Between Mixed Feelings

Roxanne Perez is the kind of person who has always gotten her way, she is the model daughter: responsible, focused and always obedient. At 22 years old she is focused on her career and keeping the family together; she has achieved much more than many could imagine, but always keeping a low profile and following the rules that her parents had instilled in her. She lives with her family in a modest house, while studying and working to help with the expenses. She has never given much thought to romantic relationships, however, life has a peculiar way of testing our convictions, and she would discover that when Lee, her 25-year-old older brother, brought his girlfriend, Lyra Valkyria, to meet the family. She has always admired the ease with which her older brother, Lee, goes through life. He is self-confident, charming and always seems to have everything under control. So when Lee mentioned that he had a new girlfriend, Roxanne couldn't help but be curious. It wasn't that she doubted her brother's judgment, but something in his tone made her wonder who this woman was that had caught his attention.

When the day finally came to meet Lyra, Roxanne was not prepared for the impression she would get. Lyra is everything Roxanne did not expect. Lyra is a very beautiful 27-year-old Irish woman, with her dark brown hair and brown eyes that seemed to hold secrets, with an Irish accent that seemed to wrap every word in an alluring mystery, and her presence filled the room in a way that left Roxanne slightly breathless. At first glance, Roxanne felt something strange, an attraction she had never experienced before. But she ignored it. She couldn't, she didn't want to accept what her heart was telling her, not only because Lyra is a woman; but because she is her brother's girlfriend, someone she must respect.

The dinner started off cordially. Roxanne and Lee's parents gave Lyra a warm welcome, and everything seemed to be going according to plan. However, throughout the evening, Roxanne noticed something in the way Lyra looked at her. At first, she thought it was her imagination, but she couldn't ignore the undeniable chemistry that was beginning to develop between the two. Every time their eyes met, she felt a spark, a connection that she didn't understand, but couldn't ignore.

After dinner, when everyone had dispersed, Roxanne and Lyra found themselves alone in the backyard. The conversation flowed easily, and soon they were laughing and sharing stories as if they had known each other for years. Lyra told Roxanne about her life in Ireland, her family, and how she had ended up in America. Roxanne, for her part, shared her own experiences, finding in Lyra an attentive and understanding listener.

Without realizing it, the hours flew by, and when Lyra got up to leave, she realized that she didn't want the night to end. Roxanne felt the same way, but knew better than to show it. Lyra is her brother's girlfriend, and that fact kept her grounded, even though her heart seemed to have other plans.

Over the next few weeks, Lee began to bring Lyra to family gatherings more often, and every time she saw her, Roxanne couldn't help but feel drawn to her, Lyra became a constant presence in her life. She couldn't stop thinking about her laugh, the way her eyes sparkled when they talked about something she was passionate about, or how her hands, strong and delicate at the same time, seemed to speak a language of their own. Every time Lyra visited the house, she seemed to seek out Roxanne's company, always finding excuses to spend time together.

They began to share more, laughing and enjoying long conversations about everything and nothing. But the closer they got, the more the conflict inside Roxanne grew. She knew she was crossing a dangerous line.

Days later, one afternoon, while Lee was busy at work, Lyra showed up alone at Roxanne's house. She said she had come to pick up something she had forgotten, but Roxanne suspected there was something more. They talked for a while alone in the kitchen, and when Roxanne tried to say goodbye, Lyra stopped her, gently taking her hand.