The resturant is three stories high. It stands in front of the three of them in a way that makes it look like a hotel. The building is adorned with bright yellow lights, even on the windows. The words, La Beso Cantina, are boasted in purple letters half as bright as the building itself. The entrance has large brown double doors with gold handles. Flowers are draped over the higher balconies, almost touching the awning that the entrance is stationed under.
Héctor stops walking and stares. Even from a distance, he can see the silhouettes of groups of people either behind the widows or outside standing on the balconies with others. Muffled laughing is and talking is brought to his attention. The music from inside can probably be heard from a mile away.
Héctor shakes his head and sighs. "I don't think this is a good idea." He gazes up at the resturant with uneasiness.
Felipe turns to look at him. "Well, you'll feel better about this once we're inside." He turns and starts to walk ahead, following his brother.
Héctor doesn't move.
Oscar frowns and gestures at the building. "Come on. At least an hour. You promised."
Still rooted to his place, Héctor looks at the ground. "I haven't been to this place in years."
Oscar walks up to him and grabs his arm in a rougher way than usual.
Héctor pulls back and gives him a sharp stare. "No. Really. I'm not going inside." He can't decide wether or not to show his fear. He doesn't even really know why he's scared. He hasn't even been near this building in a long time. He swore never to step foot inside again.
Felipe walks behind Héctor and starts to push him. "You're going in. We already have reservations."
"Stop! Let me go!"
"Only one hour, Héctor." Oscar holds open one of the doors. "That's it. Then you can stay in your room all you want. Don't you think Ernesto would want you to be here as well?"
Héctor narrows his eyes for a second, but then he deflates. "Fine. But I never want to step into this place again."
It's crowded.
The dance floor takes over most of the place, with overhead speakers that play the music constantly. The tables are clustered on both sides. It's just as bright inside as it is out. A chandilier-- much like the one Ernesto had in his mansion, Héctor remembers without wanting to-- hangs down from the ceiling, being the source of most of the light.
People are everywhere, talking and laughing loudly, dancing to impress their friends. Héctor edges around them and follows Oscar and Felipe to one of the right corner tables. When they sit down, Héctor glares at them.
"You guys should be glad I don't feel the urge to smack you," he says evenly as he scans the resturant.
Oscar smiles and rolls his eyes. "Calm down, will you? You're supposed to be having fun."
Héctor rolls his eyes as well, but with way less enthusiasm.
Ernesto should be here, too.
Héctor sighs and looks away. "I should've refused your offer," he says.
Both of them stare at him now, their smiles gone from their faces.
"We were worried about you," Felipe says as he leans forward. "For the last few days you've locked yourself upstairs. We had to do something before you lost your mind completely."
"I wasn't going to lose my mind."
Oscar's gaze wanders to the dance floor, which has been miraculously cleared of almost all its occupants. He turns back to Héctor and grins. "Why don't you go out there?" He tilts his head, smile widening. "You like showing off, don't you?"
Héctor cringes. "That was more Ernesto's thing."
Felipe laughs. "Well, Ernesto's not here, is he?"
Héctor gives him a warning look.
Felipe snickers again. "Just do it."
Héctor looks at the dance floor and huffs. "Only for a few minutes."
He stands up and walks over just as Ernesto's favorite song starts to play.
Professional musicians don't dance like that.
Ernesto's words come back to him as he dances, spinning and shooting his hands in the air.
You look loco when you do stuff like that.
Relax, Superhero, Héctor says to himself, spinning around once more. Just a few more minutes.
He jumps in the air, snapping his head back when he lands.
Just a few more minutes.
Héctor loses himself for a moment, getting lost in the upbeat music. And suddenly he imagines Ernesto beside him, frowning with his arms crossed and eyes narrowed, watching Héctor's quirky dancing.
Do you wanna dance, Superhero?
No. And don't call me Superhero.
Héctor closes his eyes as he imagines pulling Ernesto into the dance floor with him. The groan that his best friend gives when being forced to do something.
I don't want to do this, mi amigo.
"Well, you have no choice."
It's when the music stops that Héctor opens his eyes, and reality hits him.
"Superhero? Where are you?"
No!
People are staring at him, glancing around, probably wondering who Héctor is talking to. Héctor freezes, looking around. How come they don't seem to realize Ernesto's forgotten? Do they even care?
Tears start to form in Héctor's eyes, so he scrapes at them roughly. He thinks of his promise about being here.
I can't stay here.
Héctor is trembling as he sits back down. Oscar and Felipe cast cautious glances at him.
"Are you alright?" Felipe asks.
Héctor doesn't answer, closing his eyes and letting himself drift away. Trying to keep himself from crying again as he curls his hands to fists.
