Chapter 5

I didn’t know where Glace disappeared to, but after the chaos inside the classroom died down when she left, I shoved my notebook inside my bag and got up from my chair. It was completely unbelievable. The girl I helped and had a HUGE crush on was super famous. To make it worse, she saw my dorky doodle on my notebook.

Oh God. . . How could I show my face to her tomorrow? Please ground, just swallow me whole. If not, then make her forget about it, I prayed. I headed to my locker and saw Denise waiting for me while leaning against the wall. I groaned to myself. If it wasn’t one thing, it was the other. I ignored her and opened the door to my locker.

“Why the cold shoulder Dulce?” she asked from behind.

I pretended that I didn’t hear her and arranged my stuff inside the locker. Her footsteps alerted me that she was getting nearer.

“I’m serious babe. I really want to be your friend. Please don’t avoid me.” Her warm breath against my ear felt uncomfortable, so I leaned away and glared at her.

“Denise,” I said in frustration. “I’m not your babe, and can you please not do that again? I thought you didn’t want to be my girlfriend. Why are you still giving me mixed signals? It’s not only annoying, it throws me off-track.”

There, I said it to her. Maybe she’d get the hint and leave me alone. It was bad enough that I was rejected, but did she have to go near me every chance she got?

She lowered her eyes and twirled a lock of her blonde hair with a finger before glancing back at me. “I’m sorry for turning you down okay? I know I was a bitch for doing that, but give me a chance Dulce. Let’s be friends please.”

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and raised my eyebrows. “What for? Don’t tell me it’s because of popularity reasons. You’re pretty popular yourself so you don’t need me for that.”

“Of course not,” she said with wide eyes. “Look, let me prove to you that I’m serious this time.”

“How?”

“Let’s go out today, just you and me. No mixed signals, no innuendo, just plain old friendship talk. That sounds good?”

I thought about it for a second. From the looks of it, Denise would continue to pester me if I didn’t give in to her. I could always try avoiding her, but that would be hard because we run in the same circles. Besides, having her as a friend would be better than being all awkward with her. I guess this was for the best.

“Okay Denise, let’s go out today. But don’t forget about your promise. This is for friendship and nothing else right?” She nodded sincerely.

“I’ll just text Tim and Patty so they’d go home without me.” I grabbed my phone from my jeans and quickly sent my two best friends a message. I didn’t wait for their reply and replaced the phone inside my pocket.

“So where do you want to go Dulce?”

“Want to hang out at my favorite coffee shop?”

“Sure, whatever babe,” she said with a nod.

Since both of us brought a ride, we just agreed to meet inside the café. I was the first one to arrive. The inviting smell of cream and coffee greeted me as I opened the door to the shop. I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I felt completely at home here.

“Hey Dulce,” said Tina- one of my favorite barista’s. Everyone knew me here since I visit once or twice a week. Yeah, I was addicted to coffee like that. My heart probably pumped brown liquid inside me.

“Hi Tina, please give me the usual,” I said with a smile.

A couple of minutes later, she handed me the Toffee-nut drink mixed with caffeine. After paying for it, I scanned the area and settled on a table in the corner. I couldn’t help but overhear two girls my age talking about Glace, errr Frio, whatever.

“Did you hear about it?” the girl to the right asked.

“Oh my God! Frio enrolled on King’s Valley High! I can’t believe it! I asked my parents to switch me schools but they didn’t want to. What a pain!”

The girl was talking so loudly that the other customers inside the shop were staring at her in annoyance. The two friends continued to giggle and speak in high notes until the girl on the right took out a magazine with Glace’s face on it.

I stole a look and saw Glace’s familiar coffee colored eyes staring modestly at the camera. My mouth opened slightly when I noticed what she was wearing at the cover. Not only was it familiar, it was mine. Yup, it was the grey shirt I lent her the other week. My cheeks turned bright red in embarrassment.

Why did she wear that for her interview? The shirt wasn’t cheap to begin with, but that wasn’t the point. I just couldn’t believe that she’d wear something of mine and flaunt it for the entire world to see. I knew that nobody would think that it wasn’t hers, but still. . . What was she thinking? She could have worn one of the outfits selected for her.

My train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of Denise. “Hey babe,” she said.

“What took you so long?” I caught the word ‘babe’ that she said but I chose to let it slip.

She smiled coyly at me. “Dulce sweetheart, girls like us should prepare first when going on a. . .”

I stopped her with a stare. “You promised,” I accused. There she goes with her mixed signals again. I let out a puff of air.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine. . . Let me just get my coffee in the counter so we can talk about friendly stuff.” She flipped her blonde hair and turned her back to me before going to her destination.

Meanwhile, the two giggling girls stood up and went on their way, taking Glace’s magazine and all her cuteness with them. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was a celebrity.

Two gorgeous women took a seat on the booth that was vacated a few seconds ago. The girl with black hair and blue eyes stared lovingly at her companion, making the other woman blush. “Stop looking at me like that Emiri,” she said with a smile.

I quickly averted my eyes and concentrated on my drink. It was clear that they were a couple. I envy them so much. I wished that I could have someone like that. Denise was the first person I ever asked out, and look how that turned out.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Speaking of the devil. I glanced at Denise and watched as she took a seat in front of me. “So what did you want to talk about?’ I asked.

She shrugged. “Normal stuff, like what’s your ideal partner?”

“That’s normal?” I asked with raised eyebrows.

“Whatever Dulce, just answer the stupid question.”

“Okay. . . When you said partner, I’m assuming that you meant a girl. I’m a lesbian Denise and whether you like it or not, I’m attracted to women.” I stared pointedly at her to get my point across. She didn’t object so I continued.

“I don’t really have a specific type. I used to, but I realized quickly that you don’t always get what you want, especially when it comes to love. I go with my instinct instead. If she gives me the whole butterfly in the stomach thing, then I’m good with that.”

“What about the looks? Don’t tell me you’d go out with just anyone because she gave you the butterfly thingy. That’s like eww.” She rolled her eyes and fanned her face with her hands.

I smirked at her. “I’m not a hypocrite. Of course I’m attracted to beautiful people. But I also understand that it’s not the foundation of a good relationship. Only shallow-minded people think that. What about you Denise? It’s clear as day that you’re gay. Why hide it?”

My question caught her off-guard. She looked uncomfortable for a moment but soon regained confidence in herself. “I’m not lesbian, duh! I totally go out with guys.”

“Don’t kid yourself girl. I know what you are.” I stood up and leaned near her. “Look. . . When you’re ready to accept who you are, just call me and I’d be your friend. Until then, please stop spitting lies in my face. It’s really annoying.”

I took my cold drink and left her on the table. I don’t need people like her in my life. When I reached my car, the phone in my pocket vibrated, startling me. The number on the screen was not listed on my phone records. Who could it be?