Without You: Book 1 of the Changing Hearts Series (5 page)

“What are you thinking about?”

She looked straight ahead. “Just that your life is pretty impressive compared to mine. I think you have a better chance of getting in to any college than I do, with your resumé.”

“No way. You’re way smarter than me. I can tell.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
 

They looked at each other, a little too long.

She looked away, and he turned back to the road.
 

It was silent again. And awkward.

She was trying to think of something to say when he pulled into Mayra’s driveway.

She had no idea what to think of Lucas. He was a great guy, obviously, but maybe that’s all he was: a great guy. Someone who was just nice to her and didn’t have time for a relationship anyway.

###

The next day, Mayra and Ariana were at Ariana’s house. Her dad was making fajitas on the grill, and her mom was making rice and refried beans to go with it. Mayra and Ariana had helped make the salsa, and Ryan and Jimmy were shooting hoops, seeing who could make the most free throws without missing. Ariana and Mayra could see them through the window in the kitchen. They finished up and walked outside.

“So. How was it? Going out to eat with Lucas.” Mayra emphasized the first syllable of his name. They sat on the front porch, enjoying the sun and breeze. The leaves on the trees were turning orange and red. Ariana loved the change of scenery that fall brought.

“It was good. The food was good. The conversation was good.” She looked at Mayra and smiled.
 

“Do you see yourself going out with him? Be honest.”

“I don’t know. To be honest, I kinda thought he was into you at first.”

“Oh wow. It’s so obvious he likes you.”

“You think so?” Ariana said.

“And anyway, he’s clearly not my type.” Mayra sat up, her elbows on her knees. “So if he were to ask you out right now, what would you say?”

She shrugged. “He’s a nice guy. I don’t know.”

“You think so?” She couldn’t help but smile. She remembered the feeling of being so close to him and smelling him. She felt something in her chest.

“You like him, huh?”

“He’s a nice guy. A really nice guy.”
 

“Do you think you’re ready for another boyfriend, one who’s not a jerk?”

Ariana gave a small smile. “Maybe with a little more time. I still want to get to know him more. Plus, he’s pretty busy from what he told me.”

“What about your parents?”

“What about them?” She squinted in the sun, looking down their street and the curve it took before it disappeared.
 

“Would you tell them? Do you think they’d let you?”

“Yes. I’d tell them. Remember last year? And I don’t know. I think they would. But I don’t want to even bring that up to them until I know for sure. No need for a fight or an argument or something.”

“What about you? Have you thought anymore about Jimmy? Have you talked to him about it?”

“No.” Mayra looked up at the sky and then at Jimmy.
 

“Does he know I know?”

“A little.”

“You guys should talk and decide.”

“We have.” She paused. “Maybe I want to take things slow like you.”

They looked at each other. “I wonder who’ll cave first.” Ariana said. They smiled, Mayra’s beginning slowly at the corner of her mouth. She actually blushed a little.

Ariana’s mom came down the side porch stairs with a big pot of rice. “Girls, please go get the pico de gallo and tortillas.”

They walked back inside, and each of them came out with something in their hands.
 

Mayra was carrying the pico de gallo. Jimmy ran over, all sweaty, and helped her, basketball forgotten in the grass. “Thanks,” she said quietly.
 

Her dad had brought out a table from the garage so they could eat outside in the perfect weather. Everyone grabbed a plastic chair and a plate and began getting some food. Ryan gave everyone a soda.
 

“Hmm. This is so good.” Jimmy was stuffing a taco into his mouth.
 

Ryan was displaying actual manners and taking small bites. “Gracias,” he said, after wiping his mouth.
 

“De nada. Siempre eres bienvenido en nuestra casa,” her mom said. Mayra winked at Ryan and smiled.
 

“Solo que ande con una de mis hijas. Entonces lo tendré que ir de ‘tras de usted,” her dad joked.
 

He had referred to Mayra as one of his daughters. Ariana looked at her. She was smiling at Ariana’s parents, but her eyes looked wet.
 

They all laughed, except Ryan, who didn’t know whether to laugh or just look respectful. “What did he say, man?” he whispered to Jimmy.
 

“My mom said you’re always welcome here, and then my dad said unless you become Ariana or Mayra’s boyfriend. Then he might have to hurt you.”

Ryan laughed and began pointing at Ariana and Mayra, shaking his finger and acting like he was pushing them away. Her parents seemed to get the message and smiled.
 

“So what are your plans for college, Mayra?” her mom asked. She was using a spoon to pour salsa on her taco.

“I’m applying to the college here in town. I don’t know what I’m going to study yet, though.”

“Isn’t that the one you want to go to, Ariana?” Her mom looked at her, putting her food down.

“No. I’m applying there too, but I want to go to the University of Georgia. It’s about two hours away, but it has the best program in the state for business, which is probably what I’m going to study.”

“What are you going to do two hours away by yourself?” her dad asked while he made his own taco.

“I’ll figure it out. I’ll get a dorm and some scholarships, graduate, then I’ll be back in four years to look for a job. And I’ll visit a lot.”
 

She tried her best to sound optimistic, but her parents didn’t look very happy.

“Why can’t you go here, mija?” Her mom wasn’t eating anymore.

“Because. I like that school. The counselor says it’s a really good school. I want to go visit it in the spring. Maybe you can come with me so you can see what I’m talking about.”

Her parents didn’t say much after that.

###

After lunch, Ariana’s parents stayed outside talking and resting while Mayra and Ariana got up to go inside. Jimmy and Ryan left to grab a bag to put all of their trash in.

“Where are you going?” her mom asked.

“We’re going to go work on our college applications. They’re due next week. And I’m looking for scholarships.”

“Oh okay, then. I’ll just get the boys to help me clean the rest of this up.”

Ariana gave Jimmy and Ryan a wink before heading inside.
 

They headed straight to Ariana’s room. Mayra closed the door behind them. Mayra grabbed her laptop from Ariana’s bed and opened it up.
 

Ariana opened her applications too, and they began working, asking each other for help every now and then.

“What do you think has been the life experience that made me into a better person?” Ariana looked up at Mayra.
 

Mayra stopped typing and looked at her. “I imagine you shouldn’t talk about what happened with Carlos. I don’t know. How about a difficult class you’ve taken? Or getting along with your parents?”

She thought about Mayra’s suggestions but decided against them. It should be something academic. DECA, she realized. The business speech she gave and what it taught her. The admissions people would probably like that. She began typing.
 

A few minutes later, Mayra asked. “What are three values I stand for?”

Ariana laughed. “You should know that. I don’t know. Think of stuff they want to hear. Hard work. Perseverance. Helping others. Stuff like that.”

Mayra nodded and went back to typing.
 

Mayra finished before her since she was only applying to the community college. “Well, I just hit submit, paid the application fee, and got the confirmation email. I am done.” She got up and stretched.
 

“I’m done with that one too, but I’m only halfway through the one for UGA, and I still have to research scholarships.”

“I’ll do that later,” Mayra said. “My brain has refried. Let’s go outside for a while. It’s almost dark.”

“You had one essay!” Ariana said, laughing.
 

“I know! I poured my life’s effort into that five hundred word thing. I’m ready for some fun.”
 

“Aren’t you gonna apply to any other colleges? What if you don’t get in to that one?” She looked up at her.

Mayra pursed her lips. “If I can’t get into this college, I’m not getting into any college.” She walked out the door.
 

Ariana groaned and kept working.
 

About an hour later, she could hear everyone outside having a good time. Her parents were laughing, and Jimmy, Mayra, and Ryan were playing basketball. She wished she was out there, but she was almost done.

Her brain felt like it was about to explode.

She carefully hit submit on the UGA application. She had saved it for last. She closed her eyes, hoping she got in early. Otherwise, she’d be going to the community college in her hometown.

She read the confirmation page carefully. She’d find out in about two months if she had gotten in early. Either that, or she’d be deferred or denied admission. She tried not to think about that as she closed her laptop.
 

When she got outside, her parents were getting ready to come in. Her mom patted her shoulder on the way in. Ariana’s dad was behind her. Jimmy, Mayra, and Ryan were still outside, sitting down in the grass, talking. It was getting dark, and they had already cleaned up.

“I’m done with college applications,” she said as she sat down next to Mayra.

“Are you really going to UGA?” Ryan asked.

She nodded. “If I get enough scholarships.”

Jimmy was looking up at the sky.
 

“Are you guys gonna miss me?” She couldn’t resist.

“Nah,” Jimmy said. They laughed. “Just kidding. You better come see us a lot. Maybe you can take me to see your dorm and stuff.”

“Meet girls,” Ryan added.

“Maybe.”
 

“UGA’s not bad at basketball, I think. Maybe I could there too when I graduate,” Jimmy said.

Mayra was playing with some blades of grass in her hand.
 

“That would be cool.” She imagined sharing an apartment off campus with him. “What about you, Ryan?” Ariana turned towards him.

“No idea. I don’t even know if I want to go to college. High school sucks enough already.” He looked down as he dribbled the basketball in his hands mindlessly.

“It’ll be fun,” she said. “You make your own schedule. You’ll be so independent, even when it comes to class. Everyone treats you like an adult. Because you are one.”

“I like that part. I’m just not sure I have the grades to go.”

“I’m sure your grades are great. When it comes time, I’ll help you apply. Believe me, this is not a regret you want to have for the rest of your life.”

“Is that how you feel?” Mayra asked.

“Sort of. I mean, can’t you feel it? It’s like we’ll be starting over with a blank slate. We can be who we want, do what we want. We’ll meet so many new people, and at the end of those four years, you’re ready to get a job, get paid good, get a house, start your life.”

Jimmy laid back and put his arms underneath his head.
 

“I think you could also do that here. And still be close to your family and friends.” Mayra said. Ariana shrugged.

“It’ll suck not having you here,” Mayra went on.
 

Ariana gave her a small smile. “We’ll still be best friends. And you can still apply to UGA. Come with me.”

Mayra looked down. “You know I can’t go there.” They had already talked about this. Mayra didn’t have as good grades as Ariana, not even the three minimum AP credits. She’d have trouble paying the tuition, and her mom couldn’t afford it.

Jimmy sighed. “Sometimes I want to grow up, and other times, I just wish we could stay in high school forever.”

Mayra, Lucas, and Ariana took off their fake mustaches, something the odd female artist Frida Khalo had been famous for, although hers had been real. The class had loved the fake mustaches they had handed out during their presentation, and Mrs. Randolph had put hers on right away.
 

Now, they were walking to lunch together.
 

“How do you think we did?” Lucas asked.
 

“Well, we went over the time limit by like two minutes, but other than that, I think we did really good. Nobody fell asleep like with the first group,” Ariana said.

“So funny,” Mayra said. A senior in the back row had begun drooling on his desk after falling asleep. Mrs. Randolph had gently woken him up and chided him before the class could get too many pictures on their phones.

Lucas shook his head and laughed. “Who does that?”

They stopped at the soda machines so Mayra and Ariana could buy something to drink.
 

“Want something?” Ariana asked Lucas as she put some money in. He hadn’t made a move to get something.

“No, thanks.” He smiled.

She held an orange juice in her hand. “Come on. My treat. It’s the least I could do for you buying me lunch the other day.”

Mayra was off to the side, waiting to see if Lucas would give in.
 

“If you don’t choose, I’ll get something for you.”

“No, really. I’m good.”

“Fine. I warned you.”

She put in another dollar and a quarter and was about to press a random button.
 

“Fine, fine. I’ll have some lemonade.”

She looked back at him and smiled and turned back around to press the button.

A lemonade fell down, and she reached in for it.
 

She handed it to him. He took it, and they headed into the cafeteria.

They got in line. It was long today. “You gonna buy me lunch too?” he offered.