-What's wrong with him?-I have no idea.-Theo is very strange and lonely. Lately I've seen him more stressed than usual and sometimes I hear him crying in his room.My heart squeezed.-Crying?He nodded.-Yes, I think he has lovesickness. Poor my brother, I hate the girl who's making him suffer.I swallowed thickly.-You don't know if that's why.-Of course that's why. She's the same one who forced him not to go to college.-What?I was taken by surprise by what he had told me.-Just as you hear it. Theo didn't go to college because he didn't want to be away from that girl who has him suffering. I just wish I knew who she was.Is that girl me? Did Theo give up his whole future for me? That's impossible, according to Theo he didn't go to college because it wasn't his thing. Now it's making me a little sad, anyway, keep telling me about Liam.-What can I tell you? Liam is a very strange and mysterious person. I feel like sometimes his sarcastic words are true. -I bit my lower lip remem
I slammed the door because I can't stand Theo. And I still slept with him again! I hate myself for being like this, I hate myself for being so submissive. What kind of power does Theo have over me? I can't understand it."There you are," Maia said at the top of the stairs. "I was about to come look for you.""It's just that... the food didn't sit well with me.""Really?""Yes, but I just took a pill and it's resolved. What happened?" I took her arm, and we went back outside to the yard.Mom gave me a knowing look.Everyone was laughing and dancing; it was getting dark, and they had made a bonfire."Haven't you seen Theo? I want to introduce him to someone.""Who?""She's the new assistant at Mom's café. Her name is Monica, and she's very pretty. I hope Theo falls for her and stops suffering over that girl.""Who is she?""Over there." She pointed to a fair-skinned, red-haired girl talking to Aunt Anne. She really was very pretty, and I felt a bit insecure. I shouldn't care if Theo get
"Yes, I don't want to leave you alone here. I want you to get distracted. By the way, your father is a bit upset about last night.""I can imagine.""So, it's better if you don't stay alone with him today because he will want to ask you a lot of questions. What a day yesterday was." Mom left the room, leaving me alone and confused. I put a hand to my head and rubbed my temples.Liam.I touched my neck, but the necklace wasn't there; I had forgotten that I broke it. I wanted to see him. I got up and went to shower, knowing today would be a long day.•Mom and I went to Aunt Anne's café, and when we arrived, we found her at the reception desk doing some accounting."Good morning, how are you feeling, Cristine? You worried us all last night.""I'm better.""That's good, dear. Theo is in the storage room; if you want, you can go see him."I looked at Mom, and she gave me a doubtful look."I didn't know he would be here...""I'd rather stay here.""Go on, dear, and take this box with you.
"Cristine? The music is really loud," Mom said as she entered the room, covering her ears."What did you say? It's not even halfway up.""I have sensitive ears. What are you doing? Why is everything such a mess?""I'm looking for something to wear. I'm a mess.""Hmm, I understand how you feel. You have a lot of pretty clothes; I'm sure you'll find something nice. If you want, I can help. Let's see... I like this one, and I hardly ever see you wear it. Are you going out with Theo?""No, with Liam.""But Theo was supposed to be the one for the date." She looked confused."How do you know? Did he tell you?""No, I just happened to overhear a conversation.""I'm not going on the date with Theo but with Liam.""You're going to stand Theo up? Cristine, I forbid you to do that.""What do you want me to do?""At the very least, you should have called him earlier to let him know. He must be very excited about it. I know Theo, and I know how sensitive he is. Don't do this to him, Cristine."I r
"Promise me something.""What is it?""I want you to promise me that no man will ever touch or kiss you again."I frowned, not understanding. I knew he was referring to Theo, and even though I wanted to keep that promise, there was something about Theo that always made me give in to his seduction. It's something I've never understood and never will."Okay.""Swear it.""I swear."He pulled out a necklace identical to the one I had broken."This one is special." He put it on me. "I made it with my own hands, thinking of you. Never take it off, okay?""Alright. Thank you. I didn't bring anything to give you.""Don't worry." He kissed me again. "With this seal, I proclaim you mine. No other man will ever touch you again, and if that happens, he has to die.""Liam, don't be so dramatic." I wanted to laugh."It sounds bad, I know." I lay down on the grass and let Liam take off my dress, leaving me naked in front of him. Liam's eyes sparkled; he looked stronger, and I felt he was hotter tha
Theo took me to my room and sat me on the bed."I'll get the first aid kit," he went to the bathroom and came back with the kit. "Luckily, it's not a fracture, just a bruise. You won't be able to walk properly for a few days, and you certainly can't use your bike."I sighed in frustration."If you need me to take you to class, I can do that."I looked at Theo; he smelled of cologne, was well-dressed as if he were going to an important date. My heart sank, thinking that it was supposed to be our date."Did you hear my message?""Yes, just as I was about to come for you. I see you had a more important date," he said while wrapping my ankle in a bandage.I swallowed hard because I didn't want to hurt him by saying I preferred to go on a date with Liam."I'm sorry.""It's okay, I understand.""Really? You won't yell at me or anything?""No. I realized I can't force people to be with me. The right time will come when everything happens naturally.""Theo..." I stroked his hair. "...you'll a
"I'm really bad at relating to people.""Then no deal.""Greg, wait. Who is it?""Her name is Shelly."I tried to remember the girl... I think she's in my chemistry class. I hear her mentioned sometimes."Okay. I'll help you, now tell me.""No, first I want you to get her to go out with me tonight, and then I'll tell you what you want to know."I rolled my eyes at Greg's blackmail."Fine!" I walked past him and quickly made my way inside. I can't believe I'm in this situation just to find out what I already know: Theo doesn't have a girlfriend. I need to figure out if Greg knows that girl is me. First of all, I don't want to ruin my relationship with Maia; she's my best friend."Where are you rushing off to?" Liam grabbed me by the waist and kissed me on the lips."Liam, you scared me.""What's wrong, babe?""Nothing, I was just heading to class.""Are we going together?""Mhm. What happened to your ankle?"I stopped in my tracks."Well, last night..." I hesitated a bit, unsure if I s
"Where did you go?" Maia was sipping her juice. I sat down next to her with my untouched lunch."I stayed in the bathroom.""How's your foot? When I looked for you, you were gone, so I came here alone.""It's fine, don't worry." I took a sip of my juice."Are we going to the university today?""Today? I don't think we'll have time.""Where are you planning to go?" Liam appeared behind me and sat down next to me."Umm... am I intruding?""Not at all, Maia.""We hardly talk, Maia, but now that Cristine and I are dating, I hope that changes."Maia smiled."You're dating? Cristine hadn't told me anything! Congratulations.""I hadn't had the time to tell you.""Do you mind if some friends join us?""Who?""Them.""Oh, the ones you had trouble with Kaleb the first time.""Yes.""No problem."Liam signaled to his friends to come to our table. They sat with us. The guys were serious like Liam and wore black jackets."This is Junior and his brother Jeremías.""Nice to meet you.""Hi, I'm Maia.