Page 165 of Through My Window
“Ares,” I hear one of them shout from behind me. I stop and turn to see who’s calling me. Cecilia walks toward me slowly, smiling.
“I . . .”
“What?” I demand. My voice takes on its usual icy, defensive tone.
“I don’t understand,” Cecilia says. “You and her, it doesn’t make sense.”
This girl has no idea how cold and brutally honest I can be. She’s only seen my sweet side; the one that only comes out with Raquel and no one else.
“You don’t have to understand. It has nothing to do with you.”
“I know . . .” She takes another step toward me. “But you’re just so perfect . . . and she’s so . . .”
“Stop.” I warn her. “Be very careful about what you say about her.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything bad.” She pouts.
“The truth is, I’m not the least bit interested in what you have to say,” I cut her off and leave. “Good night.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Raquel has her hands on her hips. She looks upset. “Ares?”
“I don’t know,” I reply.
It’s a few days after her birthday party, and we’re finally alone again in her room. The bad news had come in various forms: e-mails and rejection letters. The main reason they gave was that the deadline for scholarships had passed, and that the spots were already taken by people who had applied on time.
Raquel had found out from Apolo because I hadn’t told her when I started getting responses. I didn’t know how to tell her. I had given up hope, but she hadn’t. I didn’t want to take that away from her.
I can’t lie, the rejection makes me sad, but my consolation is knowing that at least I’ll be able to attend the same university as her. I’ll be miserable studying business, but at least I’ll be miserable next to her.
“Are you mad at me?” I ask. Raquel sighs and puts her hands around my neck.
“No,” she says, giving me a short kiss. “I’m so sorry it didn’t work out, but we’ll figure something out.”
“Raquel . . .” I shake my head at her.
Her eyes meet mine. “No, don’t even think about giving up.”
“Do you think I want to give up? But we can’t cling to nonexistent hopes either.”
“Did you try talking to your grandfather?”
“What for? He already told me he won’t get between me and my father.”
“Go back and talk to him,” she pleads. I shake my head. “Ares, he’s your last resort. Please try again.”
“I don’t want to be rejected again,” I admit, lowering my head. Raquel holds my face, forcing me to look at her.
“One last try. Please?” she asks again. I kiss her softly, my fingers tracing her cheeks slowly. When I step back, I smile at her.
“One last try.”
Grandpa Hidalgo doesn’t seem surprised to see me. He’s sitting in my father’s study. Claudia is sitting next to him, laughing at something.
“Hello,” I say a little nervously. “How are you, Grandpa?” He smiles at me.
“Some days are better than others, that’s how old age works,” he replies. I take a seat in the chair on the other side of the table. “Claudia, my dear. Can you ask my son and Artemis to come in here for a moment?”
He’s calling my father and Artemis? What for? This is not going to end well. Claudia exits, closing the door behind her.
