Unlucky: Luxury And a Lies

Chapter 29: I'll Prove it (m) 2POV's: He's "Not" A Coward

The diner was mostly empty, and I sat there nibbling on my grilled cheese sandwich. It had been an adjustment getting used to all this free time, especially considering the recent events. I was grateful that my friends had skipped school to hang out with me.

Stephan occupied a seat by the counter, his gaze fixed on the worker who was busy cleaning and tidying up. "He's hot," Mia commented, scooting closer to me and motioning discreetly toward the tall guy. I glanced at him for a moment, a sense of familiarity tugging at the edges of my memory. "I think I've seen him before," I mumbled to Mia. She simply shrugged in response.

Perez and James sat in a separate booth, lost in their own conversation. I sighed, my thoughts lingering on my sandwich, not entirely present in the moment.

-

I was staring out of the window, my gaze lost in the grayness of the day. The silence was lingering, and I could feel Perez's eyes on me. It wasn't unusual for him to be observant, but this time, his gaze felt different. I couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind.

After a while, I couldn't take the silence any longer. I cleared my throat and turned to Perez, asking, "What?"

He continued to stare at me for a moment before finally shaking his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. His response puzzled me. "Nothing," he drawled.

The mystery of his expression left me even more curious. I wasn't sure what was going through his mind, but I had to find out. "Okay, what is it, something on my face?" I questioned, half-joking. Perez shook his head again, still wearing that fond smile,

Perez pointed to his chin with a playful smile and said, "Okay, just a little tomato."

I let out a sigh and raised my hand, rubbing my face to make sure there was no tomato sauce there. He couldn't help but laugh at my reaction, and I joined in, chuckling along with him.

"You little..." I scolded him, my tone light and affectionate. His smile widened, and we found ourselves locked in a brief but meaningful gaze, sharing a moment of connection and camaraderie.

He leans over and takes my hand, and I let him, allowing a sense of comfort to wash over me as we continue to eat in silence. It's a peaceful moment, free of any awkwardness. But then, an older couple enters the diner, and I feel myself tense up. Swiftly, I withdraw my hand from Perez's, his expression shifting to one of confusion.

The elderly couple walks past our table, but I can't shake the unease that's settled in. I find myself shrinking, avoiding Perez's gaze, unable to explain the sudden discomfort that washed over me.

Minji approaches our table, her skateboard in hand, and asks if we want to join them at the park. I nod in agreement, but before I can say anything, Perez intervenes, speaking on our behalf.

"We're good," he says, leaving no room for further discussion. I glance at him with pleading eyes, hoping he might change his mind, but his features remain set, casting shadows over his otherwise soft demeanor.

He pays for our food and stands up, telling me, "Let's go." I follow him in silence as we walk through the streets to his house. Cars pass by, and I can sense that he's still somewhat upset. When I finally gather the courage to speak, I say his name, "Perez."

He stops abruptly and blurts out, "Are you serious?" I fall silent, not wanting to further upset him. Then, I attempt to touch his arm, but his reaction is immediate. "You're just... you can't," he stammers out in frustration.

I shut my mouth and let him continue. He's clearly upset, and I feel a weight on my chest. He finally pauses to look at me, and I seize the opportunity to speak. "I'm sorry," I utter, my voice filled with sincerity.

Perez sighs and says, "I'm not mad, just... disappointed. Sueno como un idiota" (I sound like a sap) He mutters something in Spanish, and I reach out to hold his hand, hoping to reassure him. "I'm not ready to come out yet," I admit.

He understands my hesitation, but he doesn't hold back his opinion. "I understand that, but who cares what the heck they think? It's cowardly," he says, and I can feel a pang in my chest. He adds, "The Martinez family, my neighbors, their granddaughter has a girlfriend. There's nothing to be scared of."

I can't help but feel foolish for not realizing that sooner. Perez's face softens as he speaks. "If we're going to do whatever this is, you can't be shy anymore. Fight for what you want," he advises.

I clench my jaw, feeling a sense of determination welling up inside me. "I promise, I'll prove it to you," I say, and then, I bring his hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss against the back of his hand. I lock eyes with him and watch him forgive me.

-

We crash inside Perez's house, and he remarks, "My sister's home." I nod and try to catch my breath, my heart still racing. "I can be quiet," I reassure him. He nods and pulls me in for another kiss.

I sigh and glance up at the ceiling. "It's the middle of the day," I mutter, but his lips trail down to my neck, and I can't find the energy to complain. "I know," he growls, his desire evident.

Perez leads me upstairs to his room. As I take in the surroundings, it's awesome. The room has a cozy cave-like atmosphere with posters of bands and cool stuff scattered around. The dim light from the posters adds to the ambiance.

We collapse on the bed, and I can't help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. "I've never done this before," I admit in a low voice. Perez nods and reassures me, "I know. I'll teach you."

A smile forms on my lips. I love it when he says that.

I watch Perez's movements with an almost palpable anticipation. My breathing grows heavy, my chest rising and falling rapidly. It feels unfair how I'm half-naked while he still has his clothes on.

"James," he hums my name, breaking my concentration. I pause, my hands tightly gripping his arms. I hadn't realized how hard I was holding onto him, but his warm brown skin turns red with tension.

I muster the courage to ask, "Can I?" My voice is polite and tentative, reflecting the swirling emotions inside me.

Perez smiles, that devilish grin that both reassures and taunts me. "Do it, coward," he says, his words pushing me to take the next step, he taught me.