HATE AT FIRST SIGHT ╰> riff, wss 2021

four

"Tell me now" Gabriel says sharply when we are out of earschot.

I sigh. "It's nothing. I met him yesterday at work and we had a conversation" "conversation" Gabriel repeats skepticly.

"Okay, we had an argue" I confess. "But I didn't tell Bernardo. You know how he would react so, por favor, Gabriel, don't tell him, okay?"

"Tell him what?" He sighs and I give him a hug. "Thank you so much, Gabriel"

"I don't know if that's important anymore" Gabriel says. "He saw you with him today" "Yeah, I know, I will talk to him later" I say. "He has to accept that I make my own decisions now"

But Gabriel is still looking as if stones would fill his stomach. "Gabriel?" "Would you do it?" he asks. "Would I what?" I ask. "Kiss him" he almost whispers as if the imagination would hurt him.

"Of course not!" I say, thinking about the hint Anita gave me about him and his feelings for me. "He is a gringo, he is the leader of the jets and the biggest jerk ever" "Good" Gabriel says relieved.

I give him a smile until I realise something. "Oh no" I mumble and scan my body. My eyes widen in realisation. That god damn jerk! I know what he's up to.

"Gabriel, I have to go back" I inform him and turn around to go. "I uhm... I lost my purse"

"Wait!" Gabriel says sharply and grabs my elbow. "What if he's still there?" I know exactly who he's meaning. And I know he'll be there. "Gabriel, the police arrived, he won't be there anymore and in this purse is Anitas money"

"I'll come with you" he says but I cut him off. "Don't be silly, Gabriel, there's police everywhere"

Still, he doesn't seem very happy about it. "Then I'll wait here for you" "You don't need to" I say "But could you bring this bag to Anita? You would be a lot more useful"

He still seems hesitant. "Ill find the way home, Gabriel" I grin and he sighs and takes the bag. "Okay. Adios, Cam"

After he disappeared I turn around and make my way back. Just wait, Riff. When I reach the alley near the corner and begin to look around. I'm still not at the street. In this alleys, it's cold and dark and empty. The perfect place for a secret conversation. So what is he waiting for? Does he want to make a big entrance?

"Hey Cam"

The shock runs through my veins even though I expected it. Expected him. But anyways I send Riff an angry glance. "You scared me!"

"Well, I'm naturally terrifying" he grins, leaning on the wall near me, my purse in his right hand. "What does Cam stand for?"

"You heard us talking" I realize estimating and take a step back. He geets loose of the wall and strolls in my direction. "Yeah, I did. Cute friend you have there" I send him another angry glance. "I swear to god, if you touch Gabriel-" "Relax" he smirks, now standing right in front of me. "We're over this, aren't we? This enemy thing"

"We are enemies, Riff" I remember him. "I am Bernardos sister and you are the leader of the jets, you're a gringo and you see porturicans like me as garbage, have you forgptten that?"

He rolls his eyes. "Do you want me to hate you?" "Maybe" I say. "So it's easier to hate you"

"And what if we don't?" He asks. "Hate each other" "Riff-" I begin, trying to call him back to reality but he cuts me off. "I mean, just what if"

"Well I guess you would have given me my purse back" I say. "I don't think so" he grins. "I don't steal to annoy people. You would be a Lady with a purse, full of money"

"I would look after my stuff. So, what would be your Plan?" I ask and notice he's coming nearer. I can feel his breath on my cheeks.

"I would seduce you" His voice is a bit deeper and rough. It lets shivers move down my back. "And when your attention fades, I would steal it and run"

His Hand strokes along my qrm and the shivers become more intense. I feel my body leaning on the wall while his body is just inches away from mine and I half close my eyes.

"I would shout at you. I would chase after you"

"You wouldn't get me. I am way faster than you" he whispers.

All of the atmosphere seems almost like a fever dream, too intense and bright. "Oh yes?" I ask. "Well, since this all is hypothetical and stuff we'll probably never find out since my freedom will suffer under this day."

"Mhm, I bet on that" he whispers, both of our faces just inches apart, stroking with his nose over my cheek. "Too bad"

"Too bad" I smile and pull him away from me.

He blinks a few times. The tension between us is feelable. You could cut it with a knife. "So, what does Cam stand for?" He asks, pulling himself together. "Cami? Cameron? Ca-"

"Camilla" I answer and stroke through my hair. "Would you mind giving me back my purse?"

"Yes"

I give him an irascible glance. "What?" "Yes" he repeats. "I would mind. But ... maybe I'm nice and give it back to you, i-"

"You just told me you would never steal anything from me but my heart" I say. "I doubt my heart us in that purse"

"Relax" he smirks. "It's just a pledge" "A pledge?" I repeat. "Yes" he says. "Meet me at the doc's. Tomorrow" "Forget it" I say. "I would rather tell Bernardo about this, give up my freedom and the money" "Really?" He asks and Lifts his eyebrows.

"No" I sigh.

"So, what was the point?" He asks. "I just wanted to show you how much I hate the idea of meeting you at the doc's" I say.

He sighs and gives me my purse back. "Okay, love, let's stop playing. You want me to stay away from you? Then say it. Say it now. And I will respect it. So, do you want me to leave you alone? Forever?"

I give him a playful look and turn around to go away. "See you tomorrow, Riff"

"See ya at the doc's, ma'am" he grins and waves.