I look to Fernando, who seems to recognise her. Then I look to Hunter. His gaze is frozen on her, and he doesn’t even blink.Jennifer has green eyes. I can see it even though she is on the other side of the large room. She looks worn down but still more beautiful than the photo I saw in Hunter’s bedroom. She looks like a magazine cover model. If she took a deep breath and wiped her tears, she could participate in a photoshoot, and no one would notice her current desperation.“Sophia.” She sheds another tear. “My mother is in a coma. She had to be admitted back to the hospital, and I don’t know what to do.”“Oh Jennifer, I'm sorry. Wait for me to put on my sneakers, and I'll take you to the hospital,” offers Sophia.“I'll go with her.” Hunter repliesI look at Hunter in disbelief. He will?“You still have pain in your foot,” he explains. “I’m going with her.” He gets up and starts looking for his wallet and cellphone.“I'll go with you,” I decide. “The more help, the better.” Sophia do
Nerves hit me because of Jennifer panicking. People inside crowd around her. Hunter’s cellphone continues to vibrate frantically in my hand. I look at the screen and see a Dr. Pedro is calling.“Hello,” I answer, not sure what to expect. I stand up, alone in the hospital’s corridor.“Is this Hunter's cellphone? Could I talk to him?” Based on the man’s voice, he seems to be older.“Yeah… uh… He won't be able to answer now. Want to leave a message?” I ask.“Who am I talking with?”“It's Selena, his girlfriend.” Girlfriend? For how long? Will I still be his girlfriend once this is all over?“Well, in that case, it occurs to me to tell you I'm his physical therapist. Are all the papers crazy for saying you're pregnant or that he got hurt?”“You’re his what?”“Physical therapist.”He sounds a little harsh. He seems impatient.“A family friend is hospitalized in a coma state and he is accompanying the family,” I reveal.“Well, if it’s nothing to do with you, just tell him that Pedro called.
“Hi Jennifer, do you want anything?” I hate catching myself talking like this, so vulnerable. I am not supposed to be talking to her. I don’t even know what to say to her.She gives me a brief smile and gestures with her hands for me to sit beside her. Without thinking, I do as she asks.After a few seconds of silence, I decide to break it. “How is your mother today?”“The same. It looks like she hasn't reacted to the medications.” Her voice is weak but firm. I could see that spending so many days in the hospital had taken a toll on her pretty face. I could see dark circles and swollen eyes from the tears shed but nonetheless she had the courage to face the situation.“Have you ever taken a public speaking course?” She looks at me like I am crazy but gives a tired smile.“Yes, and how do you know that?” she asks“You speak so well and clearly,” I explain.More minutes in silence as she rubs her hands, clearly nervous about talking to me as well.“You like him,” she begins.“That wasn'
The elevator soon opens, and I jump inside. Only, I bump into someone and I smell his unmistakable scent. I cling to him and hold him tight.“Selena? Selena, what happened? Are you okay baby” he asks concerned.He tries to unglue us, in vain... He gives up and finally hugs me. The elevator doors close us in.And what am I going to tell him now? That his ex-girlfriend didn't do what he thinks she did but did it for his good, and she still loves him, and she wants him back? Damn, I can't think straight. And if I start talking, I will sob even more, and when I do, I can’t speak properly, and I don't like crying in front of someone because that's a sign of weakness.What do I say? What do I say?He walks me to the car and helps me inside. I take a deep breath, preparing for the barrage of questions that will follow. I take a deep breath once more and watch him settle into the driver's seat and stare at me.“Now tell me what happened.” His face is calm and patient. I stare and finally spea
“You’re running away.” His jaw clenches and his eyes are heated“No, I'm not…” I try to calm down. “I'm not running away.”“So why does it look like you are?”“Okay, maybe I am alright? And it is because it was the only solution I found.” I lean against the sink to keep my balance. “This is all too much for my head, Hunter. God. How do you think I feel with all this madness?”“Excuse me? It just got out of my control. I can't stand when I plan something, and it doesn't work out, and I end up doing things without thinking. Now stop this madness, and let's get out of here.” He looks around the corner of the bathroom. “Please.”“Do you already know everything? Why she broke up with you?” I stare at him, and he seems to be searching for the words to say.“Yes.” He looks down and then back at me.“And what do you think about all this?”He turns away, his mind running. That just proves he didn't think about it.“You haven't thought about it, have you?” I demand. “Now I understand why you ca
Hunter’s POVI smack the glass hard, and the bouncer holds me back. How can she walk away like this? Without even letting me explain.“Sir, we have to go,” warns the security guard. “First of all, keep calm.”I exit the airport and get in the back of Sophia's stupid car. I have to sort this out ASAP. Damn, why is this happening? If only... I fucking need to drop that fucking word "if only...". And why does she make me so mad and so confused, when she is just as confused herself?Since I met Selena, I’ve no longer been myself. I’m a better person. But I haven't had time to think about how this new self should express itself. So, I'm here, not knowing what to do. My God, I used to always know what to do and why. Now I don't? I look like her talking. I smile to myself.“To the hospital,” I tell my security guard who’s gotten behind the wheel. “ASAP.”Almost half an hour later, I arrive back in that horrible place.“I need to talk to you.”Jennifer looks up at me in shock. “Now?”I take h
August goes bySeptember flies pastI need to get my life straightened out, and I'm going to start with what I like to do most to relax: Dancing. I take my parents' car and dive to my town's community centre. Thank God my city is interested in culture and sports. I read the large poster in front of the newly renovated pavilion.I search for the coordination room, looking for an instructor, but nobody has noticed I’m here, so I sit there admiring the group of dancers forming in each corner of the huge pavilion. They seem to be separated by age or something. They dance rap, hip hop and move to an eclectic sound. I stop to watch the women who appear to be in the same age group as me. I look at their feet and notice they are all in high heels. I scan at the rest of the people on the other sides and see they have on sneakers.“You would fit in doing the Stiletto.”I get a huge fright. I look back and see a caramel-coloured boy grinning at me with perfectly white teeth.“Sorry I scared you,
“Do you believe that?” She looks at me suspiciously.“I don't even know what I believe anymore. What if he had lied that he didn't like her? Ah, I don't know what else to think!”“You know, I can't believe we graduate in three days.” She changes the subject suddenly, to my relief. “We're going to be the prettiest in that graduation.” She claps her hands in happiness. It is rare for me to see her clap her hands like that. She is always so calm and straightforward, and not a jerk.“Is Eric coming?” It is weird to call him Eric instead of "her boyfriend".“He plans to. Maybe it’s a surprise.” She looks at me from the corner with a smirk.The day today is beautiful. For the first half of December, the sun and the thermal sensation have been mild, making the day even better. Since I have started noticing the days, this is the best one so far.“Valentina said I could live with her,” I mention. I twirl the cap of my water bottle. “She said she wouldn't give it up.”“Sorry I didn't tell you b