Chương 19: Eighteen
Sunday I was doing homework at the last minute which is very unlike me. It had to be done since sophomores got no mercy from endless assignments the moment school started. I didn't realize how spoiled Kat and I were as freshman last year.
Well, Sunday was yesterday. I have completed assignments ready today. Whether they're accurate or not is anybody's guess until I get them graded back.
Studious, I'm some.
As I enter the front entrance of the school, I see...a camera crew?! Two men; one with a camera and another with a boom mic were standing near the principal's office. The principal was there standing off to the side with an incredulous look. Apparently, the reporter lady didn't come to see him.
She came to see Hernando. She was speaking into the camera. "We're here today to speak with Hernando Ortiz who became a social media sensation when he went to Tucson International Airport and stood for hours with a positive message." Hernando glanced at me and appeared nervous. "Hernando, your message was so simple. Just a poster that said, 'I Love Hugs'. What inspired you to make the poster?"
Hernando nervously laughs as the camera turns to him. "Uh, well...it actually started out as a bet I lost. But...the people I took pictures with were really great and I ended up having a good time."
"A bet? So, why choose to stand at the departures gate of the Tucson International airport?" The reporter seems even more interested in Hernando's story. As am I.
The principal on the other hand, glared at Hernando in warning. Talk about pressure.
"Well, what better place to leave tourists as well as locals with a great feeling to come back to our great city of Tucson, Arizona then the departures gate?" He answered her question with a question and I couldn't help but smirk at him for doing that. It's what I've done a few times myself in some debates. It keeps the opponent on their toes.
At least our principal seems a little appeased by Hernando's answer. "Oh that's wonderful! So, you gave people that day a good send off in hope they will return to Tucson?"
"Y-yeah! That's right! There's just so much negativity in the world, you know."
The principal steps into the camera frame as he puts his arm around Hernando's shoulders. "Yes, Hernando is a bright young man with a promising future. I as well as his teachers are very proud of him." He smiles at Hernando as Hernando has a look of discomfort on his face. "Better head off to class, son."
Hernando gave the reporter and camera a wave goodbye as he happily leaves. I follow him and ask, "So, you're the principal's son now?"
I receive a punch in the arm as Hernando says, "Shut up, man. The principal just wants publicity."
"You didn't know you became a social media sensation?" I ask him in disbelief. Just because it's been coming through my Instagram feed fast enough.
"No. I don't have internet at home. I only found out when the reporter lady showed me her smartphone and---what?"
"You don't have internet at home?"
Hernando shrugs as he says, "No and even though I have a smart phone I have a simple plan where I have no data for internet. I can always connect to WiFi...it just depends on where I'm at."
"Whoa!"
"Yeah, I know now it's unheard of but that's why I don't make it a habit to check my social media." Hernando raises his eyebrows at me. "Why weren't you on the bus?"
Why wasn't I indeed.
"Uh...I overslept because I was finishing up on homework. Chef Felix drove me." I would have asked my mom if I didn't see her sipping a non-virgin daiquiri when I came to the dining room to scarf down my then cold breakfast.
Plus, I remember when I was in sixth grade and I asked if she could drive me. She blew through every red light, ignored all of the stop signs, and kept on switching lanes because she never drove me to school so she didn't know where she had to turn. That day my ears rang from all of the cars honking at us. Turns out she had two cans of beer that morning before I even woke up.
"You're mom was buzzed again huh?" asks Hernando. I was about to come to my mom's defense when Hernando said, "I'm not one to judge, man. My mom is an addict too so I know it sucks."
"It does," I answer truthfully. Suddenly, I feel hollowed out. My hollowed out body has enough space to let fresh air in because of my admission. It feels good!
Kat runs up to Hernando and bumps right into me. "Sorry Kit," she mumbles before turning her attention to her cousin. "Nando, someone just told me you got ambushed by a reporter. Are you okay?!"
"Well, it wasn't much of an ambush...who told you that?" Kat scowls as she looks down the hallway behind her before saying, "Rona did."
"What?" I ask. When I notice Rona at the end of the hall, she waves at me and smiles. I scowl at the person standing right next to her...Maybelline. "I'll handle this," I reply.
Without hearing Kat out or Hernando for that matter is my purview. As I approach Rona and Maybelline I hear the latter speak. "Why a news reporter would want to interview her Latrino cousin I have no idea."
"I do," I reply as Maybelline jumps at my sudden appearance. That move was intentional. "I'm not gonna tell you though. Oh...the proper term is Latino by the way."
"What do you want Kit?" asks Maybelline.
"Not you," I reply as I ignore Maybelline's huff. "Ro, I'd like to speak with you in private if that's alright." As I said that the bell rang. Maybelline is about to pull Rona away with one hand but I steadfastedly hold on to her other. "I insist."
Rona looks conflicted but she nods at me as she says to Maybelline, "I'll be there in a bit. Save a seat for me, May?"
Maybelline flips her frizzy hair as she replies, "Yeah, whatever."
I roll my eyes at her as she turns to leave. "Why are you friends with that diva?" I ask Rona when Maybelline is out of earshot.
Rona smirks as she says to me, "I want to help affect change. I believe anyone can be redeemed with enough time and patience." I snort at that. "What? You don't believe in redemption, Mr. Adair?"
"Sure. I believe with enough soap to wash somebody's mouth with and lashings to boot she MIGHT become a decent human being. You don't owe her nothing though." Rona's blue grey eyes twitched as she looks suddenly uncomfortable. "You don't owe her anything, do you?"
"Is this why you pulled me aside, Kit. To lecture me? I get enough of that at home." She has an angry pout which makes my heart stop.
"No. I pulled you aside because Kat told me you told her that Hernando was being ambushed by a reporter. Why you told her in that way, Ro?"
Rona's face grew relaxed as she says, "It's because it did look like an ambush to me. The reporter lady was sort of clinging onto Hernando even before the camera crew came with their equipment. There's such a thing as stranger danger, Kit. I want to make every place I go to for school a space for safe learning."
I'll admit it. I was completely floored. I might have a way with words in debate but Rona has the heart of an activist. It thrills me to meet a like minded individual.
"Alright then, I guess I pulled you away from your class for nothing."
"Or not," Rona replies. "Kit, I like you too. You should know that. Only because if you'd like to date me or more, I give you permission to do so."
Or more? Did she just insinuate what I thought she just insinuated?! I have to be dreaming. "You sure you're not being a tease?"
"Do I look like I'm teasing you?" she asks with a hint of disgust.
"Okay if you're serious Ro, then go out with me."
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