ET Chapter 7: No Better Cure than Shopping
She knew they were waiting for them outside.
She could feel it. Their hatred, particularly her father's, white-rage and seeping through the solid wooden walls. She pictured dozens and dozens of them surrounding the entire place, weapons ready at hand, waiting patiently.
Her heartbeat was thundering, pounding so loudly and hard it shocked her it didn't burst out yet. She took in silent breaths and tip-toed to the center of the room, where she thought it would be much safer. She realized all too soon she was being foolish, being so quiet when they already knew they were inside, and let out a breath in a whimper.
She cursed herself for being so foolish. Out all the areas and lands her terribly wealthy and terribly cold father owe, she thought their lake cottage they haven't come to in two summers was the last place he looked for her.
Clearly she was wrong.
"They here, aren't they?" She turned her head to look over at him. The lantern he held over his head brightened the gold in his bright auburn hair. His rich, thick French accent calm and soothing.
She looked into those beautiful, unique soft violet eyes that had her under his spell the first time she ever looked into them. Those beautiful eyes belonging to the man she loved oh, so much. She nodded once, a dry sob threatening to come out.
"You have less than thirty seconds to come out before we come in!" yelled the loud, authority voice. Recognizing the harsh tone in the British accent, she knew it was her father, Lord Vander Mor.
He sounded so angry, so enraged, she was shaking. Terrified about the countless possibilities he would do to her-or worse, what he'll do to him.
Sensing her thoughts, he pulled her into his chest and held her tight, kissing her forehead as he brushed back her former long hair she cut short so she wouldn't be recognized.
He was a wanted criminal, she a high noble's profitable daughter. He found guilty of countless crimes and sentenced for hanging, she bid off to the best suitor with the richest background to settle her father's massive debts. They believed running away together would solve all their problems, freeing them from the bounds keeping them apart and finally able to be together.
They were foolish to hope. Her father was not one to give up so easily, calling every guard and every policeman to find her and to have his head. Along with the countless policemen, were her beloved's old friends turned enemies and blood-hungry enemies who wanted to murder him for leaving them in the dust while he got away with all the money.
"I have two last requests." he murmured, smiling as beautiful violet met concerned hazel brown.
"Anything."
A kiss was the first one he wanted, one she was all too happy to give. Feeling his strong arms around her and his soft lips upon hers, she melted away into pure heaven while desire raged and burned inside her, wanting more and more. It was kisses like these, so passionate and loving, that led to heated, intense actions that were seen as improper and sinful, but ones she wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
"Ten seconds!" Even her father's yells that used to chill fear inside her couldn't break this moment, couldn't ruin this connection between them.
"And second," Kissing the corner of her mouth before pecking her fully on the lips quickly, he drew his lips away by a fraction and held her beautiful face in one hand, his fingers caressing her soft cheek and smiling as she leaned into his palm. "Hold onto me and close your eyes."
He let the lantern drop with a heavy clang.
She barely had time to take in a breath or say she loved him before the fire spread and consumed them.
Gabriella woke up with a slight start, her mind whirling.
Her first reaction was to grab a pen and paper, so she could write down her idea before it slipped away. That was both one advantage and disadvantage about writing: ideas can come right at you randomly but will vanish all too soon before you can grasp it.
Opening the nightstand's top drawer, she was puzzled to discover packs and packs of condoms along with less than several packs of cigarettes, a lighter, and some change instead of her packs of pens and latest blue-covered composition notebook that was her new journal. She turned back, and, seeing Rob next to her and fast asleep, feeling their nude bodies close together under the green and blue plaid flannel blanket, it dawned to her she wasn't in her apartment.
Or should I say Javier's apartment? She questioned and soon a scowl darkened her face, remembering the reason why she was in Rob's apartment.
Javier, being such a hothead 99% of the time, completely ruined her Saturday. He was pissed she didn't leave a note because he woke up, thought only God knows what, and completely freaked out when he called her.
Acting like a-hole, insulting her, making her feel like shit. Gabriella received a lifetime of that treatment from one Montez. She sure as hell didn't need it again from another.
She didn't want to go home. She didn't want to hang around Pup, who probably suspected something and want to talk about it. She could have stayed dancing at Vicznor's, but Javier killed that for her. The library wouldn't start opening on Saturdays until next week, so that was out. With only ten bucks in her pocket, there wasn't much she could, so she turned up at the one place where she could hang out and chill: Rob's.
One of thing she loved about her best friend was he was one known for going with the flow. All game for hanging back, and not getting into anyone's business unless they were willing to open up. That was just what she needed.
His apartment wasn't all that much. Almost like Javi's, but twice as small with the walls painted in light and dark colors shades of white, the carpets emerald green and soft. There was some furniture from the soft brown couch and navy blue recliner and a small black coffee table piled with college textbooks, notebooks and binders, and his laptop and a black TV in front of the couch. The living room was morphed in with the bedroom, with the furniture in the center of the room while his bedroom was behind. By "bedroom", she meant his king-size bed by the right side with a small nightstand and shelves overhead. The bathroom, tiny and light blue, was down the corner by the left, and the kitchen was barely big enough for the fridge, much less a table.
One look at her when he saw her standing outside, her lips smiling while her eyes were hollow, he dropped any plan or date he was planning do and invited her in.
They watched tons on DVDs on his bootleg DVD player, blasted music with her iPod speakers and danced around, ordered tons of pizzas from Domino's and Papa Gino's and stuffed their faces till their stomachs were sure to burst. Then things got interesting when Rob got out a bag of good pot he bought from his college friend, Tim, a dealer that had the goods at a good price, which was strong stuff and affected them almost instantly. Getting high, they spilt an ice-cold Bud light six-pack and ended up in bed, where they got busy having very hot and nice sex.
Something told her through their drunk and stoned hookup, they fucked more than once.
Through her still half-stoned, half-dazed mind, she managed to untangle herself from Rob's oddly strong grip and get up. On slow, steady feet, she managed to find her scattered clothes and get herself dressed. Except she couldn't find her bra.
Even with her mind still exhausted and buzzed, there was no way she was leaving without her bra. She had some class.
Couch? Wasn't there. Floor? No. In the bed? Seeing as much as she could, with Rob still on it, that was a negative. What the hell did he do with it? She thought, a bit pissed. For all she knew, it was probably almost five in the morning and she was searching around for her fucking bra. Eat it!
She finally found it. Hanging off the hook on the shelf over the bed, slightly swinging back and forth. As it were mocking her.
"You've got to be kidding me." she murmured, retrieving it. She pulled off her top and strapped on her bra before pulling her top back on. She glanced at the alarm, the time reading it was a quarter to three in the morning. Shit!
As she slipped on her sneakers and pulled her messy, unruly hair into a loose bun, she snuck a peek at Rob over her shoulder. Her movements became slower and slower till she stood in place and stared at him while he slept on. There was something about the way he was sleeping, looking so peaceful, almost innocent-like that got to her. It reminded her of Paco when the little cutie rests, but mostly it reminded her of her brother. Especially when they were kids, huddled together in bed, his face looking more like his own, innocent age than more mature, almost grownup-like mask hr wore during the day. She opened her eyes sometimes in the middle of the night and saw his face, amazed that despite his façade, he was still young and vulnerable like she was.
She remembered countless times Javier taking her hand, pulling her away from the chaos that always went from horribly worse to downright horrifying, into their room. After he locked the door, they crawled into bed, which was barely big enough to fit two kids, pulling the heavy and soft flannel covers over their heads. She could still hear the chaos outside, the yells and insults and smacking and crashing, but they were muffled and distant like they were miles away. That was the way things always were inside their "tent", as Javier liked to call it.
That was the only was the only time she ever believed in magic. In bed, with the covers over the head and being propped up by the headboard, hands tightly holding onto each other, it was like they were a magical tent or shield where nothing could get to them.
"It's gonna be okay, Ella," Javi would whisper to her in their tent, whenever she was silent but scared (which was often) or crying hysterically (which was rarely). He squeezed her hand, which she responded to with an extra squeeze. "It's you and me against the world. Always. Okay."
"Okay." she murmured, scared but fully convinced. As long as Javi was by her side, everything was okay.
Gabriella shook her head, breaking the flashback. It happened so long ago, feeling more like a few millenniums than years. It was hard to believe they were those two little kids; it seemed more like it happened to someone else.
Letting out another snore that sounded more like an upchuck, Robbie rolled onto his left side, his hand hanging off the bed and fingers brushing against the blue carpeted-floor. She wondered if he'll be shocked when he wakes up and finds out she's gone. Or maybe he wouldn't. After all, she did the slip-out trick with nearly every guy she's been with. Rob's done that dance hundreds of times with hundreds of partners since he impressively lost his virginity to a high school senior while he was still in eighth grade.
"Thanks Rob," she murmured, dropping a kiss on his temple. He barely stirred. "Good to know I can count on you."
Making sure she was decent and had everything she need, she let herself out, but not before taking one last hit of the leftover pot. Sweet Jesus was it ever strong. She left Rob's apartment and went into her own, slipping in quickly and quietly.
Her stomach growled, dying of starvation and churning from the beer she drank. She was also pretty thirsty; thanks to the pot and cigarettes she smoked today. But she was too tired and made her way to her bedroom.
Kicking off her shoes and dropping her bag onto the floor, she crawled into bed. Then felt something lump and weird under her pillow. Three actually.
Three paperback books: Jane Eyre, her all-time favorite classic, glossy and brand-new, which was a far cry from the tattered, dog-eared one she got cheap at a used bookstore, Jane, a modern day retelling of Jane Eyre, which looked pretty good, and Before I Fall. Underneath the books was a note written on an orange Post-it. Gabriella stacked the books on her nightstand, switched on the lamp, and read it.
I know, it said, her brother's handwriting sloppy. I went all a-hole on you and shouldn't have. I knew these can't make up for it, but hope it can be a start.
Not even close, she thought, shaking her head. He's going to have to do better than that.
Gabriella crumbled the note into a ball and tossed it into the purple wastebasket across the room, making the perfect shot. Then she fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, it wasn't the construction work that woke her up. Nor was it the sunshine that was more painfully bright than yesterday or the sleep of something delicious lingering in the air.
It was Paco straddling her waist and bouncing onto her like she was trampoline, laughing and clapping and refusing to let her sleep.
"Go away." she tiredly mumbled repeatedly. Getting up early on short sleep while nursing off a hangover was not a good combination. "I mean it!"
At the peak of the laughing and bouncing that was becoming too much, she surrendered with a heavy sigh and rolled eyes. Paco was bouncing, laughing, and clapping so much, she quickly grabbed hold of him before he fell.
"If it wasn't for the fact you're my nephew and I love you, I'd sock you." Carrying him over her head, she got out of bed and scooped him in her arms as she walked into the kitchen. Anita and Javier were already up.
"Check it out! I got knocked up and had him overnight." She presented the laughing baby to Anita, a grin on her face.
Javier, who was seated on a stool at the countertop table, barely glanced up from his newspaper. Anita, who was flipping pancakes and scrambling eggs, turned away from her cooking to smirk at her.
"And who, may I ask, is the daddy?"
"Why Johnny Depp, of course." Gabriella smiled and tickled Paco as he started laughing again.
Anita glanced at Paco before she looked up at Gabriella again, a dark brow raised suspiciously. "Talented, very good-looking, multi-billionaire Johnny Depp? Famous Hollywood actor? That Johnny Depp?" Gabriella nodded. "Last time I checked, he has a girlfriend with two kids."
"Well, now he has three. Besides ever heard of a mistress? Whenever Johnny needs some relaxing from his stressful, glamorous Hollywood life and needs good loving, he knows where to find me. Knows I give to him good."
"Loco, obsesionado fan-puta!" Anita swatted her with a dishrag and Gabriella ran away, squealing.
"And proud of it!" she smiled, sliding into the stool.
Putting down the paper, Javier grabbed Paco and fastened him into his white highchair at the end of the table. "Not in the front of the kid, for God's sake."
"You need to learn when to take a joke." Anita told him, setting a plate of hot tortillas and a kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." he muttered dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." she mocked him.
"It's not like he knows what we're saying. He's only thirteen months. He doesn't even speak Spanish." Gabriella said.
"Yet!" Anita looked sharply at her smirking face. "No son of mine is going to be Puerto Rican American and not speak a word of Spanish."
"He's only half!"
"Half, thirds, a quarter, pint," Anita listed off, dismissing each with a wave of her hand. "Doesn't matter. Paco should embrace his heritage."
"Spoken like a true Latina."
Anita grinned. That, besides complimenting her looks or charm, was one of the best compliments you can give her. She was one who firmly believed in ethic heritage and one should embrace where they come from.
She was 100% Puerto Rican, from her dark hair and Hispanic features to her thick, fluent Spanish accent. With her dark tanned, bronze skin, nearly black hair cut in a bob that looked like a small poofy afro, slender figure with long legs and beautiful, bright face, Anita reminded Gabriella an awful lot of Anita from West Side Story played by the flawless Rita Moreno. Some customers and strangers who remembered the movie always stopped her from whatever she was doing and asked for an autograph.
She came from San Juan when she was 24, sad to leave home but, like some, determined to make a fresh start and a new name for herself. She met Javier shortly after when she was taking the lunch shift at Dave's and her diner was the closet place to take his lunch break. He flirted with her, she played hard to get, but in the end they hit it off and he left with her phone number, and, soon enough, a girlfriend. Two years older than Javier, she's been his girl for almost three years now, mother to her nephew for over a year, and recently became Gabriella's best girlfriend who was also like the older sister she never had.
Anita made them a big, delicious breakfast that was, like almost every meal she made, too big to fed an army. Huge stacks of chocolate chip pancakes (Gabriella's favorite), scrambled and fried eggs, biscuits sandwiches with egg and cheese and bacon with ham (also one of Gabi's favorites), and strawberry jam to go with the toast.
Well, that was for them. Paco had a few teeth, but still Anita was one who never took chances, especially when it came to her kid. For him, she served a bowl of mashed fruits, complements from Gerber baby, with a fresh bottle to go with it.
Though her head still was pounding from the beer and pot, her stomach was growling ten times more than it did when she came in last night. So she forced herself to eat as much as she can, filling her plate with everything, doubling up on the coffee she badly needed, never remembering feeling so hungry before.
"So what happened to you yesterday? You were gone all day." Anita said.
Gabriella put down the biscuit sandwich she was about to put into her mouth and snuck a look at her brother, who avoided her eyes. Typical. He was too much of a bum to ask himself, so he had his girlfriend ask for him. Stuffing the whole sandwich in her mouth and swallowing it whole, she said "I had to go somewhere."
"And where would that be?" Javier asked before Anita could. Even though he was supposedly too busy reading the paper to pay any attention to their conversation.
Bite me, she scowled at him, quickly turning her eyes to Anita. "I had to meet up with a partner for our project. It's for an elective class, Creative Literature. Me and my partner are doing Carmen."
"Oh, that's wonderful-" Anita started, but Javier cut her off harshly, saying "You're kidding me. Correction: you're lying to me."
"First off, I wasn't talking to you!" Gabriella exclaimed. "Second, I'm not lying. Why the fuck would I lie? Or maybe a better question would be why the fuck don't you trust me?"
"Let me think," He thought about it for a moment or two and came up with the answer. "Maybe because I trusted you to behave at East High. I thought you would get it into your head; none of us can afford to mess up. I fucking begged you not to screw up! And what do you do? You fucking fucked up as always."
Gabriella clenched her fists so tightly, the skin was ghost white. Lord knows if he kept talking, she would punched him without giving him a second thought. "Don't you fucking tell me who fucked up, you fucking fucker! I never asked for this. I never even wanted it. You don't have jack to complain about since you aren't the one who was forced to leave home behind. Do you really fucking think I wanna be in this shit-hole?"
"Language!" Anita scolded, scowling herself. Gabriella couldn't be sure if she was mad at her for cussing in front of Paco, at Javier for starting another fight, or at both of them for cussing, a big no-no, in the presence of Paco and fighting. Again. "Knock it off, the both of you."
But the siblings continued on and on as if they hadn't heard her, yelling at each other and throwing insults back and forth. Resulting a very pissed-off Anita screaming at them to shut up and knock it off and Paco, who was no longer laughing but loudly howling in sobs.
"As if your life was any better than now!" Javier yelled. The only thing standing between them from scratching out each other's eyes was the countertop in between. Food forgotten, fists clenched, they moved away from the table to the living room, where they stood apart from each other.
Tempers flaring, patience quickly running thin. If they moved an inch closer or one even dares breathe in a deep, fists were sure to fly.
"I was doing fine in school. I had my dance studio. I had a life. And I was doing fine!" Gabriella scowled.
"You call living in hell fine? Getting into trouble fine? The police getting involved fine?" Javier seethed in rage. "In the dear name of Christ, may the good fucking Lord help me, Ella-"
"Javier!" Anita screamed in the kitchen.
"You ain't Miss Sunshine either, sweetheart. I may be the fucking fucker, but better that than what you are." He continued on.
"And what the fuck am I?" Gabriella exclaimed.
"A fucking bitch who does nothing but complains and whines over everything! A fucking whore who probably slept with the school's entire male population by now!"
"I ain't no fucking-"
"A fucking bitch, cheap whore, and inconsiderate ass to make a sickening combination. I swear to God, you're just like her!"
Non-necessary, completely uncalled for, and way out of line. No matter how many messed up things she called him or he said to her, there was no reason in the world to even bring that up and actually say that.
She opened her mouth, to defend herself, to call him an abandoned asshole, which exactly was what he was. To say that he was no better than she was. But Javier was one step ahead, knocking her out of his way with his shoulder and walking out the front door. Leaving for work with a heavy slam to the door and not saying a word to anyone.
Damn him, she thought. There was a stinging sensation burning in her eyes, tears rushing to them. Anita started towards her, a crying Paco in her arms, but she ran to her room.
A lump was forming in her throat. Tears flooded her eyes, refusing to be ignored. Something twisted and coiled inside her like it was snapping apart from her, the pressure building up inside her. Gabriella slammed the door hard and locked the door, kicking it with her foot. Rage engulfed her, making her blind in fury.
She eyed the books Javi left her last night as a peace offering. She picked up Jane and debated whether or not to toss it, along with the others, out the window, throw against the wall, or tear the pages out. In the end, she dropped them back onto her nightstand, doing nothing.
She didn't have the heart to rip out the pages. She couldn't do that to a book.
Taking in deep breaths, Gabriella ran her hands through her hair, tugging at it so hard the pain was almost enough to make her forget. Almost. With her back against the wall, she sank down to the floor and counted backwards from one hundred, trying to erase those hurtful words her brother said that replayed in her head over and over again.
"You're just like her."
Two hours later, Anita came into her room. Paco was already okay and smiling again, but one step into Gabriella's room, his smile was wiped away completely.
Anita hesitantly entered with a soft knock to the door. Gabriella laid face-down on her bed, not moving one bit even when she heard them. "Gabi? You okay?"
"Fine," she mumbled. She wasn't sure if it was the hangover or the fact she barely won her battle against the tears, but she felt exhausted. "Leave me alone, Anita. Yo no estoy de humor."
But she could still tell Anita hadn't moved an inch from her position. She asked her why she was even here; reminding the young mother she wanted to be left alone.
Sighing, Anita came fully into the room, thinking about her answer. "Because since I'm already mothering a baby, I figure mothering a teenager girl will give me a head start for Paco's later years."
Anita didn't expect Gabriella to laugh, but she also didn't expect her to pull the pillow over her head and bury herself even further into the bed.
Her son was squirming in her arms, as if there was an itch he couldn't scratch. When she finally let him down, he crawled over to Gabriella and slowly stood on both feet as he reached her bed. He stood there, quiet and patient. Gabriella finally lifted her head up a bit and looked at him. He slowly took one of her hands, looking at it closely like it was a puzzle he was trying to solve, placed it upon his face, and made an adorable face through the spaces between her fingers.
"Gabi." he said.
Even in her most depressed state, she couldn't stop laughing at his adorable face. Neither could Anita. Using the hand he placed on his face, she placed it on his head as she leaned forward to kiss his forehead and down to his stomach, tickling it and making him laugh the hardest out of the three. "I swear to God, this little guy always knows how to make me feel better. Preciosa una."
Anita kneeled in front of the bed took him into her arms. "I know. That's why I love him," After kissing Paco's forehead, she looked at her. "Are you okay, sweetie?"
"Yeah," Gabriella smiled weakly but barely. Sighing, she stretched out her sore muscles and sat up in her bed, bringing her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. "Nothing like a good insult to really wound someone's pride."
"He didn't mean it," Anita settled Paco onto the bed and sat beside Gabriella. She laid Gabriella's head on her shoulder and embraced her warmly, gently rocking her back and forth while tucking her hair behind her ear. Gabriella was motionless and expressionless all throughout, not showing a single reaction, but she would be lying if she said it didn't comfort her. "He was just upset. Yesterday morning, he got unwanted letter from the electric company. We try to be careful, but as usual, it's never enough. And it doesn't help we have overdue bills to pay, too. He lost it and when he saw you were gone, he just took it out on you. I'm so sorry, sweetie."
Gabriella shook her head after she sighed and mumbled "It's not like I never left home."
The silence lengthened between them until Anita finally said "You know what we need? A cure to put erase on our Sunday blues," She looked outside the window, at the beautiful autumn day. "It's too nice stay inside."
Though Gabriella was in no mood whatsoever to do anything, staying in all day and feeling like shit was pathetic. She sighed again, giving in. "What do you have in mind?"
Anita's reply was a sly smile.
"Let me see it!" Anita said, pounding outside the dressing room. "It's been ten minutes."
"Give me a minute. Have some patience." Gabriella said inside.
Outside, she heard Anita sigh heavily and dramatically. When she heard footsteps walking away, Gabriella stuck her head out of the room, watching Anita race over to Paco before he put a black spiked bracelet into his mouth.
"Paco! No! No!" she said. "That's not for you to eat."
Gabriella shook her head as she rolled her eyes and went back inside.
Anita's cure for their Sunday blues was shopping. Usually once or twice a month, they go shopping for new clothes at store outlets and the mall. Even though they already went shopping last weekend and the one before, Anita was free this Sunday, she printed plenty of coupons from different stores, and they had enough money to splurge.
After a 45-minute subway ride, they reached the Northeast shopping center, which had thirteen shops and boutiques, including Anita's favorite, Ann Taylor, a cool thrift store that sold amazing clothes rich women gave away. Shopping and stopping at a few stores, they took a 30-minute bus ride to the huge mall downtown. Twelve stories high with more than three dozens stores, shops, boutiques, and seven restaurants and five cafes, and a huge food court.
Thankfully, this was one shopping trip they didn't have to worry too much about money since nearly every store was having a pre-Thanksgiving sale at 50% off. They went to Old Navy, where they picked up sweet jeans and shirts for the family. At Kohl's, where they had a sweet fashion collection named Candies' by Miss Britney Spears Gabriella thought was hot. Then, after stopping at Urban Outfitters and TJ Maxx, they went to Barnes & Nobles, where Gabriella barely resisted buying another new book and also was able to get a free paperback to go with it.
After the bookstore, Gabriella practically pulled Anita's arm off as she raced to her all-time favorite store, besides Barnes & Nobles and Borders, Red Balls. It was a trendy store that was half vintage with some of the seriously cool stuff they had in shock and half like an outlet to the trendy store, like Lords & Taylor with the designer knockoffs. It was her all-time favorite store back in NY, where she always bought most of her clothes from, and became her favorite again when she moved here.
"Gabriella, hurry up!" Anita cried. Gabriella raced around the store, picking up clothes off the racks and shoes off the shelves before going into the dressing rooms. Anita and Paco waited for her outside, sitting on the red leather chairs the store had. Problem was Anita was a woman who patience ran out fast. "While I'm still young."
"Wait!" she said. Inside the dressing room, she looked at her reflection intently, deciding whether the outfit was right for her or wrong.
Bright pink soft, fuzzy best underneath a black long-sleeved tee with a pink rock'n'roll electric guitar printed on the front, a matching bright pink plaid mini skirt that had rocker's edge with chains dangling on either side but remained girly with the pink rose pinned near the left pocket, and black biker boots she paired with fishnet stockings.
Gabriella looked at her the mirror and turned her body around at different angles, examining her appearance. It seemed to have too much pink. She wouldn't say she hated pink since it wasn't the worst color in the world. But also wouldn't say it was her favorite color, which was reserved for red. The outfit may have a bit too much pink, but the more she looked at her reflection in it the more she digs it. The rocker edginess definitely brought out her rebellious free-spirit while the girlish flare of colors showed her inner girly-girl.
Also, it definitely brought out her curves.
"Gabriella!" Hearing Anita calling her-again-brought her out of her thoughts. Rolling her eyes, she came out, doing a small twirl before posing.
"What do you think?" she said.
Anita opened her mouth, but closed it soon enough as she critically eyed Gabriella's outfit.
"So you like?" Gabriella asked, doing another small twirl.
"I like," Anita confirmed, smiling. "Very much like."
They took Paco's excited clapping and laughing as signs of approval.
"And you're in luck," Gabriella told her. "All this," She gestured at her outfit "I found in the clearance bins, including the shoes. With the 25% off clearance, the 50% sale going on, plus sales' tax…" She calculated the math easily in her head. "The total comes to…less than twenty-five bucks."
"That's good," Anita nodded. "I really do love the outfit, Gabi. Maybe I'll borrow it."
Both girls looked at each other, eyeing the other for a long moment or two before bursting into laughter. The idea of the two of them swapping clothes and going through each other's closets was downright hilarious. Anita's style was way more girlish while Gabriella's…was less than that.
Getting back into the changing room, she changed back into the original outfit she wore on their outing trip: a black and white checkered cap-sleeve shirt with a hem that ended three inches above her stomach over a black tank top and ripped jeans tucked into her black uggs. Besides the rock 'n' roll outfit, she also got for herself a few more tank tops, couple of rocking tops and cool graphic tees, low and high rise jeans, and tons of vintage items that screamed her name.
The employee handling the check out has been watching them-particularly her-since they walked into the store. So, when it was time to ring up their items, he gave her a extra super discount reserved strictly for employees that cut back their final total so much they barely had to pay really anything. They left the store with Anita beaming, satisfied with the bargains they scored, and the love struck puppy who kept his eyes on Gabriella.
"Sometimes, you can be really unbelievable. You know that?" Anita said. The girls carried an equal amount of shopping bags in one hand, linked their arms through each other as they walked, and Anita used her free hand to stroke Paco's head. After hearing too many stories that happened between babies in strollers and careless mothers she barely uses his stroller. Especially when they were traveling by the commute. So he was strapped in front of Anita into those baby carriers that made them like human backpacks.
"The guy practically gave us this stuff for free, so he can get a name out of you and you give me a fake one."
"Is it fake?" Gabriella arched her eyebrow. "I always loved the name Cataleya. Had it my way, I switched names in a second."
"You're insane."
As they were walking to the food court, they passed by two girls hanging near the bridge near the fountain. Gabriella recognized them from homeroom. The blonde was like a glamourized Barbie, dressed to the nines in designer label clothes that cost more than what Gabriella could hope to make in four years. The other was smaller, with short brown hair that contrasted with the blonde's gold locks and wore round glasses, dressed more like a tomboy in her Old Navy sweatshirt and jeans.
When the two girls spotted Gabriella, conversation stopped between as they shared a look and stared at her, dumbstruck. Probably a shocker the new loner in school was actually out in daylight, in such a public place.
"Hey, you're Gabri-" At the look of Gabriella's cold, stink-eye, the small brunette quickly snatched the blonde's hand before she could finish the sentence and fled.
"New friends?" Anita raised her eyebrow, looking amused.
"Only my two besties!" Gabriella smiled sweetly.
Laughing their heads off all the way, they walked down to the huge food court that took up the entire space of the first floor. There were more than dozens of choices from McDonalds' to Wendy to Sal's and East Ocean Chinese food. Anita ordered a Caesar salad from Wendy's to go with her double bacon cheeseburger instead of fries and a large diet Coke. From Sal's, Gabriella gotten herself a medium pepperoni pizza with a large Dr. Pepper to go with it.
They settled at a small gray, square table near the left. Anita unstrapped Paco from the carrier and into a high chair, feeding him a fresh bottle and offering some chicken she cut into tiny pieces.
"So why Carmen?" Anita asked in between bits of salad.
Gabriella swallowed her fourth slice, washing it down with some soda. Then she explained what the class was about, the genre they were studying now and what the project was about, and why Carmen was so perfect because it was so rarely used and an amazing love story.
"So you're going to be doing the final dance between Carmen and Don Jose?" Anita asked.
"Pretty much," Finishing up the last, she moved onto the other with a huge bite. Swallowing it down, she continued "Dancing is not only a huge part of Carmen, but is something not many people done for a project."
"So what's this partner like? Mr. Bolton?" Gabriella took another big bite of her pizza and took her time chewing, avoiding the question. Anita raised her eyebrow but asked instead "Can he at least dance?"
Gabriella thought back to their first rehearsal. They had a long way to go before they came even close to the tango. He had a long way to go before she could begin showing him how to move in fast rhyme. He may not be the most graceful, but he was getting off to be somewhat close to decent. "Let's just say don't expect him to enter Dancing with the Stars anytime soon. Or any dancing competition at all."
Anita giggled, and silence took over as the three eat their meals and got some ice cream. For Anita, she got herself and Paco a small vanilla and chocolate swirl sundae. For Gabriella, she got herself the triple brownie supreme with large chunks of brownies in smooth chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles, hot fudge, and whipped cream.
Anita heard her phone vibrating in her small purse. She took it out, seeing a new message, and looked at Gabriella after she read it. Putting it back, she asked hesitantly "Got a new message."
"So I noticed." Gabriella said, licking a glob of cream off her spoon.
"It was from Javier," Gabriella focused intently on the rest of the ice cream still in her bowl, not saying a word. "He wants to know how you're doing. Called you more than three times but can't seem to reach you." Gabriella's continuing silence fueled frustration in Anita. "He's trying, Gabriella. Can you at least give him that?"
Gabriella dropped the spoon into the container, her appetite gone, and passed it onto Paco, who eagerly dug his hand and spoon into the ice cream. She felt the holes Anita's eyes were burning into her, wanting her to look up at her or say something. But she refused. She reached into her denim pocketbook purse she made herself from old pairs of jeans, pulled out Jane, and started to read.
Anita wanted to do nothing more than to yell out in frustration, angry at Gabriella for not trying, at Javier who somehow managed to tense up their relaxing afternoon, and finally at herself because she realized once again all too soon there was still too much between them. So much, she had an idea of but didn't completely understand, so much that it seemed impossible to close the wounds.
She slowly reached over to put down the book, place her finger under Gabriella's chin, and made her look up. She held her gaze, long and steady. Gabriella's eyes were hooded, expressionless almost, but she knew she had her attention. "Your brother cares about you, Gabriella. So much. I know it may not seem that way most of the time, but it's true. He loves you."
Gabriella said nothing. Not that Anita expected her to anyway. When she tried to twist free from her grip, Anita tightened it, not letting her go so easily. "Since we've been dating, you were mostly what he taked about. How much he misses you, how he hoped you were alright, the things the two of you did together. He told me countless stories of two of you escaping to your magical world."
An image of the two of them huddled up in bed, their magical tent put up over their heads, squeezing hands popped into Gabriella's mind. She willed the memory away, not wanting to be reminded of it, and listened to the rest of Anita's speech.
"I know Javi can be a hothead most of the time. Paranoid, stubborn, a huge pain in the butt," Anita said. "But please knows he loves you. And please give him a break, sweetie. To this day, he still feels incredibly guilty about what happened, but to him this is a chance to make it right. Can you two please try to work things out? Please?"
The word "alright" slipped out from her tongue before Gabriella can have control. Anita smiled at her and managed to hug her across the table. She responded to the hug, but her mind was miles away in thought.
She really did wished things could be that simple, but simple wasn't an aspect in the Montez clan. Remembering the countless memories of the two of them being so close, she wished that unbroken bond between them could be mend and be strong as it once was. But it could never be because things still weren't right. The pain was all too fresh; she could still feel it running down her spine, clawing at her heart. The wounds still so deep, it was like there was nothing that could make up for it. The memories still clear and fresh like it happened yesterday.
Gabriella knew Anita wanted things to be right between her and her brother almost as much as she did herself. However, as much as she wanted it, Anita really didn't understand it. She couldn't because she wasn't there, in their shoes. She had no idea. Honestly, no one could get it or did. Not even Rob since he came from a pretty normal family.
"Story of my life," was the comment Pup said to her yesterday after her phone call. He, without a doubt, heard the yells between the siblings and then compared her family drama with his one, practically saying his own home life was no better than hers.
It was so hard to believe because he was the school's golden boy. One of the most popular jocks leading the team to winnings championships, the perfect student that came home with perfect grades, had tons of girls who'd sell their soul just to be touched by him. Had tons of friends, was very-liked by everyone, and had no reason to worry at all because his life was so perfect.
But she remembered the look in his eyes as he said his comment, the absolute sincerity in his eyes even as he lowered them, which were hooded and looked so sad, angry, and ashamed while he talked in a flat tone. That was something she was all too familiar with.
Maybe there was more to pup than she thought. Maybe someone else did get it.
Maybe.
An: Thanks for the reviews. It means so much to me you guys love my story. Also, pics of Javier, Rob, and Anita are in profile, so if you're curious take a look. Also, if you have any ideas what should what happen next, tell me please. I love hearing new ideas.
Peace out ;)