“Not really.”
“It doesn’t irritate you even a little?”
“While I don’t like being the center of attention, if I let it bother me then I can’t go on with my day,” he expressed.
Selena quickly exchanged her books for the ones she needed in her locker, and they headed for the bus. Moonflower's eyebrows rose as soon as they stepped on. The ride home was quiet as Selena lost herself in the thoughts of a ruined friendship, and Xavier Jones didn't intrude in her silence.
"She'll come around," Xavier Jones assured Selena as soon as they stepped off the bus.
"What did you say?"
"Moonflower will come around."
"How do you know that it wasn't my fault and that I'm the one who has to come around?"
He shook his head. "I don't know what you're arguing about, but I'm sure it's not your fault."
"How are you so sure?"
"I just am," he said as they arrived at her gate. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He walked away as Selena stepped inside the gate. Antonio greeted her with a wagging tale. Once inside her home, Mrs. Spinoza sat her at the table and they ate tuna sandwiches.
"Who was that young man who walked with you to our gate?" she asked suspiciously.
"It was Xavier Jones—the new boy I told you about."
"Why was he walking with you?"
"He's a friend."
"A friend?"
"Yes, mom."
“Just a friend?”
“Yes,” Selena stated.
"Do you like him in a boyfriend way?"
"Mom, I already told you he's a friend," Selena said, her voice shaky. "Just a friend. I don't know why people around me are making more of it than they should."
"What's wrong, Selenita? You seem very upset."
"Moonflower is angry with me," Selena said dejectedly.
"Why?"
"Because of Xavier."
"What does Xavier have to do with you and Moonflower?"
"She’s angry that Xavier talks to me," Selena explained.
"Preciosa, I'm not understanding something. Isn't Moonflower going out with some boy named Saul? Why does she care about you and Xavier?"
“It’s not really about Xavier. It’s her pride, Mom.”
“Her pride?”
“She hates that a boy all the girls seem to have a crush on is talking to me.”
"I understand, Selenita, but friendship is so important. You shouldn't let a boy come between you."
"I know, Mom," Selena said, letting out a sigh. "She told me she couldn't understand what he saw in me. That I was much fatter than her."
"Ay, preciosa," Mrs. Spinoza said as she hugged her. "No wonder you're so upset. That's a terrible thing to say. Remember what your Grandmother Chela says about jealously—it is an enemy of all that is good."
"Moonflower hurt my feelings."
"She doesn't feel good about herself, so she tried to pull you down because Xavier is more interested in you than her."
"She's with Saul. I just don't understand why she's making such a big deal over Xavier.”
A few days had gone by, and Selena hadn’t spoken to Moonflower. It was as if the ground had swallowed a hard earned friendship. Once again, Selena ate lunch with Xavier who was considerate enough not to ask about her best friend. They both ate their tostadas while Selena tried to avoid crowding her senses with the proximity of Xavier who seemed completely oblivious to their ever changing relationship. It seemed to Selena that they were moving away from being casual friends to a deeper friendship too easily and smoothly for her taste.
"I like the food here," he said, his solid gaze on Selena.
"Yeah, I know it's not popular to like cafeteria food, but I like it too."
"You know, we've got to get going on the class project Mr. Honeybee wants us to do,” he remarked.
“Are you still sure you want to pair up with me?”
“Positive.”
“You just don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“I think I do,” he said confidently.
Selena groaned. “I’m warning you that we’re making an A on that assignment even if we have to re-do it a million times.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, teasing.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I,” he said, laughter still prominent in his voice.
“But—“
“Selena,” he said firmly. “Don’t worry. I get it. I really do.”
“You get it?” Selena asked. “Get what?”
“I get that you give your work your all, and you want to make sure your partner does too.”
“I also want to make sure my partner doesn’t kill me before we finish the assignment,” Selena said dryly.
“It’ll be okay to kill your partner afterwards?” he asked, his voice full of tease again.
Selena smiled. “Yes, as long as we make an A.”
He chuckled loudly. “Then we need to get together soon to start on this award winning assignment. We still need to decide on a subject.”
"We need to start ASAP."
"How about I go to your house this weekend?" he asked.
"What if I go to your house?" She hadn’t realized how curious she was about where he lived until then.
"No, not my house," he stated. Selena could hear the nervous timbre in his voice.
"Why not?"
“Because.”
“Because what?”
"Not my house," he repeated firmly, his voice sounding final. “No way.”
Chapter 17
During last period, Mr. Honeybee told the students to get together with their partners to discuss their project. Selena turned to face Xavier whose mouth curled up every time she did it. After not seeing him for a few classes, Selena had to make sure she didn’t stare at him for too long because he was like looking into the sun. His extreme good looks could blind a person.
“We’ve got to decide on a subject,” she stated, averting her eyes as if she was fascinated with the black ball point pen in his hand.
“You think of stuff, and I will too. We’ll decide what we’ll go with at your house this weekend.”
Selena’s eyes returned to his. "Xavier, why don't you want us to meet at your house?" she asked, still curious abut the cafeteria conversation.
His mouth abruptly turned to a frown. "I’ll tell you if you tell me why you and Moonflower are fighting?" he declared, crossing his arms in front of him.
Selena frowned. "Point taken. I won't ask anymore."
"You have your privacy and I have mine."
"Understood," Selena stated.
"I'm glad we understand each other."
"We're friends, aren't we?"
"What if we wanted to be more than friends?" he asked quietly, with a twinkle in his deep eyes.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he stated dejectedly.
Selena decided to ignore what she had heard.
As was beginning to be a habit, Xavier walked with Selena to the bus. She ignored the snickers and the stares and was relieved that they were slowly dissipating. People were getting used to them. After all, what was wrong with having friends of the opposite sex?
When they stepped on the bus, she was sure that Moonflower, who was already sitting with Saul, had flinched. This only served to aggravate Selena. Why was her best friend being such a jerk about things?
At the gate to Selena’s home, Xavier turned to her with his serious gaze.
"Don't forget we're meeting this weekend to do our Science assignment," he stated, getting closer to her. It surprised her how he could get so near without suffocating her.
“Yeah, at your house.”
His face turned irritated. “Selena—“
"I’m kidding. You'll be coming over here," Selena said with a sly smile.
"It'll be okay with your parents, right?"
"That reminds
me," she said, looking away from him. It was the only way she could tell him what she needed to say. "When you meet my parents, say hello, Mr. and Mrs. Spinoza, and shake their hands."
Xavier rolled his eyes and chuckled lighly. "I do have manners, you know."
"But, Xavier . . ."
"Yes?"
"Don't be offended, but you're kind of strange."
"Does it upset you that I'm not what you call the average person?" he asked very intently.
"No, not as long as you don’t turn out to be a serial killer."
“I may be strange but not that strange,” he said with relief in his voice.
“Good.”
"You're not exactly a normal person either."
"I don’t know how to take that,” Selena said, perturbed.
"I meant that as a compliment."
“A compliment?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of a compliment?” asked Selena, meeting his fluid eyes to make sure he was telling the truth.
“Average doesn’t interest me at all.”
“It doesn’t?” Selena asked, with more curiosity than she cared to admit.
“No,” he stated, deep in his thoughts.
“So you don’t think I’m average.”
Xavier’s dark eyes rolled. “Selena, average would be the last word I would use to describe you.”
“And that’s a good thing?”
“A great thing. The world is made up of too much of what’s average in my opinion,” he said, his voice tight.
“Yes, that’s true,” Selena announced.
“Luckily, you don’t fit that mold. In fact, you don’t fit any mold.”
“I don’t?”
“You are so very you.”
"Thanks," she said, still chewing on his perplexing compliments.
"Now, about your parents. I think I can handle meeting them without being a total Neanderthal."
"Are you sure, Xavier? Can you be very polite and talkative?"
"I can be charming if I want," Xavier said, chuckling.
“Are you sure?”
“Are you insulting me, Selena?”
“No, I’m just making sure you make a good impression on my parents.”
Xavier suddenly turned serious. "Why do you want me to make a good impression on your parents anyway?"
"I want them to be okay with our friendship."
"Friendship?"
"Yes, our friendship."
Xavier's guarded eyes studied her for a few seconds. "Okay, our friendship," he said quietly. "I’ve got to go.”
“Bye, Xavier.” She hated putting those two words together.
“I'll see you," he murmured.
Selena forced herself not to look at him as he walked away. She couldn't help wondering about his oddities. He rarely talked about himself, he ignored cheerleaders, he refused to say where he lived, and on and on. Now, she was going to introduce him to her straight laced parents. What am I thinking? But—there were the never-ending buts too. But he was kind. But he was understanding. But he was smart.
And I really like him.
Selena checked her watch impatiently. Xavier was due to arrive any minute. Mr. Spinoza, who was off work for the whole weekend, eyed her suspiciously from his navy blue recliner.
"Is everything okay, Selenita?" he asked.
"Yes, everything is fine."
"Your mom says you're bringing a young man over."
"We're doing our school project, Dad."
He eyed her. "What kind of boy is he?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's he like?"
"Dad, we're doing a Science assignment, not getting married. What does it matter what he's like?"
"You've never brought a boy home before."
"There's a first time for everything."
"But who is this boy?"
"Dad, don't drill him, okay?"
"I need to know what kind of person is in my house."
"Dad, please don't ask a billion questions. He's only here to do homework."
Mr. Spinoza grudgingly nodded. "Okay, Selenita. Okay."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. Mrs. Spinoza stepped in from the kitchen with a wide smile making her face even prettier than usual. Selena shook her head with annoyance at how her household was reacting to a simple visit from a friend.
"Mom, Dad, this is Xavier," Selena said as soon as she let him in the door. She held her breath hoping that all parties involved were on their best behaviors.
"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Spinoza," he said as he shook their hands. "I'm so pleased to meet you."
Mrs. Spinoza smiled, but Mr. Spinoza looked at him suspiciously. "Sit down, Xavier," Mr. Spinoza demanded.
Selena shook her head with absolute frustration. It had started off well but now her dad was going to do what she had asked him not to—bombard Xavier with asinine questions as if the poor guy was her boyfriend. How would Xavier react? He tended to be a smart alec when asked about his private life.
"Are you new to these parts?" asked Mr. Spinoza.
"I moved here not too long ago."
"Where are your parents from?"
"Actually, my dad and his family are from here."
"And your mother?" asked Mrs. Spinoza.
The color drained from Xavier's face and the sadness deep in his eyes shot to the forefront. "My mother was from Seattle."
"Was?" asked Mr. Spinoza.
"She passed away a long time ago," Xavier said quietly. “I was eight-years-old.”
Chapter 18]
"I'm so sorry." Mrs. Spinoza cut into the awkward and sad silence, obviously disturbed by the sad news.
"I moved here to live with my uncle. My father lives in England," Xavier stated.
“What’s your ethnicity?” Mr. Spinoza asked bluntly.
Selena painfully choked on the juices of her mouth. “Dad!” Selena blurted angrily and embarrassed.
“I’m only asking because his face has a different kind of a look.”
“What does it matter, Artemio?” Mrs. Spinoza asked, also embarrassed.
“I’m curious—that’s all.”
“But, Dad—“
“It’s okay, Selena,” Xavier stated calmly. “I’d prefer people asking me that question instead of assuming what is not.”
“See,” Mr. Spinoza said triumphantly. “It’s not such a bad question.”
“My mom had ancestors who were Inuit, Italian, and Scottish. My dad’s roots go back to England. I guess the mix shows on my face.”
"You two need to be getting on with your homework," Mrs. Spinoza stated, giving Mr. Spinoza a chiding look.
Selena was grateful to her mother for having stopped the holy inquisition, especially after the piercing pain in Xavier's eyes when he talked about his mother. What an uncomfortable and tense period. She wondered if she could forever avoid introducing her parents to any more guys. It would serve them right to meet their future son-in-law on the wedding day itself, she said to herself. She took Xavier to the kitchen where she and her mom had set up a tray of snacks.
"I'm sorry about that," Selena whispered. "I'm their only child and they feel they have to protect me from all the horrors out there, like from boys who come to my house armed with books."
Xavier smiled his movie star sparkler. "That's okay, Selena. Your parents obviously love you."
“I’m seventeen-years-old. Sometimes they treat me as if I’m five.”
He chuckled lightly. “I’m seventeen too.”
"I'm sorry about your mother."
Xavier's face turned cloudy. "Thanks."
"You must miss her."
"I can't talk about it."
"Okay, I understand but I'm here for you if you need me," she said gently.
Xavier's bright smile returned to his face. "Thanks."
As they started discussing ideas and jotting them down, Xavier devoured the finger sand
wiches that Selena said were made Mexican style with turkey ham, asadero cheese, pinto beans and hot salsa. They drank cups of agua de sandia. In fact, Xavier practically drank the whole pitcher of the watermelon beverage himself. For dessert, they had the flan Selena had made the night before. She had wondered if Xavier would care for this type of custard-like food since it was so sweet, but Xavier devoured it too.
"Do they feed you at home?" Selena asked with a light chuckle in her voice.
"Not like this," he stated. "I get fed boring food."
"Boring food?"
"I like spicy food."
"Obviously."
"Food should be spicy—full of different flavors. Don't you think?"
Selena smiled. "As long as you can handle it."
“You bet.”
Selena’s eyes returned to their paperwork. “Xavier, I’m not sure I like any of the themes we’ve come up with.”
“Not any of them?”
“No.”
“To tell you the truth, I’m not all that crazy about them either,” he declared.
“They’re too boring, nothing you can really get into.”
“I see what you mean,” he stated.
“So what do we do?”
“There is something I’ve been thinking about,” he said reluctantly.
“What?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Xavier, just spit it out.”
“Brain mapping,” Xavier said with hesitation.
Selena’s fingers tingled with excitement. “What a great idea! I’ve been studying it on the internet.”
“You have?” His voice couldn’t have been more surprised.
“I hope we’re talking about the same thing.”
“The brain not being a set thing?” he asked. “Is that what you’re talking about?”
“Yes,” Selena gushed excitedly. “The brain being able to change when we work with it.”
“I can’t believe you know about that,” Xavier exclaimed with a happy tone.
“I tell my tutees to stop saying they’re dumb, that they can open and train their minds.”
“Selena, you do such great things with information,” he stated, giving her his movie star sparkler.
“Thanks. I just think that it's fun to keep up with new discoveries. They’re made all the time—it’s so exciting.”
“Very exciting,” he mentioned quietly, in deep thought.
“Scientific knowledge changes so often. We’re still figuring out exactly how the brain works.”
Xavier looked at her intently as if his mind was firmly on something. “We’re still figuring out its electrical ways.”
Selena nodded emphatically. “There’s so much to learn.”
“Yes, a lot,” Xavier agreed quietly.