Sentimental night (Part 1)

“Marin, how does this shirt look on me?”

“Horrible, you look awful.”

It's hard for me to remember why I love her so much.

“Come on, I want to look good. I'm going out with a girl.”

“HAHAHAHA what a good joke, brother.”

I chased after her to try to hit her, but she is definitely in better physical condition than me, so I was easily defeated.

“Well, I don't need you. I say that I look very handsome.”

Panting, I went back to my room to finish getting ready. After a while Marin entered with a black belt and socks of the same color.

“Take off that ugly brown belt that doesn't match the pants. And wear those socks I brought you; It's a fashion insult to wear white socks with black shoes.”

She handed me the clothes and left. My little sister can't help being such a cute tsundere.

I finished changing my clothes and as a final touch I used a lotion that I had saved for special occasions. I wanted to look good because of Andrea, she's a beauty and I don't want to look out of place.

“I'm leaving, Marin. I left your dinner in the fridge, let mom know I'll be a little late please.”

“Wait, Robin.”

I was about to leave the house when Marin stopped me, she seemed worried about something.

“Wasn't it a joke that you're going to see a woman?”

“Yes, but it is not what you think. I'm going out with Andrea to celebrate that she passed the exams, nothing more.”

“Is Andrea the girl you're teaching?”

“That's right.”

Her face drastically changed from looking concerned to repudiating me.

“Pervert.”

Déjà vu.

“It's not what you think (again), she's too pretty for me, seriously. Besides, Leo is going to join us.”

“Leo is going with you!!!???”

Oh, hell… I didn't remember that name is taboo in this house; my little sister is madly in love with my best friend, and I, as a good older brother, must at all costs prevent that romance from even having a chance.

“My precious brother, please let me go with you. I will do all the housework for a week if necessary.”

It was a tempting offer, but I must not succumb.

“I'm sorry Marin, but I can't take you with me. I don't want to make Andrea nervous.”

“Why would I make her nervous?”

“Well…she's a bit special.”

“Special? You mean she's an archery genius?”

“Yes, but no… you see, she's a strange girl, I can hardly ever figure out what's going through her head.”

She didn't seem to believe me; she was really frustrated. The good thing is that I had an ace up my sleeve.

“But since I'm a good big brother, I have a surprise for you if you behave well. And it also has to do with Leonel.”

“Really?!”

Actually, I was going to use her as my emotional support in case my anxiety appeared in Leonel's game, but it's better that she doesn't find out about that.

“Well, now I'm going.”

“Take care, dear brother. I love you!”

A little forced that farewell, but I appreciate her effort.

I ran into Leonel a few blocks before arriving at McBurger Jr. I asked him to dress as best he could to make Andrea feel comfortable.

“Incredible, I didn't know you could look so good when you take a bath.”

“I can say the same about you.”

Leo wore a beige shirt with his best jacket, jeans and white shoes that looked pretty clean.

We got to the restaurant a bit early, so Andrea wasn't there yet. Still, I texted her to ask how she was doing.

“She told me that she won't be long in coming.”

“Oh, wow, I didn't know you liked her so much.”

“I don't like her, dunce, I'm just trying not to make her feel uncomfortable.”

“Don't worry, nothing happens if you confess to me that you like her, it would be normal; everyone in my classroom is talking about her, she is quite popular.”

I am aware of Andrea's popularity, that's why I was surprised when she told me that she doesn't have any friends.

“Look, I don't care if she likes me or something like that; I just want to get along with her, that she managed to pass her exams and that with that Marin can enter the Golden School.”

“If you say so…”

I wanted to continue convincing him, but at that moment my phone vibrated: Andrea had already arrived and was about to enter.

“She will be here at any moment, so behave yourself.”

“Yes, yes…”

Maybe I was exaggerating, but I was nervous. It was the first time we had casually dated Andrea and I wanted everything to go well.

Suddenly a strange girl sat down with us.

“Excuse me but…”

I didn't finish speaking because the mysterious girl looked up and her face, which was covered by a blue cap, could be clearly seen: She was Andrea.

“I'm sorry, but the table is occupied. We are waiting for a friend.”

“Leonel shut up! She is Andrea.”

I don't blame him for the mix-up, but we certainly had started on the wrong foot.

“Are you serious? Is she the beauty everyone is talking about?”

“SANTOS SHUT UP!”

He started looking at her from head to toe. Andrea was wearing ripped jeans, a very ugly printed blouse, a blue cap, and brown sandals... with socks.

“Hi”

Andrea spoke for the first time; she didn't seem to have cared about the previous comments.

“Nice to meet you Andrea, my name is Leonel and I am Robin's best friend.”

They both shook hands in a friendly way. I tried to clear my mind and greeted her too.

“Welcome! We are very glad that you are here.”

“Thanks.”

Now we were the ones who shook hands. After the previous surprise I no longer wanted anything to go wrong.

“What do you think if we order at once?”

“Sounds good, do you really like hamburgers, Andrea?”

Leonel was beginning to show his social skills. I was particularly looking forward to this moment, I wanted to see if he could figure out this girl better.

“Yes.”

“Seriously, what is your favorite burger?”

“The bacon one.”

“Wow, I love bacon! At breakfast I always try to eat one or two slices. What do you usually have for breakfast?”

“Cereal.”

“The cereal is good too! My mom always goes to the supermarket and buys that cereal with chocolate that…”

A conversation of trivial things continued for a while. I greatly admire Leonel's tenacity, he continued talking with Andrea, although she only responded with monosyllables.

“Hello! Welcome to McBurger Jr. Are you ready to order?”

A cute waitress came up to us and the 'conversation' stopped.

“I want a chicken hamburger with French fries and a soda, and you, Leonel?”

“A bacon burger, but no fries, please. I guess Andrea is going to choose the bacon one too, right?”

“No.”

“Oh, sorry for trying to guess. Order what you like...”

“I want a slice of pizza.”

“I'm very sorry, but we don't sell pizza here.”

“Oh, so a hot dog.”

“I-I'm so sorry again, but we don't sell hot dogs either.”

“Excuse me, could you give us a few minutes for my friend to read the menu well.”

I smiled trying to reflect calmness and so Andrea wouldn't feel embarrassed.

“No problem, if you'll excuse me”

The waitress left and Andrea began to read the menu carefully. With my eyes, I asked Leonel that he try to talk with me to dispel the tense atmosphere.

“And… How is Marin?”

“Good, good… She helped me choose my clothes today.”

“Great, she always looks SO GOOD…”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY STUP…”

Damn, the morbid face he made when he said that made me lose my mind for a moment. Fortunately, it seems Andrea didn't even notice.

“Yes… you're right, Leo.”

I flashed the fakest smile I could. I could tell he was holding back his laughter. I swear you'll pay for this.

“I'm ready to order.”

“Perfect!”

I called the waitress and she came right away.

“Does the young lady already know what she is going to order?”

“A bacon burger, please.”

I turned my gaze full of pessimism for a few seconds to the window of the restaurant. Things were definitely not going the way I expected. I sighed... God, it's going to be a very long night.