“That’s not the reaction I expected,” Dani comments, stretching out on my bed. “They accepted you, you idiot!”
“I don’t know. I still can’t believe it.”
She sits down, snatching the letter from my hand, and reads it.
“And with a partial scholarship? This is a miracle, because you don’t have any talent.” I give her a murderous look.
“I told you that winning interstate chess tournaments would do some good.”
Dani sighs. “I still don’t know how you’re so good at chess, your IQ . . .” I raise an eyebrow at her. “Is apparently good enough to get a scholarship,” she finishes. “Yay!”
I put the letter on the nightstand and get up. The sun streaming through the window falls on Rocky, who’s asleep on his back with his paws in the air and his tongue out. He’s definitely my doggy incarnation. Dani glances at him, concerned.
“Is he all right?” she asks. “He looks like he’s dead.”
“He’s fine. He has weird sleeping poses,” I answer. Dani bursts out laughing.
“Like his owner.”
Dani spent the night with me, because today is . . .
“Happy birthday to you!” my mother comes in with a tray of breakfast, smiling broadly at us. “Go back to bed, Raquel, or else breakfast in bed becomes meaningless.”
I smile at her.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I return to Dani’s side. Her black hair is a bit greasy, and her makeup is smudged. Last night we drank a little at our prebirthday sleepover, which ended with both of us crying over the Hidalgos. Me, because I got the acceptance letter and would be moving away from Ares, and her because . . . well, I don’t know what the fuck is wrong between her and Apolo. She loves him, then she doesn’t, then she wants to get over him, but she can’t. I think everyone has had a friend who has no fucking idea what she wants from a guy.
Mom puts the tray on my lap. There’s plenty of food for both of us, and a small muffin that has a lit candle on it. I blow out the candle, and they clap their hands like seals that have just eaten. I can’t help the smile that spreads over my face.
“Happy birthday, beautiful.” Mom leans over and gives me a kiss on the forehead.
“Thank you, Mom.” I start eating and offer a piece of pancake to Dani, who grimaces, and gives Mom an apologetic look.
“No offense, Rosa, but I really don’t have an appetite.”
Mom scoffs. “Too much to drink last night?”
Dani looks surprised. “How did you know?”
“This room smells like a mixture of beer and vodka.” Mom sighs. “With a touch of wine for good measure.”
Dani’s eyes widen.
“How did you know what we drank?”
Mom just shrugs, and I roll my eyes, answering her.
“Who do you think bought the alcohol, silly?”
Mom heads for the door.
“Eat and get up. Your aunts and cousins are about to arrive, and we have a lot to do before tonight’s party.”
The birthday party . . .
Although we’re not very close with the rest of the family, my mom’s sisters always come on my birthdays and bring my cousins. I get along with some of them, but there are others I can’t stand.
“Ah,” I shriek as my mother leaves the room. “I hope Aunt Carmen’s daughters don’t come. They’re unbearable.” Dani nods in agreement.
“Yeah, they’re always DM-ing me on Instagram, asking what they need for an audition for Mom’s modeling agency. They’re superannoying.”
“Come on. We better get ready.” Dani lies back down, pulling the sheet over her head. “Come on, Morticia,” I take the sheet off.
“Morticia?”
“Look in a mirror and you’ll understand.”
“Very funny.” She gets up and reluctantly walks with me to the bathroom. You haven’t passed the boundaries of trust in a friendship until you’ve been brushing your teeth in the sink while your best friend pees right next to you.
“And . . . you invited him?” she asks. I knew this question would come sooner or later.
“Of course, he’s my friend,” I answer after rinsing my mouth.
“I know, I just wanted to . . .”
“Psychologically prepare yourself to see him?”
“No, just . . .” She doesn’t finish her sentence, and I turn to look at her, still sitting on the toilet.
“We’ve had this conversation a thousand times, and I don’t understand what’s going on in your head. If you like him so much, why aren’t you with him?”