My Heart's in Havana

By Vein Creature

Chapter One

On the way back to the US, my parents tried to convince me to start considering Radcliff, not bringing up Javier or the contest once. I answered with nods and "mhm"s, but I wasn't all there. I was still bound to Javier back in Havana, worrying, wondering. What if the Revolution didn't run as planned? What if... Lots of things plagued my mind. Now that Javier was gone, would I give up dancing as well? I was passionate about it, yes, but part of the passion was dancing with him. Suzie tried to cheer me up, saying that moving back to the states was gonna be great, she couldn't wait to get back to Elvis and the American Bandstand

Once we arrived in Miami, we were all settled pretty quickly. In apologies to the incident in Cuba, Chrysler paid for us to stay in Florida and my dad to continue his work here. Miami was beautiful, sunny beaches and friendly atmosphere, it sort of resembled Cuba in some ways, everyone seemed pretty carefree. I hadn't actually graduated, but somehow was able to end up with a high school diploma. My mother had it all arranged. I could tell my family was worried that I hadn't gone to good old Katey, but I was in a depressed slump, feeling sick…even throwing up occasionally. I wasn't even sure anymore that I becoming the woman I wanted to be... I wanted to get over Javier so badly. Suzie did well with everyone in Florida and in school. She told me it was just as laid-back as Havana

"Katey?" She asked, quietly entering the living. I slouched lazily on the stiff patterned couch, staring longingly out into the ocean

"Hm?" I didn't bother get up. I had been in and out of this state of lying on the couch, unless it was an emergency, my butt was glued to the cushion. She hesitantly took a seat beside me. She tried to get my attention, to make me look back at her. I was just too tired. She tucked a blonde strand behind her ear, defeated

"I hate it when you get like this." She tried to get some sort of reaction, but I didn't budge. She sighed and after a long silence she tried again, "I know you miss him." I turned sharply to face her. "But I miss you more.

"I sincerely doubt that." I said, forcing a smile to cheer her up

"You know, what'll make you feel better?" I shook my head. "Radcliffe!" She squealed. My stomach dropped. "Please? Mom and Dad are right! You'll love it! They got me looking at some brochures and they probably have cute Harvard boys nearby..." She kept going, not knowing I tuned her out. Radcliffe? Was I ready to move on? Harvard boys? I guess it was pointless to dwell on him, he was going to leave the beginning of Cuban Freedom for me, but some part of my heart was still waiting for him to burst through the doors and rescue me. "So, what'dya think?" She had this big hopeful smile. My family only had the best intentions, I suppose... I had no choice but to nod wearily. She hugged me, bouncing up and down, so excited. "We need to go shopping for a new wardrobe for you! You thought you were going in those clothes? As if!" She giggled and I laughed, half-heartedly. Goodbye, my first love, I'm leaving you for Boston.

As I stuffed my suitcase, folding meticulously, my father came in and put an arm around my shoulders. "Hi, Dad." I greeted

"Katey, you know, I'm very happy you decided to go to Radcliffe it's a really good school.

"I know." I said in a tone that I used with my dad when he was repeating himself

"But, are you sure it's what you want?" My brain pulsated with the answer

"Yes." I nodded. It HAS to be. He nodded in agreement. He straightened, remembering something

"Oh! By the way, I've been saving this since we left from Havana. Your mother didn't want to take it, but I thought you might have wanted it." He pulled a small leather bound book. "He said he wanted you to have it. He insisted that you should have it." I took it in my hands and stroked it, remembering. This was the book Javier was reading, wasn't it? "I'll let you get back to your packing." I nodded and after he left I went to sit on the bed and look over it. I so dreadfully wished I could read Spanish. Los... Los Ma... something. He was reading it Christmas Evem. It was his father's. The last of his father's books. I flipped through the pages, hoping he had left me some sort of sign... note... something! I shook the books pages, upset. Something fell out. It was a pressed flower and a note... in Spanish. I laughed. What did it say. French and Spanish were roance languages, but I still couldn't read Spanish. Espéreme... What did that mean? Suzie was learning Spanish as a second language for school... So, I went and asked her.

"Es-per-em?" She asked and I showed her the note just in case my pronunciation wasn't enough. "Oh, Espéreme! Um... I think it means Expect me or Wait for me... but I could be wrong." She shrugged, nonchalantly. My heart stopped. "Still packing, geez Katey." Then she ran off. Wait for me? Oh, Javier...

Outside, I could hear a seagull cry in despair as the sun set red-orange on the horizon.

How am I supposed to wait for you in Boston?

A/N: I know Katey was all happy at the end of the movie, but, come on, whose she kidding? Any girl would be crushed to be leaving her first love. Now I've got conflict coming up. The Bay of Pigs and all that. I'm sorry that the story is kinda rough around the edges. I'll try to smooth it out a little more. Was it absolutely wonderful? Was it so horrible that you think I should burn in the depths of fanfic hell? Or was it so-so? Or was it just okay? I'll never know unless you REVIEW! Yes. It's that little button down there. Pick it and click it.

I do have lots of fun stuff for later in the story! So, read on! I'm still kind of debating on a title, so suggestions are warmly welcomed!