“Put away your things and we’ll eat.”
Selena and her mother sat at the dining table. The kitchen was Selena's favorite room in the house since it had so much of her parents in it. Her father had actually made the oblong, oak table and chairs they were sitting on at that particular moment. Mr. Spinoza had also replaced all the cabinets with his own woodwork, matching the table. All over the kitchen were her mother's creations from knitted oven mitts to an embroidered tablecloth and flowing bright yellow curtains. In fact, Mrs. Spinoza had sewn the curtains for every window in the house.
Selena smiled peacefully in their shared space, letting the green enchiladas melt in her mouth. Mrs. Spinoza stared at her daughter as if there was something different about her.
"Anything new at school?" Mrs. Spinoza asked suspiciously.
Selena gagged on the cheese of the enchiladas. " Well . . . kind of . . ."
"What's new?"
"There's a new boy," Selena stated.
"A new boy? What about this new boy?"
"He's kind of strange."
"Strange? In what way?"
"He doesn't talk much. . . He was in England before here . . . He says he’s a big admirer of Anne Frank . . . And all the girls at school are in love with him."
"Oh," Mrs. Spinoza said with concern. She knew that her daughter acted tough but actually had a very tender heart. If only a nice young man would see what an amazing person she was but unfortunately, at this age especially, boys were looking for Suzie Cheerleader. She remembered how Selena had had a huge crush on a boy who had broken her heart. Mrs. Spinoza sighed deeply.
"Tell me more about your day,” insisted Selena.
As her mother started telling Selena about all of her sewing projects, Mrs. Spinoza did piecework for extra money, Selena shook her head.
"Mom, that's too much work for you."
"Selena, I'll be fine. I can sew with my eyes closed."
"But, Mom—"
"Stop worrying, young lady. That's an order."
But Selena couldn't help worrying. It had only been two short years ago that her mother had come very close to dying. How could she be expected not to worry? Selena still found it hard to say the word cancer.
"Mom, I wish you wouldn't tire yourself out," implored Selena.
"I'm not."
Selena shook her head knowing she was arguing a losing battle. Her mom was going to do what she was going to do no matter what. Stubbornness was unfortunately a family trait.
"Is dad going to be late again?" Selena asked.
"He’s got a lot of work."
"He's been working too hard," Selena said, worried.
"He's fine, preciosa. Your dad is very strong."
"Mom, I was thinking--"
"No, Selenita."
"But--"
"We've already talked about this," Mrs. Spinoza said sternly.
"But it doesn't make sense why you won't let me get a part time job. You and dad need my help."
"Selenita, you've got school, and you've got to help me take care of our little farm. What would your animals do without you?"
"I can handle it, Mom."
"No, Selenita, no. Besides you've got to keep your grades high for a scholarship. Your college, your future, is what's most important. We'll manage, preciosa."
Selena shook her head in frustration. "You and dad are so stubborn," she muttered under her breath.
Chapter 6
Your destiny.
Selena abruptly woke up with those words clanging in her ears like noisy pots and pans falling from their hidden places.
Your destiny.
This time the words had been accompanied by an intense nightmare that had come at her like a tornado out of nowhere, and she couldn’t shake the sensation of still being in it. She could still feel her rapid breath, her wet clammy skin, and most of all, her overwhelming desire to keep running as the ominous dream played in her head.
Eyes.
Many, many eyes.
Fierce, yellow ones with dark, bead-like pupils stared at her from all around. The actual faces belonging to them stayed silently obscured through a thick, merciless fog with only the animal-like predator eyes pushing through the vapor. Clear and lit-up, they violently glared with unwavering obstinacy at her.
While the thick gray fog that sat like a burdensome blanket on her made her feel as if she was blind, she still kept one foot in front of the other, desperately hoping she wouldn’t trip or crash into anything head on.
“I just need to keep moving,” she said to herself, her heart beating fast.
“Turn back,” a serene woman’s voice implored behind her, the same one as in her previous dream. Selena tried to distinguish a face but could only see a silhouette through the murky atmosphere. “Go back,” the woman insisted.
“The eyes . . .” Selena couldn’t manage to say more.
“Just go back.”
“But—“
“You have to go back.”
“What’s behind there?” Selena asked.
“Your destiny.”
“My destiny?” Selena asked incredulously. “I don’t believe in such a thing.”
“You will.”
“But—“
“You can’t run away from your fate.”
“My what?”
“Your destiny.”
Selena sat up from her bed, trying to prevent herself from hyperventilating as her breathing sharpened to spastic fits. Those yellow eyes haunted her along with the serene woman’s voice that had seemed so real instead of part of a fog-filled nightmare.
What was that about destiny? Selena wondered, trying to push the word away from her.
Why does that word keep haunting my dreams?
How bizarre.
After taking care of her animals, Selena had breakfast with her mother. She poured Mrs. Spinoza’s homemade salsa over the scrambled eggs and slices of browned potatoes. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she took the first bite.
“Mom, do you believe in destiny?” Selena asked, the word still bothering her.
“Destiny?”
“Yes.”
Mrs. Spinoza grew pensive for a few seconds. “Yes, I believe in destiny.”
“You do?”
“Yes, but I also believe it’s not set in stone. I believe you make your choice whether to follow your destiny or not. Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering.”
Chapter 7
Moonflower chatted non-stop about a movie she had seen the previous night. Selena tried to concentrate on her instead of thinking about the sight of Xavier Jones easing towards the bus stop. His strong shape gracefully moved forward and his private eyes seemed lost in their own world. But as Selena finally managed to shut him out of her mind, he nonchalantly glided up to them. Moonflower hastily stopped her continuous chattering.
"Hi," he said.
"Hello," Selena and Moonflower returned in unison.
“Nice weather,” he said awkwardly.
“Yeah,” Moonflower answered, completely taken aback by him.
"Well, see you later," he said to Selena as he stepped away, his footprints on the sandy ground marking the reality that had been his presence for that tiny moment.
Moonflower stared at Selena with amazement. "What was that about?" she whispered.
"I guess he was trying to be polite."
"What?"
"He's in my World Science class," stated Selena, frowning.
"He's in your Science class?" asked Moonflower.
"Yes, that's what I said."
"He knows who you are?"
Selena rolled her eyes. "Mr. Honeybee sat him behind me so I could help him."
Moonflower looked upset. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I didn't think it was important."
"You've been hiding stuff from me."
"Don't be silly, Moonflower. So he's sitti
ng behind me in Science class. What's the big deal?"
“It’s not a big deal,” Moonflower said dryly. “But it would’ve been nice for me to know that you’ve got a freak sitting behind you.”
“A freak?”
“A freakoid,” she announced, very pleased that she had made up a new word. “The more I think about it, the more I think he’s an alluring freak. He’s weird, don’t you think?”
“Moonflower, I think he’s different, but I wouldn’t call him a freak,” Selena said, irritated.
“Haven’t you noticed that he doesn’t have any of the things the rest of us have?”
“Like what?”
“Like any gadgets or even a cell.”
“I don’t have those things either,” Selena grunted. “Maybe he doesn’t have the money for them like me.”
“But at least you wear a watch. He doesn’t even have that.”
So what?” Selena declared, very annoyed.
“He’s too inside himself—a bit loco if you ask me.”
“Moonflower, he doesn’t seem at all crazy to me and as for him being more inward than outward, a lot of people are introverted. I’m not exactly Miss Party Time myself.”
“You’re the one who called him a serial killer in the first place. Now you’re defending him,” she stated suspiciously.
“I just think we pay too much attention to him.”
“That’s not true,” Moonflower rushed.
“Let’s just leave the poor guy alone.”
“But—“
"Hi, ladies," interrupted Saul and Selena looked at him with relief. "Moonflower, you look as pretty as a hot sunset pink butterfly."
What? Selena wondered. What’s with him and butterflies? But the compliment seemed to make her friend happy, and that was what was important.
"Thank you, Saul," gushed Moonflower.
The bus arrived and for the rest of the ride to school, Selena placed her fragile concentration on helping Saul with his term paper. She dared not look in the direction of Xavier Jones for fear that she'd encounter those curious eyes.
During lunch, Moonflower chatted about having lost one more pound. When Xavier Jones stepped in, he caused the same scene as the day before. He sat alone again. Selena put her full attention on the forkful of red enchiladas she was about to place in her mouth. Moonflower, however, wasn’t bothered by who knew where her focus rested.
"I've got an idea," Moonflower stated proudly as she openly stared at Xavier Jones. “A great idea!”
Selena groaned, worrying about what her friend had come up with. "What's your idea?"
“I think he’s a freakoid and you don’t.”
“What’s your point?” Selena asked, irritated.
“I’m willing to consider being wrong.”
“Okay, good.”
"He looks lonely, don't you think, Sel?" Moonflower asked, her eyes still anchored firmly on him.
"He looks like he wants to be left alone."
"No, he doesn’t," Moonflower argued. "He looks like he could use some friends."
"I don't think so," Selena insisted.
"Let's invite him to eat with us, and we can find out once and for all if he’s a titanic freak or not,” Moonflower declared dramatically. “Maybe he’s like Edward in Twilight.”
Selena rolled her eyes. "I’m sure he’s not a bloodsucker,” she guffawed.
“You don’t know that for sure,” murmured Moonflower. “Vampires could really exist.”
“I love the Twilight saga as much as the next person but that kind of stuff doesn’t happen. Besides, I’ve seen him eat and hang out in the daylight.”
Moonflower’s face crumbled in disappointment. “You’re right.”
“He’s as normal as we are.”
“He’s still very different, and we should invite him to sit with us to see how much,” Moonflower insisted.
"No."
"But--"
"Please, Moonflower," Selena pleaded. "Let's not make fools out of ourselves by inviting him."
"What do you mean?"
"Look at how he turned down Cherise."
Moonflower was engrossed in thought. "Yeah and she's a cheerleader. Why would he want to eat with us?"
"Exactly."
"I see your point."
Selena was relieved she had averted disaster. Avoiding Xavier Jones at all costs seemed like the best road to take. It appeared to be the safest and easiest route.
Unfortunately, during sixth period, an overwhelming temptation swept over her, and she didn't follow her own counsel. Selena fought herself valiantly, but she just couldn't resist the urge to turn around in her seat and meet his dark, searching eyes. Looking at them a second time from up close confirmed that she had been right about their hidden sadness. She subdued an abrupt gasp as his searing eyes went deeply into hers.
Chapter 8
"Why do you admire Anne Frank?" Selena asked, her words rushing out.
"After what she went through—being stuck in that attic and watching her world go crazy during the holocaust, she still managed to look at life in a unique way. Her writing is full of truth."
Well put! Selena thought. Awesome!
"I couldn't agree more," she stated.
His special smile reached her causing a shudder on her skin.
Why do you invite me in when you shut others out?
"What other writer do you like?" Selena asked.
"Shakespeare."
Selena smiled. "He tells the truth about life."
“’Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them,’” he said as his quiet gaze stayed on Selena like an anchored ship.
“Twelfth Night,” stated Selena.
Xavier‘s eyebrows lifted. “I’m impressed.”
“I like Shakespeare too.”
"I bet you also like Isabel Allende,” he declared, his face full of expectation as if waiting for her to affirm what he had said.
Selena’s eyebrows went up. “Yes, but how—“
“And you like The House of The Spirits.”
Selena was flabbergasted. "That’s one of my favorite books. How did you know?"
"Lucky guess," he said, smiling his movie star sparkler. “Actually, It was more like wishful thinking on my part.”
“Why?”
“The House of The Spirits is also one of my favorite books,” he stated, his face pleased.
“So we have something in common.”
He smiled deeply with a sparkle that reached his dark eyes.
On the bus going home, Selena tried to ignore that Xavier Jones sat one seat from her. She tried to ignore the magnetic quality of his entire self. She tried to ignore his intelligent comments growing in her mind as they clicked with her own view of the world. Most of all, Selena tried to ignore his pull fiercely drawing her in where she didn’t want to go—a dangerous place that awakened weird and confusing feelings. Instead, she tried to concentrate on re-setting her watch to the correct time. Lately, it had been speeding up in sixth period even though it was fine during the rest of the day. Thoughts of Xavier kept invading her mind, so she put her fragile focus on Moonflower and Saul who were having some kind of a conversation.
"My pronunciation stinks," said Moonflower.
"Mine is worse than yours," stated Saul.
"I've already told my parents that they should've taught me Spanish. Now I'm having an awful time trying to learn it."
"Good thing that we're in the same class, Butterfly Dudette, and we can suffer together," said Saul.
Butterfly Dudette? What? wondered Selena.
"Sel, you're lucky you can speak, read, and write it," assured Moonflower.
"Today, Ms. Valderrama kept saying, mas vale que aprendan. What is that, dude?" asked Saul.
"Yeah, what does that mean?" questioned Moonflower.
Selena smiled. "She said that you'd bette
r learn."
"We should've known that one," stated Moonflower.
"And what does cabeza dura mean?"
"Hard headed," Selena said.
"Hard headed like you, loser," guffawed Brad. "The gordita is teaching you Spanish as if another language will make you any less stupid."
Saul's eyes became wide with panic while Selena stared at Brad angrily.
"Loser, loser, loser!" Brad chortled.
"Leave him alone, jerk," Selena snapped.
"You'd better shut up you big, fat--"
"You shut up!" demanded Xavier Jones.
"Stay out of this and mind your own business," hissed Brad with smoke practically billowing out of his ears.
"I'm making it my business," Xavier Jones hissed back. His eyes smoldered with a fire that could burn a whole city.
"Look, you Taylor Lautner mutant, you don't want to fight with me," Brad growled.
"You don't want to fight with me," Xavier Jones returned, completely fearless and with concrete strength in his words. “Believe me—you don’t,” he threatened.
Chapter 9
“I’m not scared of you, loser,” stated Brad, hissing with venom.
"Hey, is there a problem back there?" yelled the bus driver from his driver’s seat.
A certain quiet blanketed the bus like flakes of snow on the playground. Selena put her hand on her nervous stomach. She knew what was coming as soon as she stepped off the bus, and she hated violence, especially when she was involved. At her stop, most of the students filed out, even the ones who weren't supposed to get off there. As soon as the bus was gone, Brad tried to badger Xavier Jones but he stood his ground, crossing his graceful arms in front of him and never taking his unflinching, unafraid sight off Brad.
"You'd better say sorry if you know what's good for you," growled Brad.
"I don't like to fight, but I hate bullies," responded Xavier Jones.
“I hate people who can’t mind their own business," hissed Brad.
"I hate jerks," Xavier Jones retorted.
An overconfident Brad balled his right hand in a fist and went for his eye, but Xavier Jones’s hand stopped it from hitting its mark and expertly pushed the fist away as if swatting a tiny fly. In a martial arts move that came straight from the movies, he flipped Brad to the ground and jammed his foot on Brad's neck. It had happened so fast that it had Selena questioning what she had just witnessed.
"I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Judo and I've taken some boxing and wrestling too. Whatever you throw at me I'll give back to you ten fold," growled Xavier Jones.