More Than You Think

3

"Okay class as you know September is Spanish heritage month." Mrs.Reyes began. "Meaning that during class you will be doing a report on the country you or your family are from or picking a Latin American country."
I sat in the back with Vanessa, "Are you going to the Spanish Heritage festival that the school is hosting?" She asked me.
"Always do. Are you going to force my brother to come?" I question her with a playful smirk.
"Probably." She smiles.
"Ms.(l/n) and Ms.Lopez, is there anything you two would like to share?" Mrs.Reyes called us out for talking during her lecture. Giving a glare at the teacher I wait for her to back down. "You are just as bad as your brother." She says before going back to the lesson. I felt a pair of eyes watching me, I look and met with deep brown eyes. Raphael's brother. It's only been two weeks into the school year and his brothers watch me like a hawk. Ignoring him I go back to my train of thoughts until Vanessa wants to talk again.

Time Skip

Sitting next to Raphael I felt glares, looking up I see it's the girls that are walking in. Ever since the boys came to this school they became popular quickly. Donnie is a popular nerd, while Raph and Leo are star athletes then there is Mikey who is a loud skater. They were, of course, popular since they are attractive as well. Glaring back the girls who tried to challenge me they quickly regret it and retreat to their desks.
"Don't want anyone looking at me?" Raphael joked.
"Please, don't flatter yourself. Your head is already big enough." I roll my eyes at him. In the two weeks of trying to get to know Raphael, we did not get along. He's stubborn and sadly so am I. He is also cocky and at times tries to get on my nerves. Raphael likes to poke the bear. I don't think Mr.Torres wants to read that on my character sheet about Raphael.
"Whatever, you've been grouching lately." He admits to me.
"Right, I shouldn't be upset with your brothers watching me like a hawk during classes. It's not creepy or weird." I sarcastically answer.
"Wait. What do you mean they've been watching ya'?" He actually looked concerned about that information.
I met his eyes, "I have Spanish with Donnie. I don't sit by him, but I always catch him staring at me. That doesn't include when I'm passing and your brother Leo is practically following me to my next classroom. I think the only ones that aren't stalking me are you and Mikey." I whisper to him angrily.
He sat back with an apologetic look on his face, "I'm sorry. I didn't know they were-" he cut himself off.
"Whatever." I say before putting on my headphones and ignore Raph for the rest of the class period.

Someone tug my headphones off, "Come on it's time for lunch." Raph tells handing me my bookbag. Grabbing my bag, "Thanks." I tell him. Looking toward the door I'm surprised I didn't see Leo there waiting.
"He's sick today, I got a text from him earlier that he's going home before lunch." Raphael tells me.
"So what you're going to walk me to lunch today?" I cross my arms across my chest facing him. He smirks at me slightly, "Why not? I'll even hold your hand." He takes my hand which pulled me closer to him.
"Very funny." I smile a little before pulling my hand away from him and began walking, seeing that Raph didn't move I turn to him. "You coming or what?" I ask him. He quickly follows me out of the classroom toward the courtyard.

Dropping Raphael off at his table, I left to my table and I see my friends exaggerating about my walk with Raph.
"Oh shut up." I tell them as I sat down.
"(Y/n) and Raphael sitting in a tree." Amy began singing.
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G" Vanessa added.
"First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage." Erica sang blowing Vanessa and Amy's singing.
"Are you guys done?" I ask them.
"Yeah, we're done. Anyways do you guys think I should dye my hair pink or purple?" Amy asked seeing that her blue hair is fading.
"Why not both?" I ask her. Then her face lit up, "Why didn't think I think of that?"
"Are you still getting your nose pierced?" Vanessa asked the short female with colorful hair.
"Yes, I got the appointment set up." Amy tells us with a smile on her face.
"How's your dad feeling about that?" Erica asked our short-haired friend.
"You are never going to find a job with metal in your face and colors in your hair." She mocks her dad's voice. "He means well, but I think he needs to realize that my straight A's say more than my looks." She says as she pops a tater tot in her mouth.
"Don't worry I can tell he's proud of you with the way he always brags about your awards and all." Vanessa tells Amy knowing how every time we visit her dad talks about how Amy got straight A's and how she won a trophy for her science project.
Amy smiles hearing that, "Thanks, guys."
"You guys are staying after school right?" Erica then asked with her honey brown eyes looking hopeful.
"For the last time Erica, we are going to be there cheering you on." Vanessa assured her twin. "and you are going to get the lead or else the person that for reason got it, well let's just say they may not walk." I joke giving a mischievous smile.
"Oh, God... Crap lunch is almost over. Ugh, I don't want to go to anatomy." Erica says as she looks at the time.
"At least we have it together." I remind her.
"Yeah with Mikey, he is so cute but he's so loud." She complains.
"Is that why you find every chance to talk to him. Hey, Mikey how are you today? Do you need any help?" I mock Erica.
"Yeah, yeah, but come on you have to admit they are cute." She looks over at Raphael which made me look at him.
"Yeah, he is..." I admit.
"You should move on you know." Amy tells me as she got up from her seat. The bell rings saying that lunch is over.
"I did move on. I just don't think it's worth going through that again." I tell them before walking away with Erica toward our next class.

Time skip

"Erica you were amazing." Vanessa commented. We were leaving the auditorium and going to my place to study for statistics.
"Hey, Erica!" We hear none other than Mikey hanging out with Raphael.
"Hey, Mikey, what are you doing here?" She asked him while moving her ginger hair behind her ear.
"Raphael had practiced so I stayed for him." I hear him answer.
"I'll wait for Erica you guys go on ahead." Vanessa tells me.
Amy side-eyes Raphael, I look at her I knew what she was going to do.
"Don't you dare." I tell her before walking away with her behind me we walk back to my place.
"(Y/n) I'm sorry. I just thought maybe you could use a push." She tells me.
"Amy, you really think I want anything to do with that after your ex and... Look I know you were trying to help, but you have to understand I don't want a relationship. The only good guy I know is my brother." I tell her with my fists clenched.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked with her signature puppy eyes.
"Never. Come on we have a test tomorrow." I unclench my fists and lock arms with Amy as we continue walking.