Flutter by, Butterfly

Chapter 18

Hugo handled it by allowing my aunt and uncle to speak to Lobo. My uncle cooperated fully. He admitted to everything honestly when he was asked. Lobo found him forgivable as he only did what he did out of fear for his family. Hugo took a liking to him, but none of us ever heard from Bruno's mother again. I accepted that it could only mean that she was a threat to me somehow. Nobody missed her, especially Bruno.

Bruno also had some questions and concerns on how Alejandro knew to show up when he did. Hugo admired his observation skills. It was revealed that before I had moved in, hidden microphones and spy cameras were planted all over the place. Some areas, such as the bathrooms and bedrooms, were kept private, but cameras were available in places where it would be known who entered or exited these places. Sandy especially felt relieved that meant she could go to the bathroom without anyone spying on her. Bruno was concerned "How many times did I show my dick?" Hugo actually smiled and asked "How many times did your girlfriend land on her knees?" Sandy blushed furiously. Bruno only chuckled.

Sandy also made a point to approach me, and apologize; or at least that was what her intent was. This ability to empathize with people the way I did, it could be a curse to feel other people's intentions or emotions at times. With Sandy, I could only feel her regret, and her pain, her guilt. When she tried to apologize to me, all she could do was fight tears. I knew she didn't mean for it to turn out the way it did, or could have done. I simply hugged her, and she hugged me back. Bruno happened to find us that way. He looked as if he would have let us be, out of respect, but Sandy beckoned him near, and she pulled him into a group hug. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if this was what family felt like.

We got to stay, all of us. Now that Bruno and Sandy were in a more relaxed atmosphere, they were a lot more open and friendly; both towards one another, and to me. Sandy's father made it clear he was no longer with her stepmother anymore, and gave them both a green-light to date one another. They still spent quite a lot of time alone together, but every once in a while they would come to my room to visit. On one of these such days, they found me with Ferdinand.

"Aw, look at the little stuffy," said Bruno.

"Hey! Give me that back!" I said good-naturedly. I knew he was only teasing, but still.

"What is this thing, anyway?" asked Bruno, ignoring me. "Is it a goat or something?"

"He's Ferdinand. Now give it back!"

"Aw, Ferdinand? I loved that story," said Sandy. She took him from Bruno to look at herself. "Where did you get this? Is it handmade?"

"Mine!" I said, snatching him back and holding him close.

"Was he Alejandro's?" asked Sandy.

I said nothing.

"Aw! I think Jani has a crush," said Bruno.

I said nothing again and pulled my over-size hoodie over my head.

"I think somebody does," said Sandy, her voice all sultry. "So how long has this gone on?"

"Nothing is going on. I'm underage."

"For now," said Bruno.

"Not that," said Sandy. "I mean your feelings."

I was thoughtful. "My so-called parents were throwing Alejandro Jones things at me as long as I can remember, but when I actually got to meet him in the show, he was nice. He comforted me. I could see that he was Maria's son. That was when I started developing feelings for him, because I could see kindness in him, just like her."

"Does he know?" asked Sandy.

"He knows," I said.

"He doesn't appear to care much," said Bruno. I understand why he would think that. After all, Hugo was the most they had ever seen of Alejandro.