Cuentos del Escarabajo (Blue Beetle Fanfiction)

Chapter 3; Locked Out, Let in

Around the middle section of the neighborhood, the skatepark is filled with people. Jaime Reyes, a local boy in El Paso, Texas, is drawing a crowd. He's doing tricks on the half pipe and rails, a few of his specialties. A couple teens gather around, watching Jaime go. When he came up the other side, he kicked the skateboard into his arm and took his helmet off. Talking to, and high fiving, those around him. As Robyn rounded the corner wall and entered the skatepark, a few of the boys begin turning to look at her. While Robin may not be inherently pretty, she is certainly not ugly or boring looks wise. Jaime felt a sharp nudging to his ribs as one of his friends elbowed him, gesturing to Robyn. "What do you think she's here for, man?" He asked. "No idea, but I think she's the girl I'm supposed to talk to..." Jaime answered, setting his stuff down, waiting to see exactly what she will do. She does nothing. Jaime turns to his friend Ty. "Uh, be back in a minute, Ty." With that, he cautiously made his way over to Robyn. "Woah, man. Is Jaime going after that girl?" Ty asked one of the others, trying to hide his surprise. "Nah, he said something about her mom asking him to show her around or some crap." he replied, glancing at Ty before settling his gaze on Jaime and Robyn again. Ty scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Leave it to Jaime to be awkward and know the most random people." With that, Ty grabbed his skateboard and messed around, trying to take his mind off it for now. A few minutes later, Robyn looked up a Jaime who was slowly approaching her. "Oh hey, it's you. I saw you a few days ago while looking for a new house didn't I?" Robyn asked, her voice still accented as she nodded her head towards Jaime. "Huh? Oh, ya. That was me!" Robin extended her hand out in front of her. "Robyn, Robyn Kearty." Jaime just stood there for second, taking in a Robyn's strong personality. "Uh, Jaime." He took her hand and she shook it firmly. "Jaime Reyes." He finished. Robin smiled slightly and looked around. "So, this is El Paso, huh? I've never been here before. I didn't go outside of Mexico very often." She said, turning back to Jaime. "Yup... this is it... So, you're from Mexico?" "Ya, it's very different here. Getting used to leaving all the traditions and culture behind will be an interesting experience for sure." Jaime shuffled his feet. "Hey, don't worry! You can still celebrate tradition here, El Paso is full of of people like us. We even have some festivals and stuff each year. I think you should be able to survive!" He smiled as Robyn crossed her arms, smiling back cheekily. "So... 'people like us?' what does that mean? You mean the Spanish?" "Yeah, something like that." Jaime smirked, turning his head back to his friends. He frowned seeing that Ty wasn't in a particularly good mood... "S-so, can you speak Spanish?" Robin asked. Jaime stayed silent, so Robyn shook his shoulder. This caused Jaime to snap back to reality, blushing slightly. "Y-ya. Fluently, actually. I've spoken it since I was little." Robin gave Jaime an odd look, but she answered without spite. "Your mother tongue. Of course! Mine too." She smiled, then sighed, noticing Jaime's preoccupation. "Well, I guess I better get going... I've never been too fond of skating at a public skating Park anyways. Too many people watching you, if that makes sense." Jaime sighed and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Mm... ya, I think I better get back over there with the guys anyways. I think something's wrong. Hold on, will you wait here?" Jaime asked, looking worried. Robyn smiled, amused, at Jaime's caution as he began to walk away. "Yeah, sure!" Robyn's face soon melted to confusion as she saw Jaime and Ty bickering together. She put her hair up and Jaime walked back over after a few minutes, just sighing. He sounded rather defeated. "Suit yourself, Ese." She heard him mumble as he drew closer still. "Everything ok, Jamie?" Robyn asked, worried. "Well, no. But I'll work everything out later." "Oh... ok." "Really, Robyn, it's ok. Hey, you know that my house is only a few down from yours. Do you wanna head back together?" "Uh, but what about your friends?" Robyn asked, pointing towards Ty, who was glaring at them, and his friends. "Oh, it's ok, they'll be fine." "Well... alright. If you say so Jaime." "Don't worry, Ese! I say so." Robin smiled at his use of the Spanish word; Ese. "Oh, Jaime?" "Ya?" "Well, I haven't ridden this thing in a while." She motions to her skateboard and continues. "So, if I'm not doing too good, that's why. Cause I'm actually pretty good, I swear!" Jaime chuckles, "Hey, it's ok. You can brush up a bit." He says, while adjusting his helmet. Jaime gives one last look back where Ty's standing, and then takes off, with Robyn following quickly in tow.