Chapter 13

"Ugh, why does this subject have to be so boring?" thought Maria through a yawn as she scratched the back of her head.

She heard a shuffling noise and she turned around to see Angelica slowly waking up. She rubbed her eyes and let out a small yawn turning turned to Maria and giving her that smile that made her nervous again.

"Good morning," greeted the blonde girl.

"G-Good morning," greeted back Maria, just barely managing to say a word as she clutched her chest and took deep breaths.

"Heart? What are you doing? Heart?! Stop!"

Angelica stood up and walked over to Maria, leaning over her to look at the laptop and Maria felt a burning sensation which formed between her legs that travelled up her entire body when Angelica's knee found itself between her legs.

"You finished that much by yourself?" asked Angelica with guilt and surprise. She cupped the young Italian girl's cheeks and spoke.

"You really didn't have to do all that by yourself. Go ahead and get some rest. I'll handle the rest."

Now her heart stopped. She was close. Too close. Their lips were again only mere centimetres apart and she suddenly felt like crying again.

She quickly stood up, making Angelica fall back on the bed in surprise.

"I-I'm sorry, but I h-have t-to go to the b-bathroom," she said quietly, trying to fight back the tears. Angelica opened her mouth to respond but before she could say anything, Maria dashed out of the room and into the bathroom and shut the door.

She sat in a corner, pushed her knees to her face and cried.

"I can't do it-I just can't-I'm too afraid-" she repeated to herself as she sat on the white tiled floor.

Angelica was left there speechless on Maria's bed.

"What was up with that?" She thought to herself as she stood up from the bed and dusted off her sundress. She stepped out of the room and looked towards the direction that Maria ran.

"I probably should go and see what that was all about. But there is a little voice inside my head that is telling that she needs to be alone right now. But I'd be a terrible friend if I didn't at least help in some way-" She tapped on her chin and pondered.

"I know! I'll make us some tea!"

Her attention shifted to a door opening and a yawning Arnaldo stepping out.

"There's that smell again-"

"Good morning," he yawned as he rubbed his eyes.

"Or I guess I should say good afternoon. What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"Oh, I was just about to make some tea for me and Maria."

"Perfect. I just woke up from my nap and was just about to do the same thing. Mind if I escort you to the kitchen?" he asked with a confident and playful smirk and Angelica giggled and followed him down the stairs.

"Where do you keep the tea?" she asked as she opened a cupboard and began to search.

"The second cupboard to your right," answered back Arnaldo as he began to fill a large bowl with water. The blonde girl opened the cupboard and handed him a box of green tea leaves. He threw the leaves in the bowl and let it boil.

"So, how are you with my little sister?" he asks trying to pass the time.

"If I had to choose a word, I would describe it as beautiful. I don't believe I've ever had a friend quite like her before," she let out a sad sigh as distant memories came flooding back to her mind.

"Well, really she's the only friend I ever had-" there was an uncomfortable silence between them.

"Tell me," he said, trying to break the silence

Aare you aware of my sister's-" he hesitated.

"Her what?" she asks, innocently.

"Her-affinity."

"Affinity?" she asks, tilting her head.

"You know. Her-preferences in-certain aspects of life-regarding certain people," she let out a soft laugh as she realised what the Italian was implying.

"Oh, that! Yes, I am quite aware of that. In fact, the whole school knows of this."

"And how did people accept the news?" he asks as he reaches for two wooden desks and four porcelain tea cups and saucers.

"Oh there were mixed reactions here and there, but mostly they were positive. Well," she trailed off.

"There was that one boy in our class, but he stopped being a nuisance after an incident."

"What kind of incident?"

"I'm not quite sure, I was absent that day, but I think it had something to do with a baseball bat," now it was Arnaldo's turn to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, it's nothing! Just reminds of a certain memory. And, if you don't mind me asking, how did the news affect your relationship?"

"I'm not a bigot if that's what you're asking. Honestly, don't see a problem with her being a lesbian. They're just people. It's not like they are some kind of alien creatures."

"That's good to hear," he commented as he poured two cups and gave them to Angelica.

"How did your family react?" she asked as she placed the cups down on one of the wooden desks.

"We're not bigots either. She's still our Maria and we're still the best family ever," said Arnaldo with a smirk.

From up the stairs, they could hear the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing.

"Oh, Maria's done already. I should probably go and give her the tea. It's been a pleasure," she said as she made her way up the stairs. As she reached Maria's room she noticed that it was open. She looked inside and found Maria sitting at the desk and continuing the project.

"Maria," she called out, just loud enough for her to hear her. The call made the Italian girl jump in her seat and she turned around, looking at her with those enchanting, black eyes.

"I got us some tea. I thought you would appreciate it."

"Thanks, I've been craving it since lunch!" thanked Maria as she grabbed a saucer.

"Maria, I told you to take a break."

"No, no, it's-" she stopped mid-sentence to yawn "-it's fine really."

"It's clearly not if you're going to fall asleep at any second," she took Maria's cup and placed it down on the desk.

"Go and get some rest. I'll take care of the rest. Don't worry about it," Maria nodded and laid down on her bed and almost immediately fell asleep and Angelica smiled warmly.

"My love, you have no idea how lucky you are. To have such a loving and supporting family," she let out a sigh, sat down and started to type.