No More Wasting Time

Chapter 21

Diego's POV:

"Are you okay?"

"Are you fine?"

"Do you want to leave?"

"Let's go somewhere else."

"Guys! Please, I just need five minutes to myself," I said in frustration and walked off.

I knew I was being rude to them but I just needed to breathe. I didn't mean to hurt them, I was panicking and trying to calm myself down. Everyone looking at me made me feel insecure and vulnerable. I felt so uncomfortable and needed to leave. I left Hector in the cafeteria and when he felt I wasn't there with him anymore is when he went after me. Seconds later I heard the frantic calls from Charlie and Rosaline.

"Diego," Max called out and cautiously made his way to me. "Let's take a walk in the field and get some fresh air."

"No, I just, I need to be alone for the last minutes of lunch. Please."

He wanted to argue more but I walked off before he could say anything else. I didn't want to say something I'd regret later. I walked outside and tried my best to avoid fellow students but I could still hear the whispers and feel the stares. I tried to calm myself down by telling myself that nothing happened, it was only an exchange of few words. No fight broke out and nothing serious happened. So why was it hard for me to breathe?

"Diego?"

Looking over, I saw a confused Caden who also seemed unsure about stepping closer or not. He was standing by the nurse's door and I had a feeling I knew why. Victor didn't seem well and I was silently telling myself to not care. I didn't even know why the events occurred. Hector found me in the halls and we were awkwardly on our way to the cafeteria. Next thing I know, I'm having a freaking panic attack.

"Max is inside," I said and began to walk off again.

"Wait," he called out and jogged to catch up. "Can I walk with you? I'll be silent."

I reluctantly nodded my head and continued on while trying my best to ignore him. I could tell he wanted to say something and I felt slight annoyance at his constant glances. Every other second he'd open his mouth to say something then close it when he realized that he told me he'd keep quiet. I was about ready to smack him, now I knew how Max felt. Well, sort of.

"Oh for goodness sake, please just say whatever it is you want to say."

"Okay, I knew I said I'd be quiet but I just wanted you to know that I didn't plan this or anything. I was actually in my own world until Max and them sat down on my table. Then we were waiting for you and Hector and everyone started staring and-"

"I really don't want to know how or why that whole scene happened."

"Listen," he said and walked in front of me to stop me from walking. "I know I'm not exactly a trustworthy person in your eyes, but I can actually be a good listener. What I'm trying to say is, if you need to talk, I can listen. I can't say my advice is actually good but I know some people just need someone to listen to them."

I looked up at him and I thought back to all those fights we used to have. I was constantly killing him in my mind back then but now, all I felt at times was annoyance in a brotherly way. It felt. . . reassuring in a way. I was losing my mind.

"You've come a long way, Caden. I can now say that I, one-hundred percent, don't regret not sending you off two months ago."

He chuckled and shook his head, looking down at the ground in embarrassment. The great Caden was embarrassed and actually showing me he was, how times have changed. We continued on out walk but changed our course back to inside since the bell was going to ring any second now.

"Can I ask you for advice?"

I looked up at him confused but said, "Sure, I guess."

"I have this friend who is a lot like Max but she's a girl. I hurt her by going after someone else and not staying by her side. How should I fix that?"

Well that wasn't obvious at all. Though, it made me feel good that he came and trusted me with this. It actually brought a smile to my face and I was glad because it showed how much he cares for Max. He deserved nothing but the best. I couldn't believe I was going to give my soon-to-be step brother advice for my best friend.

"Well, if she's like Max then you just need to be completely honest with your feelings. Max is a straight up guy so he likes to be told the truth and just the truth. No need to sugar coat things. I don't think gifts would mean much to her as much as communication and trust."

"So, be myself and be honest with her?"

"Exactly. Max likes to get straight to the point, no fooling around and ignoring problems."

"Okay, so then should I ask her out on a date and just express myself?" He asked and moved us aside from the crowd when the bell rang.

"That's all you have to do," I said and gave him a small smile. "Oh, and even though he isn't that big in presents, he'll still love some flowers. I mean she."

A small blush formed on his cheeks and be said a small and quick bye before heading to class. That's when I noticed that I was once again alone and at any minute I could bump into one of Victor's friends. I looked around and some students were staring but others were simply rushing to their class. I slowly made my way with the crowd in the direction of my class but that's when I heard their laughs and Sara's voice mimicking me. They were a couple students behind me and I tried to blend in but the anxiety in me feared they'd notice me. I almost died when a hand landed on my shoulder but one look up and I saw that it was just Hector.

"Come on," he said and grabbed my hand, leading me through the crowd much faster and away from the friend group.

"Thank you," I said while looking down when we reached my classroom. "I'm sure they would've noticed me if I stayed there."

"Diego, can we meet up after school? It doesn't have to be the gym or it can be if that's more comfortable for you."

"Um. . . Yeah, sure. I'll just meet you outside?"

"I'll meet you at your last class, yeah?" He asked but was already walking away backwards with a big smile on his face.

"Be careful!" I yelled just as he turned around and had to dodge a group of girls who giggled as he tripped and had to try to gain his balance after a couple seconds which made me laugh too.

He gave me a wink and waved, receiving a small wave in return from me. I was nervous but a bit excited for tonight's meeting even though I shouldn't be. I didn't want him to be a rebound or feel like one. But he seems to be confident that our feelings for each other are genuine. I needed to calm down and think with a clear head. But my gosh, he was a real cute one.