"Excuse me," I questioned her, "but we both know you're lying."
"Of course not." My hands flutter back onto my lap as I reply, "Not likely."
As soon as he stands up, I felt helpless sitting so I too rose. We finally faced each other directly, and my breathing became rapid and irregular.
Why am I being followed?
"I don't understand what you are talking about." I dripped my lips.
Ares approaches me and I back away until my back hits a mausoleum. He presses his hand against the wall near my head, which caused me to jump slightly. "I don't have time for these silly games.
Answer me. My breathing is out of sync. "I don't really understand what you mean; I just came here to visit someone."
"Liar." He's too close for my poor heart's health. Nonetheless, this is a free town and I can walk wherever I choose."
Ares grasps my chin with his hand and forces me to raise my head, forcing my gaze upward towards him. His warm touch warms my cold skin as I stop breathing - his wet hair sticks to his pale, perfect face while his lips shimmer - I had only ever seen him from a distance; having him so close is too much for me.
"Do you think I don't know about your childish fixation on me?" he inquires.
My cheeks start burning with embarrassment as I attempt to lower my eyes, but he gently holds my chin in place.
"Let me go," I demanded as I removed his hand, yet his presence disarmed me and his persistence made things more uncomfortable than before.
"Don't leave until you answer me," he declares, with an air of conviction in his voice.
"I don't understand," I answered back, trying to block out his heat that seeped through his body and heated my own further.
"Let's refresh your memory," he suggests, and I don't approve of where he's leading us with this.
"Raquel, it seems you have been watching me closely for quite some time.
"Your desktop background contains an image stolen from my Facebook, while your Wi-Fi password includes my name!"
I swallow.
Ares's words made my stomach drop. He could possibly know about my crush.
After all, he had access to my computer and knew everything. To say I felt mortified is an understatement; this added another level of shame and embarrassment to my situation.
He exudes such confidence, as though in full control of the situation.
His expression conveyed a sense of mockery and superiority; he took pleasure in cornering and humiliating me like this. He expected that I'd simply deny what had just been said, put down my head, and let him laugh at my embarrassment.
So this thought jolted me out of my self-conscious state. A defiant side of me emerged when I felt cornered - Mom says I get it from my father - as an attempt at defense; Mom believes this trait came from him too. This now becomes a challenge, almost a game, with Ares getting no satisfaction; instead I wanted to prove him wrong by showing that everything he thought he knew about me was mere lies, that I wasn't easily intimidated, that Ares wasn't right about me and that everything he thought he knew was pure lies; so, instead, I raised my gaze and looked directly into those infinite blue eyes with confidence and held out my arms out.
"Yes, I do have a crush on you."
I underestimated his reaction and was taken aback when his cockiness instantly vanished into pure confusion and took a step back, looking startled.
"Why are you so surprised, pretty boy?" I ask half-heartedly.
Raquel Mendoza had left him speechless with her incredible beauty, leaving him speechless for good.
Ares gradually recovers and starts rubbing his hand along his jaw as though to take in all that has transpired.
"That was quite unexpected.
"I know. I can't seem to shake this stupid smile caused by feeling in control of a situation.
"And may I ask why you have such an overwhelming attraction to me?" he asks, tilting his head sideways.
"That should be obvious!" I exclaim incredulously. "Because I like you!" "No. Because I like you!" "Well that makes more sense now."
Ares' eyes seemed ready to pop out of his head. "Since when have you become so aggressive and direct?" he demanded of Ares.
As soon as I was cornered and had every intent of humiliating me, my thoughts quickly drifted to how long this had been going on: "Since always."
Ares laughs to himself. "At first I thought you were just another quiet, introverted girl playing innocent, but apparently I've been proven wrong; you are quite captivating and interesting.
"Hm?" I snort. "You shouldn't compare me with any other girl; I am by far the most fascinating one you've met!"
"From what I can see, you seem to possess good self-esteem.
"That's right." Ares approaches me once more and this time I don't shy away. "And what does this captivating lady want from me?" I ask incredulously.
"Can't you figure it out?"
Ares laughed aloud as his voice resonated across the mausoleums. "I'm amazed how well you know me; of course I can figure it out; just tell me so!" "Wow. So much has been revealed!" he concluded with a gentle nod of his head before looking around at his surroundings again. "Wait, don't tell me! Say something else!"
"Now is your turn to guess my desires. " "Now I think we've discussed enough; let me leave it up to you to guess my wants and desires."
Ares leans forward until our faces are only inches apart; being this close still impacts me deeply and I swallow thickly in response. "Do you want to come see my room?" "Absolutely." "Want me to show it."
"No thank you. No. No," I responded forcefully and shaked my head in response.
Ares frowns. "What do you want then?"
"My goal is quite simple," I tell him casually, "and that is for you to fall in love with me."
Ares laughs again. I don't understand what amuses him so, as I wasn't kidding around; nonetheless, his laughter fills my ears and fills me with happiness. Once finished laughing he looks up at me with bemusement before giving a shrugged nod of agreement and leaving with another bemused look on his face.
"Why would I fall for someone like that? You don't even fit my mold!"
"Let's see about that," I responded with a wink and smile, adding, "And even though my determination may seem strong."
"I can see him. He turns around and walks back towards the headstone where he had been sitting before.
Attempting to defuse our tension, I speak: "Why have you come here?"
"It's quiet here and people generally don't come here."
"Do you like being Alone?"
Ares looks at me before placing another cigarette between his red lips - lips I wish could taste. With each conversation with Ares I realize my limited knowledge about him; despite having had a crush for so long.
"Why are you still here?" His question hurt me deeply, making me question whether he wanted me to leave or stay put. Ares exhaled his smoke into a space nearby before opening his mouth again to speak.
"Come, sit with me. Don't be intimidated by me; given this bizarre situation I should be the one scared."
I swallow my tongue but obey like an automaton. We remain silent for some time as my thoughts drift into confusion: Can't believe I said all those things to him! Shivering slightly as the moon had already emerged from behind its black clouds to illuminate the cemetery - certainly not an idyllic view, but being next to Ares makes it bearable.
Ares looks over at me. He seems aware of my gaze. Sensing that I am gazing upon him, Ares turns his gaze towards me.
"What?" I looked away in disinterest. She explained: "Your computer had plenty of information; it serves as an electronic diary."
"You still haven't apologized for hacking into my computer.
"No I won't.
By doing that you violated federal law; don't you know that?"
"And by stalking me, you violated at least three laws. Don't you realize this?"
"Good point." My phone rings, and I answer quickly as Dani comes on.
"Why aren't you answering the phone?" she demands, infuriated at being unable to get through to them. Your mother couldn't reach you directly so she called me instead and asked what time they can expect their arrival home; apparently thinking you may still be with me."
"Tell her I'm on my way." Where are you, soccer practice has ended for good."
"I'm at the bakery craving a donut with beautiful designs on it; someone please tell Ares about that." I look at Ares and his mischievous smile returns. "And this particular one catches my eye immediately."
"Donuts?!? But I hate donuts!"
"Just tell my mother I'm on my way." I hang up before she can ask any further questions.
Ares keeps that warm smile on his lips and I can't help but wonder what it would feel like to kiss him. "You just lied. Am I your dark secret?"
"No," I explained over the phone, before his questions about why I hadn't told Dani the truth surfaced. Before further questions arose regarding why I hadn't told her the whole truth, I asked for his company. At least until reaching a street corner - from there on I can continue alone."
"That comes at a price; he gets up.
"Is there a price?"
Yes. He grabbed his umbrella and held it out towards my chest, forcing me to step back so the tip wouldn't touch. He took advantage of my discomfort by asking, "Let me kiss you wherever I wish."
My cheeks began to burn. "That seems to me like quite an expensive price to pay, don't you agree?" I lashed out with anger.
"Are You Scared or Just Pretending To Be Brave?"
"No," I replied with narrowed eyes, "it just seems like an exorbitant price tag to me.
He shrugs and says: "So enjoy your walk alone through the dark."
He turns back around, but I still see him looking over at me from the corner of his eye. I know it's to make sure that I don't leave alone; even if it means not kissing him myself. Who am I kidding; every part of me wants that kiss too; my stomach rumbles just thinking about it.
"Wait," I reply with my newfound confidence. "Okay. "
Ares looks at me again with disbelief. "Really?" he asks me.
"Yes!" My heart could collapse any moment now! C-can we leave now?"
Ares has his bottom lip drawn seductively up. "I need an incentive to start walking."
"I promised I would pay the price."
"Have I got your word?" "Do I have your agreement?"
"Yes." Let's see if that is indeed the case.
"What?" A gasp escapes my lips as Ares leans down to burry his face into my neck, his hair brushing my cheek. My voice falters as my mind fails me completely - all this uncertainty overwhelms my brain.
His warm breath caresses my skin, awakening my senses and drawing me closer. Instinctively, I move towards him.
"Raquel," he whispers in my ear, sending chills through my body.
I can hardly believe what's happening: Ares is pressing hard against my back, his warm breath on my neck and his hand on my waist - am I dreaming?
"You're not dreaming!" Oh no! I actually said that aloud.
As Ares kisses the skin of my neck, everything becomes irrelevant; his wet kisses trail along my skin all the way up until he reaches my earlobe which he lightly suckings on. My legs weaken rapidly without Ares holding me firmly up; otherwise I would have already fallen. What is he doing to me?
As I stand there trembling, little spasms of pleasure ripple through my body and make my breath catch. A pressure builds in my lower belly; I can't believe how much havoc his kissing my neck has caused! His breathing quickens, reminding me I am not the only one affected. Once he had completed his attack on my neck he began kissing the side of my face before moving across my cheek to press his lips against mine; yet nothing came of it; no contact or kiss came in return from him but never came despite opening my mouth in anticipation - nothing came!
Ares quickly gets up from his seat and offers me a friendly smile. "Let's go."
Are You Really Going To Leave Me Like This?, I ask, but before my plea could escape my lips I stop myself in time. Ares picks up his umbrella and begins walking as though unbothered by what just occurred.
Regaining control of my body, I reluctantly decided to follow his lead.
Tonight marks only the start of something, and I don't know if I can handle it all, but at least I will attempt.