Bad For Me (ENGLISH)

PROLOGUE

Still staring at the central pizzeria - and with a little hope as well, since it was closed - I tried, in every possible way, to find a scarce signal capable of updating all the notifications of the device that now remained stuck in my hands.

    The sun was shining heavily, scorching, and made me sweat a bit through the abdomen badly defined. I went to the gym for three weeks, but I ended up stopping for lack of time and, okay, a lot of lack of motivation. It's not like I hate to catch weight and everything, I just don't want to keep feeding the false idea that I have those long-wanted muscles I've dreamed of since I was 14-almost-15 years-old with all this thinness. And, let's face it, I'm fine. Literally well. And in shape physically too, so...

I'm there for two unique reasons:

1. Because I urgently need the free WI-FI:

2. For the simple fact of my one true love, Andrew works there.

    Octavio, the owner of the pizzeria, hates customers who consume nothing besides the free internet signal, precisely because it's not on the menu, but... what else could I do? I was out of money, right?

“MATTHEW?” I heard someone call my name and probably I knew that voice enough not to look away that was fixed on my cell phone screen, “AGAIN, DUDE?” My best childhood friend stared at me, and even though I didn’t look in his face, I knew exactly what his features were at that moment:  sarcastic and playful. As if expecting a good answer.

And that's exactly what I did:

“‘Hi’ for you too, Carl!” I answered unwillingly, “And... How so again?” And I stared at him, switching to the screen of my smartphone for his always mocking smile.

“Wow, stealing Wi-Fi.” He smiled as he said this as if his answer were obvious.

“I’m not stealing Wi-Fi, I’m just using it as any other normal citizen does.” And I looked at the screen again.

Okay that in the previous months I visited this place once a week. But with the lack of money and no job, I can’t put credits to update my social networks.

“All right, man, I didn’t want to interrupt you.” Carl continued, "I just came to tell you that Octavio is in need of an employee, and..." For my utter surprise, he didn’t continue.

“‘AND’ WHAT?” I returned to face him at that moment since Mr. Octavio is no less than the boss of Andrew also.

“And... Well! Since you are unemployed, I think it is the best opportunity to present you the vacancy.” He finished, a bit embarrassed, but optimistic, “You have experience, I thought... maybe, I don’t know... you know…”

“REALLY?” I almost screamed as I said it, “This is perfect!” And I couldn’t hide a smile.

Not that I needed an urgent job. Of course, I have to pay the bills to survive, but just imagining myself working in the same establishment Andrew is in, that's enough reason for a burst of joy.

After all, I am hopeful that Andrew has finally answered my question:

 So, when can I come to you home?

All right, I know, I have serious problems, but so what? Every human being, son of God, when he finally falls in love and believes that he is the right person for a lifetime, loses his sanity, right?

And... Yes! I'm hopelessly in love with another guy. Scary? Maybe.

The fact is that, finally, I will enjoy his intimate moments and also get to know him better. Since the only contact we have, so far, is via Facebook.

“But...” I heard myself say before imagined. I was really curious-hopeful about the vacancy, now more than ever, “...Tell me, what did Mr. Octavio tell you? Did you ever tell him about me?” I needed to know. Word by word.

“Oh, man, of course, I did. You’re like a brother to me and you know that.” He smiled, punching me in the left shoulder without much force. I closed my face and blinked Carl with the eyes, he noticed and was soon trying to fix what he had done, “In the end, He just asked for your contact number and I passed. No big deal.”

“So, it is just waiting, isn’t it? Even because, I think I can!” I say, without much enthusiasm.

I never imagined or dreamed, the idea of Mr. Octavio choosing me to work there. Especially after the countless unsuccessful attempts to get the internet signal password. If it was not Carl, I would not be here now trying to update my apps.

“I'm off today, but if you get the job, I wish you all the luck in the world, brother. You’re gonna need it.” And he turned away, turning his back to me.

I smiled at nothing as Carl disappeared from my field of vision.