“Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you get back.”
She holds my hand. “Do your best, Ares. You have a chance to be happy, don’t ruin it. It’s okay to open your heart. It doesn’t make you weak. Don’t be afraid.”
“Afraid?” I let out a sarcastic laugh. “I’m terrified.”
“I know,” she squeezes my hand. “I know it’s hard for you to trust people, but Raquel is a good girl.”
“I know that, but I can’t help feeling so fucking vulnerable,” I sigh. “She has the power to destroy me; she could do it so easily if she wanted to.”
“But she won’t.” She closes her eyes. “Good night, Ares.”
I lean over and kiss her forehead.
“Good night, Samy.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
The Test
- RAQUEL -
Friends . . .
What was I thinking when I said that?
I’m dying to text him. He hasn’t contacted me much, just texts saying that he’s dealing with something and he’ll talk to me soon. It’s been several days now.
How the hell does he plan to win my affection this way? Did something happen with Samy? What if he doesn’t want to fight for me anymore? What if he decided to give up? My mind has run through so many options that I’m bordering on insanity. Could that be his plan? To ignore me so I’ll give in and take him back like it’s nothing. Ha! In your dreams, Greek God.
With a grunt, I close the book in my hands. I put my face on the table. Dani sighs next to me.
“It seems that the punishment you imposed on him is affecting you more than him.” Dani turns the page of the book she’s reading. “He’s never been easy to understand, so I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”
I mess up my hair in frustration.
“I’m supposed to be in control now, but this silence is killing me.”
“Maybe that’s his plan, don’t you think? That you’ll miss him so much that when you see him, you’ll jump all over him, forgetting about starting out as friends.”
“You think so?”
“Shhhhhhh!” The librarian hushes us.
We both gave her a smile. We came here to see if we could finally finish reading the book that the literature teacher assigned us. I like to read, but that particular teacher only assigns outdated, boring books. I’d like to say I appreciate a good classic, but I would be lying.
“The exam is tomorrow; we’ll never finish reading it,” I murmur quietly so as not to attract the librarian’s attention. Dani pats me on the back.
“Have some faith. We’re already on page twenty-six.”
I cover my face. “Twenty-six of seven hundred, we’re lost.”
I can’t remember the last time I read a book for one of these assignments. How have I survived this class without reading? And then I remember: Joshua. He always helped us with these assignments, and in return, we helped him with any other subjects he had difficulty with.
A wave of sadness sweeps over me as I think about him. The three of us used to come here to read and do our homework. Why did he have to betray me like that? How could he throw away a lasting friendship like that? His sweet smile invades my mind, and I remember the way he adjusted his glasses and wrinkled his nose when he told me how he felt about me.
I like you, Raquel, I really like you.
I can clearly remember the vulnerability on his face when he said that. I can’t deny how much I miss Joshua. He’s always been a part of my life, and I care about him so much despite everything.
The men in my life are anything but normal.
I am so deep in my thoughts that I don’t notice the person standing in front of our table until his hands place four sheets of paper and two coffees in front of us. I look up.
Joshua gives us a smile. “This is the summary of the book. It has key points that only a person who read it would know. I think you’ll be fine if you read and study this.”
Before I can say anything, he turns and leaves. Dani and I share a surprised look. She picks up the sheets and goes through them.
“He’s crazy,” she says. “But this? It’s perfectly worded and understandable! God, thank you! And coffee.” She kisses the coffee. “I must say I don’t hate him so much anymore, this—”
Dani stops cold when she looks at me. “Oh, I’m sorry. I got a little excited. We don’t have to accept his help if it makes you uncomfortable.”
It’s not that. His smile, his willingness to help. His expression was so genuine.