ACCEPT HER FATE

CHAPTER 5

ACCEPT HER FATE

“Tell me now. What are you and mother keeping from me, Hania?” Selena stated it for the second time. 

Hania sneered and started laughing. “I have no idea what prank you’re playing on me, but you can count on me. Selena, Mom, and I have nothing to hide from you.” 

Selena nodded slowly. “All right, I’ll end the conversation if you want. that’s Jade you’re looking for.” Selena remarked, peering over Hania’s shoulder. “I’ll make my way back to the car.” She spun around and resumed her movement. When she got to the car, she opened the door when a familiar person appeared and shocked her by blowing confetti in her face. “What are you doing here, you two? You frightened me.” It was her closest friends. Trisha and Dalett. 

Dalett and Trisha have been Selena’s friends since they were kids and their parents are also close friends.  

Trisha has dark, long hair. Over her short pink leather skirt, she put on an ankle boot. She was standing next to Dalett, a small woman. She was dressed in a long blue jean trouser with an open back top and neck-length black hair. Her earlobes are each pierced three times.

“I’m sorry, but I warned her not to do it.” She simply refused to listen.” Trisha replied with a furious stare towards Dalett.

“I’m sorry, Selena. “I thought it would make you feel better.” Dalett said. 

Selena made way for her friends to exit the van after rolling her eyes. “How would confetti make me feel happier on a funeral day?” she wondered as she brushed the remainder of the confetti from her face and clothing. And how did you two get inside the car without keys?”

Dalett jiggled the keys in front of her as they were brought out. “I kind of stole the extra one from the driver.” She confessed. Selena gave her a sidelong glance. “When he wasn’t paying attention.” Dalett added feeling embarrassed. 

Trisha spoke gently, “We just want everything to go smoothly for you today, Selena.”

Selena pushed the umbrella back into the car. “Well, no, it isn’t,” she said. “I just need some time alone, please, guys.”

Trisha looked at Dalett briefly before turning back to Selena. “We decided to go to a party today because of you. You deserve a distraction; it might help. Please don’t say no.”

Selena sighed. “You don’t get it! He was my best friend. I can’t go to a party right after my father’s funeral. I need some space.” She shut the car door firmly behind her and walked away.

She leaned against a chair and let her tears flow. Being in the car without transparent windows would keep her hidden if someone tried to peek inside. Holding the necklace, she began to reminisce about the past.

The necklace had been a birthday gift from her father the previous year, and she hadn’t taken it off since. Selena couldn’t help but cry as she remembered her father having the same necklace. He wouldn’t be paying her visits anymore, bringing her gifts and hugs. She would miss him terribly.

She took out her phone and texted her friends, asking if the invitation still stood. Just as she sent the message, she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find her two best friends standing there.

“I had a feeling you’d change your mind,” Dalett said. “But you can’t go to a party dressed like that. You need something else to wear.”

Selena looked down at her black dress. “I didn’t bring any other clothes. I’d have to go back to the house to change,” she said weakly.

“Well, lucky for you, Dalett and I brought something for you,” Trisha said, signaling to Dalett to hand Selena a bag.

Selena took a deep breath and turned to her friends. “I’m not sure, guys. I’m feeling guilty.”

“Because of your dad?” Trisha asked.

Selena fell silent. She had contacted her friends the previous evening to inform them about her father’s death and the detective bringing his body home. Selena didn’t keep things from her friends, and Dalett and Trisha had visited her the day after school.

“Everyone at school knows,” Trisha explained. “But they’ve all sent their condolences. They also know it’s the day of the funeral, so I’m sure you’ll find a lot of gifts waiting for you when you get home.”

Selena sighed. She was a good person, and she knew it, but she harbored ill feelings toward her mother for many reasons. Even after what her father had said, she felt like she could forgive her mother, but she couldn’t.

Selena had recently found wine and alcohol hidden in a kitchen cabinet, and she knew her mother was still using alcohol to cope with her troubles. She also knew that her mother would likely continue to drink now that Jordan was gone.

“Relax, Selena. I promise you’ll be fine. You just need to come to the party and have some fun. Xavier will be there.”

“Xavier will be there?” Selena asked, astonished. She had adored Xavier since they were kids, and she was sure he felt the same way.

“Don’t worry, Selena. Tonight you’ll have Xavier by your side,” Dalett said.

But Selena sensed that her friends, Dalett and Trisha, were up to something.

“I’m not sure what you guys are up to, but he can’t,” she said. “He’s still in a relationship with Jazmine. I’m wondering why he seems oblivious to the fact that she’s cheating on him.”

“Well, maybe you can tell him at the party, and then he’ll officially be yours,” Dalett suggested.

“You’re right. I’m going to make him mine tonight,” Selena said, taking a deep breath. She touched her necklace and whispered, “I’m sorry, Daddy, but I think it’s time to say goodbye.”

After leaving the funeral home, Selena and her friends arrived at Xavier’s house. They waited in the car for a while, and Selena ignored her mother’s repeated calls before tossing her phone into the trunk.

Standing between Dalett and Trisha, Selena gazed at the grand glass house, their hands entwined. She took a deep breath. “Here we are,” she said, looking at the mansion. Xavier’s home.

She knew that Xavier loved to party when she was sixteen, which had always been a barrier between them. Whenever his parents were away on weekends, Xavier would host parties with his basketball teammates. They both liked each other, but their different personalities kept them from being together. Xavier wasn’t into books like Selena, and she wasn’t much into partying like him.

The mansion was surrounded by a large pool, and music was playing inside. People who weren’t invited to the party had gathered outside, while the invited guests were enjoying the party indoors.

Trisha spoke gently, “Take a deep breath, Selena. I know this isn’t something you usually do, but think of it as a step outside your comfort zone.”

“I suppose you should take this chance to take your mind off what happened to your father,” Trisha continued.

Selena felt guilty for a moment. She had come to the party despite knowing she shouldn’t. She shouldn’t have let go of her father so easily, but she did. How could she? Just as she was about to turn and leave upon hearing Xavier’s words, she turned back. 

Xavier! She said, nervously tucking her hair behind her ears. She took a deep breath and swallowed, her heart racing.

Xavier stood tall and confident, and Selena couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. She had had a childish crush on Xavier since they were kids, and she still believed he felt the same way.

He grinned widely. I didn’t know you were coming. He pointed to the balcony. I saw you from the house and thought I should personally come say hello. Then his expression turned somber. I heard about your father, and I’m really sorry.

When he offered her a hug, she gratefully accepted it. It had to be Xavier. She’d go to great lengths just to be in his arms.

As she let go of him, Selena sniffled. Thank you, Xavier, she said. Her friends noticed and understood the signal she was sending.

Selena, Dalett and I will see you later. We’ll be inside if you need us, Trisha said, grabbing Dalett’s hand and leading her away.

I’m sorry for being here, Xavier. His funeral is today, she said, tears welling up in her eyes despite her efforts to hold them back. I feel awful for being here. I let him go too easily, even though he was my best friend.

Shh... Don’t say that, Xavier replied. He hugged her one more time. You didn’t let him go. He’s still in your heart. He took her hands and gently let her go. I’ll always be here for you, Selena. I’m here whenever you need to talk.

Selena nodded. Thank you, Xavier, she said, smiling as she released his hand. 

Xavier pulled her in closer. Come on in. Let’s go have some fun.

She glanced at him. By the way, congrats on your wins, Xavier, she said. As they entered the house through the front entrance, she embraced him. She believed she might finally have the man she wanted tonight. But is there a happy ending?

Not always! Sometimes there isn’t, and Selena knew she might not get the happy ending she wished for, especially when she saw Jazmine approaching.

Xavier! Jazmine called out as she walked toward them. At first, she didn’t even acknowledge Selena’s presence with her boyfriend. After kissing Xavier, she turned to Selena. Hi, Selena, she said. I didn’t know you were coming.

“Well...” Selena began to explain.

Jazmine interrupted her before she could finish. I’m sorry to hear about your father, but if I were you, I wouldn’t have come to this party. Everyone knows how close you were to your father, who also happened to be your best friend. It’s hard to believe you didn’t mourn him properly. I found you at my boyfriend’s party. She wrapped her arms around Xavier’s shoulder.

Xavier was taken aback by Jazmine’s behavior and detested her attitude. He was dating her just because she was pretty and had a nice figure. He didn’t like her personality. He turned to Jazmine and said, “Apologize to her right now.”

Jazmine snorted. “Xavier, I’m your girlfriend. Selena is just one of your friends. Are you really going to support her?”

“Jazmine, what you said was awful, and nobody deserves that, not even Selena. So apologize to her now.”