• vanessa •

I set Tatiana's cup in front of her, and slid into the booth. She was typing on her phone, after awhile she set it down and gave me a smile. "You didn't text me last night. I assume the date went great?"

"It did, but not the great you're talking about," I replied. "We had fun, and we're going on another date."

"It went better than great, huh?" Tatiana smirked. "Tell me that I did great. C'mon— oh my god," I followed her gaze and turned around seeing Joel and someone else ordering. "I'm so inviting them to sit with us!" Tatiana smiled and stood up.

"Tati—!" She was already gone and I sat alone in the booth. I watched as she walked up to Joel and whoever he was with. I assumed it was Richard since Tatiana felt comfortable enough to hug him like that. I locked eyes with Joel, and he had a smile on his face that I saw for a split second before I turned back around.

"Is this seat taken?" I looked up from my interesting drink and saw Joel. I shook my head and let him sit. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" I questioned. "Actually, what are you doing here?"

"Coffee run," Joel answered.

"Uh huh," I responded. "That's odd since I'm sure there are many coffee shops on the way to this one from the place you're staying at. Which you mentioned was thirty-something minutes away."

"Alright, you got me. We're having a special concert tonight. A pop up one, and I wanted to invite you," Joel told me. "And I wanted to invite you in person, not over text."

"Of course we'll go," Tatiana said sitting across from Joel and I. "We didn't have anything planned tonight, it'll be fun," Tatiana added, trying to convince me. "Don't worry, Richard already invited me. I'm not trying to impose on to whatever could happen between you two. Oh, I'm Tatiana, by the way."

"Yeah, I kind of assumed. I'm Joel," he responded. "So?" Joel looked at me, waiting for my answer. Tatiana looked at me, too, slightly nodding and mouthing the word 'yes.'

"Okay, I'll go," I answered. "But I can't promise you I'll know any of the songs."

"That's fine," Joel said. "I'll tell Clara to put you two on the list, and I'll text you the address later. I'll see you later."

"Yo, Joel, we got to get going before the others get suspicious since there's a Starbucks around the corner of the studio," Richard said carrying a drink carrier. "You must be the girl who has Joel all heart eyes all of a sudden."

"You're right, we should get back before we're late for soundcheck," Joel responded standing up.

"Soundcheck is in like two— alright. It was nice to meet you," Richard said as Joel pulled him away so it was just Tatiana and me. Tatiana turned and smiled at me.

"I don't think I've ever seen someone look at you the way Joel did," she spoke. "Already one date and you two are perfect together. Wow, thanks Tati. Thanks for showing me my soulmate. You're welcome, V, it's the least I can do for all these years of friendship."

"Ha ha," I responded.

"You really don't see it, do you?" Tatiana questioned.

I gave her a look. "See what? Joel and I only went on one date. And it's all going to end once I tell him about Brandon, and I need to do it soon because I hate lying."

"It's not lying, it's withholding information about yourself, which everyone does at the beginning of any relationship." I sighed in response. "Mira, I just suggested you not telling him about Brandon. You could've told him over text or last night. Just tell him when you're ready, or whenever you're ready to introduce Brandon to him. But let's not worry about that right now, let's worry that we're going to that concert looking like this."

I looked down at my outfit. It was my 'Saturday without Brandon, a coffee date with Tati' outfit. Which consisted of an old hoodie of Antonio's, leggings and tennis shoes.

—

"Yo! Tatiana!" Richard shouted, and walked up to Tatiana and me. "Joel got a little busy after the show, so he sent me to get you two. I didn't get to introduce myself earlier, I'm Richard."

"Vanessa," I responded.

"Great, you two know each other now," Tatiana commented. "Now can you take us wherever we're supposed to go?"

"Damn, what crawled up your—?" Richard stopped talking when Tatiana sent him a glare. "You know, I'm gonna blame Yashua for this."

"As you should," Tatiana responded. "How is your brother?"

"Richard, what's taking so long? Quiero conocer a la futura esposa de Joel!"

"¿Sabes español?" Richard turned to me, and I nodded. "Hm, they don't know that. Does Joel?" I shook my head. "Want to play a small prank?"

"I'm always up for playing clueless," I smiled.

"Relajate, Chris. Ella esta aqui," Richard said as he leaded up towards the door where 'Chris' walked from.

"¿Cual es tu amiga?" Chris asked. He smiled at both me and Tatiana. Usually, I would feel out of place and uncomfortable, but I knew he meant no wrong.

"Oye, Tati es la novia de Yashua," Richard told Chris. "Tati, this is Christopher. And I'll let Joel introduce his friend to the rest of you."

As on cue, Joel opened the door and walked towards the group. "How'd you like the show?" He asked me.

"It was nice. You guys have such great voices, and I'm probably going to add some of your songs to my playlist," I responded. It was the truth.

"Espera, ¿no sabías alguna de nuestras canciones?" Christopher questioned. I gave him a confused look. "Uh, you don't know our songs?" I shook my head.

"But she's going to learn them," Tatiana piped in. "Ella es la futura esposa de Joel," she smirked, giving me a side look. Joel coughed beside me, and I stayed looking confused.

"Anyways, shouldn't you be introducing your friend to Zabdiel and Erick?" Richard questioned.

"Yes, you're right," Joel answered. "Let's go?" He asked me, and I nodded. I grabbed his hand as we walked towards the double doors. "Guys!" Joel called out and the two guys in the room stared at me.

"¿Ella es la chica de la que estás enamorado?" The blonde one questioned, standing up. "Soy Zabdiel. ¿Disfrutaste el concierto?" Zabdiel asked, and I scrunched my eyebrows, giving a confused look to Joel.

"Ella no sabe español," Richard told Zabdiel.

"Oh, sorry. I'm Zabdiel. Did you enjoy the concert?" Zabdiel translated what he said with his accent.

"Yes, you guys are quite the performers. I'm surprised I haven't heard of you guys before," I answered. "I think I'm a fan now."

"Siempre es bueno tener un fan nuevo," Erick said. I assumed it was Erick since Zabdiel already introduced himself. "By the way, I'm Erick."

"I'm Vanessa, it's really nice to meet all of you," I responded, but as I was about to keep talking my phone interrupted. Antonio is calling. "I'm sorry, I have to take this. Perdoname," I pressed answer and walked out of the room leaving everyone. "Hello?"

"Mami!"

"Brandon, ¿Por qué tienes el teléfono de tu papá?" I quickly responded, letting myself breathe.

"I was watching videos," Brandon responded. "I just want to say hi, and I love you, and good night."

"I love you, B," I told Brandon. "Go to sleep, and when you get back from your dad's, we can go to grandpa's. I heard he got you a surprise."

"Really?!"

"Si! Buenos noches, mijo. Te quiero."

"Te quiero, mami," Brandon responded. I waited until I heard shuffling on the other side, Brandon always forgets to hang up, so I hang up first. I ended the call, and my lock screen lit up, and it was a picture of Brandon, me and my dad at my father's birthday party last month.

"¿Así que sabes español?" I turned around and saw Chris standing behind me.

"¿Me estabas espiando?" I questioned.

"¿Quien es Brandon?"

<><><>

so, i had no idea how to end this chapter, but i found a way. :-)

it's been exactly 4 months since I met and saw the boys in concert, and I've been reminiscing about the concert the last couple of days. I mean, I also stare at my m&g picture everyday bc its my lock screen.

also, sorry if my spanish is off. i haven't practiced my spanish in awhile. :-)

hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! 💓