Like a vanilla ice cream
Title: Like a vanilla ice cream
Pairing: David Ferrer/Igor Andreev
Other characters: Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and this is a fiction.
Summary: David finds out that his friend Igor has broken up with Kirilenko.
I look in the mirror, tie my bandana firmly around my head and smile.
Aww, I can smile better than this, no?
Today’s a happy day because my good friend Igor asked me to play doubles with him. We’ve played together a couple of times and frankly, I missed playing with him so it’s good to be back with someone I can really trust.
I pick up my tennis bag since I’ve got practice with him in ten minutes. I think I’m a little bit more excited today because since a few days ago, I have this feeling that I might be falling in love with my dear friend. We’ve practiced a lot against each other in Valencia and had all sorts of fun together. Well, I know he’s dating that cute Kirilenko girl and he’s probably not gay but isn’t it a good thing that you can still fall in love?
“Sorry, I’m late!” I stop running and apologize to Igor and our practice partners, Feliciano and Fernando.
“It’s okay. But what made you late? You’re never late.” Feliciano asks with an arm hooked around his boyfriend’s neck and I have to scratch the back of my head.
“I had to retie my bandana a couple of times, he-he.”
“Well, it looks great!” Igor gives me the thumbs up and I grin like a child.
“So shall we begin practice before Feli jumps me?”
“Nando!”
“What? It’s not like they don’t know about us.” Fernando grins and we all grab our racquets to start practicing.
As Feliciano wanted to serve first, Igor and I are waiting across the net. I can see Feliciano whisper in his boyfriend’s ear for a little bit too long.
“Don’t people just cover their mouths with the ball when they discuss tactics?” Apparently, Igor noticed Feli’s gesture too.
The whispering turns into nibbling at the ear and I shout out. “Feli, we’re here to practice tennis, no?”
Feli finally puts some distance between Fernando and him and comes up with a huge serve.
Igor fails to return it and I can hear him mumble. “Huh, maybe we should try whispering too.”
Okay, now, I’m looking forward to our service game.
Scratch that. I’m not looking forward to another service game. I can hardly listen to what Igor has to say because all I can feel is his soft, warm breath near my ear and who knew that I was so sensitive?
“Huh?” I ask him for the third time.
“Sorry, Igor, I didn’t sleep too well last night.” I come up with a complete lie but Igor is kind enough to understand and repeat.
I nod, feeling so much better that I finally understood his words and get into position near the net.
Igor serves a huge serve out wide and as Fernando returns it towards me, I jump up and smash the ball ever so dramatically.
“Yay!!” I go over to Igor and hug him when all we won is just one point on our serve.
Fortunately, Igor doesn’t take it awkwardly, he just hugs me back and it motivates me even more to play well. So we stick to the same pattern for the first few games; earn a point and hug. I love playing doubles.
“Hey, I’ve got something to tell you.” Igor speaks as we take a short break.
“What is it? You decided to change your partner?” I giggle, hoping that it won’t be true.
“I broke up with Maria.”
He says it all too nonchalantly that I have to ask him again. “Huh?”
“You really did sleep badly, didn’t you?”
While I wonder if he’s mad at me for not hearing things correctly, I feel a warm hand carefully land on my forehead.
“At least you don’t seem to have a fever. Did you have a bad dream?”
His voice is so gentle and caring that it makes my body tremble.
“No, not really. But why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you break up with her?” I take a sip from my water bottle.
“Because I think I’m into guys.”
“What?” I start choking frantically and even manage to shoot water out of my nose. Ouch, it stings.
“You’re okay, David?”
Of course, I’m not okay. You just told me that you’re gay. I don’t know if I should be happy or sad for him but what I know is that I’m glad that he’s not telling me this during a changeover in a real match. Otherwise, I would’ve needed a medical timeout.
Igor draws circles on my back with his palm until I stop coughing. Maybe I should go on coughing because his hand feels so good on my back.
“Is he okay? What’s wrong with him?” Feliciano asks from the other side and Igor answers.
“He’s mourning for me but he’s all right.”
I cough a little more just to show everybody that I’m not all right but Feliciano gives me a quick look and goes back kissing his boyfriend.
“Seriously, do they really have to kiss like that during practice?” Igor asks but I’ve got another question for him.
“What type of guys do you like?”
Then I realize that I lost my manners. “Oh, sorry. I’m very sorry for you. She was a wonderful girl. Never mind what I asked.”
Igor looks at me with an interesting look on his face. He doesn’t look mad. But then what is he thinking about? Oh, maybe he wants to make fun of me. I must look horrible after all that choking. I wanted to look good and well, it’s getting sad...
“I’m glad you stopped coughing. You already have enough tears in your eyes.”
His fingers gently sweep under my eyes and I realize that I really had a deadly choke. I’m glad that Igor was right next to me to save me.
“You wanted to know what type of guys I like.” His voice is bright but I don’t think I’ll like his answer. He must be looking for someone like prince charming, no?
“Hmm... let’s see. I like someone who’s slightly older than me. Younger ones still don’t know what life is all about.”
Hum... I’m born fifteen months earlier than him so I fit the profile. I mean, I know that he’s not talking about me. It’s just wishful thinking.
“And, I’d like to be with someone who can grin like a kid. You know what they say. Adults don’t laugh anymore when kids laugh almost four hundred times a day!”
I nod. True. Igor should be with somebody who knows how to smile and laugh.
“Of course, it’s always important to go out with a hard worker. I’m already quite lazy myself so it’s better if I’m with someone diligent.”
Uh-huh. At least he’s got some good taste.
“Now since they’re still too busy making out, would you like to hear more specifics?” Igor looks over at my Spanish friends and we both blush a little.
I would never have the courage to grope someone in public like what Fernando’s doing right now. Right, they’re not too shy. I forgot. They even posed in the nude. I wonder what Igor would look like in the nude... and I just didn’t picture one of my best friends without clothes! I didn’t!!
“David, you want to stop practicing? You don’t look okay. Maybe I should stop boring you with my ideal guy thing.”
“No, no! I want to know more!” Okay, I just answered a little too eagerly but he doesn’t laugh too much so I guess it’s okay.
But when he is just about to provide me with more details, Feli yells at us.
“We should go back to practice, no?”
Urgh... just when I was getting my hands on some precious information. Thank you, Feli. Thank you very much, urgh.
The rest of the practice passed in a blink of an eye. Every time Igor and I scored a point, we shared a quick hug. And, I’m not complaining about that. It was nice, very nice, believe me but I wanted to share a kiss like what my friends across the net did the whole time. I’m a little bit worried about their lips, though. Well, maybe their lips are still in a better position than mine. My cursed lips haven’t even gone anywhere near someone else’s for a very long time.
I steal a glance at my Russian friend who’s busy packing his tennis bag. I can see his strong back muscles through his white T-shirt. I wish I could lay my hands on them, feel them move under my touch.
So there’s no doubt that I’m in love with my friend now. Yes, I think I made it pretty clear to myself today.
“Is anyone up for an ice cream?” Feli asks with excitement and my hand shoots up in the air even before I know.
“Vanilla!” I shout out.
“Cappuccino!” Igor shouts out too.
“Okay, then. Since Nando has to leave me to meet his physio, I’ll let you two have the honor to eat ice cream with me. My treat!” Feli announces playfully and we run off the court like ten year olds.
“So did you hear about Igor’s new love?” Feli sits next to me on the bench while Igor is busy on the phone. I want to focus on my vanilla ice cream but Feli’s question is quite interesting.
“Huh? What new love? He’s got a new hobby?”
“No, I mean new love.”
“He told me that he was into boys now.” I shrug and lick my ice cream once more.
“So did he tell you which specific boy he’s into?”
“There’s a special boy?” I open my eyes wide and Feli chuckles.
“So you don’t know.”
“Quit teasing and tell me already.”
“He’s an athlete, a world-class tennis player.”
Now I’m hurt. I thought Igor and I were much closer friends than Igor and Feli. Well, Feli’s beautiful. Everyone wants to be close friends with him. And now, he’s telling me that my friend wants to go out with a top tennis player? Ouch.
“He’s inside the top 30s?” I ask.
“Better than that. He’s a top 10 player.”
My brain tries to remember the exact ranking that was announced this Monday. Roger already has his other half, Rafa and Novak are younger than him, Nikolay is married then there’s Andy who’s got a fiancée, Nalby has... Oh my god, is it Nalby? Wait a minute. It can be James too, no? I try to picture Igor with Nalby and then Igor with Blake. Neither of them looks that pretty.
“He’s got long hair.”
Oh, it’s Nalby then!! Igor speaks Spanish fluently so they won’t have any language barriers. Aww, I envy him. I really do.
“A-ha-ha.”
I’m going through a very painful moment and my good looking friend here has to laugh at me.
“What’s so funny, Feli?”
“You are.” He’s still busy laughing and I don’t like him laugh.
“Why am I funny? Do I have ice cream around my mouth?”
“No, your face just looks funny right now.”
“Thank you very much. Not everyone is born with a perfect face like you, no?” I know I shouldn’t be so upset and enjoy my ice cream but now, it doesn’t taste that delicious anymore.
“Hey, what’s with all the pouting?” Igor’s back and I wonder what Nalby has that I don’t.
Well, now that I think about it, he’s taller and speaks English better than I do. He’s got one of the best backhands in the business and has more titles than me. Urgh, he even has the Tennis Masters Cup title.
I make a long face and Feli answers in my place. “He’s not happy with your new love.”
Feli goes on chuckling. I didn’t know that he liked to see me in such a miserable state. Mean Feli. Bad Feli.
“He already knows? But I wanted to tell him myself.”
“Nah, he doesn’t even have a clue, Igor. You know him, he never knows.”
Thank you, Feli, once again for letting him know that I’m not that smart. You’re a terrible friend, no? I lift my arm to push Feli off the bench but he senses danger and jumps up.
“He’s become all cranky so I’ll leave him to you!” He shouts and runs away with his chocolate ice cream. Too bad I couldn’t push him.
“So I wanted to tell you something important.” Igor sits next to me and speaks in a serious voice but I’m not in a mood to play the good friend.
“Yes, yes, Feli already told me. You like David.”
Igor looks at me with surprise in his eyes. “How did you know that his name is David? I thought Feli said that you didn’t have a clue.”
“Well, bad news for you then. I’m smarter than you guys think.”
Igor laughs out so loudly that it bothers me.
“What? You don’t think that I’m smart enough to figure that out?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You know what? You go and tell David that you want to go out with him. I’m sure he’ll be very happy to hear that. And I’ll just go back to my hotel and die in bed.”
I know that I’m being rude and acting like a very bad friend, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to know who Igor likes and I’m sick of myself for falling in love with my own friends. Last time this happened, it was Rafa and he just flew into Carlos’ arms. And now look what’s happening? I start to have a crush on him and he’s about to go straight into Nalby’s arms. Lucky me.
I get up from the bench, throw the half-eaten ice cream cone away and wave a hand in Igor’s direction without even looking at him.
“Hey, where are you going?” He shouts at my back.
“I told you that I’m going back to my hotel.” I wish that he would at least try to stop me but he doesn’t even stand up.
“But I have to ask you if you want to go out with me.”
“Yeah, whatever.” I ignore what he just said and take a few more steps before my heart stops.
Wait a second, what did he just say?
I turn around like a wooden doll and open my mouth to ask him to repeat.
“Ah... Ee... Wa...”
What’s wrong with my tongue? Where did my Spanish go? I can hear Igor laugh again and I really don’t feel good about it.
“David, would you like to go out with me? Dinner, perhaps?”
Okay, now my ears have a problem as well. Is he practicing his lines with me or is he really saying it to me?
“Huh...?”
Yes, I really should go and die in bed. What’s Huh?
“Oh, David, have mercy on me and don’t make things too difficult. Would you please go out with me? Please?”
“Um... Are you sure you’re talking to the right David here?” I give him a confused look.
“Of course, I’m sure! How can you even think that I’d like the other David?”
“I don’t know. Feli said that you liked a top 10 player with long hair so...”
“And you fit the profile.”
“But I just had a haircut a few days ago so...”
I know that it’s a lame excuse but how would I have known that he would be interested in me? Big surprise, no?
“So what do you say? Yes or no? I dumped such a beautiful girl just for you.”
Igor finally stands up from the bench and I step a little closer to him.
“Of course, I say yes. I don’t want to turn down a golden opportunity, no?” I kind of yell at him unintentionally. Where did that anger come from?
“Oops, sorry, I’m very happy to say yes, Igor. Of course, I am. I’m just so... full of emotions right now. I mean I thought you liked Nalby and Feli was teasing me and he said long hair and we played together before and...” I decide to stop looking stupid and shut up.
Igor walks even closer to me and wraps his arms around me.
Oh, this is not good. I can’t breathe properly.
“So how about today at seven? You’ve got other plans tonight?”
“No. And even if I had any, I would’ve canceled them right away.”
Igor laughs again and this time, I don’t mind hearing it. He looks at his watch and raises his eyebrows.
“There’s still a couple of hours till seven so what do you say if we get you another ice cream? You threw away half of it.”
“Are you going to pay for it?” I ask playfully and he jumps backwards.
“Aww, come on, you’re the one who earns more prize money than I do.”
“But you’re the one who asked me out.” I stick my tongue out.
I can see Igor look at me in disbelief. I don’t want him to regret asking me out so I quickly open my mouth. “Okay, I’ll pay for ice creams but you pay for dinner.”
Igor shakes his head. “I can’t believe this. You know what? I’ll just pay for ice creams and we can decide who’s going to pay for dinner.”
“How?”
“You see the ice cream truck over there? Let’s see who can get there faster.”
“You mean you want to run with me?”
“Yep. I bet I’m faster than you.”
“Oh-ho-ho, I don’t think so.”
“Well, then let’s find out. Ready, go!”
He starts to run and I follow him as fast as I can. “That’s not fair! I wasn’t even ready!”
“I don’t care! I don’t want to pay for dinner!”
“Igor!!”
Yes, you saw it right. I’m running towards an ice cream truck with my new boyfriend who will hopefully end the misery of my cursed lips, he-he.
Pairing: David Ferrer/Igor Andreev
Other characters: Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and this is a fiction.
Summary: David finds out that his friend Igor has broken up with Kirilenko.
I look in the mirror, tie my bandana firmly around my head and smile.
Aww, I can smile better than this, no?
Today’s a happy day because my good friend Igor asked me to play doubles with him. We’ve played together a couple of times and frankly, I missed playing with him so it’s good to be back with someone I can really trust.
I pick up my tennis bag since I’ve got practice with him in ten minutes. I think I’m a little bit more excited today because since a few days ago, I have this feeling that I might be falling in love with my dear friend. We’ve practiced a lot against each other in Valencia and had all sorts of fun together. Well, I know he’s dating that cute Kirilenko girl and he’s probably not gay but isn’t it a good thing that you can still fall in love?
“Sorry, I’m late!” I stop running and apologize to Igor and our practice partners, Feliciano and Fernando.
“It’s okay. But what made you late? You’re never late.” Feliciano asks with an arm hooked around his boyfriend’s neck and I have to scratch the back of my head.
“I had to retie my bandana a couple of times, he-he.”
“Well, it looks great!” Igor gives me the thumbs up and I grin like a child.
“So shall we begin practice before Feli jumps me?”
“Nando!”
“What? It’s not like they don’t know about us.” Fernando grins and we all grab our racquets to start practicing.
As Feliciano wanted to serve first, Igor and I are waiting across the net. I can see Feliciano whisper in his boyfriend’s ear for a little bit too long.
“Don’t people just cover their mouths with the ball when they discuss tactics?” Apparently, Igor noticed Feli’s gesture too.
The whispering turns into nibbling at the ear and I shout out. “Feli, we’re here to practice tennis, no?”
Feli finally puts some distance between Fernando and him and comes up with a huge serve.
Igor fails to return it and I can hear him mumble. “Huh, maybe we should try whispering too.”
Okay, now, I’m looking forward to our service game.
Scratch that. I’m not looking forward to another service game. I can hardly listen to what Igor has to say because all I can feel is his soft, warm breath near my ear and who knew that I was so sensitive?
“Huh?” I ask him for the third time.
“Sorry, Igor, I didn’t sleep too well last night.” I come up with a complete lie but Igor is kind enough to understand and repeat.
I nod, feeling so much better that I finally understood his words and get into position near the net.
Igor serves a huge serve out wide and as Fernando returns it towards me, I jump up and smash the ball ever so dramatically.
“Yay!!” I go over to Igor and hug him when all we won is just one point on our serve.
Fortunately, Igor doesn’t take it awkwardly, he just hugs me back and it motivates me even more to play well. So we stick to the same pattern for the first few games; earn a point and hug. I love playing doubles.
“Hey, I’ve got something to tell you.” Igor speaks as we take a short break.
“What is it? You decided to change your partner?” I giggle, hoping that it won’t be true.
“I broke up with Maria.”
He says it all too nonchalantly that I have to ask him again. “Huh?”
“You really did sleep badly, didn’t you?”
While I wonder if he’s mad at me for not hearing things correctly, I feel a warm hand carefully land on my forehead.
“At least you don’t seem to have a fever. Did you have a bad dream?”
His voice is so gentle and caring that it makes my body tremble.
“No, not really. But why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you break up with her?” I take a sip from my water bottle.
“Because I think I’m into guys.”
“What?” I start choking frantically and even manage to shoot water out of my nose. Ouch, it stings.
“You’re okay, David?”
Of course, I’m not okay. You just told me that you’re gay. I don’t know if I should be happy or sad for him but what I know is that I’m glad that he’s not telling me this during a changeover in a real match. Otherwise, I would’ve needed a medical timeout.
Igor draws circles on my back with his palm until I stop coughing. Maybe I should go on coughing because his hand feels so good on my back.
“Is he okay? What’s wrong with him?” Feliciano asks from the other side and Igor answers.
“He’s mourning for me but he’s all right.”
I cough a little more just to show everybody that I’m not all right but Feliciano gives me a quick look and goes back kissing his boyfriend.
“Seriously, do they really have to kiss like that during practice?” Igor asks but I’ve got another question for him.
“What type of guys do you like?”
Then I realize that I lost my manners. “Oh, sorry. I’m very sorry for you. She was a wonderful girl. Never mind what I asked.”
Igor looks at me with an interesting look on his face. He doesn’t look mad. But then what is he thinking about? Oh, maybe he wants to make fun of me. I must look horrible after all that choking. I wanted to look good and well, it’s getting sad...
“I’m glad you stopped coughing. You already have enough tears in your eyes.”
His fingers gently sweep under my eyes and I realize that I really had a deadly choke. I’m glad that Igor was right next to me to save me.
“You wanted to know what type of guys I like.” His voice is bright but I don’t think I’ll like his answer. He must be looking for someone like prince charming, no?
“Hmm... let’s see. I like someone who’s slightly older than me. Younger ones still don’t know what life is all about.”
Hum... I’m born fifteen months earlier than him so I fit the profile. I mean, I know that he’s not talking about me. It’s just wishful thinking.
“And, I’d like to be with someone who can grin like a kid. You know what they say. Adults don’t laugh anymore when kids laugh almost four hundred times a day!”
I nod. True. Igor should be with somebody who knows how to smile and laugh.
“Of course, it’s always important to go out with a hard worker. I’m already quite lazy myself so it’s better if I’m with someone diligent.”
Uh-huh. At least he’s got some good taste.
“Now since they’re still too busy making out, would you like to hear more specifics?” Igor looks over at my Spanish friends and we both blush a little.
I would never have the courage to grope someone in public like what Fernando’s doing right now. Right, they’re not too shy. I forgot. They even posed in the nude. I wonder what Igor would look like in the nude... and I just didn’t picture one of my best friends without clothes! I didn’t!!
“David, you want to stop practicing? You don’t look okay. Maybe I should stop boring you with my ideal guy thing.”
“No, no! I want to know more!” Okay, I just answered a little too eagerly but he doesn’t laugh too much so I guess it’s okay.
But when he is just about to provide me with more details, Feli yells at us.
“We should go back to practice, no?”
Urgh... just when I was getting my hands on some precious information. Thank you, Feli. Thank you very much, urgh.
The rest of the practice passed in a blink of an eye. Every time Igor and I scored a point, we shared a quick hug. And, I’m not complaining about that. It was nice, very nice, believe me but I wanted to share a kiss like what my friends across the net did the whole time. I’m a little bit worried about their lips, though. Well, maybe their lips are still in a better position than mine. My cursed lips haven’t even gone anywhere near someone else’s for a very long time.
I steal a glance at my Russian friend who’s busy packing his tennis bag. I can see his strong back muscles through his white T-shirt. I wish I could lay my hands on them, feel them move under my touch.
So there’s no doubt that I’m in love with my friend now. Yes, I think I made it pretty clear to myself today.
“Is anyone up for an ice cream?” Feli asks with excitement and my hand shoots up in the air even before I know.
“Vanilla!” I shout out.
“Cappuccino!” Igor shouts out too.
“Okay, then. Since Nando has to leave me to meet his physio, I’ll let you two have the honor to eat ice cream with me. My treat!” Feli announces playfully and we run off the court like ten year olds.
“So did you hear about Igor’s new love?” Feli sits next to me on the bench while Igor is busy on the phone. I want to focus on my vanilla ice cream but Feli’s question is quite interesting.
“Huh? What new love? He’s got a new hobby?”
“No, I mean new love.”
“He told me that he was into boys now.” I shrug and lick my ice cream once more.
“So did he tell you which specific boy he’s into?”
“There’s a special boy?” I open my eyes wide and Feli chuckles.
“So you don’t know.”
“Quit teasing and tell me already.”
“He’s an athlete, a world-class tennis player.”
Now I’m hurt. I thought Igor and I were much closer friends than Igor and Feli. Well, Feli’s beautiful. Everyone wants to be close friends with him. And now, he’s telling me that my friend wants to go out with a top tennis player? Ouch.
“He’s inside the top 30s?” I ask.
“Better than that. He’s a top 10 player.”
My brain tries to remember the exact ranking that was announced this Monday. Roger already has his other half, Rafa and Novak are younger than him, Nikolay is married then there’s Andy who’s got a fiancée, Nalby has... Oh my god, is it Nalby? Wait a minute. It can be James too, no? I try to picture Igor with Nalby and then Igor with Blake. Neither of them looks that pretty.
“He’s got long hair.”
Oh, it’s Nalby then!! Igor speaks Spanish fluently so they won’t have any language barriers. Aww, I envy him. I really do.
“A-ha-ha.”
I’m going through a very painful moment and my good looking friend here has to laugh at me.
“What’s so funny, Feli?”
“You are.” He’s still busy laughing and I don’t like him laugh.
“Why am I funny? Do I have ice cream around my mouth?”
“No, your face just looks funny right now.”
“Thank you very much. Not everyone is born with a perfect face like you, no?” I know I shouldn’t be so upset and enjoy my ice cream but now, it doesn’t taste that delicious anymore.
“Hey, what’s with all the pouting?” Igor’s back and I wonder what Nalby has that I don’t.
Well, now that I think about it, he’s taller and speaks English better than I do. He’s got one of the best backhands in the business and has more titles than me. Urgh, he even has the Tennis Masters Cup title.
I make a long face and Feli answers in my place. “He’s not happy with your new love.”
Feli goes on chuckling. I didn’t know that he liked to see me in such a miserable state. Mean Feli. Bad Feli.
“He already knows? But I wanted to tell him myself.”
“Nah, he doesn’t even have a clue, Igor. You know him, he never knows.”
Thank you, Feli, once again for letting him know that I’m not that smart. You’re a terrible friend, no? I lift my arm to push Feli off the bench but he senses danger and jumps up.
“He’s become all cranky so I’ll leave him to you!” He shouts and runs away with his chocolate ice cream. Too bad I couldn’t push him.
“So I wanted to tell you something important.” Igor sits next to me and speaks in a serious voice but I’m not in a mood to play the good friend.
“Yes, yes, Feli already told me. You like David.”
Igor looks at me with surprise in his eyes. “How did you know that his name is David? I thought Feli said that you didn’t have a clue.”
“Well, bad news for you then. I’m smarter than you guys think.”
Igor laughs out so loudly that it bothers me.
“What? You don’t think that I’m smart enough to figure that out?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You know what? You go and tell David that you want to go out with him. I’m sure he’ll be very happy to hear that. And I’ll just go back to my hotel and die in bed.”
I know that I’m being rude and acting like a very bad friend, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to know who Igor likes and I’m sick of myself for falling in love with my own friends. Last time this happened, it was Rafa and he just flew into Carlos’ arms. And now look what’s happening? I start to have a crush on him and he’s about to go straight into Nalby’s arms. Lucky me.
I get up from the bench, throw the half-eaten ice cream cone away and wave a hand in Igor’s direction without even looking at him.
“Hey, where are you going?” He shouts at my back.
“I told you that I’m going back to my hotel.” I wish that he would at least try to stop me but he doesn’t even stand up.
“But I have to ask you if you want to go out with me.”
“Yeah, whatever.” I ignore what he just said and take a few more steps before my heart stops.
Wait a second, what did he just say?
I turn around like a wooden doll and open my mouth to ask him to repeat.
“Ah... Ee... Wa...”
What’s wrong with my tongue? Where did my Spanish go? I can hear Igor laugh again and I really don’t feel good about it.
“David, would you like to go out with me? Dinner, perhaps?”
Okay, now my ears have a problem as well. Is he practicing his lines with me or is he really saying it to me?
“Huh...?”
Yes, I really should go and die in bed. What’s Huh?
“Oh, David, have mercy on me and don’t make things too difficult. Would you please go out with me? Please?”
“Um... Are you sure you’re talking to the right David here?” I give him a confused look.
“Of course, I’m sure! How can you even think that I’d like the other David?”
“I don’t know. Feli said that you liked a top 10 player with long hair so...”
“And you fit the profile.”
“But I just had a haircut a few days ago so...”
I know that it’s a lame excuse but how would I have known that he would be interested in me? Big surprise, no?
“So what do you say? Yes or no? I dumped such a beautiful girl just for you.”
Igor finally stands up from the bench and I step a little closer to him.
“Of course, I say yes. I don’t want to turn down a golden opportunity, no?” I kind of yell at him unintentionally. Where did that anger come from?
“Oops, sorry, I’m very happy to say yes, Igor. Of course, I am. I’m just so... full of emotions right now. I mean I thought you liked Nalby and Feli was teasing me and he said long hair and we played together before and...” I decide to stop looking stupid and shut up.
Igor walks even closer to me and wraps his arms around me.
Oh, this is not good. I can’t breathe properly.
“So how about today at seven? You’ve got other plans tonight?”
“No. And even if I had any, I would’ve canceled them right away.”
Igor laughs again and this time, I don’t mind hearing it. He looks at his watch and raises his eyebrows.
“There’s still a couple of hours till seven so what do you say if we get you another ice cream? You threw away half of it.”
“Are you going to pay for it?” I ask playfully and he jumps backwards.
“Aww, come on, you’re the one who earns more prize money than I do.”
“But you’re the one who asked me out.” I stick my tongue out.
I can see Igor look at me in disbelief. I don’t want him to regret asking me out so I quickly open my mouth. “Okay, I’ll pay for ice creams but you pay for dinner.”
Igor shakes his head. “I can’t believe this. You know what? I’ll just pay for ice creams and we can decide who’s going to pay for dinner.”
“How?”
“You see the ice cream truck over there? Let’s see who can get there faster.”
“You mean you want to run with me?”
“Yep. I bet I’m faster than you.”
“Oh-ho-ho, I don’t think so.”
“Well, then let’s find out. Ready, go!”
He starts to run and I follow him as fast as I can. “That’s not fair! I wasn’t even ready!”
“I don’t care! I don’t want to pay for dinner!”
“Igor!!”
Yes, you saw it right. I’m running towards an ice cream truck with my new boyfriend who will hopefully end the misery of my cursed lips, he-he.