Good Enough

Mia - Let's Do This Again

Julian's eyes widen almost right after he says hello.

"I'm- I'm out studying." I glances at me and shifts away, lowering his voice. "Can't it wait? Please? I promise I'll go home and I'll -."

Julian stops talking as if was cut off and flinches back. "Okay. I know. I know I am. I'm sorry. I'll go right now. Yes sir."

Julian ends the call, but i notice his shaky hand as he looks at the phone.

"Everything okay?" I ask worriedly. That phone call didn't seem like a pleasant one.

Julian sighs and runs a hand through his dark brown hair. His hair isn't long, but it's long enough where I could probably use small rubber bands to make small ponytails. He frowns as he stares off in front of him.

"Julian?"

He glances at me and almost automatically an easy smile slips onto his face. I can't help but lift the corners of my mouth. Julian Ortega's smiles are contagious.

"Yeah, everything's good. I just need to call my brother real quick. There was a slight misunderstanding."

I nod. "Oh, okay. Are you gonna climb down then, or...?"

Julian glances back down and then back at me. "Eh, it's not a big secret or anything. Not worth the climb down."

I nod before pulling my own phone out. There's a new message from AJ. I open the text, pretending to be completely immersed in his simple "hey", but I'm really just trying to overhear Julian's conversation with his brother. I tell myself it's not being nosy. I don't think it counts as being nosy if I just genuinely care about Julian and his life. Right?

To: AJ

Me: Hi

"Um, hi." Julian says from beside me, turning his body completely away from me this time.

AJ: Whatchu doin

I glance at Julian as an unreadable look passes his face. Or at least the part of his face that I can see. "I'm not calling just to fucking catch up. This isn't some Sunday stroll Mateo." Julian says forcefully into the phone. My eyes widen at his cold tone. A complete 180 from the Julian I know.

Julian glances at me out of the corner of his eye and I quickly turn back to my phone screen.

Me: At the park

AJ: With?

"Why would you tell him? God Mateo. Why would you tell him that?"

I glance up again. Julian's hand is tight around his phone, tone still cold and forced.

Me: Julian

AJ: I'll be damned
AJ: I didn't pin Julian for a romantic walk in the park kind of guy

Me: it's not a date

AJ: Yeah sure, and I'm not Vietnamese

Me: You're Vietnamese
Me: ?^

AJ: Yeah but that's not the point
AJ: What're you doing with Julian

Me: Nothing we just got some coffee

AJ: ?!?!???
AJ: Coffee date???
AJ: You know you like him you can't even deny that

I bite the edge of my nail nervously. I don't like Julian. We only met a few weeks ago. I just want to get to know him.

"Are you home?" Julian waits for the answer before sighing. "No I fucking flew here. Can you just come pick me up if I have to go?"

I glance at Julian again when he answers the person on the phone with sarcasm. Seems like there's a lot to get to know. I wonder who's calling that has him so angry.

Me: I don't like him like that

AJ: Sure you don't
AJ: Not that I blame you. He's kinda cute

Me: Are you sure YOU don't have a crush on him?

AJ: I could never
AJ: Nice guys aren't as good in bed

Me: Ew okay
Me: TMI

AJ: ;)

"I don't have an attitude. Just hurry okay? I'm at the park. Bye Mateo."

Julian hangs up the phone and I slip mine back into my pocket.

"That seemed like a fun conversation," I say after Julian says nothing. He laughs, the coldness from talking to his brother completely gone.

"Definitely. I love my brother so, so much."

I chuckle before asking, "Do you have to go?"

"Unfortunately."

I try to hide my disappointment. "Oh. Okay. Today was fun though."

Julian flashes his full smile at me. "Definitely. I can't wait to do it again sometime. Soon, if you want to."

I find my smile growing bigger too, unable to hide my excitement.

Guys like him don't go for fat girls like you. I remind myself. But even the thought doesn't dim my excitement. He actually wants to do this again.

What AJ said suddenly hits me: You know you like him you can't even deny that.

Lets say I do like Julian. There's a chance -  a small one - that he likes me back. At least a little. Not that I like him.

"Yeah, soon definitely. Maybe this time I'll beat you in that little race."

"Oh you can try."

Julian's phone starts vibrating and he looks down before sighing. "Well, that's my brother. Time for me to go face my personal hell."

I tilt my head in confusion. "Home?"

Julian scoffs. "Of course not. Never that. Just homework."

Somehow, I don't think that's the truth, but I nod anyways. Julian puts his phone back in his pocket before turning back to look at me.

"Well, I better head down now. Before my brother gets impatient."

"Right." I start to head down first, Julian right behind me. I jump onto the grass below and Julian does the same thing, landing next to me.

We stand there staring at each other for a few seconds before Julian scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Well...I'll text you later I guess?"

"Yeah."

Julian smiles and glances at the car that's parked alongside the curb. He looks back at me and I guess makes the split second decision to give me a side hug before pulling away. He didn't even give me a chance to hug back.

But of course I still smile.

"Bye Mia."

"Bye Julian." He smiles one more time before heading off towards the car. I sigh happily.

Today was a good day.

Bam bam bam. New part. Go me. I'm avoiding homework big time right now. - m.m.