Distance

chapter one

5 years ago
Selena's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, holding a dress in front of my body and examining my reflection. I looked my body up and down, unhappy with what the dress would do for it. Like the 10 dresses before, I threw it onto my bed and sighed.

I finally settled on a blue and white vertical-stripe, off the shoulder romper and a pair of nude chunky heels.

Today was the day of my graduation party, and everyone I knew was going to be in my backyard soon. It was my party, so I felt obligated to steal the show, but sometimes putting an effort into your look is just too much... well, effort. I knew my sun kissed skin looked perfectly fine without makeup on, however, I was a makeup enthusiast.

Beating my face is probably the only part of my dressing-up routine that I don't mind.

After curling my hair slightly and letting it fall down my back, I french braided small sections on the side and pinned them together into a crown in the back of my head.

Deciding to stick to a more natural look, I applied a light-coverage foundation with some bronzer, blush and minimal highlight. For my eyes, I applied a gold shimmer shadow, buffing it out with a light brown transition shade. I then applied a thin line of brown eyeliner and curled my lashes and applied mascara. For the lips, I applied just chapstick.

I walked out to the living room and saw a head of dark hair sitting on my couch. Realizing who it was, I ran over and jumped on the couch next to them, practically sitting on their lap as I engulfed them in a hug.

"Carter!" I exclaimed, my voice muffled as it was pressed against his chest. "I missed you. I can't believe you're here!"

Carter laughed, placing one hand on the small of my back and the other holding my head, careful not to mess up my hair—he'd been scolded enough for it throughout our lives.

"Hey Sel, I missed you, too," he told me, a big smile on his face, "but how could you think I'd miss your party?"

I pulled away from him, sitting next to him with one leg under me as I faced him on the couch.

Carter had recently moved to Tampa, about an hour and a half drive from our island. He didn't visit home much, since he had an apartment and job in the city. He was a music studies major, and when I tell you this man is talented, you should believe me. I've personally witnessed several girls melt when they experienced him perform.

"I knew I could count on you, Montez," I said lightly, punching his arm. Carter gave me a look, questioning my sudden bro-like behavior. Slowly, my smirk faded.

"We just never see each other anymore," I said nonchalantly, looking at him and shrugging.

Carter sighed, looking down as if he were guilty. "I know Selena, and I'm sorry. But you know I'm busy. I actually have something to tell you–"

Before Carter could finish, my mother approached him and smiled.

"Oh mijo, it's so good to see you. This little one hasn't known what to do with herself," my mother chimed, kissing Carter's cheek.

I groaned in protest, but couldn't help examining Carter as he spoke to my mom. His black hair was getting longer, and waves were starting to appear. I'd always told him he'd look good with long hair. You could see the slightest hint of stubble on his jaw. And his smile. This boy was truly a masterpiece, and he looked so good in the button up and khakis he was wearing.

"Sel?" Carter whispered, amusement plastered across his face. I snapped out of it, but didn't let my smile fall and admit my embarrassment.

"You look different than the last time I saw you. Happier, I guess," I stated, smiling at him. "Now come on, I need to go set up for my party!"

I grabbed his hand and dragged him out to our backyard, where my mom had already strung up paper lanterns and placed tiki torches in the ground. A bonfire was starting in our fire pit, and our patio couches were placed closer to the fire. Pictures of me were everywhere, which I hated, but my mother insisted.

Carter went over to look at my pictures while I sat on one of the couches, patiently waiting for guests to arrive.

About ten minutes later, the guests started trickling in. People from my school came over to say hi, striking up conversation and talking to me about my plans after graduation. Their parents would come up to me too, saying the generic things like "you've grown up to be a wonderful young lady" or "I can't believe you're all adults now."

After about three hours, I went inside, heading up to my room to use the bathroom. When I was done I laid on my bed, eyes closed in exhaustion after the long day.

I felt the bed dip next to me, and I knew it was Carter. I let out a sigh, opening my eyes and turning my head to face him. I smiled at him as he turned his body to face me.

"Long day, huh?" He asked, and I lifted my head up for him to place his arm under me. I nodded, closing my eyes again and relaxing.

"I didn't see you much out there, so I can only assume you were trying to pick up the girls who I saw ogling you," I stated jokingly, a smirk on my face as I opened my eyes to his his expression.

Carter scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I was not picking up girls, Selena, and they were not ogling me."

I laughed and gave him a "whatever" look, but I could see in his face that something was going on. I really hadn't seen much of him at the party, which was unlike him.

"Earlier, you said you had something to tell me. What's up?" I asked.

"Well..." He cleated his throat, and sat up to look at me. I followed suit, curious. He grabbed both my hands in his and looked down. "I'm leaving."

"Well of course you are, I didn't think you could stay long anyways," I laughed, but he looked at me, and his eyes showed a mix of guilt and excitement.

"I'm going to LA, Sel. This band called me. Their lead singer bailed on them, and they needed someone who can play guitar too. They were in Tampa and saw me at one of my gigs, and offered me the job."

I could feel my smile disappear, and a look of confusion appear on my face. All my tongue could muster was a simple, "Oh."
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Hey guys! So I know this isn't super ~interesting~ but I needed to provide the backstory a little. Also, just so y'all know, Selena is pronounced suh•ley•nuh not suh•lee•nuh.