Rapido!

Chapter 11

"How does it feel to be known as one of the best of the Legends now?"

Octavio rubbed his eyes. He had been answering questions for at least 40 minutes now.

"Like I've said, it feels great, I'm happy to be recognized and I will continue to be competitive. Um, just 1 more question please."

The small crowd erupted, Octane selected a woman in the back to ask a question,

"What are your plans for your life? Settling down at some point?"

"Ummm..." Octavio didn't think about that often, he paused for quite some time, then quietly said, "I'm... not sure. Uh, thank you everyone but I have to go now." The crowd roared as he walked away from the stand.

...

Octavio never knew himself to be a settle down and take it easy kinda guy. He was better at improv, fast paced, don't stop, don't think kinda stuff. He decided to try taking it a bit slow, see how he liked it. He remembered earlier when he went on a run and ended up relaxing at the end and loved it. The next few days he slept in a bit and then took the day slow, drank some coffee, talked to others and learned about the arena and complex more.

Turns out, Fuse's real name is Walter, and he hates cats. Pathfinder is secretly an amazing cook. Gibraltar used to be in a search and rescue team before the games. Loba was a well-known thief. Elliot always had really bad luck with girls, no surprise there. Wraith accidentally let Elliot learn her name... and now the whole complex knows it's Renee. Bangalore fought for the IMC with her brother for some time before the games, her real name is Anita. Sadly for her most of the legends despised the IMC and supported either the Militia or other factions and armies. Caustic... didn't open up, but he does make a mean non-poisonous coffee. Natalie, loving cats, always teased Octavio and Walter, however Octavio tried his best to warm up to the cat. Two new Legends had joined recently, Valkyrie AKA, Kairi, and Seer or Obi. Revenant was too scary to talk to and Rampart only gave her name Ramya. She was secretive for some reason. That's about all he had learned. He and Tae had moved away from a hostile friendship and hung out more. Octavio saw he had no intentions of getting to know Nat more than just a friend.

As a few months passed, Octavio went on to become the Legend with the 5th most wins, and a pretty popular one at that. Nat taught him how to make good food for breakfast lunch and dinner, and how to be clean and organized. Octavio wanted to repay her, so he got dressed up in a button-down and nice pants and told her to dress nice and meet him in the lobby.

He was pacing the floor, gripping the bouquet of flowers in his left hand. He kept checking the stairs, she had never written back to him when he sent the message. He checked again: no message. Maybe she didn't see. Maybe- she didn't want.. To.. he shook his head and began to walk off, scolding himself in Spanish about his idiocy, "She'll never love you.."

Just as he started to walk off Natalie appeared. Wearing a brown leather jacket with a long flowery skirt. She looked gorgeous, and Octavio took a step back at the sight of her. Even the scar on her face looked amazing to him, which sadly many people on the nets had made fun of her for. He rubbed the goggles on his eyes and walked over to her,

"Hola hermosa..." He said in a shaky voice.

"Hoola Tavi!" She mispronounced it, but he didn't care, "When are you gonna tell me what hermosa means?" she frowned.

"Erm... well-" he didn't finish when she interrupted,

"No matter! What did you want me to meet you here for?" She smiled.

Octavio blushed under the mask, "Well... I wanted to repay you for all the stuff you've taught me... So... umm- would you like to go to dinner with me? Then maybe a walk?" he stumbled through the sentence.

"I'd love to!" She said, "How thoughtful of you! Call it a date?" she said as she walked past him and outside.

Octavio's face was red and hot. "Um. yeah! Sure!" He ran after her.

...

They arrived at the restaurant and Natalie asked Octavio to wait,

"Would you take off your silly goggles and mask?" she asked

"But. Uhh.. It's my signature look!" he smirked.

"Oh ok..." she said kind of sadly and sat back in her seat.

What am I doing?? Octavio cursed, "But.  No need to show it off while I'm out with you. He spoke. He took off the mask and hesitated before taking off the goggles. Natalie had already seen his face before, but he didn't like how he looked underneath the mask, and he had learned to hide. Natalie reached out and took the goggles off, and their eyes connected for a moment. They held contact. Octavio felt at ease looking into her cool, blue eyes. Perfectly shaped and big. He felt lost... but he wasn't scared. It was like he was lost at home. He opened his mouth and said something, he didn't know what. Natalie looked at him oddly,

"What does that mean?" She asked.

"Umm... I'll tell you later." he tried to remember what he had said.

Instead of eating inside they grabbed the food to go so as to avoid the public crowd. As Octavio saw someone, he thought he recognized... the man watched him leave. Octavio heard him say one word. Follow.