Silly, silly, Raquel.
SIX
The Advice
“He can’t die!” I scream at the TV screen. “This is what I hate about The Walking Dead! That fear that one of my favorite characters could die at any moment.”
Yoshi eats Doritos next to me. “The episode is about to end, and we won’t know who dies.”
I snatch the bag of Doritos out of his hands. “Shut up. If that happens, I swear I’ll never watch this show again.”
Yoshi rolls his eyes and adjusts his glasses. “You’ve been saying that since the first season.”
“I’m weak, okay?”
We’re both sitting on the floor, our backs against the bed behind us. It’s warm, so I’m wearing shorts and a white tank top without a bra. I’m comfortable around Yoshi and I know he’s comfortable around me too. Rocky is sleeping peacefully by the window.
My room is a decent size, with a queen-size bed and posters of my favorite inspirational quotes all over the purple walls. I have a few small Christmas lights attached to the top of the walls that look beautiful at night. In front of the bed is the TV, on one side of it is the window, and the door to my bathroom is on the other side.
We are completely focused on the TV when the episode ends and the credits roll.
“I hate you, producers and screenwriters of The Walking Dead! I hate you!”
“I told you,” Yoshi taunts like a smart-ass. I smack the back of his head. “Ow! Don’t take it out on me.”
“How can they do this to us? How can it end like this? Who’s going to die?”
Yoshi rubs my back soothingly. “It’s okay, it’s over.” He hands me a glass of cold Pepsi. “Here, drink.”
“I’m going to die.”
“Relax, it’s just a TV series.”
Totally depressed, I turn off the TV and sit down in front of Yoshi. He looks restless, and I know it’s not because of the series. His little honey eyes have a spark in them that I haven’t seen before. He gives me a nervous smile.
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
“Yes.”
The atmosphere feels heavy for some strange reason. I don’t know what he has to tell me, but it makes me uneasy to see him hesitate so much. What’s wrong?
Yoshi licks his lower lip before speaking. He removes his hat, freeing his messy hair. “I need your advice on something.”
“I’m listening.”
“What would you do if you liked one of your friends?”
“You make it sound like I have so many friends.” I smile, but Yoshi doesn’t. His expression becomes even more strained.
“I’m serious, Raquel.”
“Okay, okay, excuse me, Mr. Seriousness.” I hold my chin as if in deep thought. “I would tell them.”
“Wouldn’t you be afraid of losing the friendship?”
And then my little brain clicks, and I realize what Yoshi is telling me. Is that . . . that friend he likes—me? Yoshi doesn’t really have any other female friends, just me and a few acquaintances. My heart rises in my throat as my sweet, lifelong best friend watches me intently, waiting for my advice.
“Are you sure about what you feel?” I ask, playing with my fingers.
“Yes, I’m very sure, I like her a lot.”
My throat gets dry. “When did you realize you liked her?”
“I think I’ve always known it. I’ve been a coward, but I can’t hide it anymore,” he says.
He looks down and sighs, and when he looks at me again, his eyes have a glint in them, so full of emotions. “I’m dying to kiss her.”
“Oh yeah?”
Yoshi moves a little closer. “Yes, her lips are pure temptation; it’s driving me crazy.”
“She must have very nice lips then.”
“The most beautiful I’ve ever seen in my life, they have me spellbound.”
Spellbound . . .
Spell . . .
Witch . . .
Ares . . .
No! No! Don’t think about Ares! Not now!
Inevitably, those sea-blue eyes come to my mind, that cocky smile, those soft lips suckling my neck.
Oh no! I hate you, brain!
My best friend since childhood is about to confess his love to me, and I’m thinking about my arrogant, Greek godlike idiot neighbor.
“Raquel?”
Yoshi’s voice brings me back to reality. He looks disconcerted, and it’s no surprise. I chose the worst moment to disconnect mentally. But it also helped to clear my mind a bit. Seeing Yoshi so vulnerable in front of me made me realize that I can’t handle a confession. Not now.