- 6 -

The walk back is not as uncomfortable as I expected, yet my hands still shake a little. A part of me can't believe that I'm walking next to Ares. I try to keep one step behind him so that I don't have to face that pretty face that has always disarms me. However, my curious eyes travel to his defined arms and formed legs. Playing soccer has done well for him. He has an athletic body that makes him look strong. I wonder if he could lift me up easily while I'm kissing him passionately like in many movie scenes.

"Yes, I could."

Shit! I need to stop thinking out loud.

Control your thoughts, Rachel!

Ares looks at me over his shoulder with a mischievous smile that leaves me breathless.

Why does he have to be so fucking attractive? Why?

Blushing, I focus on the street next to us. Ares goes the rest of the way, using his phone.

When I get to the door of my house, the atmosphere gets a bit uncomfortable. Ares stops beside me, and runs his hand through his hair, "You arrive to your cave, witch."

I roll my eyes, "Stop calling me that."

"Brush your hair better and I will."

Low blow.

Immediately, I run my fingers through my tangled hair, trying to comb it. "It's the weather."

Ares smiles, "Whatever you say."

"Very funny."

Ares checks his phone and looks at the time, "Go in before your mom comes out and drags you inside."

I huff, "My mom would never do that, she trusts me." I say arrogantly.

And as if listening to me, my mother's voice is heard from inside the house, "Rachel? Is that you?"

"Shit!" I panic, "Um ... it was fun, good night, bye." I turn my back to walk to the door.

I hear him talking behind me. "Didn't you just say your mother trusts you?"

"Rachel?"

I turn to him again, "Shhhhhhhhhhhh!" I gesture him with both hands to go, "Go! Shoooo!"

Ares laughs showing those perfect teeth he has, he has a beautiful smile. I could stay watching him all night but my mother is about to come out and make a fuss.

Ares makes me the 'Okay' symbol with his fingers, "Okay, I'm off, little stalker."

I squint my eyes, "Another nickname now?"

He gives me a closed-lipped smile. "I'm very creative, I know."

"Me too, Greek God." as soon as my supposed nickname leaves my lips I regret it. Greek God? Are you serious, Rachel?

Ares smirks, "I like that nickname."

Of course you like it, arrogant!

"Rachel!"

I turn my back on him and this time he doesn't say anything, I just hear his steps fading away as I open the door.

I go in and I put my back against the door, a stupid smile invades my face. I had a good time with Ares, the boy of my dreams, I still can't believe it.

"Raquel Margarita Mendoza Álvarez!"

You know you're in trouble when your mom uses your full name.

"Hello, my beautiful mother." I say with the tenderest smile I can conjure.

Rosa María Álvarez is a hardworking, studied and dedicated woman. She is the best person I know but as a mother, she can be very strict. Despite not spending much time at home for her work —She is a nurse— when she is at home, she likes to control and maintain order.

"Beautiful mother?" she points her finger accusingly at me, "It's almost 11, where were you?

"I thought we'd agreed I could be out until 11 in the summer."

"Only on weekends," she reminds me, "and as long as you tell me where you are and with whom."

"I went to the bakery and was eating a donut and—

"The bakery closes at nine."

I swallow. "You didn't let me finish, I stayed in front of the bakery eating the donut."

"You expect me to believe that?"

I put my hands on my waist, "That's what happened, Mom. You know me, what else could I be doing?"

Letting a sexy boy kiss my neck in the cemetery.

Mom narrows her eyes, "You'd better not lie to me, Rachel."

"I wouldn't dare, mom." I give her a hug and a kiss on the side of her face.

"Your dinner is in the microwave."

I smile. "You're the best."

"And go up and give love to that dog of yours. He's been crawling around the house depressed."

"Aww! He misses me."

"Or he's hungry."

Both are very possible.

After warming up and devouring my food, I go up to my room. Rocky runs out to greet me, almost knocking me down. He's getting bigger every day.

"Hello, cute, little, beautiful, divine, fluffy dog." I softly pat his head. "Who is the most beautiful dog in the world?" Rocky licks my hand, "Yes, you are."

My phone rings in my pocket. I close the door of my room with my foot to check the message. It's from Joshua, my best friend.

From: Joshua BFF

Are you awake?

Me: Yeah, what's up?

My phone rings with a call and I answer quickly.

"Hello, Rochi." I hear him say at the other side of line. Joshua has always called me Rochi.

"What's up, Yoshi." and I of course call him like the Mario Kart dinosaur. He looks like Joshua and he's cute. They are not the most mature nicknames in the world but in my defense, we made those up when we were kids.

"The madwoman isn't with you, is she?"

"No, Dani is at home."

"You forgot about me. I can't remember your face anymore."

"It's been four days, Yoshi."

"That's a lot of time. Anyway, what do you think about  seeing a marathon of The walking dead tomorrow?"

"Only if you swear to me you haven't seen the new episodes without me."

"You have my word."

I walk around my room, "It's a deal then."

"Your house or mine?"

I look at the calendar on the wall, "Mine, Mom has double duty tomorrow and my TV is bigger."

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Rochi."

"See you tomorrow."

I smile at the phone and remember those times I thought I had a crush on Joshua. He's always been the only guy I've interacted with and shared so much with. But I would never dare put our friendship at risk when I didn't even know what I felt.

Joshua is a sweet boy, very shy and physically cute, nothing amazing like Ares but cute in his own way. He wear glasses and a backward cap that he never takes off. His rebellious brown hair is hidden inside it.

Unconsciously, I get to my window. Will Ares be there in the yard stealing my Wi-fi? My heart leaps just to imagine him sitting there in the chair with his laptop on his lap and that stupid arrogant smile that suits him so well.

But when I open my curtains, I only see an empty chair, with a small puddle of water on it from the last rain this afternoon.

I stare at Ares' house, the view is good from my window but not clear. However, thanks to my stalking skills I have binoculars. I pick them up from the floor next to the window and take a look at his window. The light is on but I don't see him.

I sigh in disappointment.

I'm about to throw the binoculars aside when he appears. He seems to be looking for something near the window, and then Ares grabs the edge of his t-shirt and pulls it over his head.

I blush instantly, catching a glimpse of his bare torso.

That flat and defined abdomen...

Those strong arms ...

Those tattoos ...

That V in your lower abdomen ...

It's hot here all of a sudden.

I lower the binoculars feeling like a pervert, but again, my stupid curiosity kills me and I raise them up again to look at him.

To my surprise, Ares is standing in front of the window looking directly at me.

Shit!

I fall to the floor and crawl away from the window. Rocky tilt his head to the side in confusion.

"Don't judge me." I say seriously.

My phone beeps, and I pray to God it's not Ares making fun of what just happened.

I open the message.

From: ARES <3

You like what you see?

I smile and respond:

Me: Nah, I was just looking at the moon.

Ares: There is no moon visible. It's cloudy.

I'm so dumb!

Me: I just wanted to make sure there were no neighbors stealing my Wi-fi.

Ares: Your signal doesn't reach my window.

Me: I just wanted to check. 

Some time passes and he probably won't answer any more. I shower and put on my spongebob pajamas.

I walk out of the bathroom, drying my hair with my towel and I see a new message on my phone.

From: Ares <3

Why don't you come over here and check for yourself?

The message is from five minutes ago and it takes me by surprise. He wants me to go to his house? At these hours? Is he... inviting me to...

The towel falls from my hands.

I'm a virgin, but I'm not stupid, I can read between the lines.

I get another message, making me jump.

From: Ares <3

It's fun to scare you.

Good evening, silly witch.

It was a joke?

I don't think so. Ares Hidalgo just invited me to his room to do who knows what. He did it a subtle way but he did it. And what confused me most was the fact that I hesitated instead of running to his room.

Apparently, I'm all just bluffing and nothing of action as Dani would say.

I bluff a lot, but when it's time, I'm not able to move forward.

Silly, silly, Rachel.

Xx

Author's note: Hey, guys, hope you're enjoying the story so far. I know Rachel seems a little cringey at the beginning but it'll get better, lol. Thanks so much and I hope you're enjoying the fast uploads. 

Love

A.G. (Twitter Arix05, Instagram Ari_godoy)