Jazmin

Chapter 2. Part 1.

--------------------- 10:00 am--------------

-Hey Lisa, are we still going to your house tonight? Maria and Jimena just called me to see if the annual reunion is still on.

- I don't know Jaz, I got a lot on my plate. Pablo is really depressed, I don't want to be inconsiderate. It hasn't even been a week since the news. 

- Don't you think a party might cheer him? It couldn't get any worse right?

- I don't know. Suddenly my family hasn't stopped calling. Apparently, Pablo's house wasn't him to sell.

- What do you mean?

- Oh, you know, same bullshit as always. The last owners of the house were Pablo's parents but the house used to belong to Pablo's paternal grandmother and he had three brothers. One of them is a drunk and his wife left him. He is harassing Pablo and me now. Asking for money, calling at three in the morning. Esto es una mierda Jaz.  This is why I keep my family away. 

- I'm so sorry Lisa. But let's forget for one night. It's a tradition. I heard Jorge is visiting from Miami. He called Jimena to ask if he could come tonight 

- Are you serious?

- Yes, didn't you want closure or some shit from him?

- I'm dying to see him. Do you think he has an accent now?

- He left a year ago. I heard he is fatter.

- I bet he is been drinking a lot of coca-cola and those cheesy burgers from McDonald.

- So see you tonight?

-Yes, Jaz. Get here early, I don't want to do the decorations by myself?

-See you at 7. Bye love.

Jazmin went to her room and wondered what she should wear for the party tonight. It was only a couple of friends. The OG crew. She didn't want to try too hard but she needed to wake the beast inside of Pablo again. She needed to feel his sweat against her pores. His breath on her neck. His mouth on her lips. She wanted more this time. All of him, and for that, she needed the right outfit. She always liked her legs and her butt. They were truly Caribbean so she went for a mini-skirt, white to contrast her caramel skin and a red t-shirt to make sure that he saw her as soon as she entered the room. Her hair was wild like her desire. She looked in the mirror and was happy with her reflection. She saw what she wanted him to see. She was ready. 

-----------7:15pm---------------

-Jaz, you are finally here! I said 7:00 pm, this is not a time to be fashionably late. I'm cooking some Arroz Amarillo, can you please help Pablo with the punch? I think he is going overboard with alcohol. 

-You are bossy tonight Lisa! Relax, let me taste that rice. 

-So, what do you think?

-It's delicious. Did you use beer to make it?

-Yes, and a full tablespoon of cumin, that's my secret.

-Hey Pablo- said Jazmin- almost whispering. 

- Hi- he sounded sad.

- I'm really sorry about Spain- said, Jazmin. 

- Yeah, it sucks, I couldn't wait to send you some pictures- he said sarcastically.

-But at least you don't have to endure the winter there, people say is awful- said Jazmin

-It's this heat that's killing me- he said- How are you? Are you excited about your new job?

- Yes, I start on Monday. It's what I always wanted to do. Help children find their soul but now the whole thing seems underwhelming. I don't know how to explain it- said Jazmin- she tried to rub her finger with his, to break the barrier between them. He pushed away.  You know you can talk to me if you want to

- I don't even know you- he said coldly.

The party started. Everyone came: Jimena, Maria, Jorge and Hector, and his boyfriend. By now they were full of rice and alcohol. Lisa was dancing on Jorge, who although was fatter seemed more masculine now. He spent most of the time talking about how much he had to work in Miami and how much he hated being there but it was still better than Habana. Lisa got him drunk in less than an hour and was as in love with him as she had been a year ago. Jimena and Maria were gossiping about the whole class, who was sleeping with who and who was leaving the country next. Hector and his boyfriend were making out in a corner. 

- Hey Jazmin, I'm sorry about earlier- said Pablo, half-drunkenly - I'm going through a lot. I had this one dream, to have the opportunity to start in a new place, away from my past and now I don't have anything. I'm staying with Lisa and she is lovely but I know I'm a burden and I don't have a place to go. It's frustrating. I'm starting a new job next week, in one of those fancy restaurant, the pay is good, ten dollars per shift but is going to take me years to make enough money to move out or to try to leave again. I had to give half of the house money to my drunk uncle. The fucker wouldn't stop calling and I was afraid that he was going to hurt Lisa. Like actually rape her. And there is other stuff too. Things I can't tell you yet and I don't know you, but I really want to. I'm sorry. 

-I understand. It's fine, don't sweat it. 

- I want to kiss you again- said Pablo- I love that miniskirt. 

-You are drunk- she responded.

- I'm not, I only had three drinks. You don't want to feel that fire again?

- Yes- she said.

- Then follow me to my room.