Selena
It wasn't unusual for me to talk to my mom, but seeing her message felt different. It had been a while since we exchanged more than the usual greetings at home. So, seeing the words "We need to talk" made my stomach twist.
Something was definitely wrong.
As I drove to meet Ella at the library, my mind wandered back to my childhood. I didn't need anyone to tell me Victor wasn't my father. The memories flooded in; each one a sharp reminder of the pain I'd buried deep.
I remember being a child, never understanding why I was treated differently. At first, I thought it was always quiet, but I quickly realized that wasn't the problem.
Then one night, I overheard Victor arguing with my mother. I wasn't supposed to be awake as it was a school night, but their voices drifted into my room, too loud to ignore.
"She's also my child," my mother had said, her voice trembling with anger. "Why do you always treat her badly?"
"Yes, she's yours, but not mine," Victor had coldly replied. "She's your baggage to carry. Either return her to where she came from or take her to your parents. I can't deal with her. She's not my responsibility."
Those words hit me like a slap. With tears in my eyes, I ran to my room, but I could still hear my mother calling after me. "Selena! Baby, hold on!" Then to Victor: "Can you see what you've done?"
"I've done nothing," Victor had snapped. "She deserves to know the truth."
The sound of a car horn jolted me from my memories. I realized I'd missed the turn to the library. Quick reflexes kicked in as I took the next intersection, my hands tight on the wheel, my heart racing.
I pulled into the library parking lot, letting out a deep breath, trying to shake off the sadness clouding my thoughts. Focus, Selena, I told myself. You're here to meet Ella.
I grabbed the keys, ready to get out, but before I could, I heard a tap on my window and then another, sharper.
I jumped. Looking up, I saw Ella grinning at me, her excitement infectious.
"What took you so long?" she asked, bouncing on her heels. "I've been waiting all morning."
I threw open the door and hugged her. "Sorry, I took a wrong turn, and there was a little delay at home."
"Trouble in paradise again?" Sandy teased.
I shrugged, locking my car. "It's always something."
She rolled her eyes and led me toward the library, her steps quick and bouncy. As we walked, I noticed how unusually crowded the place was.
"Is there a parade or something today?" I asked, glancing around. "This place looks like a museum."
Ella gave me a playful kick. "You forgot?" she asked, giving me a side-eye. "One of the oldest construction tycoons is speaking here today," Ella spoke in a sing-song voice. "Isn't that exciting?"
I blinked. "What? Why would you care about that?" I say as we walk down the block, "I don't understand why you're so excited about that because the last time I checked, you were a microbiology student."
"Well, it's not every day a bigwig like that shows up," Ella said with a grin. "I told you about it. And now, you've made me repeat it."
I stopped, raising an eyebrow. "You told me?" I asked sincerely.
Ella gave me a look that said you're impossible. "Yeah, I did," she said, "But of course, you weren't listening. You're always so wrapped up in your own world."
I sighed. "Alright, alright. So, what's the deal?" I asked, "Why'd you drag me here?"
Ella flung her arms up. "That's my girl!" she cheered, doing a little happy dance.
We approached the entrance, but Ella, in her excitement, knocked over a stack of books. The crash was loud enough to turn a few heads.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" Ella blurted, bowing repeatedly to the poor man who had to pick them up.
He was already grumbling so I moved quickly to help, apologizing to him. "Sorry, she's a little... distracted."
"She can breeze through a storm sometimes," I added, dusting my hands off.
The man gave a dry chuckle, then looked me over. "Well, I just hope you're brave enough to calm the storm next time," he said, handing me the last book.
I stood up, momentarily stunned by his look. He was tall, probably around twenty-five, with a sharp jawline and a little mustache. I couldn't stop staring for a second, then realized I had been caught.
I think he mistook my flustered look for discomfort.
"Are you okay?" he asked, tilting his head.
I quickly snapped out of it. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I answered, a little too quickly.
I turned to find Ella, who was now two rolls behind me, digging through her backpack.
"Hey," the man said, reaching out his hand. "I'm Stanley."
"And she's single!" Ella shouted, grinning like the devil.
I froze, caught off guard. How could she hear us from that distance?
"I'm sorry for the mess," Ella continued, as she approached us, "But I need to steal my friend from your handsomeness. There's something urgent she has to do, isn't that right?"I looked up to see Sandy still bowing, I shook my head, apologizing to the man.
"Uh... yeah," I said, barely able to process what was happening.
And with that Ella grabbed my hand, pulling me away before I could even say goodbye.
"Bye!" Ella's voice trailed off as she yanked me down the hallway, both of us giggling uncontrollably.
"You know you're crazy, right?" I teased, catching my breath.
"Well, we can kill two birds with one stone," Ella hollered, "But the first bird we have to kill is inside the conference center, so move."
"So what do you want me to do?" I asked, still not sure why we were really here. I'd been with her for over twenty minutes, and she hadn't even told me why.
I glanced at my overly enthusiastic best friend. For the first time today, I genuinely smiled. Whatever she had planned, I was at least getting away from my reality, even if just for a while.
I can't help but hope that the rest of the day turns out to be amazing.