by Karla Luna
“Oh, come on, it’s for the charities,” I said, making them both look up at me. “And Stormy said you’ve won a lot of times before, who’s to say it’ll be different this time. Don’t let your dance partner stop you from shining.”
Zavier simply gave me a crooked smile with a chuckle and a slight shrug of the shoulder. The little girl, Anita, was now looking me over but instead of seeming jealous or something, her eyes seemed to glow with some sort of admiration.
“Who’s she, Zavi?”
“Oh. This is Evelyn, my friend.”
Ugh, that word again – friend. Why don’t we all just become friends, huh? Friends are fucking great! Ha, ‘friends.’ Just fantastic!
“Evelyn Jo, meet my favorite cousin in the whole wide world, Anita Floresa.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said as I brought my hand down to shake hers. But instead, she ran and gave me a hug.
I frowned but laughed nevertheless at her cuteness. Zavier got up and seemed to really like what he was seeing – me and a little girl getting along. To be honest though, kids usually annoyed me. But this little angel seemed to be pretty cool.
“You’re pretty!” she yelled as she pulled away from me.
“Why thank you, sweetie.”
“Ani!”
At that, we both looked up and saw a young, Hispanic woman staring at Anita. “Vente para acá! Sorry, so glad to see you, Zavier!” she yelled as she blew him a kiss. She said Zavier’s name like Javier, probably since she couldn’t pronounce it right because her accent was rather thick.
Zavier waved at her and then bent down to look at Anita straight in the eye again. “Ok, mama’s calling you. Better go. Take care, princesa. Maybe I’ll see you later. Save me a dance, alright?”
“You got it!” she yelled out while giving him a thumbs up as she started to run over to her mother. “Bye, Eve!”
“Bye, darling!” I yelled back out. And when she was out of sight, I turned to Zavier with a small smirk playing at my lips. “Thought you weren’t smooth with the ladies.”
He blushed at that. “Hey, she’s a little girl. She’s going to have her crushes, and I’m sure it won’t be me.”
“Oh, it’s definitely you. You know, you’d be a great father, too.”
He seemed to blush even more at that and made sure not to make much eye contact with me. “Um, thanks…”
“Is your family full of Spanish people? Stormy doesn’t look the least bit Spanish.”
“Um, I’m only like half Latino. I never knew much of my dad, but he was Venezuelan. But I never really learned Spanish.”
“You should. It’s one of the most romantic languages out there.”
“Yeah… next to French, of course.”
As the dance competition, fundraiser – whatever – thing went on, I was freshening up. They had first called out the dancing couples to go onstage. Surprisingly, we got a whole ton of people voting on us and so we already had a lot going for our charities. But if the judges chose us, about 100 grand would be given to our charities as a prize.
I felt pretty faint though, once our names were called because it was our turn to go up and dance.
Jesse and Ethan had, actually for once, really helped out on something. They got a whole bunch of awesome songs together that we could dance to and mixed them up.
The dance mostly consisted of Zavier and I just slow dancing, then it went to a little bit of jazz, a little bit of sexy tango (plus Zavier grabbing me at one point and spinning me up in the air a few times) – then at the end, we did an awesome hip-hop part.
About halfway through, I stopped being nervous and just laughed at the whole thing. This was all extremely fun and just doing it with Zavier made it all the better.
I loved how at one point, he did an awesome spin and took his suit coat off in the process. It was pretty hot, to say the least. It almost made me stop dancing and bite my lip as I continued staring at him, but I knew the show must go on and I honestly did not expect the amount of cheers we got once we were finished. We blew the house down!
Most of the judges’ votes were 10, and I’m sure that if Stormy could, she’d give us 100 more.
I gave her a huge smile and waved. I made her proud and I was extremely glad about that.
“Evelyn.”
I turned back to face Zavier, but before I could even blink, I was already in his warm embrace. “You did great!”
He pulled away and looked deep into my eyes. He was so happy and it just made me grin wide while grabbing on to his rosy cheeks.
“You did great, too,” I whispered to him as he chuckled and hugged me tight again. But this hug felt like it meant something more, maybe more than a single kiss, because his arms were so secure around me. They made me feel safe and nice and I never wanted him to let me go.
I had fallen for this dork.
And I was telling him. I was fucking telling him tonight.
But why do I feel like something terrible was about to happen?
33: Rock Your Body
• Evelyn •
If I wasn’t nervous before, I definitely was now. Extremely.
I mean, never in my life have I had to deal with a situation quite like this. Telling someone, especially a good friend, how you truly felt about them meant risking the amazing friendship you two have. But I guess I was just willing to take that risk.
I know I’d also be heartbroken in the end, because Zavier obviously still likes little Miss Joss, who is still as perfect as a dumb little Barbie doll. He didn’t like me, even though he has been acting sweeter than usual. But that was probably nothing. He was probably just being nice and he probably already knows about my stupid little crush and is just trying to let me down gently – very, very gently as to not hurt me overly much.
Fucking hell. Can I really do this? I don’t think I can.
“Evelyn!”
I jumped when I heard my name being shouted out right next to my damn ear.
Now, ‘old’ Evelyn would’ve punched the person who decided to deliberately scream in her ear square in the face. But I was too deep in my own thoughts and I was also trying to get rid of all the reflexes I had. Stormy’s word and advice. And I’ve actually been heeding it for my own good.
I took a deep breath and turned to an overly amused Jesse, with Ethan – like always – directly at his side.
“Dude, you rocked it!” Jesse yelled. “Wow, who knew you could dance like that.” I pretended to be annoyed by glaring at him, but after a second I just laughed it off. “Can you dance in bed too because I… ow! Dude, what the he—”
“Thanks, Ethan. I didn’t feel like slapping a bitch today,” I told Ethan with a wink as I turned back around to face center stage.
Zavier and about five of his cousins were going to take the stage in about a minute or so as their final performance was a K-Pop dance. And I was excited to finally get to see it.
They’ve been meeting up with each other to practice during their free time and once, I actually followed Zavier to his cousin’s secret hideout, which was really their garage. But he knew I was following him, so he waited until I left because he didn’t want me to see the dance yet.
Apparently, you can never secretly follow someone when riding a motorcycle. But hey, I had a helmet on. It really could’ve been someone else. Pfft.
“Everybody, shut up! My best friend is about to go up there and I don’t need to be kicking anybody’s ass right now. Hey you, kid! Got my eye on you. Don’t think I didn’t see that laser pen in your hand.”
After that was heard almost throughout the whole venue, I facepalmed myself. I think it’s pretty clear we all knew that was Jesse, who had a front row seat, ready to see his best friend work it. I was a few seats behind Jesse, standing. I just didn’t want Zavier to be so nervous that he couldn’t concentrate while looking at me watching him.
No one really listened to Jesse when he ordered everyone to shut up, but they did get quiet once Stormy grabbed the microphone to anno
unce something.
“And now, for our final dance performance, a group dance. Give it up for my son, Zavier and his cousins: Zayne, Zandy, Alezandro, Adrian and Leonard!”
At that, everyone began to wildly cheer, Jesse and I probably being the loudest, as we saw Zavier and his five cousins running and hopping onstage. They waved at the audience, though Zavier seemed to be looking around for something – or rather someone.
I tried to hide the best I could once he was trying to look better in my direction, but when I looked back up at him after a while, he was slightly waving at someone else…
I frowned and followed his eyes. My heart felt like it was in pain, when I saw that that someone else, was Joss.
He was blushing a little, scratching the back of his neck like he does when he’s being a bit shy. Though, that only reminded me of when he did it whenever he was with me.
It hurt, to be honest. But I felt numb at the moment. I wasn’t changing my mind just because he waved at the girl he actually fucking likes. I was still telling him. And if he still likes her, which I’m sure he still will even after I tell him, then so be it. At least I was brave enough to tell him my actual feelings.
At least I was brave enough to tell him that the bad girl has fallen for the good boy.
I looked back at Zavier and his cousins, and still managed to sport a big smile once they began their dance. The colors of their clothing consisted mostly of black, grey and white. I had told Zavier exactly what to wear, and my, did he look good. But really, when didn’t he look good? It was impossible for him to look horrible, seriously.
What Zavier wore was a black and white varsity vest with a grey hood, and the letter Z sewn onto the left side. Underneath, he wore a sleeveless white button-up shirt, adding a black tie. Dark skinny jeans were added with his famous white Vans, and he made sure to also put his hood up – just because I thought it would look cool.
The K-Pop dance they were doing was amazing, and Zavier was the leader of the group so he was in front most of the time. I also knew what dance they were doing after a while, considering someone yelled out ‘Overdose by Exo! I love that band!’ So I made a mental note to look up the actual band and song later. Because really, it wasn’t half bad.
Who knew little shy Zavier wasn’t actually too shy to show everyone what he could really do? Because my, my, could he dance!
His cousins were alright.
I was about to cheer when they completely stood still after the song stopped. Then all of a sudden, another song was coming on and I couldn’t help but gape at them and yell out a big ‘HELL, NO!’
They were fucking doing another dance. But this time, it was to my favorite band – Hollywood Undead.
And I knew that Zavier choreographed this dance, because there has not been any dance routine created for the song ‘Lights Out’.
Gosh. He did this for me? He really did this whole thing, for me…
Was it possible that he actually felt something towards me?
Or was it possible that he does now, at least?
I had to find out.
• Zavier •
Once the dance was over, I smiled and exhaled deeply, taking my hood off in the process. I was looking through a huge crowd of people. But it was getting so crazy that some actually started going onstage themselves to congratulate us.
Jesse practically jumped me and I was glad I could carry the guy, but after a second, I had to get him off me to go and look for Evelyn. Honestly, she was the only reason I did all of this for. I wanted her to see what I have been working on. I wanted to surprise her and I really hoped I did.
“Evelyn?!” I yelled, spinning around a bit to try and find her. But after spending many seconds – or minutes, I honestly don’t know – looking for her, she was nowhere in sight and my heart was going completely crazy.
Where was she? I couldn’t see her anywhere. Didn’t I just see her? She can’t just leave. She can’t just leave me here… please…
Why the hell am I freaking out like this? She’s probably just lost. She’s probably gone to see someone else. She’s probably gone to the restroom for a quick second.
But if I don’t find her… I just don't think I’ll be able to—oh no, I couldn’t breathe.
Count, Zavier. Just count to ten and you’ll be fine. You’ll be alright. Hell, I don’t need to be in this situation. Not in a crowded place again. No one would be here to help me this time, so I have to try to calm myself down. I hated hospitals and I didn't want to go back there just because of some stupid panic attack I couldn’t fight myself.
“One…” I managed to whisper to myself, feeling a couple of people pushing through to get past me. How could they not notice this? It’s really hard to deal with freakin’ panic attacks when you’re alone and in a crowded place and no one knows what’s going on.
Where’s mom?
Did Jesse leave?
Ethan?
Someone? They couldn’t have just left!
“Two…”
I still remembered when Evelyn gave me my first kiss and saved my life at the same time. That sure was something… something I’ll never, ever forget.
“T-three…”
It’s also when my life started going a bit wild… when I really started to look at life in a whole new different way, and actually lived. I also realized that there are so many other things to do than just study and try to make the future perfect.
“Four…”
When Evelyn entered my life, it just expanded into something scary yet fascinating. A person I didn’t know was inside of me magically escaped. It was another me, and I couldn’t say I wasn’t glad I got to know it better these past few weeks.
“Five…”
I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes as I held on to my stomach, feeling my glasses going a bit foggy because of my rough breathing. They were slipping down my nose a bit due to the fact that I was sinking down to my knees again, shaking almost uncontrollably.
“Si… six.” My voice had started to crack terribly and I really wasn’t sure I could do this any longer. The counting wasn’t even working anymore. I needed help. I needed someone.
I needed Evelyn.
“Zavier?”
I didn’t even realize my head was hanging low, or that my eyes were slowly beginning to close, or that I was probably very close to passing out. The darkness was slowly surrounding me and I couldn’t find any light to bring me back. I was going to…
“Se…sev… en mmm—”
“Zavier!?” I felt warm, soft hands grab my cheeks to lift my head up, but my eyes were barely squinting open. I could only see a blur. “Please tell me you’re alright. Just breathe, keep your eyes open. You’ll be fine and I’ll call someone for help.”
I stayed still for a few seconds right then and there, my eyes barely being able to stay open. I felt tired. I just wanted to go home and sleep.
“Sev—eigh—”
I couldn’t possibly count anymore.
That’s when I slowly started looking up again at the person right in front of me.
I just wanted to try one last thing if I were to…
“Zavier?” she asked again with a light, worried voice.
I looked straight at Evelyn, grabbed her soft cheeks – and kissed her, just like she had done that first time. She could help me hold my breath so that I could breathe normally again. I didn’t need any damn help. I only needed her. I only ever needed her.
When I felt like I could finally breathe properly again after just a few seconds, I pulled away and slowly opened my eyes to look at her beauty – the beauty that has been my only calmness. The beauty that has helped me fall asleep at night. The beauty that was one of the many reasons I had fallen for her.
But this wasn’t her.
This person wasn’t Evelyn.
“J-Joss?”
I swallowed hard and stared into Joss’ shocked, bright blue eyes. Her lips were slightly parted and her cheeks were rosy. I c
ouldn’t believe it. How did I mistake her for Evelyn? I was hallucinating but I’m sure her lips would’ve felt and tasted differently.
Oh, how could I be so stupid!?
“W…wow, um… w-what was that for?” Joss stuttered out.
“Y-you…” You aren’t Evelyn. Where was she…? “I…”
Dammit. What was I supposed to say then!? I had totally forgotten I had asked Joss to come. She said she couldn’t make it until the final performance and I was okay with that… but now, I just honestly wish she hadn’t come.
“Joss, look…”
“Woo! Zavier, you haven’t introduced us to your little girlfriend!”
I turned my head and saw my five cousins heading my way. Zayne, the eldest of us, had yelled that out with a smirk on his lips. He was always the teaser, and quite the player, too – basically the complete opposite of me.
“I… she’s not my girlfriend,” I said through clenched teeth, feeling myself blush. Though I looked down to try and hide it, but Zayne came over and tilted my head up and looked up at Joss, who was giving me a small smile with a blush as well.
“Really, well, she seems totally out of your league anyway so… ow!”
I don’t even need to turn due to that fact that I know that’s Zayne’s younger brother, Alez, who was actually a whole lot like Jesse. So I always had to make sure to keep those two apart when they came to visit.
“Alez! My man!”
Too late.
“Jess!” I finally turned to Alez and saw him carrying Jesse while Jesse ruffled up his hair. They looked like the best of friends... those really, really crazy friends you sometimes worry about.
Wait… maybe he knows where Evelyn went!
I opened my mouth, close to calling him, but then Zayne grabbed my shoulders and turned me back to face Joss – who was pretty much just awkwardly standing there.
“Alright, now let’s not be rude and introduce ourselves to this lovely young future Mrs. Coin…”
“Dude!” I was blushing mad now. And so was she. He was so damn embarrassing.
