2: Gigi

Upon arriving home, I searched for Mom but couldn't find her, assuming she was still at work. I left my bag on the couch and headed to the kitchen as my stomach growled for food. I made myself a sandwich and poured a glass of milk, sitting on the kitchen counter, ready to eat.

My thoughts drifted to today's events, that boy. His gaze, his smile filled with mockery and amusement—had we met before? Was it possible? I shook my head, dismissing the thought. If we had, I'd remember. Perhaps he just resembles someone else, that's all.

After finishing my meal, I went to my room, sat at my desk, and opened my computer. I checked F******k for any messages or requests and found one from Alessa.

"I'll call you in 5."

I furrowed my brow. In five what? Hours, minutes, seconds? Assuming it meant seconds, I saw she was inviting me to a video chat. I replied immediately.

"I bet Karina finally released you," she started once connected. She sat at her desk, filing her nails.

"You guessed right," I replied, resting my elbows on the table. "What's the urgency?"

Alessa stopped filing her nails and looked at me attentively.

"I found out their names," she said. I raised my eyebrows, wondering how she figured it out so quickly. She continued when she saw my confusion. "The new boys, the blond one is called Basael, the redhead is Kanael, and the dark-haired one is Afael. Isn't it weird? Everything ends with 'ael.'"

I pursed my lips, raising my eyebrows. How did she figure that out so fast? So, Afael, huh? A strange name for some strange boys.

"How did you...?" I started to ask, but she cut me off.

"Don't even ask. I have my sources," she blew on her nails.

I shook my head; that was just like Alessa.

"You know what's even weirder?" she continued. I shook my head. "That guy, Kanael, is handsome. Very handsome. I met him on my way out, and he smiled at me."

"Really?" I questioned, perplexed.

She nodded, not celebrating or anything, which seemed odd.

"Why aren't you excited or something?" I asked, noticing her lack of enthusiasm.

She pondered for a moment.

"You're right," she straightened up. "It's a good sign, isn't it? But he was just as weird as Afael and Basael. Forget it, are you going to Gigi's?"

Gigi's was a cafe where we usually hung out in the evenings—chatting, having milkshakes, or a bite to eat. Almost everyone from our high school attended.

"Sure, I'll change," I replied, bidding her farewell. I closed my laptop, stood up, and went to pick out some clothes. I opted for high-waisted pants, a long-sleeved shirt tucked in, knee-high woolen boots, and a coat. I tied my hair into a high ponytail.

I looked fine.

Exiting my room, grabbing my car keys, I was startled to find someone sitting on the bench across the sidewalk, holding a cigarette.

Afael.

What was he doing here?

I swallowed hard. My car was close to the bench, so I'd have to pass him, and he'd see me. Before I could approach, his voice made me freeze.

"The coincidences of life," he muttered without looking at me.

Not receiving a response from me, he turned his head, observing me.

"Are you going to stand there, Coralee?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"What... What are you doing here?" I asked, hurrying my steps. Now I stood just a few inches away from him as he got up, taking a few steps toward me.

"I live here," he replied.

I furrowed my brow.

"How?" I inquired, confused.

"In that house over there," he pointed to the house beside mine. "Now, I'm your neighbor, Coralee. Aren't you pleased?"

I stared, bewildered. My neighbor? But how? I knew the previous owners and saw no signs of them moving. In fact, the lady once mentioned she loved living here and would die here. So, what happened? They didn't even say goodbye.

"I don't understand," I murmured, looking at him intently.

He smiled slightly, stirring something within me.

"Of course, you do. You just want me to spill more, right?" He stepped back, sitting on the bench's backrest. "You're smart, Coralee. Now, I realize I shouldn't underestimate you."

I crossed my arms, biting my lower lip.

"You're... strange, did you know that?" It slipped out of me—I hadn't even thought about it. My mouth just echoed what I had pondered earlier.

He looked at me.

"I know," he said.

Internally, I nodded, recalling that my friends should already be at Gigi's, waiting for me.

"I suppose I should welcome you, right?"

"I don't think you're the kind to say things you don't mean."

I looked at him in amazement—how did he know? It was true, I disliked speaking without feeling things; I wouldn't welcome him if I didn't like him being here. And that puzzled me.

"Who are you really?" I wanted to know.

"Afael," he replied. "But you already knew that."

He stood up and without saying anything, headed towards his house. I stood there, still, not knowing what to do or say. How did he know that I already knew his name? Was he spying on me? I glanced at my window; my room's window faced one of the windows of his house. Could that be his room? My phone buzzed with a message, which I read immediately.

Alessa: We're waiting for you.

I got back on my feet, got into my car, and drove away as fast as I could.

---

"It's very strange, honestly. I also feel observed. When I was alone at home after I arrived, I felt odd. I've never felt that way before," Karina said, taking a sip of her milkshake. She had arrived a few minutes ago, and I had mentioned that soon the strange boys would be my neighbors.

"Let's forget about that, girls. They're handsome and serious. There's nothing wrong with that," Alessa retorted. "Have you ever read a book?"

Karina and I looked at her expectantly—did she know how to read?

"Do you?" Karina mocked.

Alessa shrugged nonchalantly. "My sister left one in my room, and since Mom had taken away my phone, I had no choice but to entertain myself with it. I liked the story—a typical playboy, handsome, and popular guy."

Karina and I exchanged a quick glance.

"Wow... Alessa read a book," Karina reiterated, not believing it. I took a sip of my strawberry milkshake, smiling amusedly, while Alessa just glared at her.

Several tables were occupied; high school students filled the place. The table at the back was occupied by the football team, discussing plays or girls. There were couples, groups of friends, and so on. It was a lovely place and had always been my favorite.

"Oh, oh," Alessa's voice brought me back to reality. "Look who's coming over there."

We looked through the window; three cars were parking. One was a red Ferrari, another a black Audi, and the last one a gray Homer. Kanael stepped out of the Ferrari, Basael from the black Audi, and, obviously, Afael from the Homer.

Great.

Everyone at Gigi's turned their attention to them, even the girls from the other corner—the cheerleaders—started to sigh and say that one of them would be their boyfriend. It seemed they had become the new popular kids at school, leaving the team behind. They didn't seem to like that.

The three of them entered Gigi's, appearing nonchalant, scanning the tables. The only empty table was... ours. Great.

I lowered my gaze, slightly shrinking in my seat so that Afael wouldn't notice me.

"They're coming this way," Karina whispered close to my ear. I heard footsteps until I noticed they sat at the available table. When I looked up, I found Afael in front of me. Now I'd have to see him around all the time. He winked at me when he noticed me.

"He winked at you!" exclaimed Karina in a whisper, nudging me. Alessa widened her eyes in astonishment, almost spitting out the milkshake she was drinking.

"Who? Was it Kanael?" she asked, in a hushed tone. We couldn't speak freely or loudly anymore.

"No," I immediately responded. "It was Afael."

Alessa sighed in relief. I noticed someone coming; I turned my gaze and saw the head cheerleader, Francia Dunn, heading towards the boys' table. She was still wearing her uniform, like the others.

"Hi, guys," she said to them. "We haven't introduced ourselves yet—I'm Francia Dunn."

"I'm Afael," he replied, giving her a flirtatious smile. Damn. "And they are my brothers, Basael and Kanael."

"She's flirting with them," grumbled Alessa, irritated. "Kanael is mine."

Karina rolled her eyes.

I diverted my gaze, not wanting to look... upset watching the scene. Watching how Afael was flirting with Francia.

"Would you like something else?" I said, getting up.

My milkshake had already finished. They shook their heads, paying too much attention to what Francia, the country-named girl, had to say. I walked towards the counter, feeling eyes on me.

"Hi, Gigi," I said to the smiling woman in front of me. "Could I have another milkshake, please?"

"Sure thing," she turned to make it.

"Hello," someone greeted me. I turned to him immediately; it was one of the team's guys.

"Hi," I smiled, somewhat confused since he had never spoken to me before.

"Coralee, right?" he leaned on the counter.

Was it just me, or was he nervous?

"Yes," I nodded.

"Hey, don't be startled, but I've been observing you these past few weeks," he said. "You're pretty."

Was he flirting with me?

"She already knows that," another voice intervened behind me. I tensed up at that moment, feeling my skin prickling. I turned to him. Afael was also standing at the counter, looking a bit threateningly at this guy.

"I guess so," he replied, dismissing the other guy and turning back to me. "Hey, would you like to go for a walk Friday night? I promise not to keep you out late," he smiled—a smile that seemed genuine.

Was this a date? I couldn't help but feel somewhat nervous, as I'd never been on a date and hadn't even had my first kiss. Depressing, isn't it?

"Excuse me..." I stopped abruptly.

"Larry."

"Larry," I smiled. "Honestly, I don't know."

"Come on, you'll see that we'll have a good time."

"He already said no," Afael snapped behind me. I glanced at him, furrowing my brow. Who did he think he was?

"Excuse me?" Larry inquired, expectant but clearly annoyed. However, Afael didn't seem intimidated.

"Don't apologize, Coralee, I'm happy to do it," he winked at me.

What was his deal? Who did he think he was? Anyway, I wasn't going to let Larry think this guy was in charge. Larry seemed like a nice person, and we were just going to hang out as friends. Nothing more.

"Larry, I'll see you on Friday night," I said, smiling.

"You'll see, you won't regret it," he said, heading back to his table. Now I looked at Afael, who was staring at me with clenched fists, but he managed to brush it off.

"What's wrong with you?" I crossed my arms.

"I just wanted to spare you some disappointment," he excused himself, trying to appear casual.

"What would you know about my life?" I scoffed, trying to brush it off. But his response made me freeze in place. There was no way he could know that:

"I know enough to realize you haven't even had your first kiss."