Where have you been, you idiot, that you’ve made me miss you so much?
I focus on the anger and frustration I felt from not hearing from him this week. I try to push away the fantasy of running to him and hugging him, while he spins me around like in the movies. This is reality, and if he doesn’t learn now, he’ll never learn how to value me.
I have to be strong.
Catching my breath, I calm my heart and walk toward him, passing by Dani and Carlos.
“I’ll be right back.”
As I walk toward him, I can’t help but think about what I’m wearing. My worn-out jeans, old boots, and pink wool sweater aren’t the best things in my closet, but how was I supposed to know that Ares would show up out of nowhere? At least my hair is in a decent ponytail. I stop in front of him, and up close he looks even more handsome. How does he have such long, beautiful eyelashes? I’m so envious!
Focus, Raquel!
Crossing my arms over my chest, I lift my chin.
“His Majesty decided to honor us with his presence,” I joke.
Ares smiles, and my control wavers. Without warning, he takes my hand and pulls me to him. I crash into his chest. His scent fills my nose, making me feel safe. He puts his arms around me in a tight embrace and rests his head on mine. He leans in to whisper something in my ear.
“I missed you too, Witch.” His voice is as soft and calm as ever.
Like an idiot, I smile against his jacket and close my eyes.
THIRTY-EIGHT
The Man
I allow myself to enjoy Ares’s hug for five seconds.
Although I know I can’t expect him to change overnight, I think that he should at least try a little harder. It was nice to hear him tell me that he would fight for me, but he followed that up by ignoring me for a whole week. Bad move. It seems like he has trouble using logic, and maybe that’s because he’s never had to use it with girls. Maybe Ares has never had to try in any way with women. One glance from those beautiful eyes, combined with that sexy smile, is more than enough to get any girl, I know. But I’m trying to break out of that pattern.
Ignoring the protests from my heart and my stupid hormones, I step back, pushing him away from me. When my eyes meet his, I can see the confusion swimming in them. This is so hard.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I came to see you.”
“Well, you saw me. I gotta go.” I turn on my heel and start walking back to my friends. Ares grabs my arm, turning me toward him again.
“Hey, wait.” His eyes inspect my face, as if he were analyzing every detail. “You’re mad at me.”
“No.”
“Yes, you are.” He gives me that crooked smile of his. “You look cute when you’re angry.”
I stop breathing for a second. What am I supposed to say to that?
Be strong, Raquel. Think about that time you decided to give up chocolate because it gave you so much acne; it was hard, but you did it.
Ares is chocolate.
—You don’t want acne.
But it’s so delicious.
—Acne hurts!
Arguing with myself and not knowing what to say, I just smile.
“I’m sorry, Witch. It was quite a week.” His smile fades. “Quite a complicated one.”
His playful countenance disappears and is replaced by a sadness that he seems to be struggling to hide. I want to ask him what happened, but I have a feeling he won’t tell me.
“It’s okay, you don’t owe me any explanations. We’re just friends after all.”
Watching his face, I regret the words the moment they come out of my mouth. He looks hurt and that was not my intent, I just wanted to make a joke to ease the tension. Ares licks his lips, as if trying to overlook what I just said.
“Actually, I came looking for you. I want to go out with you today.”
“I already have plans. I’m sorry.”
“With them?” Ares glances behind me.
“Yeah, we’re going to celebrate passing an exam.”
Ares raises an eyebrow. “And you don’t usually pass?”
Not with such a high score as today.
“Hey, it’s not that, it’s just. . . . It’s Friday. You know, we make up any reason to celebrate.”
“Can’t you make up an excuse and come with me?”
“No, you should have asked me in advance.”
“Raquel!” Carlos shouts my name. Ares looks him over, from head to toe.
“Who’s he?”
“A friend. Really, I have to go.” Clinging to my self-control, I give him one last smile and walk away.