Page 83 of Follow My Voice
Ellie sighs and takes our hands. Her serene expression is enough to shift the mood. The simple fact of having someone, of not being alone in hard times, changes everything.
We walk into class together and, luckily, Yana isn’t there. Diego has his head down on his desk, and he’s wearing sunglasses. I’m sure he’s asleep. I sit behind him and begin poking him in the back with a pencil until he wakes up.
“I wasn’t asleep,” he says, adjusting his glasses.
“You’ve got a little drool here,” Perla teases, pointing to her mouth.
He wipes his face, even though there’s nothing there.
“Did you stay up late playing video games again?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“What video games? Maybe I’ve been partying and drinking at Congress Social with a bunch of hot girls.” He smiles.
I give him an incredulous look.
He sighs. “Yeah, I was at home gaming. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re playing online. Oh, I played Kang yesterday and I kicked his ass.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Diego gasps exaggeratedly and takes off his sunglasses. “You insult me.”
“What games are you into?” Ellie asks, so softly that it’s hard for us to hear. She clears her throat. “Maybe you and I can play online sometime.”
“No offense, Ellie, but I don’t want to have to kick your ass.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You assume you’ll beat me because I’m a girl?”
Diego scratches the back of his neck. “No, no; I didn’t mean that.”
“Then, challenge accepted? Or are you too scared?”
Diego smiles slyly. “Challenge accepted.”
They stare at each other for a second and Perla and I exchange a mischievous glance. There is a palpable chemistry between them. I can sense it even if Diego hasn’t noticed it.
Wow, Klara, you’ve barely had your first kiss and now you think you’re some kind of matchmaker.
My cheeks burn as I remember Kang’s face so close, the gleam in his eyes, the feel of his lips on mine… A part of me still can’t believe it happened. All weekend I was barely able to sleep or pay attention to the things Kamila and Andy talked about. I hope I don’t get too nervous if I see Kang today. We’ve been texting, but we haven’t seen each other since the party on Friday. Since we kissed, my first kiss. A huge grin spreads across my face every time I think about that moment. I shake my head and try to pay attention to the lecture, which has just begun.
We walk to the cafeteria together after class, rolling our eyes at Diego, who’s narrating another one of his crazy stories. Ellie watches him and lets out a sigh. Perla, for her part, shakes her head. This has now become a part of my routine before going home, the cafeteria no longer an unfamiliar setting and the company of my friends making me feel comfortable and safe.
“Have you seen that new action movie that just came out?”Diego asks. “We should all go together. Going to the movies is more fun as a group.”
“I like horror movies,” says Perla. “Blood and gore.”
“Me too,” Ellie agrees. I’m glad she’s feeling comfortable enough to open up more, and she seems to have put Yana’s revenge behind her. “Not blood and gore, but more suspenseful, psychological horror,” she clarifies.
Diego shakes his head. “And here I thought you were such sweet young ladies,” he teases them. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter what the movie is, we should go, right?”
That reminds me of my date with Kang on Wednesday. Only two days away! I still have to tell Kamila. I remember Kang’s strange reaction when he saw my sister. I’m dying to ask him about it, but I don’t want to make him uncomfortable. I thought about asking Kamila, but I didn’t dare. For some reason, that’s way worse.
“That’s a great idea. Wanna go this weekend?” Perla says.
I nod; I have no plans. In fact, I think it’s the first time in ages that I’ve had plans twice in one week: with my friends and with… Kang.
36Congratulate Me
“HOW DO YOUfeel?”
