GAVIN

After the jog, I took a cold shower and changed into a pair of baggy jeans, black tee shirt and a pair of safari boots. I combed my unbraided hair and gelled it. Pineapple scented body splash floated in the air as I sprayed it all over my physique. Staring at my reflection on the vanity mirror, a gratified smile sneaked to my lips.

I exited the room, making my way to the resort cafeteria where the rest of the students were. Excited chatters and laughter of my peers stuffed the eatery. The aroma of pancakes, fried bacon, baked goods and freshly brewed coffee, fanned the room, seducing my olfactory senses. A rumble exploded from my paunch, an indication of my starvation. The banquet was calling out to me, begging for my indulgence.

I served a mug of black coffee with no cream, a plate of blue berry pancakes, three sausages and cherries. I used to watch my diet a lot. Didn't partake in fatty foods. When I was about eight years old, I got mocked and bullied for being chubbier than the rest of my classmates. I earned quite a lot of names back then. I would lock myself in the toilet during lunch period and cry my eyes out. I hated the way I looked. It's why I decided to choose what to eat and when to eat. My well-built physique took years of healthy diet, exercise and restraint.

My gaze scanned the cafeteria in an attempt to locate a certain cerulean eyed boy. A smile crept to my lips when my eyes landed on his petit form. The smile faded as soon as I saw the guy seated across from him. Didn't need binoculars to discern that the dreadlocks belonged to a certain tattoo ass. As though sensing I was watching, Carlito waved at me excitedly. After a few calming breaths, I sauntered to his table and took a seat almost immediately.

"Nice shirt." He threw a compliment my way.

"Thank you, Lorena." I stated, taking a sip of my coffee. It was bitter, just the way I like it.

"You do know that my name is Lorenzo, right?"

"Really? I thought it was Lorena. My bad. Like I told you before, I am terrible with names." Unbothered, I sliced the pancake and forked a piece which I shoved in my mouth.

"So, who else is excited about today?" Sensing the animosity, Carlito attempted to lighten the mood.

"Since you are so forgetful with names, I will write my name down for you. Or I could tattoo it on your palm." He suggested.

"I'm not a fan of needles but thank you very much for offer." I stated, shoving the piece of sausage in my mouth and chewing on it almost immediately. "Mm mm...this is so good." I moaned, relishing the orgasmic feeling brought about by the sausage. "Do you want a taste?" I offered Carlito.

"No. Thanks. I don't like sausage. Makes me feel like throwing up." He replied with a gag. An apologetic smile following after.

"I love sausage. Wouldn't mind having yours." A voice which I didn't need a detector to discern, declared. Then he took a seat, across the table, directly facing me. His lips curved into an annoying smirk.

"Didn't know you were joining us, Tony." Carlito spoke, irritation knitted in his words.

"Neither did I until I heard Gavin offering his sausage. Couldn't miss the chance of devouring his very delicious looking sausage." His eyes not leaving mine, he spewed the words. Then, hooked his fork on the sausage on my plate then inserted it in his mouth, inch by inch until it was in. All of it. An involuntary gasp exited my lips when he swallowed the sausage without chewing it. For some unknown reason, the temperature of my body spiked.

"You were right Gavin. Your sausage was absolutely delicious." He declared, a smile covering his lips which were still oily from the sausage. 

"Dios! How did you do that? That was insane!" Lorena's enthusiasm was evident.

"I know my way around a sausage." Tony retorted, taking a sip of whatever beverage was in his cup. 

"Man, you should teach me that sometime." The Italian guy proposed.

"Of course." The bane of my existence agreed.

"While we are in the spirit of teaching, I was wondering if you could teach me to paint." Tony addressed Carlito.

"I don't know...umm..." Carl who had been caught off guard shifted in his chair, nervousness invading his composure.

"Come on, I am a huge fan of your work. In fact I wouldn't mind getting painted by you. Naked." His proposition caused me to spit the coffee in shock. Three pair of eyes shot in my direction.

"Don't mind me. Carry on with your business dealings." An awkward smile stretched on my lips.

"Gavin, there's a little bit of something on your left cheek." Tony stated.

"What?" I tapped my palm on my cheek, trying to find whatever he was talking about.

"Here. Let me help." Getting up from his seat, he leaned, his elbow resting on the table and then using his napkin, started wiping something off my cheek. His black eyes shifted from my cheek to my eyes, entrapping me. Why was I speechless? Why couldn't I insult and push him off?

"There. It's all clean now." He whispered, his cocoa laden breath, fanning my heated up face. Then he resumed his seat, his eyes not leaving mine.

"By the way Tony, I heard that you are the new team captain." Lorena started a conversation.

Tearing his gaze from mine, he addressed the Italian. "Yes. You heard right. It's what I have always wanted."

Of course. The piece of shit always wanted my spot on the team. Now that I am off the team, he couldn't be happier. Enjoy it while it lasts, shit bag.

"But, it is also sad that Gavin is no longer on the team. He was a really good captain and player. Don't know if I could ever fill his shoes." Did he mean what he just said? Of-fucking-course-not. This is Tony we are talking about. The guy who has been my rival for years and one who cannot stand to see me happy. So no, I don't believe this bullshit that just came out of his mouth.

"That's a sweet thing to say about Gavin. Especially because you guys are known rivals. I have heard stories of your rivalry over the years."

"You are right, Gavin and I have been enemies for as long as I can recall. We fought like cats and dogs. Coach Brinski almost ran mad trying to resolve our many fights. Poor guy. One time, Gavin shredded my jersey then as payback, I flushed his, down the toilet. Best day of my life." His story triggered a chuckle from Lorena and Carlito. This wasn't funny at all.

"Since you are sharing about our past grievances, allow me to share one beautiful story. Tony, do you remember when I found your car...scratch that, daddy's convertible parked in my spot. Remember what I did to it? Poor car, didn't live to tell the tale. I wonder how daddy dearest will react after witnessing the damages." I opened old wounds and as expected, Tony's demeanor shifted from that of happiness to anger. Veins popped at the side of his head and his hand balled into a fist. If looks could kill, I would be buried and decomposed right this moment.

"My aunt would kill me if I ruined her car." Lorena's comment yanked my attention away from the angry bird seated across from me.

"Tell me more about this aunt of yours." My mind shifted to the email from last night. One that was addressed to my mom by Miss Nora Marino, Lorena's aunt.

"She is the world's best aunt. Unlike my mom, she talks a lot. She loves working in her café. It's her life. She loves cats, in fact she has three. God, I hate cats and their purring and scratching." He narrated.

"Cats are cute and cuddly. I would love to own one." Carlito dreamily stated. He looked cute expressing his love for cats. Maybe I should get him one.

"Cats make me sneeze." Tony who had been quiet, finally spoke.

"I know right? They are the worst." Lorena seconded.

"Anyway Lorena, does your aunt have any kids?" I changed the subject.

"Not really." He replied.

"Maybe she sold her child for millions. You never know what people would do for money." I insinuated.

"Okay, that's a pretty serious accusation. My aunt would never do something like that!" He defensively spoke, anger coating his speech.

"Really? How well do you know your aunt?" I pushed.

"Dude, I get that you can't stand me but leave my family out of this. They have done nothing wrong. Also, I just lost my appetite." He got up from his seat and stormed off.

"What is wrong with you Gavin? Lorenzo has done nothing but be nice to you but you don't miss a chance to hurt him. You know it was Lorenzo who convinced me to give you a chance in the first place." Rage and disappointment adorned his speech as he addressed me. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he spewed the words.

"When you are ready to be mature about things, come find me." He finalized getting up from his chair and hurriedly exiting the cafeteria. What the fuck just happened?

"Well, that was juicy. I smell trouble in Paradiso."

"Shut up Tony!" I hissed at him and he threw his hands up in defeat, the ever annoying smirk taking over his face.

I had planned to make this trip the most beautiful one but instead I ended up ruining things. Maybe mommy dearest was right all along, I am a fuck up.