The leaves traveled with the wind, and in the distance, two eyes watched something that seemed unusual—yet unpleasant. They were Anabel's eyes, observing from afar through the school building's glass windows what had happened between Javier and Frederick. It was unexpected and dangerous; the tension could be felt from miles away, and a sense of worry flooded Anabel.
Javier's gaze was submerged in anger and exhaustion, showing how irritating that conversation with Frederick was becoming. Meanwhile, he, keeping his composure, seemed calmer, bolder, and capable of anything—however, whatever, and whenever.
Noticing that ticking time bomb, Anabel raced down the stairs almost without touching the steps, bumping into several classmates on the way but not stopping to apologize. During that marathon, she could only think of the consequences that might unfold if Javier, somehow, made a mistake.
A few minutes later, she arrived at the scene, but it was already too late: Frederick had already left with his driver, who had come to pick him up in a black, elegant car after classes, and Javier remained in the same spot, as if he could still relive the scene he'd had to endure.
Confused by what had happened, Anabel approached Javier slowly, trying to interact with him in hopes of understanding what was going on between them.
—Hey… Javi, wha—
Before she could finish the sentence, Javier interrupted her with an angry voice, trying not to cause a scene:
—Look, Anabel… I like you a lot, really, but I can't deal with the nonsense of your admirers just because I'm near you. I'm really sorry, but if I have to become the center of everyone's world just for being by your side, I'd rather…
Trying not to shout and driven by anger, Anabel interrupted him.
—Do you think this is easy for me? That everyone talks about the new girl, and on top of that, that she's Black!? No, no, Javi, I know and understand your point, but I'm not going to try to stop you. You're my only friend in the whole school, and if you think I'm a burden, then I'm really sorry—this ends here. Go… if that's what you want —she whispered through tears.
Javier, stunned, watched Anabel walk away like a storm cloud, alone and devastated. Without knowing what to do, he turned around and went home, needing to rest after everything that had happened. Meanwhile, dragging her feet slowly, Anabel hoped he would follow her and apologize, because that was all she wanted and the only friend she felt she had.
A couple of hours later, while walking through the streets with her mind lost in the words echoing in her head, she crossed paths with María, Frederick, and two other classmates from the same school.
Seeing Anabel's upset and sad face, and her desolate walk, Manuel, a friend of Frederick, said:
—Hey, you! Come here. What's wrong? Where's your bodyguard—or is your boyfriend that big-headed guy…?
—You're awful, Manuel, hahaha… But don't talk like that to my half sister… or should I say adopted…
Hearing all that and then seeing Anabel almost in tears, Frederick grabbed María by the hair and kicked Manuel for their lack of consideration toward the innocent girl.
He took Anabel by the hand and walked ahead with her in an attempt to get away from the little group he had created.
—What's wrong, kid…? What's with that face? —Frederick asked.
—Let go of my hand. This is all your fault.
—Me? What did I do!?
—Don't play innocent. You know exactly what happened.
—Me!? What, do you think I'm a mind reader or something, darling…? —he smiled.
—Don't call me that. And yes, you know exactly what's happening with Javier…
She covered her mouth with both hands, realizing she had said out loud what she wanted to keep hidden. It was embarrassing to admit that her awful mood was because of Javier.
—Ahhh! You mean the conversation I had with Javi, hahaha. Forget that, girl, I was just teasing him.
—Oh yeah…? And what exactly did you tell him to make him react like that?
—Nothing interesting, really. Just that you're a very interesting girl, pretty and kind, and that if he doesn't want to see you that way, I'm willing to treat you like the lady you are.
—Do you really think that about me, or is it just another way to get my attention?
—Look, Anabel, you're a smart girl. If that were all I wanted, I wouldn't treat you this differently.
—Don't change the subject. Why did you tell Javi all that?
While Anabel and Frederick talked, Francisco—neighbor of Javier and friend from school—rode toward them on his broken, brakeless bike.
The closer he got, the more unsettling and unbelievable the scene seemed to him. In a moment of carelessness, he tripped over a rock on the ground; his bike squealed like a pig at the slaughterhouse, lost control, and he fell face-first, injuring his arm after a rough landing.
—Lucas! Are you okay? Can you get up?
—Yeah, I'm fine, it's just a scratch. Tell me, what are you doing with that scumbag…?
—That's not important. Let's go to the hospital, someone needs to look at your arm.
—First tell me—what are you doing here with HIM!?
—Like I said, it's nothing, I just ran into him and…
With a worried expression, Frederick interrupted, pretending concern as he offered help to the injured boy.
—Hey, are you okay? —he offered his hand to help him up.
—Don't you even talk to me…
—Please, guys, this isn't the time for this —Anabel replied.
—I'm just trying to help, but you see how he behaves, and I don't even know why he's talking to me like that.
—You don't know!? Never mind. I'm really sorry for this, Anabel. If this is your choice, then I'll make sure Javier finds out EVERYTHING —Lucas snapped angrily.
—I don't know what you're all talking about, really, but please… let me explain. This isn't what it looks like.
A little late, María and Manuel arrived. The other classmate had already left. They noticed something was wrong, so they stepped in once they found out what was happening.
—HEY! Who do you think you are? Nobody threatens my sister, especially not an incompetent idiot like you. I recommend you take your stupid scrap bike and get out of our way if you don't want to end up hurt —María barked aggressively.
—You guys are unbelievable. You act like you own her. Leave the girl alone. Don't cling to false hope. I'm telling you for your own good.
Ashamed and furious, Lucas grabbed his damaged bike and walked off without another word. María and Manuel insulted and mocked him shamelessly, and Frederick stopped Anabel from going after him to explain herself, even though she was anxious because of the promise Lucas had made.
—Calm down, Ana. If they don't value you, then you're better off with us. In fact, I'm hosting a party at my house tonight—why don't you come with your sister so you can cheer up?
—I don't know… honestly, I… —Anabel hesitated, stalling for time.
Suddenly, as if she had been rehearsing, María cut in—excited by the news, thrilled, and ready to convince her sister. It would be her first time attending one of the super parties of the charming, model-like, handsome, popular, and millionaire Frederick Fons, surely at the Fons Mansion. She thought all of this in seconds—her face turned red, her heart sped up. Before Anabel could answer, she accepted the invitation:
—OF COURSE WE'LL GO! Don't even doubt it, honey. We'll be there at seven, ready to set the night on fire—right, dear sister?
—Wow, I'm glad to hear that. I thought you wouldn't really like the idea, especially you, but… great. I'll pick you up at six-thirty.
—We'd love that. I didn't know you were so thoughtful, thank you so much —María answered for both of them, smiling ear to ear with a barely contained squeal.
Anabel, confused, pulled María aside, trying to stop her from answering for both of them, still unsure if she even wanted to go to a party after everything that happened. She just wanted to clear her mind and fix things with Javier—she needed to talk to him, something that now seemed difficult after that afternoon.
Meanwhile, Lucas—once he got home—went straight for his phone, driven by anger. While it rang, he headed to the bathroom to clean his wound.
In Javier's house, his phone was in his room. (Ring, ring, ring…), it rang over and over, but he couldn't answer because he was showering. After several calls, it stopped. Minutes later, he stepped out, grabbed a towel, and began drying off. He glanced at his phone and saw the missed calls from Lucas. He tried calling back, but the automatic message informed him he had no credit.
—Weird… what does Lucas want…? Well, he'll call again —he hummed.
After a while, the doorbell rang. (Knock, knock, knock). Javier rushed to get dressed and ran to the door.
—Just a second…
He hurried down the stairs and opened the door. It was his mother, returning from work exhausted and hungry after a long shift at the supermarket.
—Welcome back, Mom!
—Thank you, son. How was your day?
Meanwhile, a few houses down, in a small room, a selfish decision was being argued—a decision that would lead to an unexpected fate.
—MARÍA! How could you make such a decision!?
—Sweetie, hehehe, don't get mad. You'll thank me later.
—MARÍA…!
—Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know you prefer staying locked inside, hidden from the world while reading your silly books, but I don't think you'll die if you go out for once, right?
—You didn't even let me speak. I don't want to go, and you're not forcing me, just so you know…
—Look, Ana, I'm really sorry about what I did earlier, it was wrong, I know… but I REALLY want to go. It's the first time they invite me—well, us. I swear, if you feel uncomfortable, I'll get you out right away, but please, please, PLEASE… do this favor for me, please…
Looking into her wide, deep eyes—wearing that abandoned-kitten face—Anabel gave in.
—Okay! Fine! But listen… the slightest weird thing and I'm leaving—alone or with you.
—THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU'RE THE BEST! I'm going to get pretty! Then I'll help you, okay?
—HEY! I know it doesn't look like it, but I can look really pretty too if I want…
The two stared at each other for a moment, then burst into laughter, spending the afternoon having fun while getting ready for the big FONS event.
A few hours later, Frederick arrived in his limousine—shiny and eye-catching. He rang the doorbell (Ding dong…), echoing through the house. Quick footsteps rushed down the stairs, the door swung open, and there stood María—excited and ready for over an hour, eager to own the night.
—WOW! You look very pretty, María.
—Thank you! I just threw on the first thing I found. Though honestly, I think I could look bet—give me a few minutes to change…
—NO! Really, María, you look great. There's no need to change anything—you look perfect.
María couldn't handle the compliments; she turned so red she nearly fainted.
—Ahem… you look handsome too. Like a prince from those love stories —she whispered, blushing as she scanned him up and down.
—Did you say something…?
—No, nothing, hehe.
—And where's your sister?
—Anabel…? Well… she's still deciding what to wear. I wanted to help her, but she's more stubborn th—
—WOOOOW! —Frederick exclaimed.
María turned and saw his eyes fixed behind her. She turned around—and there she was: coming down the stairs, one step at a time. Frederick's perspective shifted; time seemed slower, everything around him lost its shine. "She doesn't look like the same girl," he thought. María was frozen too—shocked by the incredible transformation.
—Guys… do I look okay? I don't know, I couldn't decide in time.
—You look… you look…
—You're right, those clothes don't do you justice. You should've worn the ones I recom—
—You look very pretty, Anabel. Who would've thought that under that normal book-eating girl, such a he—
—Don't exaggerate. ALRIGHT! If you're not listening, let's go—we're running late.
Before the three could step outside, a forced cough sounded from the hall. It was Arturo, wanting to see who was taking his daughters out at night.
—I see you two got all pretty, wow. If I didn't know you, I'd think I didn't recognize you, hahaha.
—Yes, sir, they look great —Frederick said, eyes fixed on Anabel.
—Young man, and you are…?
—Sorry, sir. My name is Frederick—Frederick Fons—and I'm just a classmate of your daughters.
—Ahhh! From the Fons family, if I'm not mistaken…
—Yes, sir.
—Wow, you've grown a lot. Wait… didn't you have blue eyes?
—No, sir. My older brother Samuel is the one with blue eyes.
—That makes sense. How's your father? Haven't heard from him in a long time. And Samuel… is he still in town?
—Well, my father is on a business trip, and my brother enlisted in the army.
—Ahhh, I see. Your father and I went to the same high—
—DAAAD! We're going to be late and—
—Okay, okay, I get it. Such a killjoy, hahaha. Well, have fun—and be home before midnight. Got it, young man?
—Yes, sir!
—Good boy. Go on now, enjoy yourselves.
—Thank you, Dad —María smiled.
Arturo opened the door, acting like a doorman bowing to the ladies.
María and Frederick walked toward the car, and behind them came Anabel. She walked as if nothing were wrong, but before crossing the doorway, Arturo grabbed her arm. He waited until the others were farther away, still smiling kindly. Then he pulled her close and whispered:
—Take good care of my daughter, and make sure nothing happens to her. And… don't be late. I want what's mine tonight. Understood?
—Mmm…
—Good. You can go now.
Anabel ran off, pretending everything was fine, and climbed into the limousine with María and Frederick.
—What did Dad say?
—Nothing, just… just told us to be careful with the alcohol.
—BE CAREFUL!? Hahaha, not tonight! Maybe tomorrow… tonight is PARTY TIME! Yes baby…
—Hahaha, María… yeah, you're right. Driver, we can go now.
The limousine started and they finally headed toward the famous Fons Mansion, one of the few large, elegant, and incredible houses in the entire city.
The city tour—Frederick's idea to impress Anabel—was perfect. Everything looked new to her, because it was. María acted like she was high: screaming with joy, taking selfies… she was euphoric.
After that beautiful, unforgettable ride Frederick gave them, they finally headed to the Mansion.
Minutes later, they arrived at their destination, and María's eyes turned into sparkling orbs. Anabel couldn't even form the right expression. If the ride had impressed them before, what they saw now looked straight out of a movie: enormous, two floors, private road, pool, skating rink, game room, golf course… etc.
—Well, girls… welcome to my humble home.