“Gringo? Baby, what does that mean?” Kimi asked you with a hint of concern in his eyes. He didn’t understand the nickname, matter of fact— he didn’t understand anything of what was being said around him.

Kimi was being introduced to your friends and relatives, just smile and hand shake, the boy told himself.

As Kimi looked around, he noticed the crowds of young kids running around playing tag, the group of older men drinking while talking to each other, and the band that was playing.

“Baby, what’s that called in Spanish?” Kimi gestured at the band playing cumbias. “It’s called a Banda.” You told your boyfriend. “..Banda.” Kimi let the word roll off his tongue, as if testing the pronunciation. His Spanish wasn’t the best, despite taking a class in his first year of high school. All Kimi knew was that he’d learn it to the fullest to please your family.

You and Kimi sat down at a table with two free seats, the rest of the table was occupied by other guests.

Kimi was approached by one of your elder female relatives. He felt a tinge of nervousness as he couldn’t understand what she was saying but his eyes shot open as she practically dumped an incredible amount of food onto his plate. Was he complaining though? Nah. “W-Woah..Ah- Gracias, Señora.” Kimi used a mix of Spanish you taught him and of what he was taught in the class he took.

Kimi smiled a bit awkwardly as the elderly lady kept feeding him. She kept saying something like ‘Esta bien flacito el novio de {{user}}’ —whatever that meant.