My First and Only Love

Chapter Eighteen

Spencer:
     As I walked to my Medical Class, I saw Cassandra at her locker with Gabriel. I hated him. He spends more time with her than I do. Granted, everyone got more time with her I do.

He has a girlfriend. That was the plus side. And Cassandra would never steal her friend's boyfriend.

But still, jealousy ran through my veins like poison. It was killing me on the inside.

Cassandra closed her locker and they started walking to their next class: U.S History. I knew her schedule by memory. I knew perfectly that Carina should be with them. That would have calmed down my jealousy. But, Cassandra was there, alone with Gabriel. I tried breathing but I was breathing hard with anger.

Robert came over to me," Yo dude. What's wrong with you?" I didn't answer, I just stared at Cassandra and Gabriel walking together. Robert followed my gaze and chuckled," Forget her Spencer. You ain't gonna get her back. And better for you. She doesn't seem like your type." I scowled at him and walked away.
                                 ~~~~
After class, I ran to the front of the school, before anyone else got there. I waited impatiently for Cassandra to walk out. After about 2 minutes, which felt like 2 hours, she walked out. With Gabriel.

I walked up to them and Cassandra stared at me," What do you want?" "You," I answered short and simple. Gabriel stepped in front of her, protecting her like I was gonna hurt her," Go away Spencer." "I'm not talking to you." "Does it look like I care? Cassandra doesn't want to talk to you so leave now before before I make you leave."

I chuckled and pushed him a little causing him to bump right into Cassandra who was behind him. "Well ow," she said directed at me.

I rolled my eyes and pushed Gabriel again, making sure to push him away from her. "Do you really want to fight me?" Gabriel said. "Let's go," I replied throwing the first punch, which he dodged. He tried to punch me, but I grabbed his arm and twisted it.

"Stop!" Cassandra screamed. Funny enough, Gabriel actually looked towards her which gave me the opportunity to kick him in the stomach. When he fell back on the ground, Cassandra ran to him, her back towards me. I grabbed her waist and pulled her towards me.

Cassandra:
     "Let go of me or you will regret it!" I exclaimed, getting angrier. "I won't stop trying to win you over." "Fine. Have it your way."

My anger gave me strength. I used that strength to kick him where the sun don't shine. He instantly let go of me and stumbled back. I turned around to look at him, "I warned you!" When I turned back around, I noticed the crowd that had formed around us. I turned in a circle, and the crowd was there, around us in the circle. I groaned and Gabriel stood up," Are you ok?" I asked him.

He nodded and grabbed my hand," Lets go Cassandra. You have nothing to say to him." I nodded slowly and let him drag me out of the crowd.

On the walk to the bus stop, which is where Carina, him, and I usually part ways, I was silent. When we got to the bus up, Gabriel spoke up," Do you want to go see Carina?" I looked at him and nodded," Yes please." He smiled slightly at me and we walked to Carina's house.

When we knocked on the door, her mom opened the door. She smiled when she saw us," Gabriel. Cassandra. Que gusto verlos," she greeted in Spanish. "Señora Fernández. El gusto es nuestro," Gabriel and I said, like every time we visited. "Ella Esta en su cuarto," she informed us. "Gracias!" we replied before going up the stairs to her room.

(Translation: When we knocked on the door, her mom opened the door. She smiled when she saw us," Gabriel. Cassandra. Pleasure seeing you," she greeted us in Spanish. "Mrs. Fernandez. The pleasure is all ours," Gabriel and I said, like every time we visited. "She's in her room," she informed us. "Thanks!" We replied before going up the stairs to her room.)

We knocked on her door and there was a small tap on wood. Gabriel and I looked at each other and walked in," Hey Carina!" we both said trying to sound cheerful. She smiled at us, and her eyes were filled with happiness even though she was wearing a breathing mask. She opened her arms, and we got the gist. We both went over to her and hugged her tightly.

"How are you feeling?" Gabriel asked her. She did a thumbs down. I frowned," You still can't speak?" She shook her head. "It's fine," Gabriel said," We will do all the talking." I smiled at Carina and nodded," And we will tell you everything about our day, so you don't miss out on anything."

And, that's exactly what we did. We told her everything, well besides the fight. No reason to stress her out.

After about an hour, Gabriel and I both had to go. We are loaded with homework. On our way out the door, we went to the living room, hoping to see either Carina's mom or dad. We saw her dad.

Gabriel and I approached him," Hello Mr. Fernandez." He stood up from the couch and greeted us," Hello you two. I wasn't aware you two were here." We nodded, and I asked him," Could you please explain Carina's surgery? She didn't us many details. And we are worried." He nodded slowly," Yes, of course. I will explain. How about you two take a seat?"

The three of us sat down. Mr Fernandez took a breath, and then explained," Carina was dealing with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This means that she would stop breathing for a couple of seconds at a time throughout the night. This could lead to heart disease or stroke."

This caused both Gabriel and I to gasp. I felt like fainting. I could believe Carina was going through all this and wouldn't tell us. I gripped onto the couch for support, even though I was sitting.

Mr. Fernandez continued," The surgery is called Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Surgery." The big word made Gabriel and I tilt our heads. Mr. Fernandez chuckled slightly," It's also referred to as UPPP. The surgery basically removed soft tissue in the back of her throat."

I was gonna speak, but Gabriel beat me to it," So does that mean that the Obstructive Sleep Apnea is over?" Mr. Fernandez nodded. I sighed in relief and hugged Gabriel, who was currently crying. "Stop crying unless you want me to cry. Do you not see my eyes are already watery?" He chuckled," Go ahead and cry." The tears of joy started rolling down my cheeks and I didn't  bother to wipe them off. Carina was going to be ok. That's all the mattered.