Flor De Muerto

Eliya

Is it weird that I'm literally counting the minutes before I see him again?  Yeah, that's definitely weird. I can't help it; it's been so long since I've gotten so giddy over a boy. After the weird tension between Leo and I, it was nice having someone else to talk to.

My heart was basically pumping out of my chest as I walked to the soccer field. Each step my heart would pound even harder. At some point I had to stop and take a deep breath, then force one leg in front of the other. I reached the field, but it looked like the soccer team was already in practice. I make my way to the bleachers and sit at the very top, maybe I could get a better view of Octavio...

A few moments went by, and I still didn't see him with his teammates. I try not to think anything of it, maybe he was just running late. School had gotten out about ten-fifteen minutes ago. I take out my sketchbook and draw some more doodles to distract myself.

My phone chimed; it was a message from Octavio.

Octavio: Hey, sry i'm running late. You don't have to wait for me.

Me: that's okay, i have time...

I swear I'm not desperate, maybe a little obsessive, but never desperate. Okay, yes, I made a drawing of him, but I swear I'm perfectly normal. I basically jump when my phone chimes again.

Octavio: Long story short, I had to go to the principal's office, but i'm heading towards the field now 3:45PM

Me: see you soon 3:46PM

When Octavio reached the field, practice was already out. It was a little after 4:30PM. I kind of felt bad because the coach was basically screaming at him. Octavio looked more than upset when he looked up at me. I started making my way down the bleachers when my phone (yet again) started to ring. I quickly checked it, seeing Leo's face kind of scared me. I answered reluctantly.

"Hello?"

"Hey, where are you?"

"Why?"

"I just need to talk to you."

"What about?"

"I'd rather talk in person, E." I wasn't sure what to say.

"I can't really talk right now, I'll call you back soon, okay?" I hang up before he has the chance to say anything else. Octavio was already halfway up the stairs when I looked back towards the field.

"Is everything okay?" As Octavio got closer, I noticed his eye was black mixed with purple, and his sweatshirt was covered in blood.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" He looked at me and drew in a long breath.

"I'm better now that I can see you." He somehow smiles, although his face was clearly beaten. I felt adrenaline. Who the fuck did this to him?

"Seriously what happened, we need to go back to the office– who did this to you?"

"No, nothing happened. Seriously, I'm okay..." Octavio sits down and gestures for me to join him. "Please Eliya, don't let this ruin our time together." I take my seat next to him, trying to push the tears back into my eyes. "I'm sorry I was so late; I had gotten into a little altercation with someone." He looks down at his shoes, then back at me. "I swear it wasn't intentional, I would never leave you waiting like that."

"So, one person did that?" His face was completely swollen, despite his black eye his cheeks were bruised, and his lip was cut open. Seeing Octavio like this only ignited a fire in my heart. I know what it's like to be so defenseless. But Octavio is pretty athletic, so I'm confused why he looks so... beaten.