Restroom
628 Words
Anésio found Maya entering the restroom, which was a single restroom at the end of the hallway. It was the opportunity he needed to talk to her, because in the cafeteria or at the classroom door, she always fled. She ran from him, even hiding behind Emma. There was no way to talk to her alone, because Maya used any excuse to escape. He had waited and couldn't talk to her, but he didn't want to wait any longer because he was afraid another guy would get there first. They were always looking at her.
So he followed her into the restroom, entering right behind her, and slamming the door. Maya was startled.
"No, Anésio." She pleaded.
"You don't need to be afraid, Maya. I just want to ask one thing. You don't give me the opportunity to get close."
"I can't, I can't, Anésio, I know what you want, and the answer is no."
"You don't know what I want, you can be sure you don't know, Maya. I don't want to do what some guys do with cheerleaders in the locker rooms."
"Let me out, they'll see us here. And the school administration will call my mom."
It wasn't true, the school administration didn't care much about what happened in the restrooms, as long as it didn't cause problems for the school.
"Is the baby in the window yours? I know you don't have a boyfriend, but do you have a child?"he asked.
"Get out, or I'll start screaming." Maya replied, trying to stay calm.
"Scream, but first, answer, Maya. If the baby was yours, I wouldn't mind. Have ice cream with me, and you can bring him. I'll help take care of him, learn to change diapers, and prepare bottles." Anésio insisted.
Maya thought he was crazy. She took a deep breath and replied:
"He's my brother, Anésio. Now, let me through."
He let her pass, but first handed her a warm sweater.
"Why are you giving me this?" Maya asked, confused.
"Because I know you're cold. You only have two sweaters, and it's not enough. I bought a pair of boots and socks too." Anésio replied. "I didn't bring them because I thought you wouldn't accept them."
Her mother would buy her new sweaters, but it would take time, because the daycare costs for her brother were very high, and the cheap daycare homes were bad.
"You can't do this. There's nothing between us."
"I'm just taking care of you. Just let it be, Maya. I bought it with my money for you. It wasn't my mom's money."
Anésio did activities for his classmates, even swapped tests to answer, and with that, he earned money for his lunch and Maya's clothes. He had good savings, but he was reserving them for buying a house and starting a business. He wanted to graduate, have a family and children, and he wanted to do all those things with Maya from the first time he saw her. And he was always taking care of her.
Every day, Maya felt more torn between indecision. Anésio's care was disconcerting, and his insistence on helping her, even though she refused, was starting to touch her heart. No matter how much she tried to keep her distance, it was hard not to notice how much he cared.
"My mom won't let me keep the sweater." She said
"Let me go to your house. I'll talk to your mom, ask for permission to go out for ice cream, and if you need to bring your brother, I don't mind."
"I don't know, I don't know. Let me through."
He opened the door, and she left.
It was only after she ran to the classroom did Maya realize she hadn't used the restroom.
- Writer
