The Rumor

Selena's POV

"Your best friend was looking for you, Selena; he was in the living room," my sister said as she got inside my room without knocking.

I covered my face with the pillow as I grunted. I didn't want to see Stanley since I felt betrayed that he let me ride with his brother.

"Please, Gwen, tell him to go away," I replied, and my sister shook her head.

" I don't think I can tell him that; you know your best friend will never listen, and he will always do what he wants; I am sure he will never leave our house unless you show up and face him," Gwen responded as she sat beside me on the bed blushing.

"Why are your cheeks flushed, Gwen?" I asked, and she shyly smiled at me.

"Oh no, don't tell me you like Stanley?" I asked, and she nodded her head, and I quickly sat up in the bed.

"He is so handsome, Selena, and very down to earth; I don't think it is a sin to have a crush on your best friend." My sister responded, which is what I like about her, she was always honest with me about how she feels, and I wish I could be like her.

My sister is beautiful, and I knew she got it from our mom, who is as tall as me. I could tell boys would be lining up soon to get her attention, but as her elder sister, I had been like a mother to her since mom left; I was the one who looked after my sister aside from our dad.

"It is not a sin, Gwen, but I don't want you to get hurt in the end; you must know that he was in love with his childhood friend, Dayana, and she was back in Santa Clara," I responded, and I could see the sadness beneath her smile.

"Don't worry, Selena, I will not beg him to take me as his girlfriend. I only like him because he is hot and a gentleman." She responded.

"Of course, you are too young to have a boyfriend," I responded, and she grimaced.

"I am already fifteen, Selena," she answered, and I widened my eyes at her.

"I know, but I don't need to remind you every day that you should focus on your studies first; I am seventeen, and I will be eighteen next year, but I am not ready to have a boyfriend," I responded.

"As for now, I don't think you can resist if Skyler would court you," she replied, and I narrowed my eyes as I looked at my sister.

"What made you think I will accept him as my boyfriend, Gwen?" I asked.

"You can't fool me, Selena," she answered back, and I was speechless for a while.

"I am not fooling you, Gwen," I replied.

"Don't hide it from me; I know you liked Skyler ever since the first day you met him, but you were hurt that he never paid attention to you, so instead of showing your true emotions, you tried to hide them in your heart." She declared, and I was so shocked that my sister knew my secret.

"Don't make me laugh, Gwen; I don't like Skyler at all; you got the wrong idea, little sister," I responded as I quickly walked towards the door since I didn't want my sister to see my face. I was blushing, and I could feel my face turning crimson while I could hear my sister's laughter echoing in my room as I closed the door.

Stanley was talking with my dad as they watched a basketball game in the living room, and he excused himself when she saw me coming, and we both got out into the front porch.

I could tell right away that something was wrong through the expression on his face, and I wondered what had happened with his talk with Dayana.

"Why are you here, Stanley?" I asked with a stern tone.

"How could you leave me with your brother? I told you I didn't want to do it anymore, Stan." I added before he could have the chance to answer me.

"I am sorry, Selena; I don't intend to leave you with Skyler. But I don't have a choice; I was dying to meet Dayana, and I didn't expect our talk to end badly." He responded as he released a heavy sigh.

"How bad?" I asked.

"Well, she was asking me about the promise I made to her," he replied.

"Which is to put your brother in his place?" I asked, and he nodded his head.

"I told Dayana we don't need to hurt my brother if she likes me, and I was shocked when she started shouting at me and told me I could never have her as my girlfriend if I will not show her that I meant every word, I said the last time we talk." He said with a sad look on his face.

"Stanley, I don't think she likes you because if she does, she will never ask you to hurt your brother because whatever happens, Skyler will always be your eldest brother, and she must know that; besides, I already told you I don't want to do it anymore," I responded, and it broke

my heart to see my best friend look so miserable, but I needed to protect my heart as well.

"I know, Selena, I came here, not because I wanted to beg you to do it; I just wanted to see you and release the pain that I feel and share it with you because you are the only one who will listen to me." He stated, and I smiled at him.

"Of course, I will always be here for you, and you can tell me anything," I replied, and I laughed when he hugged me.

"I want you to come with me to our house," he said with puppy eyes, and I knew he would ask me to come with him.

"Stan, I'm sorry, but I can't because I am answering my assignment," I responded, and his face fell.

"Please, I will help with your assignment, Selena; I don't want to be alone for now." He answered.

"I can't sleep in your room," I replied.

I don't want to see his brother because if I do, I am sure my heart will betray me. I needed to control myself before it was too late.

"Of course, I will take you home after answering our assignments." He replied, and I smiled at him. He accompanied me into my room, and he said hi to my sister when he found her in the living room.

I knew my sister felt so happy with the attention he had given her, and I gave Gwen a stern look, and she stopped giggling and turned her attention back to the television.

Stanley asked permission from my dad, and as expected, my father said yes right away. He knew Stan was a good lad, and he would be there to protect me all the time.

It was already dark, and my heart felt lonely when I looked at the sky and found out it was a starless night. Stanley was driving his car in silence while I could feel my heart racing, and I knew even if I was avoiding Skyler, I couldn't stop my young heart from feeling thrilled to see him.

But my excitement turned into dismay when I found Erika and Skyler on the bottom of the staircase being sweet together. I was beginning to believe the rumor in school that they were now officially a couple.

I felt my face turn red as I watched Skyler with anger all over my face. I hated him for being sweet to me, and I hated myself for falling for his charm when I knew I could never win against Erika.

She was too beautiful, and I could never compete with her beauty, and I am just glad Stanley didn't force me to continue flirting with Sky, or else I would be dealing with my broken heart soon.

Skyler Alcarazo was a temptation that I should avoid, and I hated the way he looked at me with an intensity that would always bring shivers to my entire body.

"Are you okay?" Stanley asked the moment we got inside his room.

"Yeah, I am fine," I replied, and he stared at my face for a long time, and I knew he wanted to say something, yet he left me on his bed without a word and turned his heels, and walked away from me.

Seconds later, I could hear the opening and closing of his bathroom, and when he came out, he looked so fresh, like his brother, and I hated that I noticed how hot Skyler was with his sweatpants and t-shirt when I saw him with Erika, and I know he was fresh from the shower too.

Stanley was true to his words, he helped me with my homework, and I was so busy writing my essay in English that I didn't notice he was already sleeping peacefully on his side of the bed.

I was yawning, and I couldn't believe it was almost midnight. I quickly put my things back in my bag, and I smiled when I found my flashlight. I didn't bring dad's motorcycle, yet I don't have the heart to wake up Stanley.

He must be tired or too hurt that he fell asleep quickly. I turned on his lampshade and tiptoed toward his door. I switched off the light and walked out of his room quietly.

I was shocked to find Skyler leaning on the wall outside his brother's room, and I could tell he was waiting for me, and before I could say anything, he was already standing in front of me. Skyler's intense gaze and his intoxicating scent made my entire body feel like jelly.

My words died in my mouth as he captured my lips, and I felt my bag fall on the floor as I kissed him back hungrily.