OH BABY! (Mario Martinez - On My Block)

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE:

wake me up, before you go-go
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"I MEAN, I DON'T know what I did? Maybe me snoring drove her away?" Mario asked his only friend, Diego. He sighed looking down at his phone hoping she would at least open and read his message. Maybe it was just ridiculous for him to think he had a real chance with her?

"I don't know man, you know how some women are." Diego said skimming the large book shelf. The two of them had an upcoming paper due—and as expected neither of them made even the smallest effort in starting. "I think maybe you should stop focusing on her." He tried to offer some advice, but he already knew his attempt would be futile.

"Man, I'm trying. Just—she was something else you know?" Mario hated sounding desperate. She was just the first and only girl, since Angelica that he had genuine feelings for (or at least he thought he did). Maria flushed, overhearing their very private conversation. She tried to stay hidden, knowing it would be for the best. "Maybe I should text her again?" Diego gave his lovesick friend an incredulous look.

"Just bro," He snatched Mario's phone away quickly. "Stop being clingy, give her space compa. If she's as wonderful and hardheaded as you describe her, she'll answer when she's ready."

Maria wasn't hardheaded!

She bit her lip and waited until the two finished searching for their books and left. Maria hasn't realized she spent nearly all her time eavesdropping over actually doing her work until her phone alarm went off—hinting that she would have to go to her next class soon. Everyone in the library stared and scowled at her and she furiously dug through her pocket to turn off her phone.

"PLEASE TURN YOUR books to page 49." Maria's Political Theory teacher said. Thankfully, she managed to get some of her work done back at the library. The girl sighed pulling out her expensive, and barely used textbook before turning to page 49. She took out a highlighter and began immediately following along as the teacher read.

Occasionally she glanced at the window near her. It was such a nice day. As per usual, the sun was shining and it was incredibly warm. Even some kids were playing a pickup game of soccer on the green.

Maybe going on a walk after class would be good for her?

She's been too stressed with the idea of actually being pregnant, ignoring Mario, and avoiding her roommate she just wanted a break.

Granted all these issues would go away if she just wasn't so—afraid.

From a young age Maria has to learn how to take care of herself. She learned how to fight for herself, protect herself, and without her independence she wouldn't have made it to Berkeley.

Deep in her pocket, she felt her phone vibrate. She took a deep breathe slowly pulling it out and dropping it on her desk. Despite the teacher going over their recently lesson, Maria couldn't focus. She unlocked her phone to discover Mario wasn't the only person to have texted her throughout the past two days.

chris <\3 ... 2:37
i miss you
please talk to me
call me
something
we have too much history together to give up after one fight.

Maria tried to hold back a scoff. She really didn't have time for this shit. As she was about to turn her phone back off for the umpteenth time, she got a message from Mario. Curiosity killed the cat on this one, and before she knew it—she clicked on his messages. The first couple were all the stupid pictures they took during their breakfast and dinner together, she couldn't help but smile at them.

They were such bad quality photos.

Afterwards it was just a few sporadic messages, but the most recent one couldn't help but make her laugh sadly.

mario <3 ... 2:39
hey
i'll take this as a sign to leave you alone
but
can i get my sweats back at least? those were my favorites.

At least he was trying. Maria was surprised there weren't as many messages as she thought either. He didn't seem clingy as much as he did seem confused and worried.

maria ... 2:42
hey, sorry for being mia
do you want to grab dinner tonight
and i'll bring your sweats?

mario <3 ... 2:43
it's a date.