Girl Crush | Alex Alvarez

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗: 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄

"I hate to say it, but I feel sorry for men. This consent thing is tricky."

"No! Women always blame themselves and then the man never has to take responsibility. During rape prevention week at school, all the signs were aimed at women—girls, don't dress provocatively, girls, don't walk alone. How about 'hey guys, don't rape.'"

"And that's why you are my favorite family member."

"Oh, my God, why are we talking about that? I took a couple of pictures as a joke and Chloe thought it was funny." Alex scoffed as Elena explained how we were treated in school and basically every place in the freaking country. "Yeah because it's real funny when your date gropes you."

"Did she feel like she had to laugh because she didn't know what else to do with your hand on her boob?"

"Okay, you two, take it easy." Penelope tried to calm Elena and I down, but this was something that I couldn't take from Alex or anyone else for that matter. "No! He thinks what he did it cute. You are basically a predator."

"Did you really have to go and be like every other misogynistic idiot who thinks women are objects? How do we know that you don't think you're superior to us because you sure are hell-bent on making us feel that way."

"You two are basically psychos."

"Good, call me crazy for defending a woman's right not to be groped!" Elena yelled at her brother. The anger inside was boiling—he had no freaking right to act the way he did. "Touching your date like that, or anyone else for that matter, was not funny—it never has been funny and it never will be funny. You are the reason girls are afraid to date because fools like you think it's funny to grope them."

"You're just mad because the internet told you to be. You don't know my life—you don't even leave this apartment!"

"Because of guys like you!" I screamed, unable to catch my breath anymore. Alex didn't speak after that—no one did. I never should have said what I said. I didn't want to relive those memories. "What are you talking about?"

"You always ask me why I don't date," I laughed bitterly, "I can't bring myself to trust another guy because I've been used before. I thought he was sweet and kind and wonderful, but he wasn't—I can never forgive myself for trusting him. He tried to take advantage of me and I was so traumatized that I can never say his name without reliving all those panic attacks it took me to be me again. Women don't feel safe for a reason—I hate that you are that reason today."

"Stel, I—"

"I'm sorry, I should go." I wiped away the tears that had fallen when I spoke and quickly left the house. I couldn't bring myself to open my door, sliding down on the floor below as I sobbed quietly. "Stella."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked as he sat on the floor next to me. "I...couldn't."

"That's not a valid excuse, Alex. I thought we were best friends—then you went and did something like that."

"I didn't want you to go out with other guys—it was stupid. I'm stupid—stupid for being the worst best friend ever." Alex's eyes brimmed with tears as he looked at me. "You're a good guy, Alex. I love you."

"I love you too," Alex whispered. I moved closer to him, forgiving him a lot faster than I'd intended to. There was something about the look in his eyes that made me think he returned my feelings for him. "Alex—"

"Stel, may I kiss you?" Alex asked slowly. I recalled how it was what Elena would have wanted him to do. I smiled softly—he'd learned something after all. "Hell yes."

Alex leaned in as his lips touched mine softly. It was sweet and slow, and it was better than what I'd imagined my first kiss would be like. He was gentle—his hands held my neck as he caressed my cheek. I imagined I would come back to my senses, but I was lost for some time. I pulled away, shocked that I'd kissed the boy who was my best friend. "Stella, I have to tell you something—"

"You should go," I mumbled as I stood up, patting myself down. Alex tried to speak, but I entered my house, silently closing the door behind me before he could stop me. "Stel, you're home! I haven't seen you since, well let's be honest, a few days."

"Sorry, Papi." I smiled as I kissed his cheek. I ran toward my room quickly, only to find Vero stealing my moisturizer. "You're back early."

"Can't let Mami know that I make out with my boyfriend when I tell her I'm at the library."

"I did a bad bad thing," I groaned as I fell back on my bed. "Can't be worse than whatever I do all the time."

"I kissed Alex."