Mi Salvador

Almost Paradise

Ascella's POV
I sat with Opal and Shireen, looking at their shocked faces.
"So...his name isn't Nevada?"
"And he's not a college student?"
I shook my head, looking at my hands, "No..."
"You...you seem to like him a lot."
"Can we meet him?"
I shrugged, "I don't know..."
"Well...it may be a bit weird, but we don't care. Right Opal?"
Opal nodded and looked away...
I smiled weakly, "Thank you so much..."
"Are you gonna tell your dad?"
I laughed and shook my head, "Are you crazy?"
"It's best..." shireen murmured.
"I know...but right now. With everything that's just recently happened in the past few months...I don't know if I can."
"Of course."
I looked to Opal, "Opal? You okay?"
"Of course...just, thinking about Cali. My moms are going nuts over me leaving."
"If you want, you can come to dinner with me and the squad...it'll be at my place. You too Shireen."
"I'm leaving soon and my mom is urging me to pack more. Maybe next week." Shireen smiled. I nodded and looked to Opal. She nodded and smiled weakly.

I kissed Rafael sensually, leaning against his desk. I pulled away, letting his lips trail down my jaw, "Counsellor...you have a trial to get to..."
"Hm..." he kissed my neck. There was a knock on the door and we pulled apart. I fixed my skirt and Rafael opened it.
"Hey, Liv."
"Need a ride to the courtroom?"
"Yes. Um, Ascella, the files—where-"
"Here." I smiled, giving it to him. I waved to Liv as they walked out and sighed, leaning against his desk. My phone buzzed and I saw Opal had texted me.

Opal: Can you give me a ride
to your house for dinner?

Of course, where
should I pick you up?

Opal: In front of the
deli near school?

Alright. See
you tonight

I put my phone away and gathered the files on Rafael's desk, walking out of the office and to my desk.

After work, I drove to the deli and saw Opal standing there. She got in and we drove to my house.
"What's up?" I glanced at her, noticing how unbearably quiet she was. She shrugged, pushing her hair behind her ear, "Nothin'"
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
I pulled up to my drive way and walked in, finding the squad talking and drinking beers.
"There you are! Hi, Opal." My dad kissed my cheek, then hugged Opal. We sat and ate. Opal was closing herself off and I didn't know what to do. I put my fork down and looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
She looked up at me and shook her head, "What do you mean?"
I rolled my eyes, "Opal, I've known you since we were 7. What's wrong?"
She scoffed and sat back, looking away. I raised my brow, "We can step outside and talk-"
"Why? Why do you always do this?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you ever think about how everyone feels when you go off and do-do-"
"My own thing? Last time I checked I was an adult-"
"That's not my point! You're so distant and-and you don't do things with us anymore! You're leaving for Boston soon and you don't seem to care!"
"Opal, that's all I care about! I care about spending time with you and Shireen and my family-"
"You only care about yourself, Ascella!"
"Excuse me?"
"God! Are you blind?! Are you stupid?!"
"That's enough!"
"No! Listen to me! Y'know, it feels like you're using shireen and I as leverage. As-as just a shoulder to cry on and nothing else!"
"That's not true!"
"I'm sorry we're not Olly!-"
I stood up, "Stop it, Opal!"
"Sorry we don't make you the center of our attention!"
"Shut up!" I turned away from her.
"News flash! The world. doesn't. revolve. around. you!"
The room became unbearably silent.
"Ella, I-I'm sorry-"
I grabbed my bag and walked out of the house.

Rafael's POV
There was loud knocking coming from my front door, making me wake up. I sat up and noticed the files all around me. It finally hit me that I had fallen asleep in my office. The knocking from outside became more frantic and I got up, took off my tie, and opened the door. Ascella stood there, sniffling, her arm was wrapped around her and she looked at me pathetically.
"Can I-Can I come in?"
I nodded and let her in, locking the door. She set her purse and jacket down, facing away from me. Only a few strides got me to her shaking form. I cautiously placed my hands on her shoulders and leaned my nose into her hair, taking in her scent.
"What happened?" I whispered, trailing my hands to her waist. She turned to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"I'm doing everything wrong..."
"You're not doing me wrong..." I murmured, causing her to smile. What I just said replayed in my mind and made me laugh, "Not what I meant..."
"Somewhere it did." She and I swayed together.
"There's no music.."
"Just hold me..." she got closer hummed a soft tune, closed her eyes, and leaned her forehead into mine. I admired her, listening to her voice resonate from her chest. The tune she hummed was familiar...Almost Paradise...I smiled and kissed her head.
"You're my Paradise, Ascella..." I muttered, hoping she didn't hear me. She looked up at me and smiled, "You don't mean that..."
"Oh yeah? How would you know?" I smirked, caressing her cheek, "I guess we'll have to knock on heaven's door to find out, right?"
She bit her lip nodded, looking deep into my eyes, "I..." I rubbed her bottom lip with my thumb. Ascella pulled me with her towards my room, quiet...content...our silence was enough to finish off the night perfectly.

I woke up the next day, looking to my side and seeing Ascella sleeping. I caressed her hair before looking at the time and day.
Saturday...hopefully a day off. I got out of bed, grabbed sweats, and went to make coffee. I drank quietly, thinking about last night. I can't believe Ascella trusted me enough to be so vulnerable around me. That was twice and it made me feel...accepted. Working with the squad didn't feel like that, but working with Ascella was completely different. Even if we weren't in a relationship, she would still make me feel so wanted...
"Rafael?"
I was pulled out of my thoughts as her voice called. She stood against the wall, my shirt covering her figure beautifully.
"I made coffee." I nearly choked out as my eyes scanned her. She nodded and smiled, grabbing a mug and pouring some coffee. She stood in front of me, looking heavenly as ever.
"Thank you, Rafael..."
"Ascella...you don't have to say thank you. Or sorry. Do you understand?"
She nodded and moved closer, leaning into my shoulder. I bit my lip and placed a hand on her lower back, keeping her secure and safe.

I hope I never hurt her...