Rita (english version)

Chapter 1

You know that moment when you are in an incredible party, with lights that would be an epileptic's nightmare, everyone is having a freaking good time and everything seems to be happening in slow motion? It's like everything is happening in a way the only thing that crosses your mind is: I want to get out of here. That's the way I feel. It's the graduation party of my best friend's youngest sister and, to be honest, it's fun, but I need some fresh air... urgently.

We are on a 1st floor, so I walk out to the balcony with Minerva following my steps.

- Are you having a good time? Cata expected you to come. Well, she wanted everyone to come. You know, every graduate's dream: to give the best party ever ... - and she hits me playfully with her elbow.

I smile at her, and before I can make a sound, a low-pitched voice interrupts me – Do any of you have a light?

Let's make a pause right here. Not even my ex-boyfriend was as hot as this dude. He was like ten Ian Somerhalder, in one person. He has a beard, deep and mysterious dark eyes and he's very sexy.

- N-no, I don't smoke.

- But I do, here... - my friend says, at the same time she turns a lighter on at only centimeters of his face. This boy lights his cigarette quickly.

- Thanks. – and he smiles. He then locks his eyes on my friend. – Minerva? Is that you?

- Facundo? – she looks surprised. Please, tell me they didn't have sex, tell me they didn't have sex. I repeat these words inside my head for some minutes, like some kind of mantra – How much has it been? – she asks, at the same time that she jumps into his arms. Yeah, I knew my mantra wouldn't make a damn difference.

- Since 2012? It has been... three years since we graduate from high school. Time flies, huh?.

- Yeah! Super-fast! – and she looks at me. OK, NOW you remembered my presence. Only after rubbing your perfect high school sweetheart all over my face. – She's Rita.

- Nice to meet ya. – he kisses me on the cheek. I blush. He smiles.

- Is there any chance...

- Daniel came – and he adds, before giving her time to answer – he's inside.

- I wasn't going to ask that.

- Like I didn't know. – he looks at her defiantly.

- In that case, I have some unfinished business – she says while she goes inside. When she opens the door, some of the condensed heat hits me in the face. It only reminded me of how cold was outside. Strangely cold for a summer's night. So I clutch myself to my coat.

We stay silent, watching over the view of the big city and everyone losing themselves among the buildings, making me realize how insignificant is my existence in this entire universe. He's the first to break the silence.

- Do you go to college together? – Small talk. Well, there's gotta be a way to break the ice. I give him points for trying.

- Yeah, but we have different majors. I'm in...

- Let me guess... - he interrupts me – You want to major on... - he closes his eyes, as if that gesture gave him the ability to read minds or something like that – Music therapy?

- Close enough. Psychology.

- Well, that was unexpected. – he was really surprised.

- My turn. – my voice sounded more enthusiastic than I wanted to.

- You don't even know in which University I'm in. – by the way that he looks at me, I could say that skeptical is a quality that fits him.

- You shouldn't underestimate me. Let's see, come here... - I grab his shoulders and turn him around, so we are face to face. I look at him carefully.

- Want a hint?

- I almost got it. – he smiles. I don't know if it's my imagination, but he thinks I'm cute. I make a satisfied gesture. – Electronic Engineering, in UCA.*

His smile leaves his face. – How do you...? – he pauses, and looks at me, very serious. – You cheated.

- How could I have cheated?

- There's no way you could have guessed that fair and square. – he says, bluntly.

- Well, by the look of things, I think you're a sore loser.

And before he strikes his answer, and boy! Was he going to answer me, a Justin Timberlake's clone opens the door, calling his name. He sees him.

- I'm coming. – and he follows him rapidly, before the other guy disappears into the party. I stay frozen in my place some seconds, before the door opens again and Facundo sticks his head out: You coming or what?

The question floats around my head for some time, and before I can't even make a sound, I'm walking towards him.

The viciousness in the air of the room makes me dizzy at first, but suddenly I'm inside, making my way between the people, the sweaty, drunk and (most of all) happy people.

We stay in a small group, with (if I have to guess) his friends. Before 4 a.m. strucks the clock, my friend appears with some guy, which I presume is Daniel. Both of them have dark marks on their necks, but I don't want details. This looks like a reunion night. In every sense of the word.

*NA: U.C.A. stands for "Universidad Católica Argentina".