Chapter 6
The weather was sunny when I returned to the country.
Dad and Mom picked me up at the airport and didn’t stop nagging all the way.
I barely caught the conversation as I fell asleep in the car.
When I woke up, the car was parked in front of a hotel.
I was confused and wanted to ask why.
Then, I saw Paula Kaufman, Antonio’s mom, come over with
Antonio.
Dad and Mom greeted Paula.
“We’ve waited so long. Hurry. Go inside.”
Mom said, “Traffic jam. Or we’d be here soon.”
Paula beamed at me and took my hand in hers.
“I haven’t seen Grace for a while. She’s taller and has lost weight.”
I was stunned.
Mom rolled her eyes at me and smiled, “Paula is talking to you. Say hello.
“She’s still in a daze as she fell asleep in the car. We told her that we were coming to Antonio’s birthday party. Guess she didn’t hear us.”
Chapter 6
I smiled awkwardly. Indeed, I didn’t catch that.
Antonio’s birthday party?
Weird. For years, I remembered his birthday.
But I forgot about it this year.
I was broken out of my trance by an intense gaze.
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I raised my head and looked into Antonio’s eyes. He was looking me up and down.
I ignored him and followed my parents into the hotel.
It was a grand party. Paula explained that it was to celebrate Antonio going to college too.
On my way to the bathroom, Norah found me.
She smirked at me and acted like we were friends.
“Grace, it’s been a while. On our trip, Antonio talked about you. Shame that we couldn’t travel together.”
I couldn’t even feign a smile.
I nodded and tried to walk past her when Antonio grabbed my arm.
The grip was tight and was hurting me.
Antonio frowned. “Grace, where are your manners? Norah was talking to you.”
Norah spoke up before I could answer.
She wrapped her arm around Antonio’s arm, the one he was
Chapter 6
using to grab me.
“It’s alright, Antonio. I know what Grace is like. I’m so
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outgoing that I have to talk to her. Let’s get ready to cut the cake.”
Norah tried to drag Antonio away.
Antonio didn’t move.
He stared at me without blinking.
The tension thickened.
Norah tugged at Antonio’s arm again. Antonio sneered and moved out of my way.
I kept silent.
But I stomped on Antonio’s foot when I walked past them.
Antonio winced lowly in pain.
I walked away happily.
Leaving the bathroom, I didn’t want to see Antonio again.
So, I went to the garden for some fresh air.
To my surprise, Antonio was talking with his friends there.
“Hey, what brings Grace here? I thought she was still mad at you.”
“Come off it. Grace is pretending to be mad. I gave her the cold shoulder and she came to my birthday party.”
Antonio crossed his arms in front of his chest and scoffed. It
Chapter 6
seemed like he was confident.
“I was too nice to her before. She won’t even allow me to have a female friend. She thinks I have to move around like she’s
the Sun?”
Someone replied, “Yes, you can’t do that. You’re too charming for it. You can have any girl you want.”
“B–But from what I saw, Grace is making you choose between her and Norah. Antonio, what’ll you do?”
Antonio paused for a second and chuckled.
“What am I supposed to do? I only see Norah as my pal. Before, I had a thing for her. But after spending these days together, I think it’s better that we remain friends.”
“What about Grace? Are you…going to explain it to Grace?”
Antonio said, “Not necessary.
“Grace loves me too much. Just wait. Before we go to college, she’ll ask me to take her back.
“I can’t let her win this time.”
Someone clapped and said, “Nice play, Antonio.”
The crowd cheered and joked. I felt numb.
Turned out people could make fun of another person’s feelings.
I clenched my fists and turned around. If I stayed one more second, I’d throw up.
Chapter 7
