A whole bottle? I hope it’s for several people, not just me, or tonight could end badly. No, I can’t afford to do something stupid today. I have to behave.
When we arrive, I recognize the place. It’s an elegant bar that opened recently. I don’t think it competes with Artemis’s because it is quite far from downtown, while his club is in a particularly strategic location. We pass the entrance, and I’m surprised that the guard doesn’t ask for identification.
The first thing that hits me is the high-tech swivel lighting making colorful effects all over the place. We walk past the bar where bartenders are doing tricks with bottles and glasses. Everyone seems to be having a good time. We walk up some stairs decorated with little colored lights until we reach Ares’s group of friends.
This is going to be interesting.
The awkwardness I felt at breakfast the other day with Ares’s friends? Well, I’m feeling something like that now, but much worse. Samy walks past me and heads over to the group to say hi. With my hands in front of me, I interlace my fingers and glance at Ares, who is also greeting everyone.
I hate feeling invisible when people act like I don’t exist or pretend I’m not standing in front of them. Especially when it’s a group of rich kids who are used to judging you by the clothes you’re wearing: Are they branded or not? Are they from this season or not? And no, I’m not generalizing. There are people like Dani or Apolo who have money but don’t make a big deal of it, but right now, I can see the way the girls in this group stare at my clothes and make faces. And the guys? They just watch me as if deciding whether I’m pretty enough to bother talking to. Being the only Latina girl among them all makes it even more awkward.
I feel like years pass, when it’s only been seconds. I drop my hands to my sides and struggle not to run away. I’d like to say that it’s Ares who turns and draws me in, but it’s Samy who takes pity on my miserable state and comes back for me.
“Come on, Raquel. Let me introduce you.”
I fake a friendly smile while she introduces me to everyone. There are three girls. One with black hair who’s called Natalie, a blond next to her called Darla, and the third is the brunette I saw at Ares’s team party who had breakfast with us a few weeks ago. Her name is Andrea. There are two more guys sitting beside Gregory, Luis, and Marco. A blond guy who introduces himself as Zahid, and a guy with glasses named Oscar. I know I won’t remember all those names, but I don’t care.
I glance at Ares. He’s sitting next to Natalie on the other side of the table. It’s my turn to sit next to Samy, who was the last one to sit down; next to her is Oscar, and they seem to be talking about a music concert. Like a fool, I stare at Ares, who’s still talking to Natalie intently.
Is that why you brought me here, Greek God? To push me aside and amuse yourself with past conquests?
Lowering my gaze, I struggle with the bitterness in my chest and the tightness in my stomach. I had so many expectations for my first date with him. I painted so many different scenarios in my head, from romantic dinners to a simple movie outing, or maybe just sitting and talking in his car as he drove around town. But here I am, sitting across the table from him, feeling the same distance between us that was there at the beginning. It’s like getting closer to him makes the distance grow.
Everyone around me is talking, laughing, sharing stories, and I’m alone. It’s like I’m watching the scene, but I’m not part of it. This is his world, his comfort zone, not mine. And he left me alone in it, without a care in the world. Ares doesn’t look at me, not even once. And that’s enough for tears to form in my eyes. I stand up quickly, and Samy turns to me. I whisper to her that I’m going to the bathroom.
Passing through a mass of dancing bodies, I let the tears fall down my cheeks. Everyone is too busy having a good time to notice me. The music vibrates throughout the place, but it’s quieter in the bathroom. I allow myself to cry quietly in the cubicle. I need to calm down, I don’t want to be the dramatic one putting on a show, but this date meant a lot to me, and it’s turned out to be a disappointment.
I should go, but this place is way out of town. A taxi would cost a lot, and I don’t want to bother Dani again. I know she would come, but I don’t want to interrupt her night, and I’ve already bothered her enough. Maybe I should just hold off until everyone gets tired, and we leave.
Taking a deep breath, I leave the cubicle. To my surprise, Natalie is standing in front of the mirror, arms crossed over her chest, as if waiting for me.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah.”
“I’d like to say that you’re the first girl I’ve ever seen cry because of Ares,” she sighs sadly, “but that wouldn’t be true.”
“I’m fine,” I say, washing my face in the sink.
“Whatever you say, little stalker.”
My chest tightens. “What did you just call me?”
“Little stalker,” she repeats. I freeze. “Oh yes, we all know about your stalker past. Ares used to tell us how his poor neighbor had an impossible obsession with him.”
I turn and run away from the bathroom, struggling to control my tears. I want to get out of here. I need fresh, clean air, and something to calm me down. I know Natalie was just looking for a way to get me out of her way, but that doesn’t mean her words didn’t hurt me. Ares hasn’t acknowledged me tonight, and the fact that he told his friends about my crush on him is cruel.
I exit the bar, and the autumn chill hits me. There are some people outside smoking and chatting. With shaking hands, I take out my phone and dial Dani’s number. My heart drops to the floor when I realize her phone is off. Hugging myself, I move down the street, still trying to call Dani and hoping she’ll answer soon.
- Ares -
Natalie keeps telling me about one of her trips, but my mind is distracted. Raquel has taken a long time in the bathroom, and I wonder if she’s okay. Maybe there’s a line to get in or something. Although Natalie went a little while ago, and she’s back.
I interrupt her story. “Didn’t you see Raquel in the bathroom?”
Natalie nods. “She was washing her face, but then I lost sight of her.”
I smile at her, looking at the seat where Raquel should be. Something’s not right. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I have a strange feeling in my chest. I stand up and walk over to Samy.
“Can you come with me and check on Raquel? She’s been in the bathroom for a while now.”
“Yeah, let’s go. I was thinking the same thing.” We go together, and she goes in while I wait outside. Samy emerges with a confused expression on her face. “It’s empty.”
Something tightens in my chest, and I recognize it as worry. Where is she?
She’s gone . . .
The thought crosses my mind, but I reject it. She has no reason to leave. Plus, she had no one to leave with. Samy seems to notice the confusion on my face.
“Maybe she’s outside or on the balcony getting some fresh air,” she suggests.
Without thinking twice, I leave Samy behind and look for Raquel all over the place.
She’s not here.
Despair comes over me as my mind begins to analyze every detail of the night, especially her nervous look, and how she looked for me with her eyes. Now I realize that her disappointment and sadness were so obvious on her face. Well, fuck, talk about realizing things a little too late. Out of breath, I walk out of the bar, my eyes desperately searching for her. I pray she hasn’t left, though I wouldn’t blame her. I’ve ruined everything . . . again.
Outside, there are two or three people smoking. I look at both sides of the street, it’s empty.
No . . .
She couldn’t have left.
I know that if I don’t talk to her now, I’ll lose her. She’s already forgiven me so many times. I know that no matter how big her heart is, it won’t be able to forgive me one more time. Running my hand through my hair, I take one last look at my surroundings, searching for her.
Raquel, where are you?
THIRTY-FIVE
The Friend
- RAQUEL -