GIDDY ✓

QUATTRO

[ 1983 ]
the start of summer & the start of love

QUATTRO

in the candid, clamorous home of the Reyes', a discussion on who they like better from the new neighbours arises.

Teodora speaks with her mouth full of food. "i'm saying Juwon! he's so funny."

and Marco agrees inaudibly. he hasn't known Juwon long but being in his presence recently is uplifting .. there's just something about the man that is so comical- his overrated jokes, frolicsome, carefree nature, fearful reaction to insects and facial expressions. and it seems that he creates good impressions on everyone, showing his splendid influence.

"i know!" Harlow agrees, delight in the tone of her voice. "i was coming back from school and he saw me, gave me a chocolate ice cream before putting a sticker on my forehead and saying .. well done for being handsome like me."

and the whole room laughs, wishing they were good with kids because one minute later, Harlow drops her fork to the floor and everyone yells at her.

Marco continues the talk about Juwon. "i'm saying Juwon too. i've only known him for a week but he makes my stomach hurt from laughing so much." and it's true. the amount of times he's fallen over, clutching his stomach is countless and he smiles at the fresh memories.

"yeah, Kyong's so moody." Teodora nods, always negative in her mindset- Marco and his mother have told her countless times to keep a positive attitude or she'll never be satisfied with anything in unpredicted life.

"that's not nice." their mother says, shaking her head in disapproval.

Vega raises her hand, stumbling over her words which makes her embarrassed but she feels better when noticing her big brother Marc listening to her. "i like Juwon! he let me kiss him even though i w-wanted one on the lips!" she says.

their father tries not to smile. "you know we don't do that remember?"

Vega nods slowly, wrapping her arms around herself. "i know ... but it's not my fault it feels nice."

"gosh." Marco mumbles.

Marco's father cleans his nose with his handkerchief. "but my answer is different. i'm choosing Kyong." raised brows with awaited looks gaze back at him, not expecting his answer to oppose with theirs. "he's a nice lad okay! he helped me out with the car wash the other day, when Marco was still sleeping. i haven't seen the taller one around much." he refers to Juwon.

it's the opposite for Marco .. since he sees Juwon more often than Kyong- other than brief encounters, awkward nods and smiles. he's spent everyday with Juwon ever since he moved. and maybe it's better this way- staying away.

//

so Marco, who is bored from flicking through pages, biting on the end of his pen and highlighting too much, decides to go spend time with his new friend that's insulated in a new town that is still foreign. summer isn't living up to Marc's grand expectations and it's disheartening the young man.

minutes later, Marco is seated on the couch next door with Juwon as they share snacks and watch whatever nonsense is on the television.