Page 63 of Through You
“Ma’am, my feelings for him are genuine, I—”
“Silence.” She put up her hand. “If what you feel for him is genuine, then you want what’s best for him, right?” I nodded. “So, we agree. Because you, Claudia, are not what’s best for him. You do know this, right? How could the daughter of a former drug addict and prostitute be worthy of a boy like Artemis?”
“I believe that’s up to him to decide, not you.”
Her expression hardened.
“Girl, you need to watch your tone. I’d hoped you would choose the easy way.” She released a dramatic sigh. “Well, then it’s the hard way. I’ve already discussed this with my husband, and unfortunately, if you decide not to go along with our decision, you and your mother will need to move out of this house—tonight.”
The blood in my veins froze with fear. No. Not life on the streets again. And the countless men coming after my mother.
She’d stayed clean for years. I couldn’t let her go back to that life.
And we had nothing to fall back on out there.
Mrs. Hidalgo crossed her legs. “Oh. Have I put you in a difficult position? You just have to make a choice between your mother and this childish crush.”
Of course I would choose my mother, over and over again.
And she knew this.
“All right, ma’am. I’ll do as you say—I’ll push him away.” I got up when I felt tears welling up, clouding my vision. “I should go to bed now.”
That night I wept in silence until I ran out of tears and my chest hurt from sobbing.
I spent the best night of my life with Artemis that Fourth of July, the night of the fireworks. He bought me cotton candy, ice cream, and even a stuffed pig, which he paid for when we both failed to win at one of those fairground games.
When it was time for the fireworks, we sat on the grass to watch the spectacle in silence. I snuck a quick glance at Artemis; his gorgeous face was illuminated by the colorful flashes, but that wasn’t why I loved him so much. It was who he was deep down when we were together. He was so kind and understanding. He was with me for every one of my nightmares, and during my most vulnerable moments. He fought the bullies at school who picked on me for being poor, or because of my mother. He always stood by me, offering warmth with his gaze and calming peace with his beautiful smile. I wanted to stay like that with him for longer because after that night, all of that would be over. I was watching the show in the sky again, getting lost in the bright colors when I felt him place his hand on mine. My heart began to pound fast.
But I didn’t pull my hand away.
Don’t say anything, Artemis. Please, let’s stay like this a littlelonger.
I turned to look at him. Before I had time to process his intentions, he moved in swiftly, grabbing my face and giving me a kiss. His soft lips pressed against mine, and I melted on the spot.
My first kiss . . .
I was glad it was with him.
You need to make a choice: your mother or this childish crush.
I fought my aching heart, and I pushed him away.
Artemis pulled away from me. I tried to seem indifferent, but I was afraid that if I tried to speak, I’d cry instead. The wounded look on his face hurt me. I watched him get up and turn his back on me.
“Artemis . . .” I called, my voice breaking. But he was gone already.
I’m sorry, Artemis. I am so very sorry.
My mom is already in bed when I arrive home after visiting Grandfather. I sit next to her and watch her sleep. She’s made many mistakes in her life, but she’s my mother. I will always choose her over anyone. On the night table, there’s the stuffed pig that Artemis bought me that Fourth of July. Of course I still have it. I pick it up and hug it tightly, feeling both nostalgic and anguished.
“I did want to be your girlfriend, Artemis,” I tell the stuffed toy. “I wanted to be with you.”
Eighteen
It’s because of him, isn’t it?
CLAUDIA
