The days go by. I go to school, hang out with my friends. Classes? Honestly, I'm barely keeping up. I even got an F… which I immediately hid. No way my parents are going to see that!
And then, there's this little problem: at this school, you absolutely have to be part of an extracurricular activity. Tami is in the dance club, Jonas is in the school newspaper… and me? Nothing. My dad says he's going to talk to the principal. Seriously? Whatever, I'll find something and sign up behind his back. After all, I'm Hiyas, right?
Today is the weekend, and tonight, we're going to have dinner at my dad's friend's house. I can't wait.
In my room, I try on the dresses my mom bought for the occasion. They're all gorgeous.
— "Which one should I choose? The green one? Blue? Red? White?" I murmur, indecisive.
— "How about the pink one?" Mom suggests. "It's beautiful and it suits you perfectly."
She's not wrong. Pink… perfect.
— "Alright, it's going to be pink."
When evening comes, we get in the car and head to my dad's friend's house.
When we arrive… O-M-G. The house is unbelievable! Huge, luxurious, and the décor? Perfect. Truly rich-people level.
— "Hey Raphael, my friend!" Dad exclaims. "It's so good to see you!"
— "Likewise! Let's go to the living room." Raphael responds with a warm smile.
In the living room, time for introductions. The two sons are there: the eldest, Jack, 20, and the youngest, Jordan, 13. Wow… the J family. And the last one? Junior? Joan? Juan? Haha, mystery.
— "And Jace?" Dad asks.
Wait… which Jace are they talking about? No… impossible… Yeah, it's impossible. ''Anti-girls'' isn't the only Jace in the world, so Hiyas, don't panic. It's probably not him. But… why am I stressing? GRRR.
— "He's in his room" Raphael clarifies. "I sent someone to get him."
We wait. Meanwhile, the adults chat. Me? I stay a bit shy, observing every detail. The youngest is glued to his phone. But… where is this Jace? Guests at his place and he makes them wait? Seriously…
Five minutes later, I hear footsteps from the stairs. He comes down slowly, his voice barely audible:
— "Here I am."
Oh no… not him. Jace Ramos. No, I really don't want him around. Huhuhu.
— "Are you Mr. Ramos?" I ask timidly to Raphael.
— "Yes, why do you ask?"
— "Uh… nothing" I stammer.
Hiiiiiiii… what the heck?
— "Ah Jace… your father has told me a lot about you" Dad says.
— "Ah" Jace replies coldly.
— "Shall we go to the table?" Mr. Ramos asks.
The atmosphere is warm, but I can't stop glancing at "MISTER Anti-Girls". He already annoys me… and I haven't forgotten what he did.
— "Hiyas, you're at MIHS, right?" Mrs. Ramos asks.
— "Yes, yes" I answer.
— "Ah, good. Jace is there too. I suppose you know each other…"
— "Not at all. I don't know him" I say, frowning.
Ah Jace, sure, you're popular… but I don't care. I'm not going to pretend I know you just to give you wings.
— "He's the captain of the basketball team" Mrs. Ramos adds.
— "Ah" I reply simply.
He doesn't care at all. So cold, so distant… ugh.
— "I remember, at boarding school, when we used to say that if we had kids, they would marry…" Mr. Ramos starts.
— "Yes, I remember" Dad replies. "Ah, the good old days!"
— "And it still holds?" Mom asks.
— "We wouldn't mind if Hiyas and Jace..." Dad begins.
— ''Ended up together. It would be perfect'' finishes Mr. Ramos.
Huh? Seriously? With Jace? No way. And him? No reaction… like he's somewhere else.
— ''We're not forcing you either. It was just a teenage idea'' they clarify, laughing.
Me? I don't find that funny at all.
After dinner, the adults go to chat elsewhere. I spot Jace heading toward the garden. Temptation strikes: I follow him.
— ''Hey Jace!'' I shout. ''Don't try to make yourself believe we're engaged, because I'll never accept that. Forget it, ok?"
— "And who said I wanted that too?" he snaps, cold and sarcastic. "Stop dreaming! Leave me alone. You're not my type… and on top of that, you're ugly. Tss."
Huh?
*
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