Signal to Noise(37)

“That’s not all. Sebos, are you ready?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, sit down,” Meche said.

Daniela sat on the couch and smiled, her hands in her lap.

Sebastian started the music. It was an old song. Volare. Meche and Sebastian hummed together and when the singer said, “Volare, wohoo hohohho,” they moved their arms and two of the balloons bounced in their direction.

Daniela gasped. Meche pointed at a balloon and it flew through the air, towards her. Sebastian made a wide sweeping motion and a whole cluster of balloons ripped themselves from the walls and bounced around him, like a wave of colours.

Meche and Sebastian lowered their hands and the balloons gently settled to the floor.

Daniela stood up and clapped, feeling giddy.

“How did you ever learn to do that?” she asked.

“Oh, we figured it out by accident when we were putting up the decorations,” Meche said.

“Can you teach me?”

“Sure. It’ll be better with you,” Meche said. “Sebastian and I get a bit tired if it’s just the two of us.”

“It’s like running for several blocks and getting a charley horse,” Sebastian explained.

“I so want to do it!” Daniela said, rushing to their side.

“Okay,” Meche said. “First you focus on what you’re going to move.”





MECHE WAITED WITH Daniela at the coffee shop for her sister to pick her up. They had foamy coffees and shared a large cookie. Daniela seemed very perky and she chatted noisily, her hands fluttering up and down.

Meche smiled and checked the notes in her grimoire.

“Hey, that’s Constantino across the street,” Daniela said.

Meche turned her head. It was. He was walking with Isadora. Meche sighed, leaning back and brushing the hair off her face.

“She’s got every boy in school running after her. Man, can’t I get just a little bit of that?” Meche muttered.

“Not every boy,” Daniela said, probably trying to perk her up.

“Sebastian thinks she’s hot.”

“Yeah?”

“He practically drools over her.”

“She’s pretty.”

“I want someone to drool over me.”

“Well... maybe someone will. At the party.”

Meche nodded, but with little enthusiasm. Wasn’t there magic that could make you irresistible? Something to spellbind another person? There had to be. The trick was in finding it.





THEY WALKED INTO the party around nine, glancing around the house with curiosity. The floors had been waxed and Meche walked slowly because she was wearing heels and was afraid of falling down. She glanced at a large mirror by the entrance, making sure her lipstick looked fine. She’d borrowed the makeup from her cousin and painted her nails with a bright pink nail polish Jimena insisted was all the rage. Meche looked different, odd—but wasn’t that the point of it? To transform into someone else entirely.

Meche followed the sound of the music, her heels carefully clicking against the floor.

“Man, Isadora’s dad must be loaded,” Daniela said.

That was something coming from Daniela. Meche had to agree. The house was not only huge, but there were uniformed waiters walking around with trays in their hands. One of them offered them tiny little sausages and Meche took one, nodding. Sebastian grabbed three, tossing them in his mouth in quick succession.

Meche looked at the heavy furniture, the large windows, the air of opulence drifting from every corner of the room. Ugliness had no place there. Real taste, however, seemed to have escaped Isadora. The sweet, candy pop sound of Timbiriche—the mark of a limited, mundane imagination—threatened to give Meche a headache, but she decided to stand firm, smile, and try to have a good time.

“Let’s get a drink,” she said to her friends.

They drifted around. Meche had the distinct feeling that everyone was staring at them. She had not, in the end, picked the mini-skirt, instead donning tight stirrup pants in a light yellow and a long-sleeve shirt with a very wide black belt.

Sebastian had opted for the Miami Vice look, but with a more subdued baby blue t-shirt under his jacket. Daniela, having no qualms about her wardrobe, went for a metallic pink dress and a black, studded bolero jacket.

When Meche finally found something to drink it turned out to be beer. She handed one to Sebastian and another to Daniela. Daniela took a sip and made a face.

“Can’t we have a soda?” Daniela asked.

“Do you see anyone else drinking soda?” Meche asked.

Daniela looked around and shook her head.

“Drink your beer,” Meche ordered.

“Shouldn’t we find Isadora?” Sebastian asked.

“What for?” Meche said.

“It’s her birthday party.”

“We’re not here because of her.”

“It’s rude not to say hi.”

Meche shrugged. Constantino was across the room, next to a window, hanging out with a circle of classmates. Damn it. Meche had copious makeup and hair gel, and was hoping she’d be able to get a chance to talk to him in all her finery. She positioned herself strategically, next to the hallway which led to the washrooms.

“I’m going to find her,” Sebastian said.