Is Ares right? I’ve tried to believe that Yoshi betrayed me because he wanted what was best for me. With that logic, maybe I could forgive him. However, if he only did it out of jealousy, that makes forgiving him almost impossible.
I hope he doesn’t tell my mom that Ares was here. I don’t want any more drama.
I’m so fucking in love with you.
My heart races at the memory of those words. I still find it hard to believe. Ares is in love with me. He has feelings for me. I’m not just another girl he uses for fun. He’s hurt me so many times, but now, for the first time, he’s put into words what he feels for me.
The idiot has a heart. I remember his confession, and the intensity in his eyes, and I can’t help myself: I let out a childish little squeal. I’m not the only one in love.
With a stupid smile on my face, I go up to my room. Despite everything, I manage to fall asleep again. I know, I have a superhuman ability to sleep under any circumstance.
THIRTY-FOUR
The First Date
Ares has asked me on our first date, and I have nothing to wear.
This is not one of those typical moments when an indecisive person has a lot of clothes to choose from and doesn’t know what to pick. I literally have nothing to wear. My mom washed all my clothes, and the only things left are the stuff I don’t wear, and obviously I don’t wear them for a reason: they don’t fit anymore or they’re simply too ragged.
Why did Ares have to ask me out today? I still remember his soft voice on the phone when he asked me to please sneak out. How could I say no? I obviously hadn’t thought it all through when I said yes. The only one who can save me is Dani.
I call her, and she answers on the third ring. “Funeral Home Las Flores, how may I help you?”
“How long are you going to do that, Dani? I told you it’s not funny.” She lets out a guilty chuckle.
“It’s funny to me. What’s the matter, grumpy?”
“I need you to pick me up.”
“Aren’t you grounded?”
“Yes.” I lower my voice even more. “But I’m going to sneak out.”
“What, what, what, whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?” Dani exaggerates her tone. “Welcome to the dark side, sister.”
I let out a long sigh. “Just come and get me, but wait for me at the corner of my street.”
“Okay, but you’re leaving out the reason why you’re going to sneak out. Will you go out partying with me today?”
“No, I have . . . plans.”
“With?”
I hang up the call and tuck pillows under the sheets to make it look like someone is in my bed, although I know my mother won’t check. She doesn’t think I’m capable of sneaking out, and, well, honestly, until a few hours ago I didn’t think I was either.
I carefully leave the room. The lights in the house are already off, so I poke my head into my mom’s room. I never thought I’d be so happy to hear her snoring. She’s sleeping soundly, probably because she had a shift last night and hasn’t slept at all until now. A pang of remorse stops me for a second, but then I think of a certain pair of dazzling blue eyes, and that’s enough to motivate me to get out of the house.
The cold hits me hard when I step on the street. I’m not wearing a jacket, so I hug myself, rubbing my forearms as I walk. The street is well lit, and there are a few people outside chatting. I wave and continue on my way.
Waiting on the corner, shivering from the cold, I realize that maybe I should have waited in the warmth of my house a little longer. It’s barely six minutes later. Dani doesn’t live far away, but there are several traffic lights, and I know traffic can get heavy at this hour.
I am freezing to death. Do you see everything I do for you, Greek God?
When I see Dani’s car, I’m so relieved that I smile like an idiot. I jump in, and she drives like crazy all the way to her house.
Eighteen outfit attempts later, to say I’m being indecisive is putting it mildly. Dani has given me multiple options and they’re all cute, but I want to look perfect for him and nothing seems perfect to me. I know he’ll look beautiful in whatever he wears. I feel the need to look my best. This is the first time that I’ve dressed up in a special way to see someone.
Ares still gets all my first times. How am I going to get over that man if he keeps doing that?
“I vote for the skirt, blouse, and boots,” Dani says, chewing Doritos with her mouth open.
“So classy,” I say sarcastically.
“They look great on you and adapt to any occasion; we don’t know where you’re going.” She’s right, I wonder if we’re going to Artemis’s bar or some other nightspot. After getting dressed, I start combing my hair when I see Dani stand up and come toward me, pointing her orange Doritos-stained finger at me. “There’s something I want to tell you.”