Chapter 32: Until Eternity
Ander placed a set of clean shirt, pants and towel on his bed and said to Reina, "Okay, you're all set. Enjoy your stay at Chez Muñoz."
She nodded, wearing a lopsided smile. "Thanks. I'm sure I will. Are you sure you'll be okay taking the sofa tonight?"
"It's fine." Ander grinned. "Besides, if Matteo decides to commit the grave mistake of breaking into this house, I'll be there to make him be very, very sorry about it."
"Oh really? You and which martial arts champ?" she teased.
"I think I can take him," he replied with a smirk. "Or die trying anyway. Whatever it takes to protect you, as part of my duty in being your knight in shining armor."
"You sure know how to melt a girl's heart, Ander Muñoz," she murmured silkily, tilting her head and widening her eyes in a way that had melted a ton of guys' hearts for sure.
Moments like this threw Ander off – when Reina was being flirty and her dazzling eyes pulled him in like gravity.
It reminded him of how they had first met at Maison. Reina, with her light that had shone so fiercely – how could he resist?
And that was how he had ended up getting burned. Bad. It was a mess that he never wanted to repeat. Ever.
Besides, Omar had been great. They had a solid thing going, and Ander would be a massive idiot to throw it all away.
Yet... he couldn't deny that he still wanted Reina Velásquez in his life.
As a good friend.
Because there was a part of Ander that would always want to keep her safe and well. For better or worse.
Now all he needed Reina to do was to cooperate.
No silky voice.
No head tilts.
No wide-eyed gazes.
Basically nothing that would fuck with his mind and/or heart... and make him fall for her all over again.
After trying to fall asleep for the past two hours, Ander decided it was time to give up.
He reached for his phone with the intention of scrolling through social media until drowsiness hit him. His friends were always asking him to be more active on Instagram anyway. Or was he supposed to be on TikTok now? He forgot.
There was a message waiting for him when he unlocked his phone screen.
Reina: Ander, you awake?
He laid back down on the sofa and quickly tapped his reply.
Ander: Yeah
Ander: Too wired up to sleep
A moment later, Reina's response appeared.
Reina: Same
Ander thought about it for a minute, and then padded over to the kitchen before making his way up the stairs.
His knuckles rapped the bedroom door softly but firmly.
It took more than a few seconds for the door to crack open, but Reina didn't appear.
Strange.
Because both his hands were full, Ander used his left elbow to nudge the door further so that it opened all the way.
"Rein?" he called out, squinting in the semi-darkness.
"Oh, it's you," came Reina's relieved answer. "And hey, I told you not to call me that!"
She flicked the light switch on and Ander had to blink rapidly to get adjusted to the flood of brightness.
Once he stopped blinking, that was when he saw that Reina was clutching a pillow close to her chest – and had to resist the urge to laugh.
"Why? Did you think it was Matteo?" He paused. "And also, did you plan on suffocating him with that old lumpy pillow of mine?"
"You didn't give me a lot of time to react. Anyway, a tiny bit of defense is better than no defense," she huffed, but quickly chucked the pillow back onto the bed.
Ander nodded. "Sure, sure. Anyway... I thought you might be in the mood for a snack."
Reina glanced at the two tubs he was gripping. "Ice cream! Ooh yes please."
They moved out to the balcony and were greeted by the sound of a soft summer downpour.
"This is such perfect weather," Reina proclaimed happily as she took one tub from Ander – pistachio.
Ander smiled to himself, thinking how 'Rein' was truly the best nickname for her. Just like the rain, she could be stormy and loud sometimes... And at other times, like now, she could be calming and quietly alluring.
Out loud, he told Reina, "So it'll be stracciatella flavor for me then."
For the next fifteen minutes, they stood side by side, eating in comfortable silence and staring at the rain.
"I'm done with my tub. Can I have some of yours?" Reina spoke up, placing down her empty tub on the floor and eyeing Ander's tub with glee.
"I don't know..."
"What!"
"Maybe... on one condition."
"You are exasperating, you know that? Okay fine. What is the condition?"
"You can have my entire tub.. if you let me call you Rein from now..."
"Until?"
"Until eternity."
Reina's eyebrows shot sky high. "That's asking for a lot, Ander Muñoz."
"Aww come on now. No one else had a nickname for you before?"
"Only my dad," she said, her tone suddenly subdued.
"Oh."
She shrugged. "He used to call me Reya."
"That's sweet."
"More bittersweet than anything now. Or just bitter."
"Sorry for reminding you of things that you'd rather forget. My bad."
"No, it's fine." Reina sighed. "I shouldn't be so affected by my family. Not anymore. Right?"
"It's not a crime. I mean, I think we can still find ways to place some importance in family. Even when they can't be the kind of family you're hoping for sometimes..." Without intending to, Ander let out a huge breath. Felt his brows starting to furrow.
It did not go unnoticed by Reina. "Ander? What is it?"
"Nothing. It's just... I think my parents are getting a divorce."
"Shit, really? I'm so sorry, Ander."
"They haven't told me anything. But some things you just know."
"That sucks."
"You know I'm not even that close to my dad, right? But it's weird. I just hate the idea of our family being.. broken."
"I know."
"It must have been worse for you, having to deal with your parents separating when you were a lot younger."
"Hey, pain is pain. I know it can't be easy for you right now." Reina nudged Ander gently. "Care for some ice cream? I'll share a tiny bit of the stracciatella with you."
Ander had to chuckle. "Oh you mean from my tub that I so generously gave you?"
"The way I see it, we're both generous. Just that you're super generous, while I am, umm, slightly less generous."
"I won't argue with that."
They both dug into the ice cream together.
"Ander, do you think tomorrow will be the end of it all?"
"You mean the stupid dare war with Matteo and gang?"
Reina nodded. "I just want it to be over. So that we can all get on with life."
"I have faith in our plan."
"Me too. But it's pretty elaborate. A million things could go wrong."
"We'll wing it. And not to be biased, but our collective amount of brain cells should totally overwhelm those of the San Patricio jerks. Don't worry."
Reina laughed as she pulled Ander's study chair out to the balcony, so that she could sit and continue gazing at the rain in comfort.
Ander followed suit, retrieving the bedroom's armchair and settling down next to Reina.
"I wish there was an easier way tomorrow to put a stop to the madness with Matteo," Reina said wistfully.
Ander stretched his arms horizontally, letting out a yawn. "It's not like we can make a murder happen tomorrow in school and pin it all on Matteo."
"Ha! That would be perfect."
"Do I dare ask which Las Encinas student you would want to be found dead?" he teased.
"Nah, I won't say out her name," Reina quipped with a wink.
Ander smirked at the mention of 'her'.
"I'm just kidding! I may be a bitch but I wouldn't wish for anyone to be dead."
"Sure."
Reina clapped a hand over her mouth as she released a yawn too. "Let's talk about something less morbid. What are your plans for the summer?"
"I want to get away," Ander replied immediately. "Let my parents sort out their divorce stuff. They'll just need to tell me whose house I'd be living in when I'm back."
"I want to be at the beach for all three months," Reina revealed with a dreamy smile. "Hitting the open road and exploring one tiny coastal town after another. Just soaking in the sun and basking in the anonymity of being just another random, faceless tourist on the boardwalk."
"Really? I thought you reveled in being recognized. You were the queen of San Patricio, after all."
"Yeah well, look how well that turned out for me," Reina replied ruefully. "I guess I'm looking forward to a fresh start. Erase everything that used to define who I was. A brand new Reina Velásquez."
"The old one's not too bad."
Reina shook her head. "You always see everyone in the best light possible – even when they don't necessarily deserve it."
She proceeded to lean in toward Ander and briefly touched his arm. "Thanks, Ander," she murmured.
"For what?"
"For continuing to trust in me. After all this time."
"No problem.. Rein." Ander flashed her an extra wide grin.
Reina could only groan in response.
Ander didn't recall falling asleep.
It was only when his eyelids fluttered as a faint morning light pierced through that he realized that at some point, he must have dozed off. So did Reina.
He glanced down at Reina's peacefully sleeping face that was rested against his shoulder.
He could detect her mango scented shampoo. Feel her gentle, tiny breaths on his shirt.
Ander did not move.