Page 94 of Through My Window
Why did Ares have to ask me out today? I still remember his soft voice on the phone when he asked me to please sneak out. How could I say no? I obviously hadn’t thought it all through when I said yes. The only one who can save me is Dani.
I call her, and she answers on the third ring. “Funeral HomeLas Flores, how may I help you?”
“How long are you going to do that, Dani? I told you it’s not funny.” She lets out a guilty chuckle.
“It’s funny to me. What’s the matter, grumpy?”
“I need you to pick me up.”
“Aren’t you grounded?”
“Yes.” I lower my voice even more. “But I’m going to sneak out.”
“What, what, what,whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?” Dani exaggerates her tone. “Welcome to the dark side, sister.”
I let out a long sigh. “Just come and get me, but wait for me at the corner of my street.”
“Okay, but you’re leaving out the reason why you’re going to sneak out. Will you go out partying with me today?”
“No, I have . . . plans.”
“With?”
I hang up the call and tuck pillows under the sheets to make it look like someone is in my bed, although I know my mother won’t check. She doesn’t think I’m capable of sneaking out, and, well, honestly, until a few hours ago I didn’t think I was either.
I carefully leave the room. The lights in the house are already off, so I poke my head into my mom’s room. I never thought I’d be so happy to hear her snoring. She’s sleeping soundly, probably because she had a shift last night and hasn’t slept at all until now. A pang of remorse stops me for a second, but then I think of a certain pair of dazzling blue eyes, and that’s enough to motivate me to get out of the house.
The cold hits me hard when I step on the street. I’m not wearing a jacket, so I hug myself, rubbing my forearms as I walk. The street is well lit, and there are a few people outside chatting. I wave and continue on my way.
Waiting on the corner, shivering from the cold, I realize that maybe I should have waited in the warmth of my house a little longer. It’s barely six minutes later. Dani doesn’t live far away, but there are several traffic lights, and I know traffic can get heavy at this hour.
I am freezing to death. Do you see everything I do for you, Greek God?
When I see Dani’s car, I’m so relieved that I smile like an idiot. I jump in, and she drives like crazy all the way to her house.
Eighteen outfit attempts later, to say I’m being indecisive is putting it mildly. Dani has given me multiple options and they’re all cute, but I want to look perfect for him and nothing seems perfect to me. I know he’ll look beautiful in whatever he wears. I feel the need to look my best. This is the first time that I’ve dressed up in a special way to see someone.
Ares still gets all my first times. How am I going to get over that man if he keeps doing that?
“I vote for the skirt, blouse, and boots,” Dani says, chewing Doritos with her mouth open.
“So classy,” I say sarcastically.
“They look great on you and adapt to any occasion; we don’t know where you’re going.” She’s right, I wonder if we’re going to Artemis’s bar or some other nightspot. After getting dressed, I start combing my hair when I see Dani stand up and come toward me, pointing her orange Doritos-stained finger at me. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
I turn around nervously at her serious tone. “Yes?”
“I’m really glad that idiot finally confessed his feelings to you, but . . .” She bites her lower lip. “Remember that he hurt you a lot, and I’m not saying to hold a grudge or anything, I just want you to make him earn your love. You’ve always served it to him on a silver platter, and he hasn’t appreciated it. A few nice words aren’t enough, baby. You’re worth a lot. Let him realize that, too, and let him fight and earn your affection.”
I feel a small pang in my chest at her words, and she must notice the change in my expression because she smiles.
“No, I’m not trying to ruin your first date, it’s just my duty as your best friend to tell you the truth, even if it’s not pretty. You deserve the world, Raquel. I know it, and that idiot needs to know it too.”
I smile back. “Thank you. Sometimes I get carried away by my feelings and lose track of everything I’ve been through with him.”
She squeezes my hand. “I love you, silly.”
My smile widens. “I love you, too, silly.”
