Lo Siento

1

Julia, come on! We're gonna be late for the game."

"I'm coming Savannah! It's the stupid door that won't open!" I said as I struggled to get the door open. It was mid-October and the homecoming game was in 1 hour but of course, I get myself locked in a bathroom.

"Jules..." screamed Savannah.

"Huh..." I murmured back, too busy unhinging the door from its jams.

"Cole said they're starting 30 minutes early. Let's go!" she yelled. I decided to lift the door up out of its resting state, jiggle it, and hope that a screw would fall out. I've been in this position many times. After about 3 minutes of shaking the door, it finally broke. I rushed out of the bathroom and threw on some patriotic clothes for the game and ran downstairs to meet my Mom and Savannah, who still looked irritated.

"About time..." she chuckled as she gestured me towards the car.

The bleachers were crowded with men, women, and children who had their face painted red on one side and white on the other. The opposite bleachers were blue and white. As we settled in our seats, we heard a male voice call out to us.

"V! Jules!" screamed Cole, Savannah's boyfriend, as he waved from the bottom of the bleachers.

"Hey..." she says, as he greets her with a kiss. Savannah and I have been friends since 1st grade. We made a pact that nobody would ever come between us and our friendship. But that pact faded after 6th grade. We hardly mention the pact now. Two years later, Savannah has a boyfriend and I have several guy friends that I am not interested in, mainly because I try to stay in touch with Savannah more than anyone.

"So glad you made it. The game starts in 5. And um- " he stopped as he looked at me. "Aw. I thought you'd have your hair highlighted by now" he frowns.

"Soon. Hair damage" I reassure him. "V, I'll be with my Mom on the bleachers".

"Oh ok. Meet you there," she said as she resumed her conversation with Cole.

"The stands are filled. The scores are settled! 2-1! The Panthers win!" the announcer cheers on the megaphone, while the opposing team jeers and throws their popcorn down.

Cole runs up to Savannah, sweaty as ever, with the biggest grin in the world. He hugs Savannah and then leans in for me but I push away.

"I'll meet you girls in the car!" my Mom says as she exits the bleachers.

"Babe, you were wonderful! Especially when you nailed that touchdown!" she says, not knowing any sports terms.

"Thanks. I can't stay and talk for long cuz I have a science project for Jetson I didn't finish..." he frowns and sighs.

"Well, I'll let you go. See you tomorrow, babe" Savannah said with a goodbye kiss.

Being the third wheel isn't all that great, but after 2 years of doing it, I've gotten pretty good at it.

"Wait we had a Jetson project?" I turn around and ask Cole as Savannah continues walking off to the car.

"Yeah, on the high and low pressure shit... something..." he rubs his hair, making it get messier.

"Fuck..." I groan and throw my head back. I sincerely forgot about it. I ask him more about the project and get some more information.

"That's it?" I ask for clarification.

"Yeah.." he licks his lips.

"Um... alright. Imma go now though..." I awkward smile and wave, but his hands move faster and pull my waist to his. Whoa. I was in shock. He pulled me to a kiss. My first kiss. Wow, wow, wow. No, no, no. I pushed him away.

"I-I thought you liked me back..." he says, his face in shock.

"I'm sorry, no, no, you're with Savannah," my hands shake, "my friend..." I bite my lip.

"I know but," he grabs his hair, "...fuck!" he swears.

"I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to tell Savannah..." I look down, knowing how that conversation would go.

"No. Please don't do that..." he takes a step towards me.

I jump back, scared of what he might do.

"Bye" I run away.

I left the bleachers in silence because I was so stunned. I reached the car with a very impatient Savannah and Mom, again.

"I can't leave you anywhere, now can I?" Savannah said, tiredly as she pointed to her invisible watch.

I entered the car without saying a word and pretended to sleep. We dropped Savannah off at home.

"Julia, honey, I know you're awake." said my Mom. Moms know everything. They have this weird superpower on how to lure out children's secrets and thoughts. We reached home without any dialogue after that. I made sure I kept the bathroom door open while brushing my teeth. I got into my pajamas while thinking about what the next day would be like. I couldn't sleep that night, so I lay awake with my thoughts pondering.