Through My Window (Hidalgos #1)(9)

“Stop calling me that.”

“Comb your hair more often, and I will.”

Low blow.

I immediately run my fingers through my tangled hair, trying to unknot it. “It’s the weather’s fault.”

Ares just smiles. “Whatever you say.” He pauses. “Witch.”

“Very funny.”

Ares checks his phone, as if checking the time. “Get in before your mom comes out and drags you in.”

“My mom wouldn’t do that, she knows what kind of daughter she raised,” I say arrogantly. “She trusts me.”

And as if hearing me, my mother’s voice calls from inside the house. “Raquel? Is that you?”

“Shit!” I panic. “Oh . . . that was fun, good night, bye.” I turn around to walk to the door.

“Didn’t you just say that your mother knows who she raised?”

“Raquel?” my mother calls again.

I turn to him again.

“Shhhh!” I gesture with both hands for him to leave. “Go away! Shoo!”

Ares laughs showing those perfect teeth. He has a beautiful smile, I could stare at him all night, but my mother is about to come out and make a fuss. Ares gives me the “Okay” sign with his fingers.

“All right, I’m off, Stalker Witch.”

“Wow, a special nickname now?” Sarcasm drips from my tone.

He shrugs. “I’m very creative, I know.”

“So am I, Greek God.” As soon as my so-called nickname for him leaves my lips, I regret it. Greek God? Are you serious, Raquel?

“I like that nickname.”

Of course, you like it, arrogant—

“Raquel!” My mom’s voice is louder now.

I turn my back to him again and this time he says nothing. I hear his footsteps fading further into the distance as I open my front door. I walk in and put my back against the door as a stupid grin comes over my face. I had a good time with Ares. I still can’t believe it.

“Raquel Margarita Mendoza álvarez!”

You know you’re in trouble when your mom uses your full name.

“Hi, my beautiful mom,” I say with the cutest look I can conjure up.

My mother, Rosa Maria álvarez, is a hard-working, dedicated woman. She’s a respected nurse at the local hospital. She’s the best person I know, but as a mother she can be strict. Although she doesn’t spend much time at home because of her job, when she is at home, she likes to take control and maintain order.

“Don’t mom me,” she warns, holding up her pointer finger. “It’s ten o’clock at night, can you tell me where you were?”

“I thought we agreed that I could arrive at eleven o’clock at the latest during the summer.”

“Only on weekends,” she reminds me. “As long as you let me know where you are, and who you’re with.”

“I stopped by the bakery, and I was eating a donut and—”

“The bakery closes at nine o’clock.”

I clear my throat. “You didn’t let me finish. I stayed outside the bakery eating the donut.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

I put my hands on my hips. “That’s what happened, Mom. You know me, what else could I be doing?”

Letting a boy kiss my neck in the cemetery.

My mom narrows her eyes. “You better not be lying to me, Raquel.”

“I would never dare, my sweet mother.” I give her a hug and kiss the side of her face.

“Your dinner is in the microwave.”

“You are the best.”

“And go upstairs and give that dog of yours some love, he’s done nothing but crawl around the house depressed.”

“Aww! He misses me!”

“Or he’s hungry.”

Both are very possible.

After devouring my food, I go up to my room, and Rocky comes running out to greet me. He almost knocks me down. He’s getting bigger every day.

“Hello, beautiful, cutie, fluffy doggy.” I rub his head gently. “Who’s the cutest doggy in the world?” Rocky licks my hand. “That’s right, you are.”

My phone chirps in my jacket pocket and, closing my bedroom door with my foot, I check the message. It’s from Joshua, my other best friend. I haven’t seen him in days because I’ve been spending so much time with Dani.

Joshua BFF: Are you awake?

Me: Yes, what’s up?

A second later, my phone lights up with a call from him.

“Hi, Rochi,” he says as soon as I answer. He has always affectionately called me Rochi.

“Hi, Yoshi.” And I, of course, call him after the dinosaur from Mario Kart. He reminds me of Joshua, and he’s cute. They’re not the most mature nicknames in the world, but in my defense, we picked them when we were children.

“First of all, the crazy girl is not with you, right?”

“No, Dani must be at home.”

“Finally. You’ve completely abandoned me for her. I’m already forgetting your face.”

“It’s been four days, Yoshi.”

“That’s a long time. Anyway, how about tomorrow we binge-watch The Walking Dead?”

“Only if you swear to me that you haven’t seen the new episodes without me.”