S u r p r i s e / S o p r e s a

Sometimes what you're looking for comes when you're not looking at all.

I smiled as I clicked sent. I had never been so enthusiastic before, I couldn’t wait to tell him how I felt about him and about my acceptance to USC. I put my phone back into my bag and started working. Ricardo stared at Mr. Harris, sociology teacher, as he explained the topic for their final when Ricardo felt a vibrating sound from his pocket. Luckily for him, he sat behind Ethan, who was 6’1, so he was able to take out his phone freely.  Mr. Harris had allowed the class to get into their groups to develop their thesis for their final, Ricardo could not get off the grin of his face, “Hey, why do you have a grin on your face?” Stephanie took a seat next to Ricardo. “No reason.” He lied. “Okay… so hey, so remember we have the dance practice tonight.” “The what?” he replied. “For my sister’s quince, remember?” Stephanie realized that Ricardo was distracted. “Oh yeah, of course. I’ll be there.” He replied. Ricardo inputted some ideas about the debate to his group while Stephanie got his phone from the desk when he wasn’t looking. She saw the message that Reyna had sent him and quickly put his phone back.

Only less than 5 weeks left of school and I felt I still had a lot of unfinished work to be completed, my economic project, my Spanish country report, my AP test, etc. My mother may have had a point in which I should have quit my job so I would allow myself to enjoy my final semester in high school and share what remains with my friends and boyfriend.

Our Final Days…

… [typing]

After my resignation from the school’s newspaper [El Espejo News] as editor, Ms. Delgado, our advisor, allowed me to come back time to time to write articles. The feeling of writing informative pieces such as teacher protests, funds for field trips and more guidance counselors, allowed me to be inform about issues and be able to incorporate my fellow peer’s opinions into the pieces. “How is the article coming along?” Ms. Delgado had approached me. “Good…” I gave her a vague response because my article wasn’t ready for submission. “Not well, huh? Let me take a look.”

As the other members of the group were inputting their thoughts into the debate, Stephanie and Ricardo kept their conversation going. “Hey, it’s amazing that Reyna is going to USC in the fall, huh?” Stephanie told Ricardo. “What are you talking about?” he asked. “Yeah, Reyna got accepted to USC, didn’t she tell you?” Ricardo looked shocked and confused with the news that Stephanie had given him. “I’m sorry, I thought she did.” Ricardo stop listening to Stephanie and started to think about his future with Reyna. Why didn’t Reyna tell me?  He thought. Is she going to leave me?  Ricardo began to over analyze the situation, “Hello! Ricardo?” Stephanie tried to get Ricardo’s attention.

It was 2:45pm and the final bell had rung for the day and my eagerness to tell my boyfriend the great news was eating me alive. “I’ll email you the final edit tonight, Miss.” I told Ms. Delgado as I rushed out of class. The absence of Ricardo today made me think about how much significance he has in my life and realize my true feelings for him. The overcrowding in the hallway made it difficult for me to get to the parking lot; I tried to squeeze myself into places, people were taking their time to go home. 

As I struggle to my way to the courtyard, I crossed passed paths with Diego, “Reyna, hey wait up, can we talk?” he asked me as I kept walking. “Can’t now, I’m going to talk to my boyfriend.” I told him. Before I could give him another chance to speak, “Later, okay, I’m on my way to tell him how much I love him.” I vanished after that leaving Diego behind.Diego could not believe what Reyna had just told him. His illusions to get back together with her drop dramatically. He knew that there was no possibility to change her feelings.

Ricardo wasn’t sure where to go after he had come out from his class, “Hey, are you okay?” Stephanie asked him. “I’m good…” he replied. “Don’t tell me it’s because what I told you.” She added. “No…” he said. Before he walked away, “If she really loves you, she would respect your plans going to UCLA together.” Ricardo thought about what she said. The phrase that stood out is If she really loves you… and that was the problem.I waited patiently by my car as I watched my peers passing by as they were exiting the gate. As the crowd was decreasing and there was no sign of Ricardo, I reached for my phone and texted him. 

Reyna: Hey, I’m here already. [3:00pm]

But there was no response.

Reyna: Babe, I have exciting news to tell you. [3:02pm]

Ricardo was insecure and selfish towards his relationship with Reyna, instead of meeting her in the parking lot he decided to blow off some steam so he turned off his phone and went down to the field to play soccer and his friend Giovanni joined him.“Hey, is everything okay?” he asked him. “Why would think something is wrong?” he replied as he kicked the ball into the goal. “Well today you and Reyna weren’t together…” he said. “Reyna, wanted space from me! Can you believe that?” Ricardo’s anger was leashed.“And plus, Reyna is going to USC instead of UCLA!”

“Wow, that’s good, you must be proud of her; that’s a big accomplishment.” Ricardo was the opposite of supportive. Ricardo didn’t know what to respond. “I guess am, but... I wanted us to go to UCLA together that’s all.” He said. “Giovanni gave him a look. “Really? You’re making this about you? USC is a huge deal to her, everyone knows that, well except for you.” He said. “What I’m really upset is that she didn’t even tell me, I had to hear it from Stephanie.” Giovanni and Ricardo continue to play.

I called him after no responses but it the calls directed me to voicemail and that was strange. It was 3:30pm, the school was soon empty, I couldn’t wait any longer and left. My thrill and excitement fade away as I drove home. Reyna was disappointed and sadden that Ricardo didn’t show up, but worst he didn’t reply to her messages or calls. After his soccer session with Giovanni, Ricardo arrived to Stephanie’s house for the quince’s dance practice, “Yay, you didn’t forget.” Stephanie greeted Ricardo at the front door. “Come in, you remember everyone.” Stephanie and Ricardo walked into the kitchen. “Ricardo!” Stephanie’s mom greeted him. “Como estas mijo?” she asked in Spanish. “Bien gracias.” 

After an hour of learning the steps, Ricardo still had a difficult time in memorizing the routine; it wasn’t his fault that they recruited him in the last minute. Danna, Stephanie’s sister had been practicing for months and Ricardo had several weeks to get the dance right. “Ricky, hey, are you okay?” Stephanie asked him. “No, I’m sorry, Steph.” He replied. “It’s okay, what’s wrong?” Stephanie grab two water bottles from the table and gave one to Ricardo. “Thanks.” Ricardo told her how he was feeling towards Reyna and Stephanie took this opportunity to ruin their relationship. “Well, I think you should confront her about how you feel. Then if she chooses USC than UCLA, you will know how she really feels about you.” Stephanie said.

It was 8pm which meant that my shift was over. “I’m finally done!” I told Maria, the only co-worker that I talk to. “Hey, have you told Ruben about quitting?” she asked. “No, I will tomorrow. I have several things to do right now.” I replied. I got my things from my locker, "You need to tell him soon." she said. "I know." I waved bye and left.  As I walked out the store I had hope I would find Ricardo waiting for me by the newspaper stand like he sometimes does but there was no sign of him. What if something happened to him? I asked.

Going to school and working at the same time was no easy task, especially taking a lot of stuff, now I couldn’t wait the day I won’t have to work and enjoy my senior year with my friends. I had gotten inside of my car and was ready to go until my car would not turn on. I tried several times but the engine wasn’t functioning. Not again.  I told myself. I would have called my brother Daniel but he was working. “What happen?” Diego asked. “The engine failed again.” I said. “Let me check.” He opened the hood of the car… After a few minutes of observing it, he looked up at me and said, “Here, take my car, I’ll fix it when I get home.” Diego offered me his black Nissan Altima. “I don’t know.” I reply. “Just take it, I figure you have a lot of homework and I’m not sure how long I will need to fix it. I’ll bring it by around 9." I smiled, "Thanks Diego."

As I drove home in my ex's car, I thought about the million things I still had to do; things that I wish I could pause for a minute and take a breather. Maintaining a 4.3, working and being involved at school really took a lot from me. I would get home exhausted and having no energy to do anything, I would be tempted to fall asleep in bed but I couldn't. Luckily with the loving support of my mom I knew my nutrition wouldn't a problem. Just like every night my mom had waited for me to eat dinner. "Mom, I'm home." I kept the keys in my pocket. 

-Me alegro, mija, como estuvo tu dia?

-Era un extraño, pero un buen día

-raro, ¿por qué?

I told my mom about my day as I serve myself a cup of water and when I told her about Diego, she seemed not to be bothered by his mention of his name anymore. Rather she was kind of glad that I still remain friends with him and I didn't understand why. "So, that's why he's coming over by 9 to drop of my car." I told her.

I heard a knock on the door, "That must be him." So I stood up from the table to answer the door, but it wasn't Diego.

"Ricardo."