Pictures (Boyxboy)

Chapter 2

We were in the car driving back to the hotel, Daniel was steering while I skimmed through the cameras gallery in the passenger seat. Images of what was in front of me once loaded on the tiny screen. Rocks, clams, fishes, plants, water and sand. The skin of the seats stuck against my thighs allowing me to notice the humidity. I shifted uncomfortably taking short hot breaths trying to keep my sandals on. Balls of sweat could be seen building up on Daniels forehead.
"Do you want to stop for a drink?" I asked.
Daniel grumbled and exhaled, sniffing back an answer "sure what do you want?"
"Bout a cold coffee?"
"Want a hot one?" he chuckled deeply "Nay"
I blinked around looking for a rest stop, the building lights were starting to light up as the suns shift ended.
Billboards could be seen now convincing our attention. Daniel drove through the unfamiliar streets we rocked back and forth unsure with every turn. Our guide was allowed to go home because we were sure we knew our way back, fortunately I brought a gps.
Daniel swerved into a gas station and parked in a station.
"You go Dan, I'll take care of the equipment" I spoke while rolling the window up
"Alright you want anything else?"
"Just a light cold coffee and the keys for the air conditioner"
He tossed me the keys with a jingle.
"Ok I'll be right back, don't go on driving off without me" he pointed his finger at me moving it up and down.
"We'll see now get a move on" I said starting up the camera again. He swung the door closed and marched to the store. I inserted the key switched the lock and started the a/c. It blew humid hot air in my face sending a musky smell filling my nose.
The musk reminded me of Mexico's desert air. When I departed from it at the airlines I made sure to never forget the smell. I wonder if Australia has a smell. Daniel and I stuck out like thumbs in America luckily Daniel took care of all the paperwork. I'm fortunate to have a friend come from the other end of the world to America.
I tossed out my SD card and switched it with Daniels from yesterday to see if he took any worthy pictures. The pictures loaded in and I pressed the arrow trying to come up with a proper genre. We've taken dozens of pictures of the environment, animals, landscapes but I find these basic, every photographer has portfolios like these. I want something new, something that makes our program different.
The heat didn't help my frustration most would think Mexicans can take the heat but I was raised in the city becoming an instant target when I moved out and my new name became "ñoño". The name followed me up to college. A memory joined my thoughts, reminding me of hard times. I looked out the window leaning my head against it.
The year was 2014 that warm day.
I was 19 when I attended a college in south mexico, I had barely enough money for the flight. The dorm was as humble as it could get, it was small, a low ceiling with a minuscule rectangular window on the top right for ventilation and grey walls. Two lightbulbs were out and the two remaining would flicker delicately. It also had 2 bunks for 4 other boys, Ricardo, Philip, Jose and I, Nathaniel.

On a lonely Monday I was on my way to my writing composition class. I took a seat and reached for my notebook, it opened as each page crinckeld flat. There were only a few students waiting because we were 10 minutes early. I slumped tiredly tucking my hands into my hoodie. My clothes were baggy on me due to my short height and slim body. Curly hair dangled from my head over my oily burnt face. A single black ring hung from my left ear.
Students started to trudge in like zombies and fill in the seats. Not long after the professor walked in fixing his vest and began to talk. I wanted to take notes of his intellect but never found a pen. I looked around but the floors were swept clean. I asked students around me but they either gave me looks or denied, so I sat and just listened. After a while a break was given so I went to my dorm room to get a pencil.

I should've just written with my own blood that morning.

I heard ranchero music coming from inside the dorm playing softly.
I entered the dorm in a swosh, my lungs filled with warm air that intoxicated my nose with the smell of weed. My eyes watered as the smell tickled my nose. I began to choke and stepped back into the hall to catch my breath. I looked around the hall looking for any witnesses but just saw empty walls.
"¡Oye wey!" I heard a familiar voice call from inside.
"¿Ricky?" I managed to speak with a creak
"Close the door dumbass" he yelled
I somehow convinced myself to walk into the dorm and shut the door behind me. I held my breath slow and short, squinting through the clear white smoke. I reached for the top right corner and flipped the small window open. I saw ricky sitting on my bottom bunk with a roll in his hand while singing along in mumbles.
"¡Ricky como estas tan pinche pendejo!" I scolded at Ricky as I bent down to search under my bed. "Why are you doing this now?!"
"Shut the fuck up ñoño" Ricky Said laughing
I heard the bed moving above me and felt Ricky's legs brush against my ribs as he stood up. " Do you know how much fucking trouble you're going to get us in?" I continued angrily.
"Que a ti no llegaría jamás los años~~ jajajaja!" He sang out pathetically.
I finally found a pencil and got up and faced Ricky having to look up a bit.
"This is enough Ricardo!!" I said taking the roll from his hand and tossing it.
"Stop this-" I started to feel drowsy and hung onto the top bunk for support.
He looked at me dumly with an eyebrow raised.
"What?" I asked faintly
He was still looking down at me strangely but I used the time to fight what will only wear off. I held onto my forehead, looking down at Ricky's shoes.
Out of nowhere Ricky spat out, " You're cUtE wey"
I didn't have enough patience to deal with him as my headache was worsening. His words became inaudible, ringing echo in my ears. Suddenly I felt myself get brutally pushed onto my bed and saw Ricky hovering over me in blurs getting closer every time I blinked. I wanted to punch him in his stupid face but my body wouldn't function instead it decided not to remember and blacked out.

My head was still leaning against the glass as I waited for Daniel. I began to close my eyes a bit to rest.
A sudden thud shook me awake and forward. I looked at the window and there was Daniel. He has a hand plastered on the window and a goofy smile stretched across his face. I gave him an uncharmed look as I rolled down the window.
"Haha I totally scared ye there didn't I" he said passing me my coffee
"Not a funny bastard" I smacked him on the head and took my coffee.
He jogged around the car to the driver's side he opened the door and climbed in.
"So where to now? The hotel?" Daniel said adjusting the seat belt. "Yes you jerk" I grabbed the gps and pressed in the address.
"Are you tired already Nate? You looked sleepy man" he asked.
"No, no it was just the heat getting to me. I do bad in hot weather" I answered enjoying some cold coffee and placing it in the cup holder.
Daniel started the car and listened to the monotone voice giving us directions. The car jolted as it moved forward.
I wanted to ask what the weather was like in Australia but I kept getting interrupted by the gps.
When we entered an interstate I finally had a chance to ask. The silence was very short and before I motioned my lips apart I was cut off.
"So much traffic in America no? Back at home it's usually just long roads and towns from time to time, ya know"
After 2 weeks of working together we were just curious about each other.
"Is America that different?" I led on
"Oh boi it is from the animals to the land to the people to the culture ye"
I finally thought of popping the question
"And how's the weather? Any different from this?"
I realized I asked one of those questions you ask when you don't know what to say but I brushed it off.
"Well right now it's around winter
back at home but if you are wondering about the heat it's pretty hot. Reaches to 38°Celsius in the summer."
"Oh with the humidity as well?" I asked
"I wouldn't say it is humid but more damp hot like"
We got quiet when the road got smaller.
"Your destination will be on the right" the gps spoke one last time.
We pulled into the parking lot and gathered the things we brought.

Translation
Ñoño- Spineless, boring
Oye wey- Hey dumbass
¿Como estas tan pinche pendejo?- How are you so fucking retarded?
Wey- dumbass
Que a ti no llegaría jamás los años~~ jajajaja!- that the years will never get to you~~hahahaha!