Words Can Hurt

Chapter 4

Valiente sat under the cork tree as he attempted to digest Angus' words from earlier. Guapo? In love with him? He shook his head. That was too good to be true, and if life had taught him anything, if something was too good to be true, it usually wasn't.

But, if that was the case, why did he bite his lip as he watched Guapo leave when Nina recruited him for some errands? Why does he always stare at Guapo when no one's watching? How come his heart always used to race whenever Guapo sparred with him back during their days at Casa Del Toro? Why was he so relieved when he learned that Guapo was still alive during their time at the chop house? And what was with how excited he gets whenever Guapo is around?

Valiente gasped, his eyes widening as realization slapped him across the face-Guapo liked him, and he reciprocated.

Valiente supposed he couldn't entirely fault himself for realizing this sooner. After all, what time for romance was there when their only objective was to impress the matador and face him in the ring? Besides, had he confessed, Guapo would probably have twisted his words, assuming it was some kind of cruel prank. Correction: Guapo would definitely have twisted his words, assuming it was some kind of cruel prank. Even now that he had changed, Valiente still wasn't sure Guapo would believe him if he were to confess.

Valiente considered looking to the sky and asking his mother for advice, but if his father's reaction when he made the mistake of staring at Guapo in front of him was any indication, what made him think his mother would take it any better?

Valiente sighed and stood up. He needed to go clear his head.

~~~

Meanwhile, Guapo, Nina and Juan were on their way to the grocery store.

"Guapo, you're going to wait outside while Dad and I buy the groceries, okay?"

Guapo nodded. As they walked to the grocery store Guapo replayed his embarrassing attempt at a confession in his mind.

("Why can't I just spit it out? Everytime I try, I either get tongue tied, or interrupted! What's wrong with me?!")

Nina, Juan, and Guapo soon arrived at the grocery store.

Nina held Guapo's face. "Dad and I will be back as soon as we can, okay?"

Guapo gave Nina a hug before she and her father entered the store.

All around Guapo, happy couples could be seen walking around, enjoying the lovely summer day. Guapo sighed. That would never be him.

And then, as if the universe hadn't been teasing him enough, a song began playing from the grocery store speakers:

🎵Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday
Yeah, I know, I know when I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me "Do I look okay?"
I say🎵

🎵When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change 'cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah🎵

🎵Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh she hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful, and I tell her everyday🎵

🎵Oh you know, you know, you know I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay, you know I'll say🎵