Uno changes people
“Miles is that you!” His mom shouted from across the house. He just got back from school, having sprinted here after classes to eat deliciousness.
“Yes Mamí!” He smiled, he could already smell the food in the air and that shit smelt amazing.
“Yo Miles, qué tal?” His cousin, Ian, walked up to him and grinned. He was one of the oldest of the bunch, 19 years old. He was actually planning to move out here in the coming year, so hopefully they’ll see more of each other. He fucking rocks.
“Nothing nothing, been chilling. You know how it is… did you bring games with you?” Ian laughed before playfully shoving Miles.
“That’s all you gotta say? It’s been years since we’ve seen each other in person. But yeah, I did,” he shrugged, “Don’t expect to get to the remote immediately though, Lina and Sesa already called dibs.”
“Damn, did they get any better?” He sighed. Lina and sesa were cousins themselves, but when they were together they could be mistaken as twins. And one thing about them is that they love video games, even if they sucked. (The grown-ups made sure they never told them- unless they wanted their ass beat.)
“Yup, bet they could beat your ass in rocket league now.” Ian grinned.
“Although, Sesa is more of a story game type person now. Loves this danganronpa game I think- but has to stick to watching play-throughs because mamí saw it had people die and made her promise to never play it again.”
“Pfft- was it really that bad?” Miles chuckled, that sounds like his Titi.
“Yeah… the whole game is focused on killing people,” he sighed, “Shits wild. She likes what she likes though and I won’t stop her.”
“Damn, well where are they?” Miles said looking around, usually he’d have been tackled by the two by now.
“Pfft- Probably running around in your room,” he laughed as Miles had a look of horror in his face. Sesa and Lisa have… a history of breaking things. Vases, drawings, chairs, and somehow even tables. God knows what might happen to his $80 markers when they’re around.
“Dude, why would you let them!?” Miles said exasperatedly as he practically sprinted to his room.
“Hey! Uh… Lisa?” He glanced around his room to see if anything was broken, but luckily didn’t find something that he couldn’t recover financially from. Guess they grew out of it. “Where’s Sesa?”
“Right there,” she said blankly as she pointed to the floor where Sesa was sleeping underneath one of his jackets, one of the bunch which were now on the floor.
“Did you guys play dress up with my clothes?” He sighed. They were lucky they were kids and adorable, or they would’ve been kicked out. He never knew the terrible two’s could stretch out for seven more years. “Sí, lo siento,” she said guiltily. “Your clothes were just so… pretty? Is that the word?” She said slowly before looking up at Miles for confirmation.
“Yeah, is it. Your English is getting really good you know? I remember when all you knew was yes and thank you.” He chuckled. “Hey, I was a baby back then!” She huffed, “I’m all grown up now, so of course I know English.”
“You definitely are, now on to the important questions- why is Sesa sleeping on the floor?” He said while carefully scooping her up and gently setting her down on the bed.
“She chose to,” she shrugged “Yo no sé por qué.”
“Uhm alright… wanna help me clean now?”
“Sure.” She said reluctantly, clearly wanting to go back to playing on her iPad.
——
It’s about 5pm now and all the kids (19 and lower) have gathered in his room. It was him, Ian, the girls, and his titi’s new born baby Lucas. The food is almost ready and they’re wasting time playing uno.
“You know Lucas doesn’t need to play right,” Ian said teasingly as Sesa gave Lucas 7 cards he could barely grab. “Oye, está bien, jugaré por él, ¡no podemos hacer que se sienta excluido!” She rebutted while sticking her tongue out.
“Okay okay, I get it!” He chuckled.
“Who wanna goes first?” Miles said. “The baby should,” Lisa giggled. “Hm, yeah you’re right. Youngest first!”
“Damn,” Ian cursed, which caused Sesa to let out a gasp. “¡No maldigas delante del bebé!”
“¿Cómo sabes que es una mala palabra? Apenas sabes inglés.” He said unimpressed, which she gave no reply to.
“Okay guys can we actually play now?” Lisa complained.
“Yeah, your turn Sesa.”
“Lucas’s pedo… tres verdes!” She grinned proudly as she set her- or Lucas’s- card down.
“Wait, does she get to go again?” Lisa said confused. Sesa is the youngest after Lucas after all. “That’s not fair!”
“We agreed on youngest first though, she’s next.”
“Fineee,” she huffed.
“Okay go Sesa.”
“Uhm… skip!” She laughed.
“Well the youngest after Sesa is Lisa so…” Ian said awkwardly as Lisa looked like she was about to rip out her own hair. Or Sesa’s.
“Um okay, guess it’s my turn,” Miles laughed awkwardly, their trouble when they’re together but he’d rather that than them fighting. “Skipped you Ian.” He said smugly as he placed his red skip down on the deck.
“Oh, is that how it is?” He said grinning.
“Fine then.”
——
His mamí and abuela came just in time with the food before they all killed each other. Sesa and Lisa were throwing looks at each other, Ian kept targeting him, and even Miles himself was close to throwing a card at someone’s head like he’s Hisoka.
Of course things weren’t mended yet, but the food acted as a truce. No tearing each others throats out until there was some pumpkin pie in their system.
“Okay guys, we have Pastellios, baked Mac and cheese, lasagna, yams, mashed potatoes, corn, arroz con gandules, and some turkey of course. Dig in!” His mom said proudly, Thanksgiving was always her favorite, since she got to cook for the people she loved and gather them all together.
“Thank you,” they all said, grateful.
And Miles was about to go ham on the turkey when his abuela all stopped them. “What about the prayer?” She said incredulously. Oh right, we’ve haven’t done those since she last visited. She’s very strict when it comes to that, but they forgot this year since it’s been so long. Oopsies.
“Oh we must’ve forget in the midst of things heh heh,” Rio laughed awkwardly as she made panicked eye contact with his dad. “Yeah we would never! We actually pray everyday when Miles is around! Right Miles?” Jeff rambled as he glanced at his son.
“Yeah…”
“Okay good, now everyone go around and say what they’re thankful for. I’ll go first. I’m grateful that all my family is gathered here with me to eat my daughters wonderful dinner.” She smiled.
“Aw ma, you helped too!” His mom said, but you can see that she was tearing up a little. “You did the most.” Abuela shook her head.
“Okay, Sesa is next. Di por qué estás agradecido niña.”
“Uhm I’m thankful for being able to go twice in uno earlier.” She grinned. “I had Ian teach me that in English just to say it.” She giggled mischievously while Ian looked away from Lisa’s betrayed gaze.
“Uhm okay…” His Titi, Ian and Sesa’s mom, said hesitantly as they moved on.
Most of the people went around the table, mostly the adults, when it finally got to Lisa’s turn.
“I’m grateful that I’m not stupid and actually know English unlike someone!” She said while glaring as Sesa.
“Woah, we do not talk like that young lady!” Her dad said sternly.
“¿Qué dijo?” Sesa said, confusingly glancing around the table. “No es nada.” His own mom said, looking stressed out.
“Uh! It’s my turn!” Miles said quickly so that the attention would be on him. “Yeah go ahead son,” his dad said enthusiastically, immediately understanding what he’s doing.
“What are you thankful for hijo?” His mamí smiled softly.
“I’m thankful for… having the opportunity to go to a good school and having… my family here?” He said slowly as he pulled shit out of his ass. He wasn’t particularly thankful for his school itself, but he couldn’t just tell his whole family that he’s thankful for meeting a singular boy. He is thankful that he gets to see his cousins again though, even if there’s a feud between them right now.
“Aw that’s sweet,” His mom said.
“Yeah, very sweet. And cheesy,” Ian snickered, which Miles stuck out his tongue to.
“Well okay that was… nice. Now we can eat!” His dad exclaimed.
———
After eating, Miles rushed to get ready- not forgetting his backpack with his wallet and other stuff that might come in handy- and told his parents he had to get back before curfew that conveniently was only 30 minutes away. But not before promising to be back with all his stuff for the weekend tomorrow after school. His mom would force him back by his ear otherwise. School or not.
Running down blocks, he took advantage of his dad calling out of work today and therefore not being there to catch him and decided to stick a bunch of stickers around the city on his way. He didn’t actually have to run, the park they planned to meet up at is a ten minute walk away, but he can never be too careful.
Arriving at the park, he carefully glanced at every angle. 1.because Hobie has a habit with messing with him and 2. It’s 7 o clock and being at a park in the dark isn’t safe and if his dad knew he would be scolded by now.
And sure enough, he said a tall shadow behind him with spikes on his jacket was trying to creep up on him. “Boo!” Miles said himself, grinning at the way Hobie froze.
“Heh, you’re learning,” the lovable punk chuckled. “Yeah yeah, wanna take the bus or a cab?” Miles said, getting right to the point.
“A sherbert, and don’t worry about the bread for it, I’ll pay.” He grinned while wrapping his arm around Miles, not even his shoulder but his back, and guiding him towards a bench to sit on.
“Again? Dude I can’t keep having you pay for everything.” He frowned while taking the chance to lean just a little bit closer to Hobie. “You paid for my Jiminee earlier didn’t you? Don’t think I didn’t notice.” He said smugly as Miles look away embarrassed. He thought he was slick when he brushed over the tickets and just asked for the time yesterday.
“I guess.” He sighed.
“Oh you do, don’t you?” The punk said with a shit-eating grin on his face. Which somehow reminded him of a certain surprise he had for him.
“Yo Hobie guess what I got for you?” Miles said cheekily as Hobie tilted his head. “Leftovers!” He cheered as he reached into his bag and pulled out a tin foil plate.
“I don’t know what you like other than chips, but I figured that my moms arroz con gandules is irresistible so…” he shrugged awkwardly. “I also put some mash potatoes and turkey in there. Would’ve gave you some baked Mac and cheese too, but that shit was gone after my first serving. Sorry, but my house is a warfare on thanksgiving.” He sighed. He really tried to save as much as he could for him, but he won’t lie and say he wasn’t part of the reason half the food was gone.
He looked over at the boy after rambling a little only to see him just staring at him. Not saying anything, not even blinking. And Miles wasn’t far behind, getting lost in his eyes.
Admittedly, there wasn’t anything special about them. But why would there need to be when everything else about the boy is so special? His hairstyle, his piercings, his ideologies, and most importantly, his personality.
Miles doubts anyone else would bribe a janitor with chips so he can skip, or have the charisma to make it work. And Miles doubts that anyone else would comfort a jittery new kid that’s skipping for the first time, nevertheless one that was staring at him. Cause that’s what he did, didn’t it? He comforted him, gave him food, and then bloomed an unexpected friendship.
Maybe that’s why Miles was always so attracted to him.
“Thank you,” Hobie smiled softly, gently grabbing the plate. “You think I can finish it before the Jiminee comes?” He said, bringing back the joking tone and cutting the- what we atmosphere it was- in half.
“With my moms cooking? You’ll be done by the time it’s halfway.”