Page 65 of Red Queen
After Enzo dropped the bomb on us about the news of Mona last week, this Thursday was the first and official media day since the summer break started, and my god, I thought it’d never end.
It’s Sunday morning, Teo’s birthday, and race day. He’s sleeping peacefully beside me. I wanted to wake up before him, so I could meet him before he had to go. I slip out of bed, then prepare the small cake I bought and put some candles in it. I grab his presents from the bathroom where I hid them, and then light the candles and head back to the bedroom.
I start singing quietly, but instead of waking up, he just groans and buries his face into the pillow. I chuckle at his attempt to ignore me, but I’m not giving up. I put the presents and cake down on the nightstand and kneel next to him, rubbing his arm to wake him up.
“Feliz cumpleaños, Teo.” I plant a kiss on his shoulder, and he finally turns to me, his eyes still closed.
“You didn’t have to,” he murmurs, tucking my hand under his head.
“I know. But it’s just a small something. Just a…friendly gesture.” His eyes pop open at that, propping himself up on his elbow.
“Friendly? What, we’re just friends now?” he asks, annoyance dripping from his tone.
“Well, we’re not strangers. But honestly, I have no idea how to label us,” I answer quietly, waiting for his thoughts, but he stays quiet.
Then, I hear a sigh, and a couple of seconds later, he blows the candles. I lift my head and start clapping, and for the first time today, he smiles at me.
“Happy birthday.” He shakes his head when I hand him the bag, but that doesn’t make my smile falter.
He unwraps the notebook, and by his surprised expression, I’m guessing he didn’t expect it.
“Pencils and a notebook. You want me to draw? Or perhaps I have my own personal diary now?” He chuckles, pulling me into the bed next to him.
“One time, you told me you loved drawing when you were little. I thought maybe you’d want to get back into it.” I smile, but he doesn’t smile back, so for a moment, anxiety creeps on me, hoping he’s not mad. Then, he scoots closer and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a big hug.
“Thank you,” he says after he lets me go and continues to inspect the present.
“Flip it up,” I say excitedly, then watch as he does so, a little envelope falling out from between the pages.
He holds it up, trying to see what’s inside, then tears it up. His eyes widen, looking at me in confusion. “What’s this?”
“It’s exactly what the tickets say. It’s like a rage room. Just with paint. You can take whoever you want. It’s valid until next year.”
“Are you free for a couple of hours next week?” he asks, and now it’s my turn to look at him, confused.
“I think so. We’ll have a week off before Austin, so yeah. Why?”
“It must be a coincidence that this rage room is in Austin.” He smirks, pulling me into his lap.
“Mhm. Pure coincidence. But have fun if you plan to go there next week. I bet Aiden would be having the time of his life there. Oh, and Nathan, he wouldn’t even want to leave.” I start laughing, imagining the boys throwing paint around, messing each other up.
“Didn’t you hear what I asked?” he interrupts, squeezing my ass to make me focus on him.
“I did. I told you I’m free.”
“Good. Then I want you to come with me.” I try to suppress my blush, not expecting his answer.
“What, not building the bromance?” I snort, trying not to sound excited. I’ve never been to a rage room before, so I was hoping he’d ask me.
“I’d rather build our friendship.” The last word rolls off his tongue in a weird way, like it’s a foreign word.
“Alright. I’m in. Now let’s eat that cake.” I quickly change the topic, not wanting to linger too much on it.
He lets me get off his lap, then we make our way to the kitchen to eat the cake. At least time’s passing while our mouths are full, and we can avoid the embarrassing silence.
43
MATEO
