Wendy Darryl

“That’s fine with me.” Wendy replied as she gently bitten down on her lower lip. Her mind retrospecting the rules, but proceeded to chat with the girl casually anyways. “Just by curiosity though what other books do you have out?”

Raphi leaned over the counter, resting the side of her head on her closed fist. “I have a Van Gogh biography and a book with a bunch of drawing prompts in it.”

“Oh, good!” She smiled when he laughed. “It seems like most of Spain doesn’t have the space bubble or it’s not lengthy, right?”

“Do both of you share the same page for those social Medias?” Wendy asked. It was something she needed to tap down on her phone.

Finally, the two approached the front of the library.

“Most of Europe. But it’s weird cause we’re also way colder in other social aspects.” Tulio admitted. “Less empathetic.” 

“No. Here, I’ll give you Migue’s too, he’ll probably accept you right away.” He said, giving her the names.

He opened the library door, holding it for her and following her inside. “Let’s return those stolen books.” 

Wendy softly chuckled. “It’s lovely how I’m finding much more readers these days.”

“Mm, just random stuff at times, though specifically I like reading into history, cinema analyzation, and human interaction.” Wendy smiled at her interest while she shrugged her shoulders. “Boring, right?”

“I’m in my second year.” She couldn’t help, but to glance up and down at her to see if she recognized her. “If that’s the case. I don’t remember you unfortunately. What grade are you in? ”

“Rare treat, isn’t it? We’re a dying breed.” She smiled, paying attention to Wendy’s words. “Huh, those are pretty varied. I have to say, the cinema thing sounds like something really fun to delve into. Do you have a favorite genre?” Meg grinned at the last item. “As a Human Resources minor, I’m completely fascinated by that topic. I find nothing boring about you.” She actually meant it. Generally, Meg felt a certain apathy towards most people, but the younger girl actually charmed her. “That explains it. Oh, I’m antique and almost out of here; a fifth year.”

Wendy gave the girl a small smile as she sustained eye contact with her. “I’m certain you’re fine miss. How many do you want to check out?”

“Seven.” She smiled warmly, placing her hands on the counter. “I am terribly rude; I never fail to see you here and yet, I don’t think I’ve ever asked your name. I’m Ellie.”

She beamed when she heard the girl’s response and laughed a little as her eyes dragged away from the computer screen to her. “Hello Ellie. My name is Wendy.” She said as she presented her hand to shake hers. “You seem very polite Ellie.”

“It seems like a few topics of culture that touches upon stuff like this, such as, human development, anthropology, and psychology.” She uses her free hand to exchange a casual way of ‘all well’ gesture and moved on. Nothing that she reads a lot. “It was discussed in Clotaire Rapaille’s book The Culture of Code. In Japan, for example, must people have a space bubble when socializing; whereas if you go over to parts of the other world like France that space bubble, when socializing, is a lot more closer and people don’t mind being touchy. Like shaking hands, or if you’re close to that person, giving them hugs and doing those side cheek kisses in public. It’s not that the Japanese are not affectionate, but there’s a culture difference that can be acknowledge of being appropriate and what’s not.”

Wendy glanced over at Tulio to check if he seemed bored, so she ended up chuckling nervously and remarking on her own behavior. “But that’s boring, right Tulio?”

“Definitely!” She seemed excited about the idea of hanging out and getting out of the library when she can and when it’s responsible to. “Just by curiosity does your family have social media to keep contact with you?”

Tulio listened intently. “Oh, I think that space bubble is almost nonexistent in Barcelona, We do two of those side cheek kisses every time we greet someone.” He said with a laugh. “That is very interesting, I will look it up.” He added, making a mental note to look for the book later that afternoon. “It’s not boring at all, I find it very interesting.”

“Sure, add me and Miguel. We’re as Tulio and Miguel Dorante on Facebook and Insta.” He said happily.

“Do both of you share the same page for those social Medias?” Wendy asked. It was something she needed to tap down on her phone.

Finally, the two approached the front of the library.

Meg’s laughter was contagious, so she didn’t feel bad for chucking with her. She smiled bashfully as she prepared a response. “I normally like to fiction, but like digging in research papers.” She shrugged her shoulders feeling somewhat ashamed of that fact. “Which is quite boring, right?”

She begin walk slowly towards the library, though her pace wasn’t too fast. She wanted Meg to catch up. She seemed like a pleasure so far. “I’m Wendy.” The brunette held her hand out for the other girl, so they can shake hands. “It’s nice to meet you Meg.”  

“I won’t even bother asking what’s your favorite book, cause even I’d be offended.” She grinned. “I love fiction too, a distraction from real life is always welcomed, isn’t it?” Meg quirked an eyebrow at the girl. “Interesting…what kind of research?” The brunette looked at Wendy with a slight shake of her head. “Not at all, I’ve found whomever finds stuff like that boring; have boring mind themselves…because they’re basically empty.”

“Right back at you, Wendy.” Meg shook the girl’s hand, a sincere smile on her face. “You look familiar, what grade are you in?”

“Mm, just random stuff at times, though specifically I like reading into history, cinema analyzation, and human interaction.” Wendy smiled at her interest while she shrugged her shoulders. “Boring, right?”

“I’m in my second year.” She couldn’t help, but to glance up and down at her to see if she recognized her. “If that’s the case. I don’t remember you unfortunately. What grade are you in? ”

While Wendy types in the required information on the computer, she glances up at the person, over the counter of the library, and asks. “Is this all you’re checking out today?”

Raphi nodded, “I have to return the other three books I have at home before I can check out any more. They’re overdue.”

“Hm, that’s interesting.” Wendy replied simply, though it was an fascinating subject to intently listen to.

The brunette shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

After hearing his statement, she laughed softly. Using her free hand to cover her smile since she was pretty self-conscious of it. “Besides just Mexican food do you just want to hang out over the weekend? Perhaps it’ll be less lonely.” She offered.

“It is. I’ve wanted to read up on it, but honestly I haven’t had the time to look for any good books relating to it. Just a couple of online articles.” 

“Oh, well. The good thing is we’ve got telephones and video calls and all that.” Tulio smiled. “Yes, we hang out and watch movies or go to the beach. We invite friends over sometimes. You’re always welcome.” 

Wendy glanced over at Tulio to check if he seemed bored, so she ended up chuckling nervously and remarking on her own behavior. “But that’s boring, right Tulio?”

“Definitely!” She seemed excited about the idea of hanging out and getting out of the library when she can and when it’s responsible to. “Just by curiosity does your family have social media to keep contact with you?”

“Well…” She begin to counter. “I do like to read. Though your assumption is correct miss. I do work at the library.” Wendy chewed on her lower lip. “Thanks for walking back with me. What’s your name?”  

“Miss? Aww. Alright, I might just keep you.” Meg chuckled. “What do you usually like to read?” She shrugged, following along. “No need. I’m Meg, what’s yours?”

She begin walk slowly towards the library, though her pace wasn’t too fast. She wanted Meg to catch up. She seemed like a pleasure so far. “I’m Wendy.” The brunette held her hand out for the other girl, so they can shake hands. “It’s nice to meet you Meg.”  

“Is it culture wise between Spain and California here?” She asked curiously as the two were nearing the library on campus.

“Mm.” Wendy sounded as she took her time to think about it. She gently bitten down on her lower lip before nodding her head. “I probably miss more of my family.” Being honest with this concept her tone was slightly hurt and slowed down as a result of a burning throat feeling. Producing more of her UK accent. She couldn’t help, but to glance down at the cement that was presented to them as they walked. “It’s okay, though.” Wendy’s eyes met up with his and her smile soften. After all she didn’t want to come off as sad. It wasn’t very lady like in their culture to display such emotions publicly. “At least my family and I stay in touch in the meantime. I suppose everyone on this campus misses someone. Like you possibly do.”

“Yeah, I think it’s very closely related to culture and what people value more in each one. It’s weird, I was brought up in Spain but some things about the place always clashed with me, they’re more common here.” 

Tulio offered a sympathetic smile. “Sí, that makes sense. I miss my family a lot too, but you get used to it. Are they going to visit anytime soon? I think PTA’s coming up.” He shrugged. “Honestly I miss my mom a lot, and her cooking. I’ve tried to replicate it but I fail miserably most of the time.” He chuckled at the memory of the last time he’d tried to make gazpacho. “But, if you’re ever lonely or whatever and want to try some really bad Spanish food, Miguel and I do it every weekend.” 

The brunette shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

After hearing his statement, she laughed softly. Using her free hand to cover her smile since she was pretty self-conscious of it. “Besides just Mexican food do you just want to hang out over the weekend? Perhaps it’ll be less lonely.” She offered.

Wendy shrugged her shoulders as a response.

“Seems like this area is close to being relatable to Spain. Perhaps you’re good at finding beauty in different locations?” She said while trying to relate back to him while the two continued to walk towards their destination. “I’m originally from London. Not to stereotype the states, but I figured it’ll be all English speaking people. Which I ended up finding out a lot of people are bilingual especially here. Now I enjoy the music and Mexican food, though I had to get used to the spicy food.” She chuckled. It was something she had to confess out loud, but never done so.

“I try to. It’s just a different… energy. I don’t know how to explain it actually, people’s energies are different. But both places are great, honestly.” Tulio laughed. “I have a cousin in Mexico. But I actually hate most Mexican food, just not my thing. Except for mole. That stuff’s awesome.” He shrugged. “I honestly thought the same thing, but yes, there are a lot of cultures converging here. Do you miss London a lot?”

“Mm.” Wendy sounded as she took her time to think about it. She gently bitten down on her lower lip before nodding her head. “I probably miss more of my family.” Being honest with this concept her tone was slightly hurt and slowed down as a result of a burning throat feeling. Producing more of her UK accent. She couldn’t help, but to glance down at the cement that was presented to them as they walked. “It’s okay, though.” Wendy’s eyes met up with his and her smile soften. After all she didn’t want to come off as sad. It wasn’t very lady like in their culture to display such emotions publicly. “At least my family and I stay in touch in the meantime. I suppose everyone on this campus misses someone. Like you possibly do.”

“The retrieving.” Wendy replied.

“Hm…eh, why not? I‘ve time to spare.” She began walking along with the girl. “I’ll assume you work at the library and don’t usually go looking for books just as a hobby?”