“I know.”
"And why did he keep all of this a secret? It's like he doesn't want anybody to know that he's rich. Why?"
"I don't know, but now you know why we broke up."
"He won't even ride with Asher and Chad in their awesome cars."
"For some reason, he likes to ride the bus."
"He wouldn't even admit to being their cousins."
"Nope."
"All this is very confusing."
"Yes, very. You can imagine how I feel."
Chapter 28
The fog, as thick and burdensome as ever, became even more opaque as she kept walking swiftly. This time no eerie yellow eyes stared at her and no puzzle lay at her feet.
“You’ve got to turn around and go back to your destiny,” the serene woman’s voice said, her light silhouette close to Selena.
“Stop bugging me about destiny,” she answered, irritated.
“The puzzle is waiting for you.”
“I don’t like puzzles,” Selena insisted.
“But this one is your destiny.”
“I already told you—“
“Don’t fight this, Selena.”
“Listen, I don’t want to go back. Those spooky eyes are there.”
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking they’re not here.”
“They’re here?”
“Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not around.”
“So what do I do?” Selena asked fearfully. “How do I get rid of them?”
“Face your destiny. It’s the only way.”
Chapter 29
During lunch period, Selena sat with Moonflower and Saul. After having had another one of her peculiar dreams, Selena barely touched her food. Her world had become almost unrecognizable to her. Quietly in her space, she tried not to glance at Xavier who as usual, sat by himself. She painfully winced when Cherise, with tray on hand, walked over to Xavier and plopped herself down next to him. She wore a tight black mini skirt and a gray form-fitting blouse.
Moonflower's mouth flew open in surprise. "I can't believe she did that," Moonflower whispered.
Cherise swung her hair, and her flirty voice filled the cafeteria. "I saw you were by yourself and thought I'd sit with you. I hope it’s okay."
"It’s not," Xavier stated.
“What?” she asked, surprised.
“It’s not okay.”
"You don't actually like being by yourself, do you?"
"Yes, I do."
"But, Xavier—-"
"Excuse me," Xavier said as he stood up with his uneaten lunch and went to the dumpsters to dump it. He stepped out of the cafeteria with everyone in absolute shock. Cherise’s bottom lip trembled and her eyes, shiny with water, stared desolately after him. Selena unclasped her trembling hands.
Moonflower giggled. "Xavier.”
During Science class, Selena stared at the huge clock on the wall. Her once favorite time of the day now dragged. The second hand sluggishly dawdled and Selena could hear the clicking sound it made as it tried to move forward. Relief poured from her when the bell finally rang.
Selena avoided looking at Xavier while on the way home. When the bus stopped, she was the first one out. Rushing with Antonio to her house, she didn't let out a single breath until she opened her front door.
"How was school today, Selenita?" asked Mrs. Spinoza.
"It was fine."
"Just fine?"
"School is school."
Mrs. Spinoza sighed in frustration. "Sit down, preciosa. We've got to talk."
"About what?"
"You know what."
"If you want talk to me about Xavier then please don't. I don't want to talk about him."
"Selenita, you haven't said a word about him since you broke up with him."
"I don't want to talk about it, Mom."
"You miss him, don't you?"
"Mom, I don't--"
"Sit down," ordered Mrs. Spinoza. "We're going to talk about this. I'm not going to let you carry all that junk inside of you."
Selena's sad eyes became teary. "But, Mom, I don't want you to be worrying about me."
"I'm a mother. It comes with the territory."
"You've been through so much. I don't want to cause you any more pain."
"I'm in more pain by seeing how much you're hurting and not letting anyone inside."
"Mom, I really miss him," she murmured. Mrs. Spinoza gave her a warm hug.
"Talk to him, preciosa."
"But dad will never accept him."
"This isn't about your dad and him. It's about you and him. Your Grandmother Chela says that every person has to be responsible for their lives, their successes, and their failures."
"What if what is broken can't be put back together?"
"Selenita, you'll never know unless you try."
"Mom, he's so secretive. How can I know that I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing?"
"Talk to him, Selenita. Get it all in the open, and then you can decide what's right for you."
Selena nodded. "I think I'm ready to talk to him."
Tomorrow, Selena decided she would ask to see him after school. A twinkle of hope lit up the darkness that had engulfed her.
Selena hurried to the bus stop with an aching amount of anticipation spreading through her. In the early morning, while she was feeding her troop, the dawn seemed ready to give birth to a new inspirational day. But the longer she waited for Xavier to arrive, the more panicked she became. He didn’t seem to be coming. Moonflower briskly stepped up to Selena with Saul in tow, and she seemed anxious to inform her of something.
“Sel, the world is upside down!”
“What?”
“We are but players in this comedy of errors called life.”
“Moonflower, let’s tone down Shakespeare and tell me what you’re talking about.”
"You know how Xavier left Cherise sitting alone in the cafeteria yesterday?" asked Moonflower, her words rushing out.
"Yes, " Selena stated, wondering where Moonflower was headed.
"Guess where Cherise had dinner last night?"
"Don't tell me she ate at the Montgomery house,” Selena said, panic hitting her throat.
"Yes, and . . ."
"What, Moonflower? What?" Selena asked, her voice shaky.
"Maybe I shouldn't say anything."
"Tell me, Moonflower,” Selena pleaded.
"I don't want to hurt you, Selena. I should keep my big mouth shut."
"You'd better tell me!"
"Tell her," stated Saul. "She should know."
"Rumor has it that Xavier and Cherise are double dating with Asher and Steve this weekend."
Chapter 30
“That can’t be true!” Selena exclaimed, the sharp beating in her heart thunderous.
"I hate to tell you this, Selena," declared Saul. "But Chad told me this himself. He said his cousin is going out with Cherise."
Selena’s mouth was so dry, it seemed to have lost all its sustaining juices. “I guess . . . I guess Xavier can do whatever he wants.” It came out of her mouth like a firecracker wanting to explode.
"I'm sorry, Selena. I shouldn't have said anything. Me and my big mouth."
"Don't worry about it, Moonflower."
“I’m so gi-normously sorry, Sel.”
“I’d rather know than not know,” she murmured.
“Maybe it’s really not true after all,” Saul declared, trying to muster all the optimism he could. “Maybe Chad was lying.”
If there was a question as to whether the new information was true, it dissipated when Selena arrived at school. Xavier soon stepped out of Chad's sleek silver Porsche and so did Cherise.
“Xavier is a monstrous villain,” Moonflower blurted, eyeing him furiously.
“Yeah, what she said,” agreed Saul.
“He’s a freakoid cheater, Sel. You’re better off without him.”
&nbs
p; Saul nodded. “Yeah, a freakoid. You’re too good for him, dude.”
“I always knew there was something evil and sinister about him—like he’s Laurent from Twilight. I always knew it.”
“Me too, my butterfly dudette.”
Normally, Selena would’ve asked them to tone down the Moonflower-speak, but she was too numb to push words out of her mouth. She just let them go on and on about Xavier as she melted into herself.
A surreal dense fog surrounded Selena through out the day and her skin twitched uncontrollably pinching her. During lunch, Xavier didn't show up at all, and Cherise sat at the ugly table. Is that a good sign? Selena wondered.
Where is he?
“I bet Xavier is hiding in some corner, planning his next evil move,” Moonflower whispered dramatically.
“Yep,” agreed Saul.
Maybe he had left early, thought Selena. But he ended up in Science class looking innocent, as if he hadn’t caused her world to shatter. Selena came close to turning to him and yelling at the top of her lungs,
HOW COULD YOU BETRAY ME WITH HER?
But she knew she didn't have a right to ask him such a question. She had been the one to let him go.
And he has forgotten me.
"Mom, have you seen, Antonio?" asked Selena, worried. She had walked up to Mrs. Spinoza in the kitchen.
"No, but I thought he had met you at the bus as usual."
"Yes, he did, but I just took his dinner to him, and I can't find him."
"He's got to be somewhere around here. Is the gate closed?"
"I didn't lock it."
"Selena, you know that Antonio knows how to open it."
"He's never left here without me."
"I'm sure he's not too far. He can't be without you for long."
Selena anxiously stepped out to look for Antonio. While feeling fairly sure that he wouldn't run too far, she was frightened that a tragedy might happen like a vehicle running over him.
"Antonio!" Selena yelled frantically.
As she was about to call out again, she heard Antonio's deep yelps. She let out a long breath, freeing the choke hold on her throat. She swiftly turned toward the barking, ready to take Antonio in her waiting arms but froze as soon as she saw who was with him.
Chapter 31
"Hi," Xavier said quietly.
"Hi," answered Selena, her heart thumping so loud she feared Xavier could hear it.
"I thought you'd be looking for him," he said as he patted Antonio on the head.
"How did you find him?"
"He showed up at my house."
"What?"
"My uncle almost called animal control," Xavier said, frowning.
"Why did he go to your house?"
Xavier stared at Selena for a few seconds, his dark eyes anchoring themselves onto hers. "Maybe he thinks we belong together."
Fury ripped through her as she stepped away from him. "He doesn't know that you're going out with Cherise this weekend!"
"Who told you that?"
"Your cousin, Chad, has been spreading it around."
"Are you jealous?" he asked.
"No."
"Then why are you all flared up?" he asked, stepping into her space.
"Are you or are you not going out with Cherise this weekend?" Selena asked impatiently, meeting his gaze.
"Of course not,” he answered, irritated.
"Didn't she have dinner with you and your family?"
"She had dinner at the house, but I'm not the one who invited her,” he stated, his stare unwavering.
"Why is Chad saying you're going on a double date with her?"
"I agreed to go to the movies with him and some of his friends. I guess he invited her too."
"So it’s not a date?"
Xavier shook his head impatiently, his fluid eyes insisted on staying on hers. "No!"
"Cherise is very pretty."
"I guess to some people she is,” he snickered. “Not to me."
"But--"
"She doesn’t compare to you."
Selena rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Xavier.”
“What?”
“I know what I look like, and I don’t look at all like Cherise.”
“Be grateful that you don’t,” he said firmly. “She’s ugly. You’re beautiful.”
“I’m not sexy like she is.”
Xavier rolled his eyes. “There’s more than one way to be beautiful.”
“She’s got all the guys crazy for her.”
“So?”
“But—“
“Cherise is ugly. You’re beautiful,” He repeated with even more firmness and a slight irritation in his voice. “Please stop fighting with me about this.”
Selena nodded shyly. “Okay. Thanks for the compliment."
"I've missed you so much, Selena."
"I’ve missed you too,” she admitted. “You weren't on the bus this morning."
Xavier stepped nearer to her. "It's been hard being close to you but not with you, so I made myself ride with my cousin."
Selena nodded. "You didn't eat in the cafeteria today.”
"I haven't been very hungry lately."
"Me neither."
Xavier's gaze swept inside her like warmth from a fireplace during a blizzard. "So if you miss me, why are we still apart?" he asked quietly.
Selena looked at him tearfully. "I've been asking myself that question."
Xavier's arms encircled her and the strength of his robust heart drew her into him. As their lips lightly but with full intention touched, a painful electical spark erupted. They jumped away from each other.
“Ow! Not again!” Selena cried, rubbing her lips.
Xavier chuckled darkly.
“What’s so funny?” asked Selena.
“Don’t you see?”
“See what?”
“Every time we separate and then come together, this happens. Haven’t you noticed?”
“I don’t understand,” Selena muttered, trying to see sense in what Xavier had said.
“We’re not meant to be apart emotionally. Don’t you see?”
“But—“
“I’ll show you,” he said, as his lips touched hers again with a warmth and vibrancy that made her forget for that moment all the hurt and questions left unanswered. When he finally managed to tear himself away from her, she looked at him with amazement.
“See—no shock. I told you,” he declared.
“You’re right,” she murmured.
“As long as we’re together, we don’t electrocute each other.”
Selena’s eyebrows raised. “I don’t know what to think about all of this. I don’t know . . .”
“You don’t know about me?” Xavier murmured softly.
"I . . . I . . ." Selena mumbled.
"I know, I know," Xavier said. "You are still having doubts about me."
“Yes.”
“I don’t blame you,” he mumbled.
"I know so little about you."
"I'll tell you about me, okay?"
"Okay."
"I don't want anything to ever keep us apart."
Antonio barked and pointed his nose towards Selena's home, and she looked at her watch.
"I've been gone for a long time. I think Antonio is trying to tell me that my parents are probably getting worried."
Xavier nodded. "When can we talk?" he asked with a slightly demanding tone.
"Tomorrow, after school. Dad doesn't get home until late."
"I'll talk to him after I've finished talking to you."
They quietly walked towards Selena's home. The voluptuous sunset with streaks of pink, gold specks, and shades of orange stealthily sunk in the horizon leaving the desert in an in between stage, between light and dark. Just before arriving at Selena’s home, Xavier bent his head towards her and by the time his warm lips landed on hers, she was anxious with the anticipation. Deep waves of magnetic energy pull
ed them close together as they held each other. Xavier’s strong arms wouldn’t let her tumble to the ground with the intoxicated force that had suddenly hit her.
“No electroshocks anymore,” he stated, grinning when their lips parted.
“Just sparks,” Selena asserted, out-of-breath and smiling back at him.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said softly as he reluctantly left her. She grabbed the fence pole, steadying herself.
Is this what mushy love is all about? she asked to herself as Antonio eyed her while wagging his tale.
Feeling off balance?
Chapter 32
Selena’s heart trembled like colorful jello as she arrived at the bus stop. Sometimes dreams and reality were hard to separate. Had last evening really happened? Had Xavier and her actually talked? How would he react to her today? Would he even be at the bus stop?
"Are you okay, Sel?" asked Moonflower, concerned.
"I'm great."
“You don’t have to fake it with me, my shattered, broken-hearted, and betrayed BFF.”
“Yeah, dude, we’re your friends.”
“We know what you must be going through—excruciating pain, agonizing—“
"Look who's taking the bus today," stated Saul, surprised.
Selena turned around to find Xavier walking towards her, and she prayed that her knees wouldn't buckle.
"Hi," he said to all three of them.
"Hi," Moonflower answered with a surprised expression.
"Hey," growled Saul.
Moonflower’s grinding glare zeroed in on Xavier, shoving her indignant fury as close to his face as she could get it.
"Good morning," Selena greeted.
Xavier aimed his movie star smile at her. “Yes, good morning,” he murmured. Then he walked away, leaving his particular light musk scent dancing in Selena’s nose. She realized with warmth spreading through her that he was giving her some space.
"Are you talking to him again?" whispered Moonflower, her arms crossed in front of her.
"Sometimes you have to give people a chance," Selena stated.
“Sel—“
“He’s not going out with Cherise.”
“Are you sure he’s not trapped in her gi-normous man-net?” questioned Moonflower.
“Are you sure about him, dude?”
Selena nodded. “He’s a good guy.”
“Maybe that’s what he wants you to believe,” Moonflower rushed dramatically. “But in reality, he’s dark and sinister like the gruesome monster in a horror movie.”
Selena shook her head. “Guys, Xavier is not a horror movie character but thank you for worrying about me.”