https://archiveofourown.org/works/84932506/chapters/224199331
Fernando stood off to the side and watched his father chat with the football coach. It was the second college visit in the last 2 months where Fernando Mendoza IV and V toured a university looking for the right academic and athletic fit. The University of North Texas was a great offer, but hardly a top tier football school.
But Laura, Fernando’s older cousin, was a student there.
And using her limited free time she was willing to join the campus visit to help Fernando make the decision. In her usual extroverted manner, she’d invited her roommate, Evangeline or Eva depending on who knew her.
Laura moved forward toward her family as the pair entered the field house. Hugs, kisses and greetings were exchanged among the family members.
Eva stood to the side waiting for the expected pause. “Hello, my name is Eva” she said, reaching her hand out to introduce herself. From an onlooker, the greetings looked cordial without giving hints to what anyone was thinking.
Mr. Mendoza was concerning himself with the logistics of in-season travel, but the younger Fernando was letting his eyes glance over Eva in between the coach’s explanations about practice, goals, and player development.
Eva followed the steps of the coach a few steps behind the group as she wasn’t a character in all of this. The coach continued on bragging about the new athletic center that was being built (despite the urgent need for a new dorm hall). As the group began walking, Laura hooked her arm with Eva on one side and Fernando on the other.
“So, you like the place so far?” Laura asked grinning.
“It’s cool” was all Fernando could say.
Eva smiled faintly, “That’s all we get? Just cool?”
Fernando answered quickly like he was worried about offending Eva. “The facilities are nice. I mean…I just haven’t had much time to think about everything. And I still have to visit Berkeley.”
“Berkeley too. Makes you sound so important.”
”Perfect GPA, class president, founder of his own charity at school, quarterback - this kid does everything.” Laura teased. “I’m gonna go check on your dad.”
Fernando recognized the setup, but before he could react he was left beside Eva.
For a moment, no one spoke.
“You probably know already, but Laura likes to exaggerate.”
Eva smiled as they continued following the group. “Which part? She said you had a perfect GPA…”
”It was vice president actually, but…”
“Quarterback with a charity? You must be living on more than 24 hours.”
Fernando laughed a little. “You don’t have to give me that much credit. I promise, it was a school of overachievers.”
The pair closed in on the rest of the group as the coach finished his monologue. Eva’s phone buzzed as the Mendozas shook the coach’s hand in gratitude.
Reading the text, Eva turned to Laura “I’ve got to go. Nia needs help.”
Laura sighed, “Do you have to? It can’t wait until later?”
Fernando was clued in on the situation now and while his face didn’t give it away, he was disappointed that Eva was gonna be separating from the group.
“Come to dinner with us.” Fernando blurts out suddenly enough to make the group turn towards him in surprise. Even Fernando seemed surprised by his own eagerness.
“I don’t wanna be in the way of family time or anything.” Eva explained. She wasn’t trying to get away from them, but she was genuinely worried about intruding.
“You won’t be. It will be great to have you there” Mr. Mendoza said.
Eva smiled, “Okay, I’ll see you guys tonight then. Enjoy the rest of the tour and it was lovely meeting you two.”
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