Starstruck

by Yuriko Hime

“Where are you going?” Tim asked.

  “I know that person. She’s going to play with Patty’s heart.” My mouth set in a grim line. “Patty is our sister. I won’t allow that to happen.”

  Tim tugged at my sleeves. “Calm down cutie,” he said evenly. “Patty is a good judge of character. You know that. If you ruin this for her, she’ll be heartbroken. She did say that she loved that woman right?”

  “Yeah,” I grumbled, returning to my seat. I hated when he was right. “But I don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “Let’s give the chick a chance.”

  Our attention went back to the two. Eris asked a waiter who was passing by for water. Instead of conversing with her companion, she busied herself by turning the ice over and over with the straw. From an onlookers point of view, one could conclude that Eris was nervous. It was bizarre to see her like that. The Eris I've spoken to wasn't the type to get anxious over anything, especially girls.

  Patty broke the silence. “Why won’t you talk to me?”

  There was a moment of hesitation before Eris spilled the beans. “I really like you, and I don’t want to screw things up.” She licked her lips. “We’ve been talking for months. I feel like I know you in a very deep level. But I wasn’t always the good girl that you thought I was.”

  “Then start changing by telling me everything.” Patty wasn't one to back down. Atta girl!

  “I was a huge party girl before," Eris choked out. "I broke women’s hearts. A lot of it. And my lifestyle wasn't something I could be proud of.” She gripped the edge of the table. “I had relations with different girls at the same time. They were models. I was young back then. I didn’t know any better.” She confessed so fast that the words were a slur.

  Patty pinched her forehead. “But that’s in the past. You said you loved me. You’re not going to do those things anymore right?”

  Eris was quick to touch Patty’s hands from across the table. “Yes Patty.” Her eyes were turning red. “My partying and cheating days are over. It’s done. Past tense,” she said. “And I love you, present tense. Please accept me for what I am.”

  Though I was amused by Eris and wanted to giggle, my heart melted for Patty. Eris could be over the top sometimes yet underneath that was a hopeless romantic. I always thought she was an animal that was too wild. What they said was right. You needed someone as wild to run with you. Patty was that woman for her.

  “I accept you,” Patty said, squeezing Eris' hands. “And please accept that I do drugs too.” Eris, Tim, and I mirrored each other’s shocked expressions. “Just kidding,” Patty continued. “Please don’t be nervous anymore. I want you as bad as you want me. You got me ever since I read the first chapter of your book.”

  Tim and I glanced at each other. We were not needed anymore. Starting today, everything would be okay for these two. After paying for our appetizers, we went outside the resto, huge grins on our faces. Patty and Eris would be a good combination. They were meant for each other. The lioness and the tigress couldn’t have been better matched.

  Speaking of a good match, it was my turn to meet someone new. Mom invited her date over the weekend. The one she mentioned to me and Glace before. We were going to have a family dinner that night so mom could introduce him to us. How sweet of her to think highly of my girlfriend. Like I said, best mom ever.

  “What’s his name?” Glace asked while helping me set the table.

  I waited for mom's answer. She was wearing a black strapless dress for the occasion. At times like this, I would ponder why mom wanted to be a make-up artist instead of a celebrity. She had every right to walk the red carpet. “His name is Rick,” she said with a subtle smile.

  “And what does Rick do for a living?” I asked, positioning the fork and knife neatly beside the plate. I wanted everything to be perfect for her. She supported me with Glace, and now I was going to support her with Rick.

  “He’s a talent scout. We met because of work.”

  Glace had surprise written all over her face. “Andrea,” she said. “Is this talent scout famous? I happen to know one.”

  Mom waved her hand absentmindedly. “Oh I don’t know about that,” she said. “We only talk about us when we see each other. You’ll understand when you’re the same age as me. Work talk gets boring quickly.”

  “Okay.”

  Everything was set, including the meal, when the doorbell rang. “Stay here,” mom instructed. “I’m going to let him in and introduce him over dinner.” She disappeared to the living room.

  I beckoned Glace with a finger. “Sit beside me baby.”

  “Sure.”

  Glace and I were exchanging cheesy glances when mom reappeared. A tall man was with her. “Dulce, Glace I want you to meet Rick,” she announced happily.

  I pried my eyes away from my girlfriend to check Rick. “Hey,” I said casually. The guy was wearing a navy blue dress shirt and jeans. Laidback and fashionable. He was about to reply when Glace choked on something and coughed loudly. I rubbed her back. "You okay?" Mom handed Glace a glass of water before they went to the other side of the table.

  “Is there something wrong Glace?” mom asked. After drinking, Glace gaped at the guy like she has seen a ghost. Mom arched an eyebrow at Rick. “Do you know each other?” I was curious too.

  Rick's answer was short a short and simple, “No." His follow-up smile was worthy of a toothpaste commercial. “And who are these beautiful girls?”

  The carefree look returned to mom's face. “This is Dulce, my daughter.” She motioned to me. “And this is Frio, her girlfriend.”

  Rick was taken aback. “I didn’t know your daughter was lesbian.”

  “Now you know,” she said impassively. And that was that.

  The dinner was an awkward event. Glace refused to talk for an unknown reason. Meanwhile, Rick kept mentioning something about lesbians. Mom didn’t notice though. She laughed at every joke the guy said. Even if I didn't find it offensive, I was not having a good time at all. It was largely because my girlfriend was unresponsive. She didn’t eat a lot either. Glace had a huge appetite. Something must be wrong.

  I glanced discreetly at Rick. He was a handsome man around the age of 40’s. He was confident and successful, which was not always a good combination. Sometimes guys like that tend to be too cocky. But since mom thought he was good enough, I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  I was my pushing my leftover lasagna on the side of the plate when I asked, “Do you have children?” It was the first question that popped in my head. If ever my mom decided to marry him, I would have to deal with his children too. I had to know as early as now.

  “No Dulce, I don’t have any children.”

  Mom touched Ricks arm earnestly. She has been doing it all night. A sign of attraction they said. “He’s a divorced man,” she explained. “He never dated other women aside from me.”

  “You’re a lucky guy Rick. When my dad passed away, mom never dated too." I stared sternly at him. "That means you have to be careful with her heart buddy, or we’ll be enemies.” I answered mom's incredulous look with a smile.

  Rick placed his fork down. “No worries kiddo,” he said. “I have every intention to make your mom happy. I’m even thinking of marrying her.”

  At his statement, Glace accidentally dropped the knife she was using. It clattered noisily on the plate. The three of us looked at her. She didn’t notice. She was busy glaring at Rick. “I think I need to go.” She stood and placed her napkin on the table.

  “You barely touched dinner,” mom said.

  “I’m not really hungry.” Glace was curt. Her mind was somewhere else. “Thanks for the meal Andrea.” She placed a hand on my shoulder briefly. “I really love your cooking, but I have to go.” She walked out of the dining area without further explanations.

  I jumped up and followed close on her heels. “Are you okay? You’re acting weird.”

  “I don’t feel well,” she replied, stopping for me. Glace was paler t
han usual. Beads of sweat were also on her forehead. Gosh Dulce you should have noticed this earlier, I thought.

  I hugged her tightly. "I should have paid more attention. I'm sorry. Would you like me to drive you home?”

  “No." She pried me away gently. "You need to stay here and finish your dinner date.” She feigned a smile. It was fake. Aside from feeling awful, something bothered her. “I’ll be okay. Just have to take care of some things." She opened the front door. "See you in school yeah?”

  “Yeah.” I wanted to say more, yet no other words came to mind.

  Glace stepped out. She was about to reach her car when she turned around and said, “I love you Dulce. I will not lose you for anything.” I watched her retreating back. I didn’t know what happened to her, but I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Something was troubling Glace. Something so worrisome that she was thinking I’d let her go.

  Chapter 20. Distance

  Glace has been avoiding me for days. We were still seatmates in school, but for some weird reason, she’d avert her gaze from mine or excuse herself whenever I’d request to talk. I thought I could ask her to hangout over the weekend, but she wouldn’t answer my calls. She wasn’t at her house either.

  More than missing her, I was beginning to get concerned. She has been like this since the day of the dinner date with Rick. I wanted nothing else than to talk to her. To ask her what was on her mind or if she was getting tired of me. But I simply had no opportunity to do so. She refused to give me one. When Friday came, I cornered her inside the classroom after the bell rang and asked my two best friends if they could get rid of anyone who would attempt to stalk Glace. With their help the two of us were left in the classroom. Perfect.

  The conversation started with me saying, “Are you avoiding me? Please be honest.”

  A deep frown formed on her forehead as her eyes flitted to the window. Something was definitely wrong. I could feel it. “What are you talking about?” she asked.

  I tilted her face to me so she could not escape my gaze. “Please look at me. I miss those coffee colored eyes.” My heart fluttered like a bird with a damaged wing.

  Her eyes were a dead giveaway. She was guilty. “I miss you too.” She cupped my cheek. “I love you Dulce.” Those words gave me a jolt of electricity. However, it didn't erase the feeling that she was hiding something from me. Was it another woman? They called this feeling intuition right?

  “If you really love me, stop running away from me. Tell me what's bothering you so we can work it out. Did I do or say something that you didn’t like?”

  She shook her head. “It’s not you. It’s—” I didn’t let her finish the sentence. I wouldn’t.

  “Please don’t say that you don’t love me anymore.” I steadied myself by holding on to a chair. I was so terrified of what she was going to say that I was getting dizzy. What should I do?

  Glace embraced me tightly. She was warm and soft. Just like always. “Falling out of love with you is simply impossible. It’s like telling me to kill myself. I don’t want to be strangers. Not again," she said.

  “Then what’s the problem?” I chewed on my bottom lip to stop myself from crying. Glace helped calm me by rubbing my back in a circular manner. She was the only one who had the power to break me and pull me together at the same time.

  “I have a lot of things in my mind right now. Be patient with me," she said. "I’d find a way to fix the problem, so we can finally be together without any distractions. Trust me please.”

  "I wish I know what you’re talking about. Won’t you tell so I can help?”

  I saw her considering the prospect as she rested her arm on the window sill beside us. Eventually she shook her head in a silent no. “Telling you will just complicate things. All I’m asking you right now is to trust me.”

  My mind battled it out. Should I leave it at that? I loved her, and when you loved a person, you should always find it in your heart to trust. Even if it was scary. “Okay, I trust you. But don’t avoid me anymore.”

  “If that's what you want.” She gazed at me with such love that I totally forgot we were still in school. We were about to kiss when Tim's head poked in the classroom.

  “Sorry to be a party pooper guys. The guard is making his rounds. We need to go.”

  “Can we hang out at your place?” I said to Glace when he left.

  “I have something to do today. Maybe another time.” The feeling of disappointment was back with a vengeance. I thought everything was going to be fine between us. Apparently not. Glace hurriedly fished something from her jeans pocket when she saw my reaction. “Here.” She handed me a keychain.

  “What is this for?”

  “It’s the key to my house. That is for the gate.” She touched the one that had buttons. “Since my gate is electronic, you simply have to push that so you can activate it and go in. Don’t make another copy. It’s one of your girlfriend privileges.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  A hint of a smile settled on my lips. Glace was never playful with other people. That side was reserved for me. “What are the other privileges?” I trailed my finger on her neck. She was sensitive there.

  “You saw me naked.”

  A feather light kiss from me made her freeze. She also moaned-slash-gasped at the action, which I found to be really sexy. “Your body was perfect. I can’t wait to explore it,” I teased. It was nice to flirt with the girlfriend once in a while.

  Patty entered the room when Glace was about to answer my suggestion. “We really need to go guys.”

  I sighed. So much for the flirting. “Okay Patts, we’re right behind you.” I turned to Glace. “I’ll wait for you to figure things out. Do what you have to do.” After leaving in our own rides, I went straight home and shut myself inside my room. I needed time to rest. The whole thing was exhausting.

  Come Wednesday afternoon the very next week, I called someone who I thought I’d never contact on my own. I really needed her help. If you were asking me why, I’d just say that Glace got worse. For some bizarre reason, she avoided me even more after our talk. I couldn’t take it anymore. It was time to get advice from someone who knew her longer than I did.

  “Hello Eris. It’s me.”

  “Who?”

  “Dulce,” I replied impatiently.

  “And who is that?”

  “What the fudge Eris? It’s me, Dulce, Frio’s girlfriend. Are you high?”

  “Chill virgin girl. I was kidding. God, kids these days,” she muttered. “What do you want?”

  “I’m not a kid,” I retorted. “And let’s meet at the park.”

  Eris hung up without saying goodbye. I wasn’t sure if she got what I said, or if she was coming at all, but I went to the park nonetheless to wait for her. After 20 minutes, she cat walked in the area, not minding the stares that she got from what little passersby’s there were. Eris squeezed beside me on the bench. Thank goodness no one I knew was there. They would either envy me for being seen with a supermodel or laugh because Eris was acting like a diva again.

  “Why did you want to meet up?” she asked, crossing her long legs. “I’m a busy person you know. If this is about sex, forget it. I have a girlfriend who I’m planning to bang.” She coughed. “Uhm make love to. Yes that’s the term, very soon. You’re cute but no thanks.”

  I raised my eyebrow at her. “I’m not going to ask you for sex. And for your information, that girl you’re planning on banging is my best friend.” I was satisfied when her face changed from carefree to horrified. “That’s right Eris. Patty is my friend, and if you ever break her heart, I’m going to make you cry too. I’ll make sure of that,” I threatened. She blinked a couple of times. “But I’m not here for that.” I sighed. “I’m here to ask you something.”

  Eris composed herself. “What?”

  “Do you know about Glace’s childhood sweetheart?” I frowned. “Forget that. Do you even know what’s bothering Glace right now? She’s been so withdrawn that I’m beginning to suspect tha
t there’s another woman.”

  Eris didn't answer at once. She uncrossed and crossed her legs while coming up with a suitable reply. “Yes, Frio is in love with a woman. But I’ve never seen another girl that she’s so crazy for aside from you. I can’t tell if she has another girlfriend on the side," she said carefully. "What I do know however is Frio will never cheat on you.”

  “How can you tell?” I said.

  “Frio has been very cold to other people since I’ve known her. From the beginning, that girl has been a great actress. She’s able to portray any role given to her, whether a daughter, a lover, or whatever the director asks of her. But as soon as the camera stops rolling, she’d go back to being the Ice Princess. Why do you think they named her Frio?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “It means cold as ice. Kissing her on scenes wasn’t allowed. She made it clear that she’d only pretend to kiss an onscreen partner. Anyway, what I was trying to say is you’re the only one she was sweet to. Believe me Dulce. You should see her with other people. She’s different with you. I know that she’d never do anything to destroy what you have. This is coming from a person who knew her since way back.”

  I exhaled the breath that I’ve been holding. “But she’s been so withdrawn lately. I don’t know what’s what anymore. She wouldn’t tell me the problem either. If she’s not cheating on me, then what’s going on?”

  Eris stared at me seriously. “You’re the only one who can answer that. We don’t know what she’s thinking of right now. If you really want to find out, I think she’ll open up to you.” I nodded, contemplating on what she said.

  “I never thought that I could talk to you like this. You’re quite different from what I’ve imagined. Who knew that you’re not a total weirdo after all Eris?”

  “Who said I was weird?” she snapped.

  “Well you do catwalk everywhere you go. Is that a habit of yours or what?” I nudged her with my elbow. “Does Patty find that endearing?”

  Eris blushed profusely at my question. She really got a soft spot for my best friend. “I’ve been modeling for years. It’s only natural that I pick up on the catwalk thing.” She stared at the ground and sighed. “But I try not to do it in front of Patty. I feel self-conscious around her.”