“We should talk to Uncle Theodore. We should tell him that we want to leave here and spend the rest of the summer somewhere no one knows us. Is that okay?”
Max gave a nod. “I would really like that.”
* * * *
“Hmm, Xavier. How could we have imagined we would never work out?” Selena said, pulling herself over to him and kissing him again. This has gone on for several days. They have sex whenever they have the opportunity to be alone. Selena has recently welcomed Xavier into the house following the party. Her room, specifically.
Her friends? She told them to go home. They would only come on weekends, while she always spent the rest of the summer with Xavier in her bed. Selena pulled her clothes over her head, exposing her bra. She leaned in closer to kiss him. A hand reached for his trousers, removing the belt.
Her first sexual encounter with Xavier occurred on the night of Luisa’s birthday. Selena told her friends she wanted to be alone with Xavier as soon as they were sent out of the party. Instead of going home, they chose to do it in the car. Xavier has never been happier because he now knows what the girl he has had a crush on since forever tastes like.
“Are you sure?” He brought her to a stop halfway through. He kissed her again.
“I am sure, Xavier. I love you, and this is not the first time we have done this.” She reached for his lips again, slowly kissing him.
“Selena, I think we are going too fast. I do not want to have sex with you all the time. I want this to be a real relationship.” Xavier replied, cupping her face. “Look at me; I truly love you and want to go on dates with you. Not simply remain in your room all day and sleep with you. It is been going on for four days now. I’m sure your mother will be angry if she finds out that I have been staying over for four days now. ”
Selena let go of his belt and left him. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’re right. I think we are going too fast with this. We should take it slow and go on dates.” She took in a deep breath.
Xavier sat up straight. He leaned in and kissed her one last time before leaving the bed to put on his clothes.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Selena replied with a smile.
“I better leave before someone knocks on your door.”
There was a knock at her door. “It’s too late.” Selena laughed as she stepped down. She reached for her robe and pulled it on. “Go now.” She waved to him as the knock continued. She watched Xavier pass by her window before heading to the door to open it. As she flipped it open, she saw Jade. “Hey!”
Jade stretched her head, trying to check if she was alone or not. She had noticed Xavier’s car in Selena’s backyard, where it had been for days. “You have not left your room for a while. We no longer see you in the living room.”
“You know, I have been busy. School is starting soon, and I heard from Trisha and Dalett that I have a reputation to protect, so I was working on it.”
“Or perhaps you are working on something else. Hmm... like Xavier?"
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act smart around me, Selena. I spotted Xavier’s car in your backyard. He has been staying over lately. Hmm... Wait until Mom finds out.”
“Wait.” She stopped Jade before she could leave. “Wait. What exactly do you want?”
“Mom is going to call us down any minute to give us tickets. There is a festival going on, and she wants you to come with me.”
“I wouldn’t have come even if you hadn’t blackmailed me. Let me get dressed; I will be down soon.” Selena said as she closed the door on Jade’s face.
Jade went down the stairs. “Mom. Where is the ticket?”
“You should take Selena with you. She has to have fun, and you need an adult to keep an eye on you.”
“There is no need to worry. She will accompany me.” Jade took Isabel’s tickets from her hands. “I should go get dressed. I don’t want to be late.”
Selena descended the stairs, already dressed in new clothes. Her hair was in a ponytail. “Mom.” She called.
“Where is Jade?”
“In her room, she will be down soon. Would you like a cup of cocoa?
“Yes, please.” Selena went to the kitchen and sat on the table. “Is it just me, or have not I seen Hania around recently?”
“She said she was going over to visit a friend. “She will return very soon.” Isabel dropped the cocoa right in front of Selena. “Remember, Jade isn’t allowed to wander around. She has a habit of doing this. And please have fun, darling.”
“I will, Mom,” Selena said with a smile, reaching for the cocoa.
Jade immediately answered her phone call. Trisha and Dalett could see her face as she raised the phone to her face. “I have separated Selena and Xavier for the time being. What do I do next?”
“Make sure she does not talk to him if they meet at the festival. Xavier will be there. I heard from a source that he had purchased two tickets.” Trisha said.
“Is not it good that they are together?” Jade inquired. “I thought you guys hated her being with Titus.”
“This is not about Titus, Jade. They’re no longer mates, so I doubt he will be hurt if she sleeps with Xavier. This is about Selena. She doesn’t love Xavier; she believes she does because Dalett said so.”
“I am very sorry, guys. I had no idea it would reach her head.”
“I am still angry, but it is not all your fault. I should not have told her about Xavier and their failed attempt to work out at Luisa’s party. We need to split them up.”
“But how can we do that?” Dalett and Jade asked.
“We need to show Selena that Xavier is a player. Jazzy will play an important role in this, or we will have to hook him up with hot chicks he can’t resist.”
“Can we go now?” Jade ran to Selena, smiling.
“I do not know why dressing up takes so long for a girl your age.” Selena examined her face. “Is that makeup you are wearing?”
Jade placed her hand to her lips. “Shh, Mom, I cannot find out.”
“So, you have a boyfriend?”
“No.” Jade made an expression that said exactly the opposite.
“Jade, spill it. Who is he? In my opinion, he is not dating you yet, so you are doing your best to attract him. I can help you if you let me know.”
Jade rolled her eyes. “I will not tell you anything. Let us go.” She dragged Selena as they walked out of the house. Selena got into the car and made sure her sister was safe before turning the key. She drove straight to the festival site.
Selena brought the car to a stop and looked at her sister. “You should never leave my side.”
Trust me, I did not intend to. I intend to stick to you like glue.”
“That’s something new.” Selena unbuckled her seat belt and climbed down. Selena looked at Jade as they started walking side by side through the crowd. “So, what exactly is the significance of this festival? Are they doing this every year?”
“Hmmm. It doesn’t happen every year. About every three years. They hold this festival to honor the moon goddesses. Apparently, people still believe in moon goddesses. But our family goes there to have fun instead. We consider this a family day, and we will all go out to have fun together. There are always sales that are lower than normal prices on this day.”