by Yuriko Hime
The few minutes we had to ourselves has come and gone but Glace was nowhere to be seen. At the last moment, she stood beside me behind the curtains, giving me a wide smile before leaning to my ear. “You look beautiful as always Juliet.”
Though my heartbeat accelerated, I still managed to reply. “So do you Romeo.”
She ran her hands through my hair. “I love you Dulce. Dazzle them all.” The curtains began to move up. We were about to begin.
“I love you too Glace,” I whispered, so only she could hear me.
Her eyes widened, stunned at my revelation. “We have to talk about this.” Her voice was breathless. Urgent. And the expression in her eyes was of pure happiness. The curtain was nearly exposing our faces.
“After the play," I promised. The whole auditorium drowned our conversation with their clapping. And then the audience fell silent.
The play started like clockwork. All of us did our best. Tim and Patty handled the sounds, while Nadia and her crew focused on the lights and other effects. As for me, Glace, and our other classmates, we dazzled everyone with our performance. The audience laughed when we delivered our funny lines, and cried with every sad expression. Actually, the dazzling part was left to Glace. She was so beautiful, delivering her lines perfectly. We were mesmerized. Even me. Ok, ok. It was more like I was her number one fan. I was totally star struck.
Finally, as we said our last lines, it was time for the closing scene. The part where both of us died. Glace said, “Eyes, look your last. Arms, take your last embrace. And lips, O you. The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss. A dateless bargain to engrossing death.”
I waited for her to kiss me, but the kiss never came. She stayed true to her promise that day when she said that she knew better than to kiss me. While her promise was true, the fact that she wasn’t my present was a lie. Because she was the one I was in love with. Now and forever. Not Denise. And I was going to show her that.
After I said my own lines and stabbed myself with the pretend dagger, both of us lay sprawled on the stage. The whole auditorium was deathly quiet. Soon after, they erupted into a cheer. It sounded like thunder to my ears. What was left was for the lights to turn off, the curtains to come down, and the introduction of the cast.
On cue, the lights were cut off. It was the moment when Glace and I should lie still and wait for the curtains to close. Me being me, I didn’t do that at all. I rolled on top of her while we were practically invisible in the darkness, making her gasp low in surprise. “Dulce,” she murmured under her breath. “What are you doing?”
“I love you Glace Mckenzie,” I whispered. “I lied about Denise, and I’m sorry. I want you to know that I’m so in love with you that my heart is going to burst.”
“You are?”
“Yes I am Glace, and I can’t wait till later to say this.” I reached for her face, cupping her right cheek with my palm. “I have mastered our lines for the play. Now it’s time to memorize your lips.” I closed the remaining distance between us. At last, our lips touched. And what a kiss it was. It erased all the other kisses before that, leaving me gasping, choking for air, but at the same time, not feeling the need to breathe at all because she kept me alive right there.
I tasted her soft lips. I breathed her creamy scent. I felt her heart beating against my own chest. With each feeling, I died and was reborn, stripped away from all other desires but the one I had for her. They said that home was a place where you dwelled in. You know what? Sometimes home could be a person too. And with her I was home.
Chapter 17. Almost
Three days after the school play, Glace and I still haven’t talked yet. I was more than ready to tell her everything about my feelings. Sadly we weren’t given that opportunity. Right after our performance and little kissing on the stage, the lights opened and everything went back to normal. We planned to meet up, but apparently, the paparazzi caught wind of the whole thing despite Eris’ effort to keep them away.
They stalked Glace all the way outside the school grounds, hindering all our plans to talk. She couldn’t go back to her house either because she was afraid a photographer might follow her there and discover her new property. Glace had to sleep at a random hotel and stay there for days. I felt sorry for her.
I was excited for today though. Because the paparazzi were beginning to relax again, Glace thought that it would be safe to visit my house. It was good timing too since there were only a few days left before Christmas. I really wanted us to talk before the Holidays. So there I was on the living room couch with my mom, patiently waiting for my Peter Pan.
When the doorbell rang, mom gave me a look before I stood up and went to the front door. “Hey stranger,” Glace greeted with a smile.
“Hey yourself.” I let her in. “Mom’s in the living room.” Glace looked relaxed as she went to my mom. Her scent lingered by the door. I followed her to the living room. No further introductions were necessary since both of them were already close. I still felt the need for it though. For formality sakes at least.
“Mom,” I said nervously. “You know her as Frio, but this is Glace. She’s my friend.” I tucked my hand inside my jeans pocket, waiting for them to speak. Mom raised her eyebrow, while Glace had this amused expression on her face.
“Just a friend Dulce?” Mom looked from Glace to me, then back to Glace. “I thought you made your move already?”
“I was getting there Andrea, but the paparazzi ruined the moment.” Glace shrugged, too comfortable on the couch.
It was my turn to look from mom to Glace. “What are you talking about guys?”
“It’s nothing sweetie,” mom dismissed with a wave of her hand. “Let me clarify this. You’re not together yet?”
Her question made me blush. “No mom. Glace and I still need to talk.”
“Yes we do.” Glace turned to mom. “Do you mind if we go to her room and discuss about something? I promise I’ll be good.” The corners of her mouth pulled up.
Mom rolled her eyes. “Go ahead. Don’t break her heart though. That’s my little girl right there.”
“Well that’s embarrassing,” I said. "You know where my room is. I'll go there first." Glace took a couple more minutes before she followed me inside my humble space. She made herself comfortable beside me on the bed. Her nearness did things to my heart. Quiet down. Glace might hear you.
Sensing that I wasn’t going to start the conversation, Glace made the first move. “Were you telling the truth? When we had the play? You should tell me if you were caught up in the moment.” She touched my face. “I don’t want you to say it just for the hell of it. Because every time I say the words I love you, I mean every word.”
I closed my eyes for a second. Her hands were warm. Whoever said that she was cold as ice was wrong. “It wasn’t a lie. I am in love with you.”
She took a deep breath. Glace failed miserably when she tried to hide her smile. “What are we going to do now Dulce?”
I tilted her face in my direction. “I love you. But we have to take it slow. There are a lot of things that we don’t know about each other. I want to enjoy every moment getting to know you.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “We have our whole lives to do that.”
“I know baby, but what’s the rush? I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going to leave are you?”
“No,” she said with a small shake of her head. “But other people may take you away from me.” There was sadness in her voice, mirroring the expression on her face. “I don’t want to lose you again Dulce.”
“You won’t,” I promised. “You’re the only one who made me feel this way. That won’t ever change. My heart will always be yours. But it’s better if we take it slow for now.”
“And what if I want to kiss you?” She was all seriousness.
My eyes lowered to the bed. Like always, my tummy did this rollercoaster thing. “I think I’ll allow that.” I blushed. “But not while my mom is around.”
Glace scooted
closer. “Well congratulations. Andrea left a while ago. That means she’s not around. Does that qualify?”
“I guess so.” My voice wavered.
She quickly kissed my nose. “Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of you.” Glace smiled. “But for me, I’m already taken. In my mind I’ll always be your girlfriend. Hope you stay true to me too Dulce.”
I poked her side. “Hey! I may be a lot of things, but I’m not a cheater.”
She poked back. “Then what are you?”
“I’m not Miss Perfect like your childhood sweetheart. That’s for sure.” I sounded a tad bitter.
“About that, I don’t really know how to explain it to you.” She sighed. “Things will work out eventually.”
Glace was taken by surprise when I tackled her on the bed. I pinned her down. She laughed hard as I tickled her on the side. “Things will work out how? If you two-time me for anyone, even that sweetheart of yours, you’ll regret it.”
She tried to remove my hands. I tickled her more. “I won’t!” she said in-between laughs.
“Good.” I stopped torturing her. “And if you ever kiss, touch, or even think about anyone else while we’re taking it slow, I swear to God I’ll. . . I’ll. . .” I was at loss for words.
“You’ll what?” She smirked.
“I don’t know. But that will really hurt me.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me on top of her. I took the opportunity to rest my head on her soft chest. “I won’t hurt you. Maybe other people. But not you.” She stroked my hair.
“This is nice,” I murmured. “I can hear you heartbeat.”
“This is more than nice. This is perfect,” she replied. “You’re so warm Dulce. You always were.”
“You too.” I moved my lips to her neck. She smelled so good that I couldn’t help but kiss her there. She moaned low before rolling on top of me, leaving the bed quickly. I blinked it surprise. “What just happened?”
“I don’t think you should do that again. Promise me you won’t. At least not for now.” She raised her hands as if calming me.
I blinked again, watching her sit on the far corner of the bed. “Okay I promise. But what’s the deal? I didn’t hurt you right?”
Her ears turned pink. “I got turned on. Sorry.” She looked embarrassed.
My cheeks matched the color of her ears. “Oh okay. I won’t do that anymore. Not ever,” I said with finality. She stared at me in panic. “What?” I asked.
“But someday, you and I will.” She cleared her throat and pointed to herself and me. “We. . . We. . .” She faltered. Both of us stared everywhere but at each other. I didn’t know if she was blushing, but Ohh Emm Gee, I was a train wreck at the moment. Calm down Dulce. Think of her in a non-sexual way.
It was a good thing that my mobile rang when it did. Saved by the bell. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table. “Hello.” My voice was still shaky.
“Hey cutie,” said Tim from the other line. “We’re coming over.”
“You can’t. I have someone with me.” I stared at Glace. She raised her eyebrows quizzically. I mouthed my friends to her.
“Who’s your guest?” Tim inquired. “You mother ffff—” His voice got muffled.
“Hey Dulce.” It was Patty. Maybe she grabbed the phone from Tim’s hand.
“Hey Patts. Can you come over another time? I’m busy.”
“We can’t,” she said apologetically. “We’re already outside your house. Tim is parking the car as we speak.” I walked quickly to the window. Sure enough, Tim’s car was pulling over. The call ended without notice, making me groan loudly.
“Is there a problem?” Glace asked from the bed.
I glanced at her. “My friends, Tim and Patty are here. Should I tell them about you? They have no idea.”
“Of course.” She stood up. “I want to meet my girlfriend’s best friends.” She disappeared from the room before I could say anything.
“But I thought we’re taking it slow?” I mumbled, following behind her.
Tim and Patty got the shock of a lifetime when they entered the living room and saw Glace sitting on the couch, like it was an everyday occurrence. Tim almost screamed. “What is she doing here?!”
Sitting beside Glace, I signaled for my friends to make themselves comfortable on the nearby chairs. This was it. The moment of truth. “Tim, Patty, both of you know her as Frio.” I breathed deeply before continuing. “But to me she’s always been Glace McKenzie. She’s the one I met before school started.” My eyes lowered to the floor. “I’m so sorry I haven’t said it before. I know I’m a jerk.”
Glace came to my rescue when the two didn't speak. “Don’t be mad at her guys. I told her not to say it.” There was a moment of pure silence. Maybe my friends were going to ditch me. I deserved it.
Tim shook his head. “We’re not mad at her. We’re just a little. Surprised.” He elbowed Patty. “I told you something's up with these two.” So they smelled something fishy all along?
“Right,” she replied. “But what are you doing here Frio?” Realization dawned on Patty’s eyes. “Oh my God! Don’t tell me you’re already a couple!”
“We’re taking it sl—”
Glace cut me off before I could finish the sentence. “Yes we are.” She grabbed my hand, kissed it in front of my friends. “Isn’t that right baby?” She glanced expectantly to me. How could I get angry with this cute girl?
“Yes,” I croaked.
“I should be the bridesmaid,” Tim gushed. He jumped up and down on his seat.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Ha-ha Timmy. It’s too early for that.”
“It’s a deal,” Glace interrupted with a smirk.
I frowned. “What the heck are you two talking about? Aren’t you going to ask me about this?”
“No,” they said at the same time. Tim stood up and signaled for Glace to follow him. My almost girlfriend went with him to the kitchen. What were they up to? I could hear bits and pieces of their conversation. “Now we have something in common Frio. Our love for Dulce,” he said excitedly. “Let’s plan your wedding.”
I turned my attention to Patty. “Those two are crazy.” I pointed to the kitchen where Glace and Tim were locked in an animated conversation.
She gave me a small smile. “They’re right you know. They both love you. I can see it in Frio’s eyes.”
“I love her too,” I clarified. “But I want to take it slow.”
“What for?” Patty asked. “Frio is a great catch. If you don’t seize the opportunity, the moment may escape you. Don’t forget that she’s a celebrity. Literally millions of people will die to be in your place right now.”
“I know Patts.” I sighed. “But if she really loves me, that won’t matter right? Whether she’s a celebrity or a plain girl like me, nothing will push her away.”
Patty pinched my cheek, a habit that she and Tim developed around me. “Hey, there’s nothing plain about you. You’re awesome.”
I touched my reddening cheek. “Well so are you. By the way, how’s that thing with your email buddy going?”
She moved her bangs away from her eyes. It was getting long but she refused to cut it. “We haven’t seen each other yet. But I know I’m definitely in love with her. We talk every chance we get. We have a lot of things in common.”
“Like what?”
“For starters, we both love to read.” She scrunched her forehead and added, “We both love winter. She loves children like I do. She donates in this charity for kids, and even want to adopt a baby girl someday. I could be really happy with her.”
“Are you sure she’s not just saying that to please you? There are lots of fakers out there Patty. It will kill me if you get hurt.”
“I’m a big girl Dulce. If she turned out to be a bitch, I’d get my revenge on her. I learned enough of that from Tim.”
“Don’t turn into him,” I warned, hooking my arm around her neck for a hug. “One of him is enough.”
/> “Oooh! Lesbian love!” Tim spoke from somewhere in the room. I didn’t even notice that they returned to the living room. Glace’s eyes flitted to me and Patty. I immediately removed my arm from my friend.
“Done planning my wedding?” I asked Tim.
“Girl, please. We haven’t even started yet.” He made a face. “But Patty and I need to leave you two lovebirds alone now. If I’ve known that your girlfriend is going to be here, we wouldn’t have come. Heaven knows if we interrupted you while you were having sex.”
“Trust me. You didn’t.” I glanced at Glace. Her ears were beginning to redden again, which made me smile. “But you are interrupting my alone time with her Tim. Go now before we make out in front of you.”
“Eeeew!” He pulled Patty up.
The four of us walked to the front door. We said our goodbyes. Once we saw the two get in the car, I closed the door and leaned back on it, smiling to Glace. “I didn’t know you get jealous easily.”
“I don’t.”
“Don’t lie to me. I saw your face a while ago when you caught me hugging Patty.” I used the collar of her jacket to pull her to me. “Listen to me. Patty and Tim? They’re family. And you.” I poked her nose. “You’re mine. There’s a difference.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I thought we’re going to take it slow.”
“Maybe I changed my mind.” I kissed her forehead. She shivered in my arms. “I haven’t asked you before, but would you like to spend Christmas together? I want to cook for you on the eve. I also want to spend the whole day with you. Is that okay? Or are you going to be with your dad?”
Her eyes widened. Glace didn’t think twice before answering. “I want to be with you on Christmas too. I haven’t celebrated it in a long time. Not since-” She stopped and lowered her eyes. “Not since my mom died. My dad didn’t really care about me Dulce,” she said in a small voice.
I pulled her into an embrace. “You’re going to celebrate Christmas from now on baby. We’re going to eat, share stories, and exchange gifts. It’s going to be great.”
