I just now come to the realization that despite having shared intimate moments, he and I have never kissed. Why don't you give me a kiss? I'd like to ask him, but right now I lack the courage to do so. What would I gain by asking him that, anyway? especially if spending time with him is impossible.
He's been gracious and sweet. He acted in a gentlemanly manner, but neither his nor my perspective on the situation has changed. I feel compelled to thank Ares for drawing circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. "I really appreciate it.
All of this wasn't required of you. Thank you so much Ares.
"Witch, I'm always at your service."
Constantly...
My heart beats more quickly as a result, and my stomach flutters. He grabs my chin with his hand.
What are you doing, exactly?
He evaluates my face's bruised part. You really don't need to take anything, in my opinion, but you should take an analgesic if you're in pain. That should help you to be alright.
"Are you now a doctor?"
Ares laughs a little. "Not yet."
what do you mean not yet?
When I graduate from high school, I want to study medicine.
I'm surprised by that. "Really"?
Why are you so shocked?
"I assumed you would pursue a legal or business degree like your father and brother."
"To work for the business of my father"?
"I never thought of you as a physician."
But you'd make a lovely doctor.
Everyone believes that to be the case. He scowls. "I'm certain Artemis and my parents share the same opinion."
They are unaware of your desire to pursue a career in medicine.
You are the first person I have told, actually.
"Why?" Why me? Before I can stop myself, the question comes out of my mouth.
Ares averts his gaze. "I'm not sure."
I control my urge to stop questioning him by biting my tongue.
He gets to his feet. I told Apolo I would take him to the animal shelter, so I should leave.
"To the shelter for animals"?
"Raquel, you have a lot of questions." He doesn't mean any harm when he says it.
When Mom is happy and allows it, Apollo fosters puppies. We would be surrounded by dozens of dogs if it were up to him.
That explains the various doggies I occasionally observe in the backyard, I see.
"Apolo is a really nice kid."
Ares takes on a serious tone. He is, indeed.
"Could you please give him my regards?"
Do you miss the sleep routine with him?
Here we go, the naughty Ares has returned.
Because you've been doing well so far, Ares, I'm going to forget what you said.
Greek God, leave now before you ruin the moment.
Ares begins to speak but pauses. Finally, he says, "Well, I'm hoping you'll feel better soon." Please let me know if you need anything.
I'll be fine, I promise.
Besides I won't be able to call you, they took my phone.
I'd like to say it, but I don't want to sound pleading. Perhaps he's just being polite and doesn't really want me to "let him know" about anything.
Ares climbs out of my window before I can respond.
Dani does not blink, move, or speak. Before she starts asking me what happened, if I'm okay, that I need to file a report, and disciplining me when I say no, I wasn't even sure she was breathing. She repeats what my mother said when I told her.
She warned me that those men might attack another girl if I don't.
Nobody else should experience what I did, in my opinion.
I therefore make the decision to visit the police station with the support of Dani and my mother.
In the hopes that they will return and that the police will find them before they find other victims, I make sure to mention the bridge. Mom then drops us off at Dani's house because she won't leave me alone at home tonight while she is on duty at the hospital.
I tell Dani everything that happened to Ares in the privacy of her room. She needs some time to process everything. For her, I jumped from pursuing Ares out of the shadows to squabbling with him over Wi-Fi to performing things with him suddenly. When I think back on what we did, I blush. With a bowl of popcorn in between us, we are cross-legged on her bed while still wearing our pajamas.
Dani, remember to breathe.
She adjusts her black hair behind her ears after taking a deep breath. "I have to admit, I'm impressed."
"Impressed"?
Yes, you did place him where he needed to be. You have courage. You have my sincere admiration.
It's not a big deal, really.
It is, of course. I never imagined you would interact with him or even put him in his place. Bravo! She hands me five as she raises her hand.
I hesitantly give her five. "Dani, it wasn't simple. You are aware of my fondness for him.
I am aware that it was difficult. I'm congratulating you because of this, silly.
I take some popcorn in my hand. I sometimes find it hard to believe we ever had a relationship. He's always been way above my pay grade. I put as much popcorn in my mouth as I can.
She chuckles, "I can't believe it either." "Who was to know?" It's unpredictable in life.
Dani takes her time chewing on her popcorn.
Despite the fact that I believe he is still above my pay grade. He only wants to have fun; he has no serious interest in me. Even if he likes me, I'm not sure.
Dani makes a tongue click. "You must be liked by him. Yes, he is physically drawn to you, but it wouldn't make sense for anyone to get involved with someone they dislike.
I repeat bitterly, trying to mimic his voice, "But he told me, with his stupid, beautiful face:" Because you like me but I don't like you. "
"He wouldn't have tried anything with you if he didn't like you." Nothing.
"Dani, stop!"
"Stop what?"
Don't say things like that because they will raise my expectations of him once more.
Two fingers are joined by Dani, who then uses them as a zipper to slide across her mouth. I'll stop talking then, I suppose.
I smack her with popcorn. "Refrain from being angry."
She gestures with her hands in a speechless manner.
Dani, are you serious? She catches a piece of popcorn I throw her and eats it, but she doesn't say anything back. "Dani, Dani, speak to me."
She crosses her chest with her arms. It bothers you that I'm just being honest with you. Ares knows he is hot. He is wealthy. He can have any girl at his feet because he is intelligent. You're still telling me that he would even do things with a person he doesn't even like, though? He may not be interested in anything serious, but Raquel, he does like you.
"Period!"
Dani smiles smugly and drapes her hair over her shoulder. Let's get some sleep now. Being exhausted on the first day of school is the absolute last thing we want. We must have an impact because this is our final year.
"We remain the same no matter what." Dani, we stay in a small town.
You enjoy making life less enjoyable. The popcorn bowl is placed on the ground by Dani after she stands up.
We get into bed and cover ourselves. We both sigh as we turn off the lamp by the bed. After a brief pause, I can't help but think of Ares' lovely, sincere smile.
Dani knowingly says, "Stop thinking about him, Raquel."
"I've never felt this way before because of anyone."
"I am aware."
It hurts, too. He not wanting to take me seriously hurts. It gives me the impression that I'm unsatisfactory.
You are, though. Don't let him cause you to question it. Raquel, you had every right to shoo him away. Later on, the pain would have been much worse.
I start fiddling with a lock of my hair. We both lie there facing each other as Dani rolls over. "Dani, I really like him."
I know you, so you don't need to say it.
"Don't let your thoughts take up too much of your life." Someone else will come along who will value you if he doesn't.
Really, do you think that? Finding someone like Ares seems so improbable.
"Perhaps not someone like him, but someone who gives you the impression that he does."
I seriously doubt it. It's time to go to bed, I suppose.
"Good night, shorty."
Because she is taller than me, she has always referred to me as that.
"Goodnight, crazy girl."
"I want to hold on to any glimmer of hope because of how I feel about him."