The Quaranteens: Stuck

• 16 ~ Cruz •

May 4, 2020 -Miami, Florida
Cara POV

Was I too harsh on Kean last night? He didn't do anything wrong, I shouldn't have been so mean. I was just feeling really mad at him, I don't even really know why. Does he hate me? Why was he so sweet after I was so rude to him? Why do I feel so happy because of it? I also feel like throwing up when I think about it, so maybe it's not necessarily happiness? Is he gonna text or call me? Should I wait for him to? Ugh, get over yourself and call him Caralily. What do you have to lose?

Keanu's irritatingly attractive face popped up on my screen with an equally as irritating smirk on his face.

"Does someone feel better?"

"Someone feels guilty, not better."

"Aww, it's okay. My feelings didn't get hurt. We're not always in good moods. Hopefully I can get your mind off of whatever it was yeah?"

"Yeah sure."

"How was your day?"

"Pretty boring cause you didn't text me."

"Sorry I was giving you space."

"Understandable. So how was your day?"

"It was normal... aside from one thing."

"What?"

"Well... this girl texted me on snap. She was nice. Funny. Her name's Echo. She has really long pretty brown/orange hair. She tried to get to know me. Wanted to start talking. She said she saw me and thought I was cute was just interested in talking, no sex stuff and all that. Just a conversation."

"Oh my god! She sounds perfect for you! What happened?"

Ignore the feelings in your stomach Cara. Ignore them. You probably just ate something weird and that's why your stomach feels this way.

He smiled at me. It looked more like a sad smile than anything. It was weird.

"We talked for a little while but... I told her I didn't want to do that with her, what she was suggesting I mean. Talking to her... being in that stage with her would mean that I'm thinking about having a relationship with her and... I'm not."

I was confused... he's not? Well, at least my stomach virus went away.

"You're not?"

"No."

"But she's like... everything you want in a girl."

"Yeah she is."

Huh, that stomach virus really likes to mess with me doesn't it?

"Then... why aren't you gonna get to know her?"

"Wow, you really are oblivious aren't you?"

"Oblivious?" What's he on about?

He sighed and shook his head.

"You'll figure it out eventually. Anyway me and her are gonna be friends, not anything more. We're friends."

Oh so they're gonna be friends like we are! Well that seemed to get the stomach virus to leave for good. I hope he doesn't start face-timing her every night though...

"You're not gonna like... ignore me though right? We're still midnight deep talk buddies?"

"Uh, yeah. Buddies haha."

I smiled at him and he beamed right back at me.

Then he started... laughing? He was staring at me and lightly chuckling to himself.

"What? What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking about how absolutely gorgeous you are, beautiful."

I blushed. Like, really blushed. The thing is, I don't blush, at all. I never blush. What do I even do? I mean he can't see it. My skin is too dark for him to see me blush but unfortunately what I lack in blush, I make up in stupid smile. What do I even say? How do I reply? I'm so confused...

"Uh... thanks Keanu, that's really sweet."

"Anytime, babygirl." 

•~•~•

The next day I got a message from Kalani. I hadn't talked to her in forever and so this should be fun. 

Coming from the girl who helped you through your breakup in sophomore year, I need your help with a breakup. -K

Okay maybe not as fun as I thought.

Oh Lani, what's wrong? -C

Remember that guy I was gonna tell you about when you were on the phone with Keanu? -K

I remember, what's up? -C

Yeah, well he's a total ass. Let me call and explain. -K 

A few minutes later I was looking at Kalani's tear soaked, puffy eyed, beautiful face.

"Well his name is Cruz."

"Wait, Cruz? Cruz who?"

"Cruz Lopez-Diaz, why?"

"Oh my god that's Lucía's brother."

"Yeah, I know. Lucía is Keanu's best friend Ace's girlfriend, how do you know her?"

"Lucía is my best friend."

"She is? Jeez everything's all connected it's weird."

"Nevermind that, tell me what happened."

"Well, to sum it up... "

"In explicit detail."

She laughed, "Okay, okay."

•~•~•

"My brother did what!?" 

After Kalani explained to me what happened I called Lucy and told her the story. It was her brother after all.

"Yeah... I know. He was always so nice every time I talked to him. Yeah, he was a bit out there but I could tell he meant well."

"He was a little nicer to you than everyone else Cara. Probably because he thought you were pretty. We all knew he was sort of a... 'bad boy', but I can't believe he'd do that to a girl."

"I did kinda get that vibe from him but ugh, what are we gonna do? Should we help them?"

"Can you add her to the call?"

"Yeah, give me a second."

"Hey guys, what's up?" It sounded like Kalani had been crying again.

"Oh Lani..." I said sympathetically, "Don't cry over someone who was a total waste of your time."

"Yeah, I know that he's my brother and all, but he's an ass for doing that to you."

"Thanks guys." She sniffled out.

"Also, it's nice to meet you!" Lucy chuckled nervously. "I know this is not the way I'd have wanted to meet you, but I've heard all good things."

Kalani giggled, "Likewise. So what exactly did Cara tell you?"

"Just that you and my brother were dating and then he randomly broke up with you just as things were getting good and then sent you pictures of him and some other girls'... explicit chats."

"Yep, well that just about sums it up."

"I just don't get why he would do this. He's talked to me about you and has told me that he was really excited for your relationship. That he thought he was ready for commitment."

"I don't know. All I know is that he seemed pretty mad when he did it. Like it was my fault. I don't know..."

•~•~•

A/N

Hey guys!

This chapter introduced the plotline of the third book in the series, "The Quaranteens: Detention" which is about Kalani and Cruz's relationship. If you didn't know (because I'm not sure I've said it) the second book is about Mason and Lucía's relationship and it's called "The Quaranteens: Confinement". Basically it's about everything you don't see with them in this book. Btw each book will be a standalone, but reading them in the right order would probably make things easier.

What do you guys think is gonna happen with Kalani and Cruz?

If you guys liked this chapter you should comment and vote it would mean the world to me :)

Thank you guys so much for 127 reads :)) 

Picture in the beginning was the picture Lucy posted on Cara's snap of Kean!

Bye babes <3

S y d.