The next few days passed uneventfully, a welcome respite from the tension of family gatherings and forced interactions. I threw myself into my studies and work, hoping to push thoughts of Alejandro to the back of my mind. But despite my efforts, he lingered in my thoughts more than I cared to admit.
It was Thursday evening when my friends convinced me to go out. Mia had heard about a new club opening downtown, and she was determined to drag all of us there. Reluctantly, I agreed, hoping a night out would be a good distraction.
The club was already buzzing when we arrived, music thumping loudly, lights flashing in sync with the beat. We made our way to the bar, laughing and chatting as we ordered drinks. It felt good to let loose, even if just for a few hours.
We found a spot near the dance floor, and Zara was the first to pull me into the throng of people. The music was infectious, and soon we were all dancing, the rhythm and energy of the crowd washing over us.
That's when I saw him. Alejandro was there, standing with a group of people, his arm casually draped around a girl's shoulders. She was tall and beautiful, with long dark hair and a figure that turned heads. They looked like they belonged together, and the sight sent a jolt of unexpected jealousy through me.
I tried to ignore it, focusing on the music and my friends. But it was impossible to shake the image of Alejandro and the girl, their easy smiles and the way they seemed so comfortable with each other. I hated the way it made me feel, like I was missing something important.
"Indiyah, are you okay?" Mia shouted over the music, her concern evident.
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just need a drink."
I pushed my way back to the bar, trying to compose myself. Why did it bother me so much to see him with someone else? It wasn't like I had any feelings for him beyond our mutual disdain. But the jealousy gnawed at me, a bitter reminder of how complicated our relationship had become.
As I stood there, nursing my drink, I felt a presence beside me. I turned to see Alejandro, his eyes locked onto mine. The girl he'd been with was nowhere in sight, and for a moment, I wondered if he had come over to gloat.
"Enjoying the party?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the music.
"It's fine," I replied coolly, taking a sip of my drink. "You seem to be having a good time."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly catching the edge in my tone. "Jealous, Indiyah?"
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Hardly."
"Really?" he challenged, stepping closer. "Because it looks like you are."
I glared at him, hating how easily he could read me. "Why would I be jealous of you, Alejandro?"
He smirked, leaning in so I could hear him better. "Maybe because you hate that someone else might actually like me."
"That's ridiculous," I snapped, feeling my face heat up.
"Is it?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. "Because you seem pretty worked up about it."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I'm not worked up. I just don't understand why you always have to be such a jerk."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe because you always bring out the worst in me."
His words stung, but there was a truth to them that I couldn't deny. We did seem to have a knack for pushing each other's buttons.
"Well, maybe if you weren't so insufferable, we could actually get along," I retorted.
He looked at me for a long moment, something unreadable in his eyes. "Maybe," he conceded quietly.
For a moment, we stood there, the music and the crowd fading into the background. There was something different in his gaze, something that made my heart skip a beat. But before I could say anything, the girl from before appeared at his side, her arm slipping around his waist.
"There you are, Alejandro," she said, smiling up at him. "I was looking for you."
He glanced at her, then back at me. "I'll see you around, Indiyah," he said, his tone neutral.
I watched them walk away, the jealousy flaring up again. I hated how easily he could affect me, how he could make me feel things I didn't want to acknowledge.
Returning to my friends, I tried to shake off the encounter. But the image of Alejandro and the girl stayed with me, a constant reminder of the confusing feelings he stirred up. I wanted to hate him, to dismiss him as nothing more than an arrogant footballer. But the truth was, he was more than that, and it scared me to think about what it could mean.
The night dragged on, and I forced myself to have fun, to dance and laugh with my friends. But my mind kept drifting back to Alejandro, to the way he'd looked at me, and the way I'd felt seeing him with someone else.
By the time I got home, I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and I didn't know how to make sense of them.
A soft knock on my door startled me, and I sat up, confused. "Come in," I called, expecting it to be Diego.
But it wasn't. Alejandro stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Can we talk?" he asked quietly.
I blinked, taken aback. "What are you doing here?"
"Our moms wanted to have a late-night tea. I figured we could talk," he said, stepping into the room.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But the look in his eyes was different, softer somehow. "Fine," I said, moving over to make room for him on the bed.
He sat down, the silence stretching between us. "I'm sorry," he said finally, his voice low. "For tonight, and for everything."
I frowned, not expecting an apology. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because I've been a jerk," he admitted. "And I don't want to keep fighting with you."
I stared at him, searching for any hint of insincerity, but found none. "I don't want to keep fighting either," I said softly.
He looked relieved, a small smile tugging at his lips. "So, can we try to be friends?"
I hesitated, the jealousy from earlier still fresh in my mind. But I knew this was a step forward, a chance to move past our animosity. "Yeah," I said finally. "We can try."
He nodded, his smile growing. "Good."
For the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Alejandro and I could find a way to coexist without the constant fighting. And as I watched him leave, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.
