A seemingly fairytale romance between the two most powerful people in school was thought to be a match made in heaven because of their similarities.
Except that their similarities are the things that drive them apart.
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Mr. Toledano's cold worsened as the week went on and hindered the entire family in the process, throwing each person out of their normal schedule to help him get better. Danielle did what she could between minor homework assignments and rehearsing her dance routine until Corey pleaded for her to play a different song. She knew her father would understand and he did. She'd give him her undivided attention during the weekend, especially since Mrs. Toledano claimed she didn't have time to tend to her husband because of a work conference. Danielle was shocked her mom couldn't come up with a better lie.
"Danielle, Mom isn't cheating. What the hell kind of accusation is that?" Corey said after spitting toothpaste into the sink on Friday morning.
"She did it once, why can't she do it again?" Danielle reasoned, spritzing a haze of hairspray around her head. "It's the perfect time to do it too. Dad is sick as a dog. You can't have sex when you're sick. I mean, you can, but that's...ew. She's probably horny."
"Danielle, come on..." Corey muttered, trying to shake the image out of his head. "She can go a week."
"Can you?" Danielle asked. "I may hate her but cut her some slack, alright? Women have needs too."
"They're so old though and they don't even really like each other."
"Crazy things happen when you share a bed. It's what Mother Nature would want," she shrugged nudging her brother out of the way so she could take center stage in the mirror. "Aren't you a little old to be grossed out by the birds and the bees convo?"
"It's different when it's your parents!" he exclaimed. "Mom isn't cheating so let it go. Seriously." He left Danielle alone with her ego in the bathroom.
Mr. Toledano was sleep when Danielle walked into his bedroom to say goodbye. She touched her hand to his forehead and sighed at how warm he was. She tucked him back in and gave him a kiss before heading downstairs.
"Dance auditions are after school so don't be surprised if I'm back late," Danielle announced, looping her arms through the denim jacket she borrowed and purposely didn't return to Billy the other day. "And if I never come home, please don't look for me."
"We won't," Corey responded, flopping onto the couch and smiling at his unimpressed mother.
"Who's driving you to school?" Mrs. Toledano asked as Danielle opened the front door.
"My legs. I'm walking."
"It's freezing and you still won't wear some damn jeans. I'll drive you, let's go," Mrs. Toledano said, fishing for her keys in her purse.
