Shortcomings | Alejandro Rosario

Chapter 1: Homecoming

"Who took this one? It's really good." I muttered, squinting at the not-quite-there yet polaroid. Waving it around a bit, I sighed impatiently.

The dreamy wednesday air floated through the dimly lit classroom, soft, afternoon sunlight shining through the windows. A pair of brown eyes watched me carefully, blinking, at my actions. He cocked his head, his dimples carving into his honey coloured skin as he looked at me with a bright smile.

"I dont think waving it is going to make it develop any faster Izzy." He spoke, his soft, high voice reaching my ears. He ran a hand through his thick hair, before grabbing the polaroid out of my unsuspecting hands. Putting it on the table, he leaned back, his hands behind his head. "You can just leave it there. Save the energy. It'll develop just as fast."

Glaring at him, I sat back down on my stool, all my willpower being taken up from not leaping across the table and snatching it from his know it all self. The rain patted down on the window, making the silence between us comfortable. A good work environment was always a quiet and calm one-

"So, homecoming this friday. Have you decided who you wanna go with?" He muttered, looking down at his legs. He fiddeled with his pant drawstrings, looking up at me, expecting an answer.

"No Alex. I haven't." I answered curtly. "What am I even gonna do at a dance where kids just grind on each other and call it dancing?" I retorted, as he let out a huff, rolling his eyes.

"Haven't three guys asked you already?"

"Yeah."

It was true, I did have guys ask me, but I politely declined their offer. Truth was, the only person I wanted to go with didn't even know I existed.

Alejandro's soothing voice snapped me back to reality, as I looked up at my best friend, his arms crossed over his chest. He let out a scoff, shaking his head. "Forget it. Mattia Polibio is never going to ask you. If that's what you're thinking."

"You don't know that!" I exclaimed, standing up. The stool made a loud screeching noise, drawing everyone else's attention. A snort left Alex as he raised a brow, watching me sit back down.

"I do know that. Didn't you see him yesterday? All over Caroline, his hands all up in her skirt and whatnot?"

I rolled my eyes, trying not to picture that. I knew exactly what he was talking about, I was with him when we saw it, with his lips all over her. It was an image I wish I could erase forever.

"I still don't understand why you like that guy. He's a walking manwhore. What is so appealing about him?" He spoke again, looking at me wearily. He wouldn't understand, he wasn't a girl, Mattia had a special charm, something about the shiny smile of his, those calculating eyes. Not to mention his sex appeal and the way he carried himself.

"Jesus Izzy, you need to get your head out of your ass. He's not that great."

"You don't know what you're talking about." I grumbled, slapping the polaroid onto the stupid paper. It wasn't like he dated a million girls to know what he was talking about.

His girlfriend was sweet, but she was boring. So I was taking opinions or advice from him. I pushed on the table with my palms, as the stool slid back, freeing me. Grabbing my bag, I straightened up, looking at him. He was still focused on the damn project, but he had a sort of sadness in his eyes, his jaw clenching.

"Maybe if you stopped being so uptight, he would like you. I was talking to him yesterday. He thinks you're pretty cute actually." Alejandro's voice sounded after silence.

A grin spread on my face, as I crossed the table in an instant, pulling him into a hug. He laughed, his arms wrapping around my waist with ease, the movement now muscle memory for him.

I gripped him tightly, kissing his soft cheek. "See! That wasn't so hard! Could've just told me that earlier and we would've avoided this whole godforsaken situtation."

Knucklehead.

Alex laughed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah well, I care about you Iz. I don't wanna see you hurt. And everyone, knows Mattia is trouble."

"And I appreciate that Ale, but I'm a big girl who can take care of myself. You may have known me since we were three, but you need to trust me. We've been best friends forever man! If something happens, you will be the first to know. And you can go beat him up. Sounds good?" I smiled.

His hands rested on my waist, his chest heaving with a sigh. "Alright. Go. Don't do anything stupid okay? And don't forget we have work tonight. My place at 8." He mumbled, as I freed myself from his grip.

With a nod, I turned on my heel, a smile on my face, to find the boy I had been waiting for my whole life.

Alex let out an angry huff, putting the cap on the glue. He was so stupid, so fucking stupid. Why would he say that? He could've just kept his mouth shut and, and what.

Nothing. Not like one moment was going to change how it was like for the past 15 years. She always had eyes for everyone else in the world. He was stuck so deep in the friendzone it was joke.

Because the truth is, he was in love with her. Yeah, pretty hard to come to terms with the fact that you're in love with your best friend, and she's head over heels for some guy.

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hehe.. this story is a little different but I hope u guys will still find it in ur hearts to like it! <3