Chapter 41: party planning

„Baby?" „Oh, sorry. I didn't want to wake you up. Go back to sleep, you need it, amor", I whisper as I lay myself next to him under the blanket. „You didn't wake me up. I couldn't sleep without you. I've waited for you to come back." "You didn't have to wait." „I know, but I needed to apologize. I didn't mean to treat you like that earlier just because you've told Guzman. I know you didn't mean to tell anyone."

„I really didn't. I didn't think twice before I spoke and then I said it and couldn't take it back. I'm sorry for disclosing your secret. You only snapped at me, you didn't need to apologize for it." „I know but Guzman is right. I was the one who made you lie to Guzman about Polo for weeks although both of us knew it would only be right to tell him. I'm sorry." „It's not your fault, I-"

„You would have told him." „But I didn't. At least not until Samu was gone." „Because I didn't let you." „Baby, let's forget about it, okay? Sleep, you need some rest."

„An Americano for Emilia and an espresso for us", Guzman joins Ander and I the next morning in the hospital before school. „What are you doing here, man?" „Nothing, I just like to walk through a hospital", Guzman pretends to not care at all but it's the other way around. „Thank you, Guzman." „I'm glad you're here", I agree, „Finally you two dickheads talk again."

„Hey, don't call us the dickheads", Guzman defends themselves as Ander joins him with a smile. „Yeah, baby, you can be quite subborn as well." „Me? I'm not stubborn at all", I play cool, although I know they might have got a point there. „You can be more stubborn than Carla and Lu altogether", they both agree. „Wow, no need to insult me", I act shocked but soon laugh with them together.

„No worries, it's fine", Rebe states even before Ander and I can say anything. "You don't know what we want to say", I wonder. „You both are probably going to thank me and apologize for being stubborn. You, because I kept your secret", Rebe points to Ander and then to me, „And you because I didn't feel attacked by your jealousy." „Well, might be right", I mumble, „I'm really sorry, Rebe. I didn't mean to annoy you with that bullshit. But I also wanted to thank you for keeping an eye on Samu. I'm glad you hang out with each other."

„Plus, thanks for keeping my secret", Ander agrees. „Look at you two, really cute. I just don't like romantic couples so I'm going to leave now", Rebe states in her usual chill voice so I smile at her. „So you're not getting all romantic with my brother, are you?" „You need to learn when to keep your mouth shut, darling", Rebe grins back at me as we both know that she doesn't like to admit that she's really falling for someone, especially my brother. I just hope that he won't hurt her, especially now with everything that is happening at the moment.

„We need to talk", I state as I walk over to Lu who stands at her locker. „What about?", Lu grins at me with her typical fake grin. „You can stop acting cool, you know", I make clear but not without a joke, „You have to throw your party for Valentine's day. That's the only thing that would help your poor soul." „Don't use that word on me, poor", she whispers disgusted and I laugh.

„It doesn't change who you are, Lu. You still wear the fucking crown. You're still the queen. However, you might loose that position if you stop being who you are. You've thrown this party since you've been a child. Well, we started with Barbie's and Ken's but now it's the party everyone's waiting for. You love a good party, especially this one."

„You know it's not possible", she describes the fact that she doesn't have the money for it which makes me smile. That's Lu, she would rather throw up over a designer dress than to use the words „no money" in the same sentence in which she mentions her name. „I'll ask my dad-"

„No." „Lu-" „I might be.. you know without financial support right now. But I'm not becoming a Cayetana fake and ask people for money. I'm still me." „That's exactly the point, Lu. You're still you and the party is still a part you. Each year you wanted to show everyone that Guzman and you are together and each year, the girls were jealous of your dress, your boyfriend, of who you are, not because of your money."

„The problem is that I neither have a boyfriend nor a nice dress nor-" „You're still you, Lu. Get creative. You found out that Cayetana was a liar. Now find out how to throw a party without having to pay for everything." „You're a genius, Emilia. A true genius." „Uh, thank you?"

„I'll throw a party which is upside down. The guests are the ones who bring their own drinks and snacks." „Good idea but how do you tell them without making them suspicious?", I wonder. „Everything will be upside down. Boys will come dressed as girls and the other way round. Yes. That's great", she smiles widely and claps her hands so I hug her happily. „I knew you would find an idea."

„Thanks to you. But.. Could you borrow me some money for the invitation cards? We don't want anyone to get suspicious. And can I have a pantsuit from yours? I can't wear anything twice, not at that party." „We're going to buy you something later, alright? And you don't need to borrow money from me. I'll pay for the invitation cards."

„Just to let you know, you can't come with two boys", she makes fun of me now, „Have you decided?" „I don't need to make a decision, Lu. There's nothing going on between Guzman and I." „Oh really, nothing? Em, I can read him like a book and I've seen you two yesterday. Don't even try to fool me." „I'm not-", I stop as I hear my phone notifying me about a message, „Just a second, sorry."

It's from Guzman. Great. Talk of the devil, and the is bound to appear.

Guzman

can I see you?

„Who is it? Ander?" „No, Guzman." „What does he want?" „He's asking if I'm coming over." „Well, I guess I'll see you later when we go shopping. Please come to a decision until then, alright?", she jokes. „Sometimes I really hate you", I mutter knowing that she's not wrong about the fact that it's complicated.