Chapter Text
Julian hadn’t been in school today. It wasn’t really cause for concern, even if he always tried to go just to spend time with Yadriel, he did skip quite a lot. No, what peeked Yadriel’s curiosity was that he hadn’t responded to his message.
He hadn’t seen his boyfriend roaming the halls in the morning, and he didn’t meet up with him for lunch. So, assuming he was simply absent, Yadriel texted him during lunch break to ask what he was up to and if he wanted to hang out after school. What concerned him was that he checked his phone several times throughout the afternoon to find no response from Julian. Maybe Julian had simply seen the notification and forgotten to open it?
He called Julian as soon as school got out, he waited patiently as the phone rang. No response. He was starting to get worried but didn’t want to keep loitering around school so he shot him two more quick texts and ran to meet up with Maritza, who was waiting for him at the edge of the school lawn.
As he and Maritza walked home she started telling him all about her day, but he was too distracted to listen. He kept checking his phone, he knew he wasn’t likely to get an immediate response from Julian, but he was worried and didn’t want to risk not seeing his response. His concern must have been showing on his face.
“Hey,” she waved her hand in front of his face, “what’s going on with you? You’ve been completely ignoring me! Are you doing ok?”
That startled him and made him look up from his phone, he stared at her blankly for a second until she teased him, “Is it because you’re missing your boyfriend?”
“Uh, yeah actually. I texted him earlier and he didn’t reply for the whole day so I tried to call him but he didn’t pick up. I texted him again but he’s not responding!” He explained, clearly worried.
Maritza rushed to comfort him as they walked, “oh well, maybe he just went out with his friends and forgot his phone at home. Or maybe he fell asleep and just left it on silent!”
“I guess you’re right,” he trailed off.
“Look if you’re really that worried, you can call Rio. Didn’t he give you his phone number just in case something like this happened? Because Julian forgets his phone half the time?”
“Yes! Thank you Itza!”
He immediately went to his contacts and scrolled through them to find Rio’s number. Barely hesitating, he pressed call and brought the phone up to his ear.
“Yadriel? Do you need something?” His gruff voice came through the phone, “I’m busy at the moment.”
“Hello Rio, sorry to bother you but is Julian ok? He hasn’t answered me”
“Last I saw him he was tucked up in bed, he woke up really sick today. Probably the flu or something. You can swing by to see him if you want.”
“Ok, thank you for letting me know, I’ll be right over.”
He was glad Rio offered to let him come over, he would have been too nervous to ask.
“So, I guess you’re not coming over today?” Maritza considered
“Sorry, but–”
“Don’t worry about me, you should go see your boyfriend.” she paused and pondered for a little, “Damn the flu sucks, remember last year, when I got sick?”
“Of course I remember! You kept moaning about how you were dying all the time!”
“Hey! Don’t blame me! The flu is the worst,” she defended with vigor as Yadriel laughed. “But will your dad let you go to Julian’s or do you need me to cover for you, again?” she added as they stopped in front of his house.
“I think I’m going to try and ask him for once, because this time I think I have a good enough reason for him. Let’s save your power of persuasion for when I don’t.”
“So no romantic midnight escapade with your boyfriend tonight?” she teased.
“No, if it gets too late I think I’ll stay at his place. Or maybe my dad will come get me.”
“Well if that’s how it’s gonna go, bye!” she waved as she turned around towards the direction of her house.
“See you tomorrow!” he called after her. He took out the key in his pocket and walked into his home. He could smell the delicious scent of Lita’s cooking, but he had more important things to do.
He quickly rushed up to his room and took the things he wouldn’t need out of his bag. He’s never really witnessed Julian be sick before, he had a cough for a week last month, but outside of that he always seemed perfectly healthy. He didn’t think much of it since plenty of other kids at school were getting sick, the midst of January was always like this. He didn’t know if Julian would like or want something in particular while he was sick. So he just packed a bag with a few things he would need if he stayed the night and took out another one of Julian’s flannels that he had kept for himself about two weeks ago. Lita had washed it removing Julian’s faint scent, so he had to get him to wear it again. And Julian would most likely appreciate him returning one of his flannels.
He went down to the kitchen with his backpack and jacket already on and mentally prepared himself to defend his right to go see Julian.
“Hola Lita,” he greeted as soon as he saw her.
“Hola, Yadriel! How was school today?” she went towards a tray that looked like it had just been taken out of the oven.
“Ten, have an empanada and tell me how it tastes,” she pulled his hand towards her and placed it in his palm. He wasn’t really hungry but couldn’t risk upsetting her so he took a bite. She looked at him expectantly as he chewed.
“¡Muy rica Lita! Thank you. I actually came to ask you if you’ve seen my dad?”
“He’s not here yet, do you need anything?”
“No, but can I please go to Julian’s? He wasn’t at school today and Rio told me he’s really sick. I promise I’ll be careful! And I’ll call my dad to pick me up if he says I can’t stay with him.” He added detail hoping she wouldn’t object. Lita loved Julian, and he even claimed she loved him more than Yadriel, but he thought that was only because Julian would eat anything she put in front of him.
“Julian is sick?! No, you cannot stay here! You must go make him feel better!” she exclaimed. He didn’t think she would be so willing to let him walk alone on a winter afternoon, but Yadriel was thankful nonetheless.
“Thanks Lita!” He hugged her and headed towards the door.
“Where do you think you are going?!” She called out to him, “I must give you the caldo de pollo we have left over, how is he going to get better without it?!”
Yadriel felt relieved, he thought she was going to back out on her word, but instead she swiftly took out a plastic container from the fridge and put it in a recycled plastic bag.
As she handed it to him she looked at him sternly, “Whatever you do, bring back that container. I know you won’t heat up on a stove, which you should! But, if you must heat it in the microwave, put it for 2 full minutes! It needs to be hot ok?!”
“Yes, thank you Lita! You’re the best!”
She put her hands on his backpack and pushed him towards the door, “go, go, don’t make him wait. Adios!”
“Adios!” he called out as he stepped out the door and she locked the door behind him.