THIRTY-SEVEN
The Test
- RAQUEL -
Friends . . .
What was I thinking when I said that?
I’m dying to text him. He hasn’t contacted me much, just texts saying that he’s dealing with something and he’ll talk to me soon. It’s been several days now.
How the hell does he plan to win my affection this way? Did something happen with Samy? What if he doesn’t want to fight for me anymore? What if he decided to give up? My mind has run through so many options that I’m bordering on insanity. Could that be his plan? To ignore me so I’ll give in and take him back like it’s nothing. Ha! In your dreams, Greek God.
With a grunt, I close the book in my hands. I put my face on the table. Dani sighs next to me.
“It seems that the punishment you imposed on him is affecting you more than him.” Dani turns the page of the book she’s reading. “He’s never been easy to understand, so I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”
I mess up my hair in frustration.
“I’m supposed to be in control now, but this silence is killing me.”
“Maybe that’s his plan, don’t you think? That you’ll miss him so much that when you see him, you’ll jump all over him, forgetting about starting out as friends.”
“You think so?”
“Shhhhhhh!” The librarian hushes us.
We both gave her a smile. We came here to see if we could finally finish reading the book that the literature teacher assigned us. I like to read, but that particular teacher only assigns outdated, boring books. I’d like to say I appreciate a good classic, but I would be lying.
“The exam is tomorrow; we’ll never finish reading it,” I murmur quietly so as not to attract the librarian’s attention. Dani pats me on the back.
“Have some faith. We’re already on page twenty-six.”
I cover my face. “Twenty-six of seven hundred, we’re lost.”
I can’t remember the last time I read a book for one of these assignments. How have I survived this class without reading? And then I remember: Joshua. He always helped us with these assignments, and in return, we helped him with any other subjects he had difficulty with.
A wave of sadness sweeps over me as I think about him. The three of us used to come here to read and do our homework. Why did he have to betray me like that? How could he throw away a lasting friendship like that? His sweet smile invades my mind, and I remember the way he adjusted his glasses and wrinkled his nose when he told me how he felt about me.
I like you, Raquel, I really like you.
I can clearly remember the vulnerability on his face when he said that. I can’t deny how much I miss Joshua. He’s always been a part of my life, and I care about him so much despite everything.
The men in my life are anything but normal.
I am so deep in my thoughts that I don’t notice the person standing in front of our table until his hands place four sheets of paper and two coffees in front of us. I look up.
Joshua gives us a smile. “This is the summary of the book. It has key points that only a person who read it would know. I think you’ll be fine if you read and study this.”
Before I can say anything, he turns and leaves. Dani and I share a surprised look. She picks up the sheets and goes through them.
“He’s crazy,” she says. “But this? It’s perfectly worded and understandable! God, thank you! And coffee.” She kisses the coffee. “I must say I don’t hate him so much anymore, this—”
Dani stops cold when she looks at me. “Oh, I’m sorry. I got a little excited. We don’t have to accept his help if it makes you uncomfortable.”
It’s not that. His smile, his willingness to help. His expression was so genuine.
Joshua has always been easy to read, the opposite of Ares. Even now when I’m supposed to be in control of the situation, I don’t know what Ares is thinking, or what he wants, or how I’m supposed to interpret his silence. I wish I could read Ares the same way I can read Joshua. It’s understandable, though, because I’ve had a lifetime of knowing Joshua, whereas with Ares it’s only been a few months.
Time . . .
Is that what I need to understand this man?
“Raquel?” Dani waves her hand in front of my eyes. “Are we going to accept this or not?”
I hesitate for a moment, but there’s no point in turning it away. Joshua won’t know if we use it or not. “We’ll accept it.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon reading the summary and studying for the test.
Friday
“We passed!” Dani shouts, checking the grades on the site.
“Ahhh!” I jump up and hug her tightly as we spin around like crazy.
We separate, scream, and hug each other again. We’re still at school even though the last class is over. We were waiting to see if the teacher would post the grades from this morning’s test.
“What’s all the fuss?” Carlos appears at our side.
We separate again, and Dani pinches his cheeks. “Leech! We passed the Lit exam.”
“Ow!” Carlos breaks free, stroking his cheeks. “Really? We need to celebrate; it’s on me.”
“For the first time, you say something intelligent,” Dani gives him five, surprising us both. She must be in a very good mood to accept an invitation from Carlos.
Joshua comes out of one of the classrooms and walks in our direction. He’s wearing his backpack on one shoulder, and a hooded sweater, with his unruly brown hair escaping from his hat. His honey-colored eyes meet mine, and, for a moment, his steps waver as if he doesn’t know what to do, but then he continues walking.
Carlos opens his mouth to say something, but Dani grabs his arm and shakes her head. Joshua passes me on one side, lowering his gaze. I know I should at least say thank you, but the words don’t want to come out of my mouth. Will I ever be able to forgive him? Am I being hypocritical for giving Ares so many chances and not being able to give my best friend a second chance? These are questions to which I still don’t have an answer. Dani seems to read my mind and turns to him.
“Hey,” she calls. Joshua stops and turns to us slightly. “Thank you.”
He just smiles at us and continues on his way. However, I can’t help but notice the sadness in his eyes, and, for the first time, I put myself in his shoes. Joshua has no other friends other than Dani and me. Socializing has never been his forte. People only approach him for notes or help. He’s always been in his world of comics, books, and video games.
He must be so lonely now . . .
Dani appears at my side and takes my hand, squeezing it.
“He made his own decisions,” she says. I look at her. How can she read my mind so well? “You’re having a hard time because of him. It’s okay if you feel bad, but don’t feel like you have to forgive him, take your time.”
I manage to smile, and, taking one last look down the hallway where he disappeared, I try to focus on the fact that I passed the test.
“I think we should go,” I tell them.
Carlos smiles from ear to ear and hugs me sideways. “To celebrate with the owner of my heart!”
Dani grabs him by the ear. “Don’t get clingy, or you won’t go with us.”
“Ouch! Ouch! Got it.”
We leave school, teasing Carlos because he didn’t pass and yet he’s going to celebrate with us. I’m laughing when I cross the corner into the parking lot, and my eyes fall on a black car that I recognize.
I halt in my tracks. Dani and Carlos continue on ahead for a few steps until they realize that I’ve stopped walking. Dani gives me a confused look.
“What’s wrong?”
My poor heart feels him before my eyes can see him, and it begins to beat desperately. I stop breathing, clenching my sweaty hands at my sides. My stomach feels funny. God, I had forgotten the effect that boy has on me.
And then it happens.
Ares gets out of the car, closes the door, and leans his back against it. He puts his hands inside the pockets of the black leather jacket he’s wearing. He looks at me and the world around me disappears as those blue eyes meet mine.
I missed you so much . . .
I want to run to him, jump up, and hug him tight until he complains. I want to take his face in my hands and kiss him until I run out of air. I want to feel him against me, with his warmth enveloping me.
Where have you been, you idiot, that you’ve made me miss you so much?
I focus on the anger and frustration I felt from not hearing from him this week. I try to push away the fantasy of running to him and hugging him, while he spins me around like in the movies. This is reality, and if he doesn’t learn now, he’ll never learn how to value me.
I have to be strong.
Catching my breath, I calm my heart and walk toward him, passing by Dani and Carlos.
“I’ll be right back.”
As I walk toward him, I can’t help but think about what I’m wearing. My worn-out jeans, old boots, and pink wool sweater aren’t the best things in my closet, but how was I supposed to know that Ares would show up out of nowhere? At least my hair is in a decent ponytail. I stop in front of him, and up close he looks even more handsome. How does he have such long, beautiful eyelashes? I’m so envious!
Focus, Raquel!
Crossing my arms over my chest, I lift my chin.
“His Majesty decided to honor us with his presence,” I joke.
Ares smiles, and my control wavers. Without warning, he takes my hand and pulls me to him. I crash into his chest. His scent fills my nose, making me feel safe. He puts his arms around me in a tight embrace and rests his head on mine. He leans in to whisper something in my ear.
“I missed you too, Witch.” His voice is as soft and calm as ever.
Like an idiot, I smile against his jacket and close my eyes.