Had she not met him that day would life be any different? No, if she was going to be honest with herself, there had been many chances to avoid Mateo afterwards, yet she didn’t want to. After that first meeting, he was everywhere: at every party, every gathering, at any direction she looked at.

It wasn’t something as far-fetched as fate, simply that the world was small enough that you’d end up meeting people who were connected to you in some way. Would she have met and liked Daniel in the first place if he wasn’t the Garcías’ grandson?

Mateo was Camila’s cousin, and Camila was Valeria’s closest friend at school.  That movie night at her friend’s house just happened to be the first time they coincided at the same place, at the same time.

He was charming, a handsome 17-year-old who had just finished his senior year at the British School. After he’d sat on the sofa next to Valeria, he’d instantly showered her with attention, asking about school, about her friendship with Camila, about everything she liked and was willing to tell him.

When she spoke, he listened to her with intentness. His stare was so earnest that it sent shivers down her spine and had her heart racing fast. (She wasn’t sure that was a good thing either.)

“Was the movie night fun?” Daniel asked her this the day after, and she felt like there was a secret she had to keep.

“Yes, like usual.”

They’d just reached the corner of their street, but it suddenly started raining. Daniel looked up and sighed helplessly.

“You don’t mind just this little bit of rain?”

She rolled her eyes.

“You’re going to make us go all the way there anyway.”

She knew him at least that much, and Daniel did not care if it rained or not. When the day was that hot, he’d drag anyone to the ice cream shop.

Fortunately, that only meant they had to run another four blocks. By the time they entered the shop, they were completely drenched. Valeria’s eyes searched for Daniel’s, and the moment they met, both burst into laughter.

“Look, this is your fault, so you pay mine.”

“Don’t I always do that?”

He was already going to order for both of them, while she chose a place near a window to sit down. This, being in Daniel’s company, was very different from what she’d felt last evening talking to Mateo. She’d known this friend for enough time that the comfortable air around them was just natural, and unless the oblivious him came too close to her, he wouldn’t make her heart race.

“We haven’t talked that much since I came. So I couldn’t ask you if you liked the books I sent last time.”

“Ah, thanks for that! I was so glad that I could read ‘The Titan’s Curse’ as soon as it came out.”

“I really don’t get that fantasy stuff, but my girlfriend is Percy Jackson’s fan, too.”

Then she was reminded of the reason why she should stop comparing other guys to Daniel. 

‘I can’t just go on pinning on someone who doesn't like me and never will.’

***

Her mother used to tell her, quite frequently, that a girl had to be careful when trusting someone of the opposite sex. Her advice came from her own experience, as Valeria’s father had left them when she was only four years old.

Her grandma made a point to tell this story at least once a week, together with the other tragedies that had hit their family, for years before cancer took her away. “It must be a curse. Someone must have cursed our family.”

Other old families in the neighborhood, like the Garcías, were so numerous that you would not remember the names of all the sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, and grandchildren. The only people making the Gonzalez household were Valeria, her mother, and her grandparents (she wouldn’t count the distant relatives that were only known due to her grandma’s stories). The two uncles, her mother’s older brothers, were killed before Valeria was even born.

The walls of the family’s home exuded melancholy and grief, how could she like to be there? During her childhood, she’d bother Rosa and then Daniel whenever there was an opportunity, and now that she was free to go out with her own circle, most of her time was spent hanging out with her friends. Cami was always inviting her to have a snack at her house, or to do homework together, or just any excuse that they could come up with.

Three of four times Valeria was at Camila’s, Mateo would also be there. Her friend swore that this cousin didn’t visit as often in the past, so the change could only be attributed to his interest in her. 

Valeria wanted to be cautious, just as her mother always told her to, and yet this was not easy at all. Finally, the day of her end of school year party he clearly said what his actions had been indicating for months.

“I like you, Vale. I’m not the type to give up, so when are you going to say yes to me?” His whisper, combined with the almost nonexistent distance between their bodies as they danced made her feel nervous and excited all at the same time.

Mateo wanted her to be his girlfriend and found the idea of them taking root in her heart. She was swayed by his persistence in his pursuit of her.

“Okay.”

‘Let’s be together.’

Letting go of a childhood infatuation, and accepting the person who made his way to her heart. 

And in the beginning, it was wonderful. Having a boyfriend had its perks. Especially when said boyfriend was someone like Mateo, who treated her like a princess.

The feeling of being kissed, holding hands when they walked side by side, she got to experience all of this for the first time. Valeria was sixteen, and she was over the moon.

***

She didn’t deserve to be that lucky.

That was what other girls at the school thought, but Valeria did not care much for envious people. Her friends all liked Mateo and her together, and her mom approved of him too.

The only one who seemed to dislike the idea of her dating was Daniel, when he learned about this the next winter.

“Isn’t he too old for you?”

Rolling her eyes, she just refreshed his memory and told him two years were not something to be alarmed about.

“Even so, he is a college student.” Once again,  he reduced her to a little school girl.

“Yes, and you know so much about those relationships, don’t you?”

Although now he’d broken up with his girlfriend from last year, it did not change the fact that said girlfriend was also in highschool back then. (Apparently, only Valeria had the honors to be treated like a baby.)

“I admit that wasn’t one of my most brilliant decisions. In my defense, I was sincere to Emilia and really wanted to wait for her until she graduated.” He sighed. “But it did not go well, because people who are in college and high school are at very different stages, I am sure that is true here, there, and in most places.”

“I’m sixteen, I’m not a child.” 

“Exactly my point.”

Part of her felt grateful for his concern. However, it did not help her with her own worries. When they were alone, sometimes the kisses and caresses had given space to more intimate touches, and Valeria had liked it, but she just wasn’t ready yet and always ended up recoiling before they went any further. 

Mateo was kind and patient, his words had comforted her afterwards and he told her he’d wait. But would he really? For how long?

[Come with me to a pool party tonight. It’s the birthday of one of my university friends.]

Her boyfriend’s invitation came a couple of days after that conversation with Daniel, and it helped her to lift up her spirits.

[Okay. Let me tell my mom.]

[Cool. I’ll go pick you up later.]

Valeria stared at her reflection in the mirror while trying to choose an outfit, and the smile grew bigger on her face. 

The thought that everything would turn to a totally different direction did not cross her mind.

Was it the alcohol? She had never drunk before (except for a glass during the Christmas or New Year’s celebrations at home) and Mateo’s friends kept passing her the bottle. His arm around her shoulder squeezed her tightly from time to time, so she’d smile and take the drink.

“Just one is not going to hurt you. And I’m here.”

Her head started spinning around.

“I think I should go back home.” The moment she suggested this, his face changed. Just for a second, before it went back to his usual easy-going smile, Valeria saw the annoyance flashing through his eyes.

“Let’s stay a bit more, then I’ll take you home.”

But he’d been drinking too.

“I’ll call my father’s chauffeur, ok.”

Okay then. Valeria was feeling dizzy and did not insist any longer. She trusted him.