The Key of Hearts
Page 26
Chapter 26
As Selena sat in her living room watching TV with Zac, a solemn ache enveloped her. She hadn’t realized how much she depended on being with Xavier during weekends. Even though he was the opposite of a chatty type, in fact he was the opposite, his quiet presence could be felt strongly wherever he resided. Selena kept thinking about those dark eyes of his that so few had an entry to. Zac, however, seemed thrilled that he had her to himself for one night. They were alone in the house since Selena’s parents had left to the supermarket and were watching Green Acres in the living room. When a knock sounded on the door, even Zac stared at it with curiosity.
“Who could that be?” Selena asked him as she walked to the door where she peeked through the peep hole. “I don’t believe it!” she exclaimed.
“Can we talk,” asked the visitor as soon as Selena opened the door. “It’s very important.”
“Okay,” Selena answered, puzzled and shocked as she led the visitor inside. “What do you need to talk to me about?”
“Xavier.”
Selena didn’t care for this scenario at all. What does Cherise want to say about Xavier? What does she want? What is Cherise doing in this neighborhood and in my home? As they sat on the overstuffed, powder-blue sofa, Selena saw Cherise’s eyes dart around the room. With a scowl on her face, Cherise took in the homemade curtains, inexpensive furniture, and the dents here and there caused by the actual usage of things.
“I’ve never been in a trailer,” Cherise smirked.
“It’s not a trailer. It‘s a mobile home,” snapped Selena. “What do you want to talk about?”
In hearing her angry voice, Zac, who Cherise hadn’t seen yet because he sat next to the blue recliner and had been hidden from her view, unsnapped his sight from Green Acres and rushed to Selena, grunting and squealing. Cherise stared at him with abrupt shock and naked fear in her eyes. Unable to move, she squeezed her sweaty hands together.
“Zac, quiet down, buddy,” Selena murmured.
“What’s that?” Cherise muttered, finally finding her words.
“Zac’s a pig. Hadn’t you seen one before?”
“Not in a living room. Shouldn’t he be at a zoo or something?”
Zac eyed her with fierce eyes, and she nervously sat further back on the sofa.
“He’s where he belongs,” Selena retorted.
“He doesn’t bite, does he?”
“Cherise, let’s cut the small talk,” Selena said with frustration. “Why are you here?”
Cherise’s eyes nervously darted between Selena and Zac. “I already told you. I need to talk to you about Xavier.”
“What about Xavier?”
“There’s stuff you need to know.”
“What stuff?”
“He kissed me last night,” Cherise blurted matter-of-factly.
“What?”
“He kissed me.”
“Kissed you?” The words were like poison in Selena’s mouth.
“Yes.”
“That's a lie!"
“It’s true, Selena,” Cherise insisted.
Zac started squealing uncontrollably as Selena tried to decipher Cherise’s shocking words.
“Selena, if your stupid pig bites me, I’m going to sue you!” Cherise exclaimed, shaking and terrified.
“Zac, please quiet down,” mumbled Selena, trying to get her mind to stop whirling.
Zac stopped making noise but kept eyeballing Cherise with ferociousness.
Cherise tried ignoring Zac’s incensed stare. “I was saying—“
“Let’s get something clear, Cherise,” snapped Selena, finally out of her stupor. “You don’t come to my home and insult my pig. He’s not stupid.”
“I—“
“And as for telling me you kissed Xavier—this is a new low even for you. Are you that desperate to get him that you’d lie?”
“I’m not lying. We kissed yesterday,” Cherise insisted. “And it was a passionate kiss.”
“Why would you kiss Xavier if you’re with Sebastian?”
“I’m not with Sebastian,” declared Cherise. “We’re only friends.”
“Friends? C’mon, Cherise. Everyone at school has seen you and him together—really together.”
Cherise cleared her throat. “I already told you that we’re only friends.”
“I think it’s disgusting that you’d use a guy and throw him away just like that for another.”
“I didn’t—“
“And I don’t believe that Xavier would kiss you.”
“Well, he did. Steve and me were having dinner at Asher’s house last night—just ask him. Xavier wanted to talk to me alone after dinner and that’s when he kissed me. He kept asking me about Sebastian—I guess he was jealous.”
“Really?” Selena asked sarcastically.
“Selena, don’t take my word for it. Ask Steve or better yet, ask Xavier. I doubt if he told you I had dinner with him last night, right?”
“He said he had dinner at home.”
“Yes, but I was there. Did he tell you?”
“No,” Selena mumbled.
“He’ll probably lie to you about the kiss because he doesn’t want to tell you the truth.”
“The truth?”
“That he really wants to be with me.”
Selena shook her head furiously. “If he really wants to be with you then why isn’t he? I’m not going to hold on to someone who doesn’t want to be with me.”
“Well . . . I . . .”
“Why isn’t he with you, Cherise,” Selena pushed.
“He’s . . . He’s scared.”
“Scared? Of what?”
“Of not being good enough for me.”
Selena rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated breath. “This is getting more ridiculous by the minute.”
“Selena—“
“This conversation is over,” Selena stated, standing up. “You need to leave.”
“You’re throwing me out?” Cherise asked incredulously.
“Yes.”
“But—“
Zac’s heavy, ear-piercing squeal resounded throughout the whole house as he rushed towards Cherise. Springing up and bolting like a flash to the door, she shrieked unintelligible words all the way. Hastily swinging the door open, she flew across it without even a good-bye.
Selena stared after her, shaking her head.
“Good boy,” she told Zac who sat at the open doorway with a smirk on his face.