CHAPTER 5
BROKEN HEARTS
AMBER
05
I've been missing for hours. I hear my phone ringing, but I can't see anything; my eyes are covered. My tears are falling. I wish I were with my family.
Today is Christmas Eve. I was supposed to go out with my friends and then spend the night with my family, but I won't be able to. I really wish I could see them one last time. I know they'll look for me, they'll find me, and I'll be able to be at peace. I hope they never forget that I love them.
ARI
" What do you mean, 'You're doing this for me?'" I asked, uncomprehending. "Did I hurt you? Is this revenge? Against me?"
"End the call," Liam told me. I looked at him and noticed he was nervous. I looked at my phone, waiting for an answer, but the screen showed a message that the caller had ended the conversation. "I don't feel good about this. We need to talk to Officer Garcia."
"Can you tell him?" I asked, trying to gather my thoughts. "I need to talk to someone."
"Does this have to do with the call?" he asked, unsure if I really knew who was behind it.
I wasn't sure if she had anything to do with it. Not her directly, but she was certainly linked to the person I had in mind.
—I don't know, that's what I want to find out.
He nodded at my answer, and we walked out of the infirmary and into the hallway. I looked ahead and saw someone approaching from the courtyard, where the football field was. He stopped when he saw me and Liam.
Dylan seemed to sigh before flashing a smile and leaning closer to kiss me on the cheek. Liam stared at us, then made a face of disbelief, as if he found Dylan's behavior absurd. Liam then gave me a small smile, noticing my attention shifting to him.
"Are you okay?" Dylan asked me, his expression suspicious of Liam. He knew what had happened. Somehow, when we started talking, he noticed one of my blunders and started questioning me, since my lies weren't very convincing.
—Yes, no problem, we just talk —I replied.
Dylan looked Liam up and down, but Liam wasn't intimidated; instead, he stared at him as if it were impossible to make him feel less.
"I helped him, he hurt himself," I explained.
"That's what nurses are for," Dylan immediately responded. Just then, I turned around when I heard Liam laugh.
"What's so funny?" Dylan asked, clearly annoyed.
"Listen to you. You're not jealous anymore," Liam replied in a challenging tone.
"Look who says that," Dylan replied.
I became serious when I saw Liam staring at me. I understood the question in his gaze: Did you tell him?
"Dylan, it's none of your business, especially now that we're exes," I replied.
Dylan took a step back, surprised by my words.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to go to class," I added before leaving them there.
As I walked toward my living room, I looked back and saw Liam, as he walked away from Dylan, give him the finger before walking on.
I didn't want to be in trouble with Dylan, but the fact that he was trying to win me back didn't make me happy. It wasn't intense, but it showed he still loved me. However, I was upset because I was only with him to feel loved. I wanted to love too, but it was difficult because of him...
To the boy who, at that moment, rejoined me to walk up the stairs with me. We both hung our heads in embarrassment, while our classmates looked at us in surprise at seeing us together. After two years, it was awkward for both of us, but reassuring to know that neither of us wanted to leave. And I know that, if it were up to us, we would change the story so it wouldn't have ended.
Liam looked at me as we reached the third floor, where our classrooms were and where, furthermore, we had opposite directions.
"Do you have the same number?" Liam asked me. "So you can let me know if you suspect that person," he explained, trying to make his point. I found it a little funny, but I held back my smile.
"No, I changed my number," I replied.
I unlocked my phone to show him my new number while he entered it into his contacts app.
"If you need to tell me anything, you can also send me a message," I added, making sure to choose my words carefully.
Liam nodded, and noticing that he had already finished adding me, I put my phone down.
"Ari, do you know that all I can offer you is my friendship?" he asked me.
His words brought a realization to my mind. It took me a moment to nod.
"I know, don't worry," I replied, although, secretly, I wondered why I felt so disappointed. After all this time, it was clear I couldn't stay in love... or could I?
Of course not, it's not possible.
"Well, we have to go to class," he said before saying goodbye to me and walking away.
Without looking back, I headed to my classroom. Luckily for me, the teacher hadn't arrived yet.
I immediately looked at Camila and Ámbar, who were chatting. Camila was sitting in front of Ámbar, but she turned her chair around to talk more comfortably.
I approached them, and as soon as they saw me, they stood up to hug me tightly.
"We heard about your attack. Are you okay?" Camila asked, barely separating herself from me.
I thought I'd have to tell you, but someone else had already spoken before me: Jeff.
"Nothing happened, luckily we got to my parents' apartment on time," I replied.
At that moment, I looked at my notebook on Camila's seat.
—Thanks for bringing my notebook for the class. I wasn't going to have time to go to the lockers.
"At least it helps to know the locker codes, although I must admit that Amber reminded me of the password," Camila replied, shaking her head. "I'm not very good with memory."
"Remember? I set the password, she was stubborn about it being someone else's and always marked the spotlight in red," said Ámbar.
"Oh! But the good thing is that we were able to bring the notebook. Stop reminding me that I have the memory of an 80-year-old woman," Camila said, to which I burst out laughing.
—Well, you have to tell us something.
"We saw you with Liam, well, some people from high school too. They're guessing, but I guess you're a little suspicious," Ámbar said, interested. Like Camila, they were both paying close attention to me.
They knew about my past relationships, with both Liam and Dylan, but I always left out the bad stuff, especially the stuff involving Liam. I guess it was time to tell them and explain our relationship again.
"We're not going back," I told them, dispelling the idea they probably had in their heads about whether I would go back to Liam.
"But why?" Camila asked me, which confused me because I thought my answer had been clear.
—What do you mean, why?
"It's clear you still love each other, so why are you looking so stupid?" Camila said, making me blink in bewilderment. Did we still have feelings for each other? I hadn't expected those words, much less from one of my best friends.
I looked at Ámbar, who nodded, as if affirming Camila's words, as if everyone knew it except us.
"We don't love each other anymore. Maybe we still love each other out of affection, but that's all," I replied, to which they looked at each other, not believing me.
—I'm serious, there's no way I'm still in love after two years.
"Who said it wasn't possible?" Amber asked, contradicting me.
"Because it's absurd," I replied, letting out a sigh with a small laugh.
—Absurd? Ari, I've never seen you smile like that. From a distance, you could tell you were happy to be talking to him, not even to Dylan.
Not even with Dylan. I wonder what he thought when he saw us.
"I'm just glad things are working out between us, that's all," I replied, to which Camila rolled her eyes.
"When will you admit it?" Camila asked me. "You're still in love, but we're not going to pressure you; you'll realize it in time."
"You'll realize you were wrong in time," I told them, to which they burst out laughing.
—Seriously, they are annoying, I'm not in love with anyone.
"Whatever you say," Amber told me, to which I gave her a little push, which made her smile.
—Don't forget that you deserve to be happy.
"I'm happy being with you and single," I told her, to which she gave me an understanding smile.
—I don't deny it, but I'm talking about something loving. I'd like to see you as happy as you were back then.
"That was a long time ago," I said, reminding him that he would be turning 18 in 7 days.
—What does that matter? Sometimes we have to look at the signs life gives us. Maybe it wasn't the right time then, but it's yours now.
It wasn't our time at all. The attacks, the photo, the security cameras, the harassing phone calls... it was too dangerous for me and him right now. Apparently, that person didn't want us to be together.
If history repeated itself, I couldn't forgive myself. If Liam were to be hurt again, it would be too much for him. Especially knowing it would be my fault.
"Seriously, I don't think it's best to go back to him," I told them.
"You're not telling me, was the rumor about you and Jeff true?" Camila asked me, as if the news had given her a heart attack.
"Of course not! I don't like Jeff. We've been friends since we were kids," I immediately answered, completely denying the idea of being Jeff's girlfriend.
"I thought the theory was true," Amber said.
Camila looked at her confused, as did I.
—Don't you know? Those who have been friends since childhood always end up getting married or together.
"Where did you hear that?" Camila asked, crossing her arms.
—On networks.
"And according to you, it's true? Stop believing stuff from videos," Camila replied, raising an eyebrow and contradicting Ámbar, who sighed.
—But it sounded realistic. You know, if I had a best friend, it would be hard not to fall in love with him. Besides, you've known each other forever.
"Do you think I was ever in love with Jeff?" I asked Amber.
-To be honest no.
Her quick, unhesitating response made me burst out laughing, and I heard Camila's laughter as well.
—And he's in love with me?
"I don't know," Amber said thoughtfully. I stopped laughing when I heard her hesitant response, expecting a quick "no," as in my case.
—Honestly, Jeff makes me wonder, although I guess he hasn't been in love with you either.
"It's clear that she was, but I wasn't going to say it," Camila said, obviously, to which I frowned upon hearing her.
—What? That's true. It makes sense. You've had official boyfriends, he hasn't had girlfriends, just hangouts and party kisses, and that's it. But formalizing it? Never.
—What does that have to do with anything? Just because he doesn't want to have relationships doesn't mean he's secretly in love with me.
"Don't you notice men's behavior?" Camila asked me. "It's absurd, you don't understand their hints."
—What hints? If Jeff were in love with me, I'd know it.
"As a spectator, you see more things," Camila answered, placing her hand on her forehead, referring to a magical power.
"Now you're observant ," I said, as if it were something new.
The teacher's voice interrupted us, waving as she sat down at her desk. I glanced at the girls before sitting in the empty seat next to Ámbar. And before class started, I remembered what was really worrying me. I had to mentally prepare myself for the criticism I would receive, and probably also the rebuke for not telling them sooner.
I had to tell them everything about Liam and how he connected to the attack.
"I also have something important to tell you, but that has to be after high school," I told them, to which they both looked at me.
"Gossip?" Camila asked.
—Something about what happened to me, but it's something serious that I couldn't tell you.
From their expressions, I could tell they were shocked at my complete seriousness when I said this, which made me see concern on their faces.
"Well, let's take advantage of the fact that we're going to my house to get ready for Daniel's party," Camila replied, to which I nodded while looking at the blackboard, observing the teacher's notes.
"Are you okay?" Amber asked me.
"Yes, don't worry," I replied with a slight smile, to which he nodded, accepting my answer.
[...]
We were in Camila's room. I took out my clothes from the bag I'd packed the day before. It had been in my locker throughout class, so when I finished, I only grabbed it to avoid an unnecessary trip home. It was a pleated skirt that fell above my knees and a long-sleeved, form-fitting white blouse that accentuated my waist, something I liked. I didn't wear makeup today, but I brought my bag with my makeup products to do it here.
Camila asked us questions about thousands of items and tried on several outfits. Even though we gave our opinions, she wasn't convinced.
"Camila, if you keep going like this, we'll be late for the party," Ámbar told her, already dressed and standing in front of the mirror, curling her hair. "Start changing."
He said as he looked at me sitting on Camila's bed. I got up to go to the bathroom and grab some clothes to change into. Looking at myself in the mirror, I remembered those thoughts I had about my appearance when I was younger.
I opened the bag and got ready to change. When I finished, I put the clothes I'd worn all day in the bag and opened the door to leave it next to Camila's bed.
"That outfit looks too good on you," Amber said, nodding at me. "If you don't like anyone, you'll end up making a lot of people fall in love with you tonight."
Camila came out of her closet and gave me a look.
"Oh, my friend! You really know how to dress," Camila said, and as if she had just remembered something, she added, "Didn't you have something important to tell us?"
God, I clearly hadn't forgotten, but I didn't know where to start: with the part where someone was stalking me or with the breakup with Liam, which was very painful for some very strong reasons.
"Can you come out of there for a moment?" I asked Camila, who came out to approach me, while Ámbar, finishing fixing her hair, also came over to listen to me.
"What happened? You're already scaring me with your silence," Camila said, seeing me suddenly so serious. " You can trust us."
—Remember how I never wanted to talk about why I broke up with Liam?
—Of course, you even got angry because we insisted, —said Amber.
—Well, the reason I broke up with him was because in the last month he started hitting me, but... —I said, but I was interrupted.
"He did what? What the fuck? What the fuck are you talking about?" She asked me all of this at once, and I opened my mouth to speak. "How is this possible?"
Amber noticed that I was nervous and that it made me sad.
"Let her finish, Camila," said Ámbar, interrupting Camila.
"He wasn't in his right mind. He was drugged," I said, and Camila raised her arms as if pleading with the heavens: "Can it get any worse?" To which Ámbar calmed her down. " They drugged him without his consent. They gave him a very dangerous drug. It could have been in his drinks or food, but he never realized it, and it was causing memory loss. So, after he hit me and he came back to normal..."
"I didn't remember anything," said Ámbar, understanding, while Camila remained silent.
—Yes, then he saw me and didn't believe me. He denied having done that to me, but he said yes, he was lying to me. I thought about leaving him many times, but he didn't understand what was happening to him either, so I thought he was manipulating me, but it was the effects of that drug , and I just tried to take care of him. He was on medication, which could also have been the cause, but I couldn't stand those episodes anymore, and I ended it.
"But did you know what that drug was?" Camila asked me, trying to understand how I came to the conclusion that he was being drugged.
—When Jeff and I were attacked, I had the conversation with the police officer afterward, and he told me about it and that they had evidence. They showed me the file, and like me, Liam only learned the reason for that behavior yesterday.
"Yesterday? Oh my God, but that was when they were 16. And the police are barely finding evidence?" Camila said angrily, letting out a deep sigh at the end.
—That's the most important problem.
"Is there more?" Camila asked, touching her hair to put her hand on my shoulder and encourage me.
—The evidence didn't reach the police because someone wanted to get rid of it, and it was probably the same person who gave Liam the drugs without his consent.
"So it's the same person? If he gave her the drugs, he had to know Liam or you," Amber said, as if the idea made her shudder.
"So a high school idiot is a fucking psychopath? I swear, if I know who he is, I'll beat him up the hell out of him," Camila said, clearly angry.
"There's no other option. That person must be close, at least to me or Liam. There must be something in common between the two of us," I said, accepting the idea that there was someone behind me without knowing what their intentions were.
"Do the police have no idea who this could be?" asked Ámbar, which reminded me of the elevator attacker's tattoo and eyes.
—I only know what he looked like physically and a tattoo that they saw on one of the security cameras.
—Which tattoo?
I took my phone from Camila's camera and opened the video that Officer García had sent me privately, with a close-up photo of the boy's tattoo. Ámbar and Camila approached me, looking at my phone carefully, then the video and then the photo. I also showed them the timeline of the attack.
—Let's see, let's recap the clues, Camila said. — First, he's almost Jeff's height, going by height, 1.85 cm. Ari said he had dark brown eyes. The tattoo is the important thing; we need to find someone who has the numbers 181222 on their wrist. He reminds me of someone, but I don't know who, he had something similar.
—The kid from High School 9, Billy, something like that, was his name. He's almost the same, and he has a tattoo on his wrist, but I can't remember what numbers.
"I don't know anyone by that name," I said, unsure of that assumption, which was probably a lie and not about him.
—We have to go to the party. He'll definitely be there. He's from the band that's always singing.
"Shitty music," Camila said, expressing her opinion on the indie bands that were all the rage among some girls.
"Do you agree?" Amber asked me after making her proposal.
"I guess we should see if he's like the guy," I said, realizing that I shouldn't dismiss something just because I didn't know the person. After all, this person seemed obsessed with the idea of annoying us.
"We'll take care of you. I'll be your bodyguard," Camila said. "Besides, we have to help you. Whoever it is, they have to leave you alone."
I nodded, and they opened their arms to give me a hug that made me smile.
"We're sorry you've been through so much alone, but we're not going to judge you. Something like this wouldn't have occurred to me," Amber admitted. "But I hope you know we'll be there for you."
I nodded into the hug and felt comforted by the understanding and help I had in my search for answers. It certainly took me a while to turn to my friends.
—We will help you, so we must be alert today.
So, they led me to the vanity seat to force me to sit down and start putting on my makeup, trying to ease my little sadness in my heart for remembering .