a classmate.
"You RETARDED PIECE OF LARD! How many times do I have to TELL YOU to QUIT sneaking up behind me! Do I have to BEAT you to get the point across!? CRIMINY!" Harold just laughed... in fact he guffawed. No longer afraid of Helga's threats, he'd observed that laughing at her outbursts was rather entertaining. Ashley stepped in to control the blonde, who she'd noticed was fuming at Harold's 'harmless' prank.
"Helga, calm down. It's just been a LONG DAY, you need to CHILL. BREATHE, woman. BREATHE," insisted Ashley. Helga just rolled her eyes and breathed sharply. Her anger was immediately pushed to the side as the oblong headed fellow that made her heart go from 0 to 60 in .5 seconds flat made his way towards her. They hadn't spoken since the flight landed. She felt her face heat up intensely. She'd also noticed Arnold's face was slightly flushed and felt her cheeks grow hotter at the thought.
Could it POSSIBLY be that my love, my sweet, my ARNOLD, be flustered in my presence. OH RAPTURE! OH HEAVEN! Ohhh...
"H-hey Helga," stated a nerve-wrecked Arnold as he proceeded to place his hand behind his head, a common nervous habit of his. "Whaddaya think of the place so far?"
Helga internally was ENTRANCED by the beauty of the hotel alone, not to mention the romantic beach view and the beauty of the flora she could just barely get a glimpse of during the bus ride to the hotel, especially considering it was night-time.
"Eh, it's okay. Like I told you, it's like Puerto Rico."
Arnold rolled his eyes playfully. "Whatever you say, Helga."
The concierge, Hector Santana, a friendly man of sorts, approached and greeted the group as they entered the lobby with a smile. Ms. Rodriguez had previously informed him and the hotel employees that since this trip is for the group to master their Spanish skills fully, that they speak to them in Spanish to further appreciate the concept.
[1]"Bienvenidos a la Republica Dominicana..." Before Hector could continue, the group cheered in excitement, tired but with adrenaline pumping through their veins. They were FINALLY here.
"Es un placer para nosotros aqui en el Hotel La Novia del Atlantico poderlos recibir. Esperamos que disfruten su estadia en nuestro pais y que aprovechen a lo maximo."
As the concierge went on to finish his introduction and welcome and hand in each respective roommate pair their keys, Ashley, Gerald and Ms. Rodriguez silently observed Helga and Arnold share glances at one another while they other wasn't looking.
Oh my gosh, I think they're finally onto something... Still... I don't trust them... They need an extra push... thought a pensive Ashley as she smiled maliciously and internally planned to mildly bring this into discussion with Helga as soon as they got to their room.
Mmm-mmm-MMM! My man's got it BAD! Of ALL the girls in the world to fall for, he fell for HELGA G. PATAKI... When they say love is BLIND they were NOT KIDDING... Oh well, gotta be there for him... If they don't end up together by the end of this trip, I'm NEVER gonna hear the end of it... internalized Gerald.
[2]Vaya... my instincts were right. Thank God I paired her up with him for tutoring. And this dance thing is gonna be GENIUS! I just hope Andres doesn't try and play Rico Suave with her during those dance lessons [3]O LO MATO CON MIS PROPIAS MANOS! contemplated Ms. Rodriguez as she subtly smiled at her two prospective matchmaking victims... err... students.
After all was said and done in the lobby, the Spanish pupils ascended to their assigned hotel rooms and turned in for the night.
Meanwhile in Ashley and Helga's room, Ashley sat on her bed in her PJ's finishing her prayers and opened her eyes to see Helga silently swooning... over Arnold, no doubt.
Knowing that Helga would get defensive over a PEANUT, she subtly brought up the flight accommodations.
"Uhhh.. so Helga, crazy flights today, right? I got stuck sitting next to Harold for BOTH OF THEM. It was RIDICULOUS. When he wasn't SNORING, he was either EATING or laughing like a dying hyena. Sid told him this STUPID joke and orange juice came flying out of his nose like the spouts at the Trevi Fountain!"
Helga guffawed at the thought. Surely, it wasn't UNCOMMON to see beverages depart from Harold Berman's nose after hearing even the most RIDICULOUS of jokes but the sight alone never gets old.
"So, who'd you sit with on the plane?"
Helga felt her cheeks immediately rise in temperature and her gaze diverted from Ashley's, a lovesick smile creeping its way across her reddened face.
She fought the urge to vocally swoon in praises to her football headed love while her red-headed friend just stared in amusement... subtly of course, so as not to arouse the beast that is Ol' Betsy and the Five Avengers.
Helga thought about it for a minute... What is Bird up to?... Her eyes widened. I'M GOING TO KILL HER. Her facial expression immediately changed.
"Okay, Bird. What do you know and what are you UP TO?"
Ashley smiled. "Ohhhh, nothing... [4]Buenas NOCHES, Helga!" sing-songed Ashley as she shut off the lights to go to sleep after the exhausting day of travel and the like.
Helga mumbled insults silently as she, too, succumbed to her exhaustion.
...
The following morning after receiving a rather OBNOXIOUS wake-up call from Ms. Rodriguez and some of the hotel personnel, the group went to breakfast and immediately boarded their bus to begin their Dominican experience soon after.
The first day basically consisted of a tour around the Puerto Plata province. They visited Cabarete and its well known cave site known as El Choco and returned to the city of Puerto Plata to ride "El Teleferico de Puerto Plata," the city's cable car system which gave its passengers a mind-blowing view of the city's flora and coastline.
They also visited "Fortaleza San Felipe" which was completed in 1577 and was once used as a fortress that protected the area against pirates and corsairs and was, in the 1800s, the locale used to jail Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. The landmark was since then adjusted to become a museum and has been open to the public since the 1980s.
Upon leaving the historic landmark, Ms. Rodriguez gave them some time go walk around the boardwalk that surrounded the fortress. Some continued to take photos of the place, embracing the breathtaking view of the ocean and its surroundings while others with an appetite the size of life itself made their way towards the nearby restaurants for a meal... or two... Specifically Harold.
When all was said and done, the group returned to the hotel. Ms. Rodriguez asked them to sit briefly in the lobby as she asked Sid to pass out a packet which contained their first assignment.
"[5]Alumnos, su atencion, por favor. Aqui les tengo su primer trabajo para el paseo. Es un simple cuestionario que quiero que completen para lo que vimos hoy y lo que veremos mañana y pasado. This is worth 50 pts. Grammar and spelling is a must, you guys are in advanced placement Spanish, I should not have to constantly correct your accent mark placement or lack thereof. You made it here because you can do it."
She dismissed her students to their rooms to relax for the rest of the late afternoon and eyed Arnold and Helga.
"Arnold, Helga, por favor." She smiled upon seeing her dancing pair.
Helga and Arnold have slowly developed a subtle friendship/flirtationship these past few days of the trip and Helga's managed to lower her guard a bit, for the sake of maintaining said relationship and perhaps allowing it to extend to something more. Her heart's been yearning for this since she was three and she was not about to let it go down the toilet.
They shyly stole glances at each other before approaching their teacher.
"Surely you both remember the little arrangement we had for dance lessons, correct?" inquired Ms. Rodriguez, internally ecstatic at her little gimmick getting its headstart today, though she was QUITE concerned about her nephew Andres being the one to give them the dance lesson.
Ahh, yes, Andres Herrera. THE most infamously flirtatious dance instructor in Puerto Plata. At 21 years old, he is one of the most prominent dance instructors in the country. At 17, he won a national award for his participation in Ritmo Caribeño, a prestigious dance competition where competitors were to create combination of tango and bachata for choice songs. His achievements have led him to become a real chick magnet, thus inflating his ego and making him quite the heartbreaker. It didn't help that he was also one of the MOST attractive men in the country. His eyes were large and enticing, a very mysterious shade of light brown twinkled in them. His hair was coiffed perfectly, similar to David Archuleta's with a flirty fauxhawk. His complexion was complemented by divinely placed dimples in his cheeks which further accentuated his well defined cheekbones, decorated with a sexy 5 o'clock shadow. Oh, yeah, not to mention his INCREDIBLE set of biceps and well defined abs. It was rather difficult for you not to have your heart skip a few beats when seeing him for the first time so you can understand WHY Ms. Rodriguez, or Tia Carolina, as he calls her, is concerned about her plan. But he WAS the best so her choices were few.
"Si, Ms. Rodriguez, we remember. Do we start today?" asked Arnold.
"Doi, Football Head. I don't think she'd call us over if we weren't starting today." replied Helga.
"Haha! Yes, you start today. I will go with you to the dance hall just for today to introduce you to your instructor so you don't feel completely awkward. From tomorrow onward, you'll be going alone." answered Ms. Rodriguez.
"Should we go change or are we fine like this?" asked Arnold curiously.
"Well, it's been a long day, perhaps you should shower first so you feel fresh but you can go dressed casually, it's just the first lesson. I might recommend wearing the most comfortable clothes you can find." said their teacher.
After they went to their rooms and dressed, avoiding giving out any kind of information as to where they were going and what they were doing to their roommates who became suspicious but chose not to press anything.
The both secretly tried to dress a LITTLE nicer, for the sake of impressing one another. Arnold put on his favorite cologne while Helga doused herself with CH by Carolina Herrera, her favorite perfume that Olga'd given her for Christmas last year.
They proceeded to head downstairs, Ms. Rodriguez observing their slight "upgrade" in outfit choice. It was nothing formal but it was clear they both intended on making the other swoon just a tad. She gushed internally.
Ms. Rodriguez called the cab and they arrived at Estudio de Baile Pie Caribeño (Caribbean Foot Dance Studio). She greeted her nephew who immediately drew Helga's attention, given his INCREDIBLE physical assets.
Andres approached his aunt and greeted her. "[6]Bendicion tia." He kissed her cheek and she returned the kiss, a common greeting in Latin America.
"[7]Dios te bendiga, mi amor. Como esta Soraya?" she asked.
"[8]Ella 'ta bien, tia." He spotted the two "gringos" who were silently waiting at the door. "Tia, e'to son lo' do' gringo que van a aprender a bailar?" asked Andres who began to look dreamily at Helga. This didn't escape his aunt's vision.
"[9]SI!" she pulled his face in her direction and harshly whispered to him. "Oigame bien lo que te voy a decir, Andres. Yo te conozco muy bien. Ten mucho cuidado con tirartele a Helga, estamos claro? Nada de tu coqueteria que esta no es de las chamaquitas que persigues por ahi. ENTENDISTE? Les vas a enseñar a bailar y YA."
Andres rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay. Come in, you guys, I don't bite." He said this SPECIFICALLY to Helga while winking at her. His aunt pinched his side, to which he responded with a squeal.
Helga became flustered at the sight of this attractive dance instructor but became rather suspicious.
My gaydar doesn't go off... he's definitely straight. But he seems like a player and HELGA G. PATAKI ain't no one's little mess around... Besides... I'm here for my beloved... Oh, ARNOLD! Today you and I will unite in musical passion and begin our journey towards mastering Dominican dance... You will sway me to the beat of bachata and dance the night away on the night we perform... Ohhhh...
She snapped out of it and walked along with Arnold towards the middle of the room to meet with their dance instructor who wouldn't take his eyes off of Helga.
What is this dude LOOKING at, Arnold asked himself. Ohhhh, no. I refuse to let this guy charm Helga. Jealously began to make its merry way into Arnold's soul and he immediately went for Helga's hand. The sensation was electrifying. Ms. Rodriguez smiled and took a seat at the corner of the room.
"Bueno, let's get started, shall we?" stated Andres. "My name's Andres and I'll be your dance instructor for the next few days. Now we're gonna start with the basic steps of bachata. It's a fairly simple dance and involves some hip movement so you'll have to loosen up. We'll start off dancing separately before having you two dance together."
They both nodded in agreement and began to observe their dance instructor. Side, side, hip. Side, side, hip. They moved very robotically and Andres stifled a laugh. They had a bit of trouble but it was enough for them to finally move on to dancing as a pair.
"Okay, now take a ballroom dancing position, so to speak."
Arnold took Helga's right hand and put his left hand on her waist without question. He pulled her in close and smiled at her. They held the gaze for a brief moment.
Arnold's mind began to travel to a beach scenery. It was the same daydream he had a few weeks ago back in his room in Hillwood. He and Helga were dancing cheek to cheek to a smooth bolero/bachata, her azure blue eyes twinkling in the moonlight.
[10]Helga, no sabes cuanto he anhelado este momento. Al fin te tengo cerca...
Te amo, Football Head...
He snapped out of his daydream when Andres placed Arnold's left hand under Helga's shoulder blade where it was supposed to be for this specific dance. Meanwhile, Ms. Rodriguez's phone went off and she went into the hall to answer it.
Andres stepped towards the stereo and played "No Es Una Novela" by Monchy y Alexandra, which contained the basic rhythm of bachata so that the blondes could get an idea of the beat.
"Ready? Five, six, five six seven eight."
The began to dance and bumped into each other several times. "Remember, side, side, hip. Put your hips into it and relax." instructed Andres.
Helga caught on quickly while Arnold was still a little lost. Andres saw this as the perfect opportunity to get closer to Helga. [11]Bueno, tia's not here so a conquistar se ha dicho!
"Arnold, allow me to step in to... demonstrate." Arnold saw the look in Andres' eyes and did everything he could to keep calm. He politely stepped back and let Andres dance with Helga.
He saw how Andres and Helga immediately danced in sync with the beat of the music. Andres briefly put his hand on Helga's waist to... "make sure" she her hip movement was on point. It was, no doubt.
Helga found herself staring at her instructor while he stared right back at her and she immediately looked away.
What IS it with this guy? Just because he's latin eye candy doesn't mean... UGH! That's enough.
"Okay, okay ANDRES. I think Foot.. err.. Arnold, can take it from here. He IS another student after all." she spat.
"Esta bien. Esta bien. Arnold, did you observe my movements?" asked Andres, his voice denoting a tinge of cockiness and arrogance.
Arnold held back the impulse to roll his eyes and simply nodded.
Their dance lesson ended and Ms. Rodriguez called the cab to transport them back to the hotel for the evening. As the threesome made their way towards the exit, Andres stopped Helga.
Their dance lesson ended and Ms. Rodriguez called the cab to transport them back to the hotel for the evening. As the threesome made their way towards the exit, Andres stopped Helga.
"You know, rubia, you're a pretty quick learner. Quite impressive." he flirtatiously told her. "I look forward to the rest of your dance lessons." He then proceeded to wink at her and kissed her hand.
Helga's face rose in temperature significantly and smiled bashfully. It was EXTREMELY out of character for her but his charms were working their magic and as she has estrogen, she caved.
Arnold observed this from afar and called out to Helga saying the cab had arrived, his rage reaching a peak he'd never experimented before.
Helga's blush was still in full bloom as they approached the cab. The ride was brimming with silence and the tension was thick... well, it was for Arnold.
Ms. Rodriguez, Arnold and Helga finally arrived at La Novia del Atlantico Hotel and Ms. Rodriguez bid her good nights to her students as she ascended towards her room.
"Well, Football Head, it's been a long day, I think I'm gonna turn in as well." stated Helga
"Wait! Don't go just yet, I wanna talk to you for a second."
Helga obliged and Arnold led them to sit on one of the couches in the lobby. Arnold began to fidget with his hands and while Helga found it adorable, her exhaustion caused her to find it annoying and she wanted him to quit beating around the bush.
"Well?"
"Okay. What was that all about?"
"What was WHAT all about?"
"That whole hand kissing thing with Andres. What was that all about?" His face was slightly flushed while jealousy bled through his green eyes.
Helga's mind slowly digesting Arnold's actions and body language...
Arnold's JEALOUS... He's actually JEALOUS! OH, my love! Can it be TRUE! Is it possible that you are returning the affections I have so DESPERATELY pined for? Ohhh! ... On the other hand, Andres made me feel... desired. Even if the Football Head and I HAVE become closer, it's not like he's even said he wants me... as if he ever would...
"None of your BEESWAX, Arnoldo!" What's it TO ya, anyway? What if he DID kiss my hand? It's not like I'm TAKEN or anything or does it BOTHER you that someone could actually find me ATTRACTIVE?"
"NO! That's not - I... " Arnold paused for a brief moment. He knew that he and Helga had gotten quite close since the beginning of the trip but seeing as how Helga G. Pataki was the most complex equation to solve in the book, telling her that he doesn't want whatever kind of romantic potential they have, however miniscule, probably wasn't the greatest idea of sorts.
"I just... Andres doesn't seem like the kind of guy that loves... The kind of guy that doesn't respect boundaries... I just don't want you getting hurt." As these words passed his lips, he took one of her hands and gently squeezed it, as if to emphasize his point.
It may have not been the whole truth behind his jealous demeanor but it wasn't a TOTAL lie... Something about Andres, other than his less-than-subtle attempts at emotionally seducing Helga, rubbed Arnold the wrong way. He seemed like the kind of guy that just enamours girls and leaves them hanging when he's tired of them. He really didn't want her getting hurt.
Helga froze at that moment. The second Arnold took hold of her already cold hand, electricity charged its way through every corner of her interior and every follicle of her skin. As much as she wanted to cherish the moment and swoon at her love's characteristic concern for those around him, she couldn't allow herself to get hurt. In her experience, any blink of momentary bliss with Arnold always ends up with an emotional clobbering so she chose to save herself while she could.
She snatched her hand out of Arnold's grasp. "What do YOU know!? I mean, you don't even KNOW the guy -"
"Neither do you, Helga!" retorted a slightly annoyed, yet still rather jealous Arnold.
He's right... UGH! Stupid... adorable, sweet, sensible Football Headed Romeo... Pshh, he's still jealous and despite my confusion, I'm milking this cow for all it's worth!
"LOOK, hair boy! I never ASKED for your opinion on him and ANYTHING I may or may not do with Andres is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! [12]BUENAS NOCHES, IDIOTA!"
The hot headed blonde stormed up the lobby stairs as Arnold watched, silently fuming at his unsuccessful attempt to try and have a remotely decent conversation with the girl who has slowly been stealing his heart.
He then stood up, determination stretched across his face. "In the words of Luis Fonsi, [13]yo no me doy por vencido."
TRANSLATIONS
[1]Welcome to the Dominican Republic
[2]Wow
[3]Or I'll kill him with my bare hands
[4]Good night, Helga
[5]Students, attention, please. Here is your first assignment for the trip. It is a simple questionnaire that I want you to complete based on what we saw today and what we'll see tomorrow and the day after.
[6]Blessings, auntie (It's the usual way of greeting an elder in the family)
[7]God bless you, honey. How's Soraya?
[8]She's good, auntie... Auntie, are these the two gringos (Americans) that are going to learn how to dance. (The question was asked in Dominican "ebonics")
[9]YES! ... Pay very close attention to what I'm about to tell you, Andres. I know you very well. Do NOT try and woo Helga, we clear? You will not go after her like you do the other girls from around here. UNDERSTOOD? You will teach them to dance and NOTHING ELSE.
[10]Helga, you have no idea how much I have dreamt of this moment. I finally have you near... ; I love you, Football Head.
[11]Well, auntie's not here so I'm goin' after her [Helga]!
[12]Good night, idiot!
[13]I'm not giving up.
Notable changes in the end of this chapter! BELIEVE ME! They were necessary! Tell me what you think! Reviews are to me are like Dunkin Donuts are to America! I run on them! :P Please! Feedback is GREATLY appreciated!
GBY!
-Hanna Cabrodi :D