Ashley bit her lip hard and stared at Alejandro, who was sitting before his internet set, typing away furiously.
She was seated beside him and was staring hard, but he didn't mind. In fact, he was deep in what he was trying to do and seemed to not know that Ashley was there, staring.
But she distracted him by saying his name.
Alejandro paused and looked at her quizzically. What did she want from him this time? He waited, and yes, she spoke. Softly.
"Alejandro, I don't know what's happening with you. But I don't think you should keep doing that."
Then, there was silence. The two were looking at themselves. Blankly.
"Doing what?" Alejandro finally managed to ask carefully.
And Ashley quickly popped in with her reply, aching to put her brother in his place.
"Yelling at Row. Especially when Bree's there. It's not.... cool."
"Did you expect me to watch him smooth-talk her into his bed? Like he would?"
"Alejandro, Rolando will never do such a thing. What are you thinking? Bree is not a kid, and as you can see, I'm helping her navigate through things. We all are watching her for you, too...."
"I don't need those helps." Alejandro suddenly snapped in, and Ashley went quiet for a short moment.
Then, she resumed.
"Alejandro, you and I know that there's something going on...."
Alejandro watched Ashley closely now. She seemed to be falling into another world or something. Daydreaming or just acting her usual crazy.... Just looking far from him. Yet, inside him. And saying things softly....
".... that need to protect her. That familiarity and warmth that is very much reflexive and instinctive. Like it's built in us...."
"Ashley, I don't care." Alejandro interrupted. "Cut it off, and y'all should just forget about what the fuck it is. Don't give me that shit."
"Alejandro, just stop it! You can't bear to be nonchalant. And also...."
Ashley's voice switched to that of a pissed-off mother. She stared at Alejandro sternly and drawled out.
"I'm not telling you again. That's for later. Alejandro, to be real with you, I don't want you doing that shit you did any longer, okay? Control yourself. Row's even doing his own thing too. And he's doing well. Don't let all that anger thing get out of hand, or I'll never speak to you again. Quit doing it. Stop it, okay? Just.… stop it."
Alejandro withdrew slowly, forehead creased. And he frowned some more before guiltily turning back to work.
"Leave me alone, Ashley. I'm busy."
Lost for what to say, Ashley only shook her head and walked out of the room.
★★★
★★★
Bree lay in bed and couldn't stop thinking about him. Like it was legal. Like it was easy. Like it wasn't that desperate and too strong for her.
Yet, what could she do?
She couldn't stop the moments when their eyes had met numerous times from pumping into her head continuously tonight.
She was curled up in bed now, and she couldn't control anything.
She was all about his lips. His shoulders and his charisma. His possibilities of seeing her as pretty. His capabilities. Oh, so endless. Just everything about him.
The breeze was soft from outside and blew gently through her voluptuous, brown hair where she lay down.
Alejandro was who any girl would want to be close to and die for, but he was closed. And it came out as painful.
"Come on, girl! This guy literally called you his responsibility and argued cas' of you...." Her head had started bickering to and fro.
"That doesn't mean he likes you. You think you're his type....?"
"Oh, foolish girl. Don't you see the way he keeps looking at you?"
"Lust! He'd sleep with girls like you for sure, and then you'll suffer after. Haha."
"Oh, Alejandro is so handsome. His voice.... Just his face and voice only, and any girl would faint...."
Bree remembered him speaking and buried the side of her face into her pillow and hugged her pillow tighter. She smiled softly and blushed.
"I wonder what he would look like under his shirt."
"Jesus, you're thinking like a child. You just met him today. He will surely have a girlfriend."
"He can't. And in fact, you're prettier than her if so...."
"Alejandro wouldn't take any girl seriously. He isn't friendly in the first place. What's he going to do with her?"
"Oh, what about his butt?"
"Bree....!"
"Make sure to look at it tomorrow. Jesus, what if you touched it.... while he kissed you….?"
Bree's heart thudded, and she began to feel hot. She was loving this feeling.
"So, what if someone could read your mind now?"
Bree blushed profusely, but her mind didn't care.
And even at the end of it all, Bree slept off with the image of Alejandro permanently pressed onto her mind. She was in love with it that way. No cares.
★★★
★★★
Bree woke up weakly and yawned. The soft fireflies that Ashley had installed were floating softly above her, and she smiled gently. She had left it in a warm shade last night, and that now woke her up sweetly. Extraordinarily, too.
"Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and bless the day and the night, for you are God. Do for me what your will is, O God, and forgive me of my sins. Amen. May your name be glorified beyond the world. Amen. I love you, Jehovah." Bree prayed and looked out of her window to the vast sky and soft clouds.
She smiled happily again and pushed her hair off her face.
Clearly, she was overjoyed with something like euphoria. Today was going to be her first day at school. It was going to be a great day.
Then, she did a long stretch and pushed out of the bed.
Going for the bathroom, she smiled again. The day was bright, and she felt some extra surge of joy.
Bree snatched her toothbrush and toothpaste up. Then, quickly set to work.
She finger-combed and pushed her hair here and there engagingly and even sang a small song as she washed her teeth, excitedly. This was too good to be true.
She was getting the feeling now.
Soon, Bree was in the kitchen with Ashley, who was deep in her cooking.
"You must have woken up super early, Ashley." She said, and Ashley giggled.
"Oh yeah. That's me. I just wanted to assist on your first day. Are you excited?"
"To be honest, I am. I can't wait to see the classes and the robots."
Ashley laughed.
"I live in a small town, and we don't really have many of all these AI articles cas' the people there aren't comfortable with it. For example, my mom. So.... I don't have any experience with AI education."
"Well, I think it's going to be amazing. Go sit at the table. I'm done with the cooking. We'll be hurrying cas' our chauffeur just loves being early."
"Chauffeur?"
"Alejandro."
Bree nearly gasped, but she was quick to swallow.
Dear God….
"What....? Really?"
"Yes. I thought you knew, though...."
And Bree's phone began to ring. She didn't know what to do. But she managed to quickly pick it up. And it was from Mom.
"Sweetheart, how're you feeling today? It's your first day, y'know."
"Mom, I'm so happy. I can't believe this is finally happening. I'm almost ready for it, I think."
"Haha, I'm happy to see my baby happy. My! Alejandro told me he's going to be taking you down to school each day. Honey, you've got to be quick so you don't waste his time."
Bree felt some extra heartache this time. Oh ok, this was getting realer.
"Yes, Mom.... You didn't tell me he's going to be picking me up."
"Come on, Bree. You could have guessed. After school, he'll also take you into town to get your remaining groceries."
"Oh...."
"Yes. And please, honey. Get me pictures too. I want to see the wonders of the world."
"Sure."
"Is Ashley there? I want to speak to her."
"Sure."
Bree swallowed and smiled weakly.