James/Carvelli Extras

High School prt 1 (N+M)

Nyla

"Mateo?"

Mateo turns his head and looks at me.

"Can I braid your hair?" I ask

He nods his head before looking back down at his text book.

We're in the library for the morning. It's a study period but I don't have much to study for or catch up on.

I stand up and stand behind Mateo, running my hands through his hair. He has thick curls and quite a lot of hair.

I part his hair with my fingers, preparing for the first cornrow. He doesn't flinch as I start braiding.

In fact, he seems more relaxed.

"Have you ever had your hair braided?" I ask

he hums a "no" while grabbing his note book and writing notes.

"Well... as long as we're friends and work together, expect your hair being braided often," I tell him

He sighs before humming again.

"You're stuck with me."

"unfortunately," he says quietly

"why does nothing nice ever come out of your mouth when you do decide to open it?" I tug on his hair and he groans.

His middle finger comes up and the thought to bite it crosses my mind, but I hit it instead.

"Wanna know what I found out?" Mateo's the only person I really gossip to. My friends and I don't really talk drama, but Mateo and I do.

"Sanchez and Fiona have been fucking. Since 9th grade," I say

Mateo closes his text book and looks up at me with raised eyebrows.

"I know. And we all thought they hated each other, but nope. They've been going at it," I say. "Ok. All done."

Mateo uses his phone camera to look at the braids. His scalp is red as ever but he doesn't seem to be in pain.

"You like it?" I ask sitting down

He shrugs before going back to his work.

"Nothing impresses you," I roll my eyes.

He sighs again before handing me a pen and holding his arm out. It's become a daily routine of me drawing on Mateo's arm.

At first I thought he hated it but now he always carries a pen for me so I can draw on his arm.

I decide to doodle flowers on his forearm, completely different from his usual tattoos.

"Thank you very much," I say and he hums in response.

For the next 20 minutes I draw on Mateo while he studies. He's really good at it, even though his notes aren't readable. That's if it's in english.

He writes his notes in italian most of the time and he says it's just a habit. He doesn't mean to.

I've never met a guy who cares so much about his grades. Mateo takes school seriously unlike the others in our grade.

He says he doesn't need to try but he wants to.

As I finish up I notice that our hands are holding each other's. His thumb rubbing my knuckles so soothingly.

"What... what do you think?" I ask looking up at him.

His grey eyes already on me he says, "beautiful," so quietly, I almost miss it.

"Thanks," I smile looking back down at his arm.

"Students! Unfortunately we have to close the library early. You can head to study hall which they're opening early or the courtyard. Sorry for the interference!" The librarian announces

Study hall only opens in the afternoon. That's when everyone usually has their spares.

"Courtyard?" I ask as we pack up.

Mateo holds up his car keys instead.

"Slushies?"

He nods and I smile.

___________

"First time i shot a Smith and Wesson I almost broke my hand. I wasn't expecting it to be that powerful."

"That shit's insane. I broke my finger," Mateo tells, "Now I carry it everywhere," he reaches over and opens his glove compartment.

The pistol sits there with an extra clip and box of bullets. There's also a knife and cross chain next to it.

"Child of god?" I question

"Yeah. My mom used to make me read the bible every morning. I still talk to him, but not as often as I used to," he shrugs

"Why don't you wear it?" I ask as he closes his glove compartment

"Because I'm one of the biggest sinners in the world. Either way, I know he's with me," Mateo shrugs before taking a sip of his slushy.

I look at him as he mixes his drink. Every word that comes out of his mouth is with confidence and honesty. He's a man of his word.

"I have a headache," he sighs and looks at me

"It's the braids. You can take them out," I chuckle

"Nah... I'll keep them in until I get home. I kinda like them," he looks at himself in the rear view mirror

"Should get you a durag," I smirk

"Think I'd feel like out of place. It's not my culture, wouldn't it be... appropriating?" he asks

The man knows about culture appreciation and appropriation!

"Not entirely. You're using it in the right way, you're not using it as satire, you wouldn't be trying to look like us, plus i just want to see what you'd look like with it on. It can be one time if you're not comfortable with it," I tell him

"Ok. Sure," he nods and I smile

Mateo looks at my whole face as I smile, as if he's trying to savour it. He does it often and sometimes I wonder why.

"We should head back," I mumble

"Yeah. We should."

____________

I've never been one to catch feelings.

I've been having a hard time identifying what it is I feel for Mateo. I think about him often and always want to text him. He's the last person i think about before I go to sleep and the first i think about when I wake up.

I always check to see if he sends me a text in the morning when he gets up. Sometimes he'll text me in the middle of the night to see if I'm up drawing. Then he'll get all mad when I answer.

Makes me feel special. He cares about me.

And maybe it's because I know he doesn't show everyone this side of him. He has a heart and even if it's hard to get to, it's there.

My phone chimes and my heart flutters as I hope it's a notification from him.

"Mateo" It says and I rush to open the message

"I hope you're not drawing."

I smile and message back, "I'm not. I'm getting ready for bed."

Immediately I get a response

"Mhm... ok. Goodnight, then."

"Goodnight <3"

I turn off my phone with a smile, after setting my alarm.

For his sake I won't draw and actually go to sleep.

As I get in bed and get comfortable I start to realize.

I'm falling for him.

"Shit!"

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