Temperature

the sidewalk

Stray brown hairs from Anthony Trujillo floated with the cold breeze of the darkened streets in downtown Los Angeles. The rest of them fell perfectly atop his head like a dark halo. His smile was very bright and genuine, the dimple fit him perfectly as he laughed.

Chance appeared less outgoing and luminous in Ivan's perspective, but more alert and sharp. His green eyes glanced at the twins occasionally, but for long periods of time, as if he was fearful or even infatuated with them-

It was like Chance was out of place. It could also be that he wasn't a flirt/outgoing person or it might be that he didn't want to talk to people he was unfamiliar with? Either way, he was exactly Emilio's type.

Ivan Martinez was a very observant person. He had a tendency to watch strangers closely, and it was every single time he met somebody new that he did this. Maybe it was his trust issues or just pure curiosity. Regardless, these thoughts had sucked Ivan so far into his own mind so that he when he remembered to return back to his planet, he had no idea what happened or where he was.

Their small group apparently had stepped out the back alley of the building and headed around to the front where people were still lining up for the club. The Ohio boys were leaning back on the brick wall while the twins stood with their hands tucked in their thin jackets.

"Yeah. Ivan and me, we do it all the time." Emilio tilted his head back with an air of confidence. "But he only lets me do it."

"I would too, but Chance would never! He's more of a see-it-to-believe-it kind of dude and I'll only do it with him." Anthony chuckled, resting a large hand on his friends shoulder.

"Hey, that's somewhat true. But to be fair, it seems so terrifying. I know you were scared too, Tony." The latter frowned at the last sentence, awarding his smaller friend with a playful punch in the side. "But at least I would still try."

Ivan licked his cold lips and continued to listen on, trying to learn what the conversation was focused on. And it wasn't his first language, so it all seemed like incoherent mumbling in his mind.

"Look here is one." Emilio pulled the side of his hoodie down to reveal the small tattoo on his collarbone. "It's really not that bad Chance." He winked. The tattoo said 'fuerte' which Anthony understood, it meant strong.

Now it all made sense in Ivan's mind. His eyes darted down at the sidewalk and a violent shiver made his body involuntary quiver. He ran his fingers over his ice-cold fists in the pockets of his jacket, since the thin cloth was doing nothing to keep him warm.

"I think it's too cold here for him. We should go and walk." Anthony suggested. He carefully eyed the twin, as if he was about to lose a finger with the cold.

The boys began their way down the narrow concrete path, their only light source coming from the mute street lights and neon signs. They had no destination, no plan. But it was a trip down memory lane as the guys began to bring up old stories from their childhoods. Even in different countries, lifestyles, classes, they had shared similar experiences from doing various pranks and dares.

However Anthony had quickly realized Ivan's detachment to the conversation and slowed to meet his pace. Emilio didn't seem to notice as he was too busy reminiscing of the crazy activities that they had done in Spain, but Ivan definitely noticed.