Life went on. I never told anyone else about my dreams. I figured the less people knew, the safer for everyone, but I did enjoy a late night talk with Alejandro every night. He kept me calm, and our conversations kept the nightmares at bay. I made a point to never ask him where he was or what he was doing; something that he never mentioned, but he noticed and greatly appreciated. It wasn't so much about him seeing other people like most people do, but... that secret job of his... I felt that it was best if I didn't know.

He came to see me on every holiday, and every birthday celebration, both mine and Sandy's and even Bruno's. Neither of us mentioned that time we held each other close and our feelings were revealed. He did not touch me at all anymore. Not like before, but I could still see his longing. Every once in a while, he would steal a chaste touch of some sort. Something like gently tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. Innocent things. It was an unspoken promise of what could be our future, but I knew it would be only if I wanted it.

Eventually the media did get ahold of some kind of image like that. I was home most of the time anyway, so it really didn't affect my life at all. Alejandro made it clear to the world that "she's too young. Youth and innocence are precious." And my uncle meanwhile, informed the world that he thought highly of Alejandro, and thought I had a secure head on my shoulders. "If either one of them were to decide they wanted to start dating, they would have my full permission. For the moment, the both of them are content to simply remain friends, and Jani has also made it clear that she doesn't wish to start dating until she is of legal age, to Alejandro or anyone else she were to decide, if she even decides to date at all." There were other questions, such as did we ever plan on dating in the long run. Al would wave them off with a "That is then, and this is now. Anything could change in that length of time; but what Jani wants, is what Jani wants, and it will be honored." They asked him, "Even if she wants you?" He turned away, pretending that he didn't hear, and the interview was over.

There were also pictures of my ace ring, showing that I still chose to abstain. My black ring, made to form a black bow tie on my right middle finger. This led to the media explaining things such as what asexuality was, what the ring stood for, and so forth. Though some pointed out that the ribbon had the capability to be untied, and people with such things were open to change their minds, more as a demisexual, that would abstain until they had a firm foundation of friendship and trust. There were also quite a lot of comments that neither one of us looked like our actual age. Al was timeless, like he could be young or old. I looked much older than I actually was, though Al said I looked more my age without my makeup.

I thought about him all the time. I began to rethink my future. Sandy and Bruno still wanted me to go to college with them, especially Sandy. I just didn't know if it was my thing. They were both so lively and fun-loving. I was more of an introvert and homebody, and I liked it that way.

Also, most people went to college to get themselves a job to stay financially stable. I didn't have to do that. I was already set for life. All I had to do was figure out what it was that I wanted to do. So far, all those thoughts kept circling around Alejandro... I began to double up on my work, just so I could earn my diploma even sooner. Eventually I started taking college courses at home just to pass the time.

On the day I turned eighteen, I put Ferdinand in a box with a little love note. I wrote it in a spot in my room where I knew the camera could watch my every move. "I'm ready," was all it said, with a kiss in my favorite shade of lipstick. I was almost caught doing that. I had just managed to drop the note in the box when Sandy and Bruno came inside, looking exquisitely formal in a black dress and tux.

"Hey!" said Sandy. "Guess who is almost eighteen?"

Both Sandy and Bruno were aware that I would turn eighteen in only a matter of hours now.

"And we hear that you are already taking college courses," said Bruno.

"So not fair!" said Sandy. "You were supposed to go to college with me! We could have both been sisters in a sorority!"

"I don't think that is my kind of thing," I said. "I don't really do too well with large groups of people, especially when they are all trying to tell me what to do."

"I don't think Al would appreciate it either," said Bruno. "What if they try to tell you to suck a dick or something?"

"I don't think either one of us would take it too kindly," I said.

"Still though, you are the legal age!" said Sandy. "Aren't you excited? Let's go celebrate!"

"What did you have in mind?" I said.

"Well, there is this party, and they will be serving cocktails, and there is this special initiation for people that have turned eighteen!"

"What exactly is this initiation?" I asked wearily.

"Alejandro had us help him plan you a surprise party," said Bruno.

"BRUNO!" squealed Sandy.

"You don't believe she would have come if she didn't already know did you?"

"Probably not," I said.

"Well!" said Sandy. "I would like to think that WE at least have won her trust by now!"

"I trust you two just fine. It's the outside world I have issues with."

"He picked you out a dress," said Sandy. "I think he is going to take you out on an actual date!"

I smiled in an "I'm interested" kind of way.

Bruno pulled out a package from behind him. "Al borrowed Sandy to help him pick it out."

"Are you serious?" I asked.

"Yes!" squealed Sandy.

I opened up the little package, and I found a little black dress. I usually didn't wear such things; but the way this one folded, and draped, it made it look like it was ready to hug curves and accentuate them. I would not feel ashamed to wear this at all. I immediately went to the bathroom to try it on. I loved the way it hugged my body. Before I came out, I added smoky eyes and red lipstick. I added the hair clip that Sandy had given me the day before. They sparkled like diamonds. We also made a pact to embrace the things about us we didn't care to before, such as my curls, and her naturally straight hair. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I wondered why I was ever forced to straighten my strands in the first place. On my personal face and body, it suited me.

"You forgot the best part!" Sandy said when I returned to our room. She turned away to reach for something, her hair over her shoulders, revealing her bare back. Bruno eyed her hungrily.

"He gave you these as well." She handed me a pretty little box, and another that I presumed to be a pair of shoes. This box, I opened first. They were gold and....were those real diamonds encrusting the shoes? They were high heeled sandals, open toe, and very strappy. They felt as if they were molded to fit my feet. I began to wonder if the hair clip could be real too.

"So this is why you insisted on last week's pedicure," I said.

"And mani!" said Sandy, "and that red nail polish matches your lipstick perfectly! Look!" she continued. "Your shoes match your choker necklace."

I opened up the pretty box. A diamond choker necklace was inside, giving me a cold feeling. Yes, it matched he shoes. I didn't really like it at first glance. It reminded me of a dog collar. Or a cat's... An unpleasant memory resurfaced its ugly head. It was only for a moment. I pushed it aside and put on the necklace. Sandy helped me.

"Shall we?" said Sandy, taking me by the arm.

"In a minute," I said. "Just let me grab my purse."

"We'll meet you down," said Sandy.

"My lady," said Bruno with a smile, his hand resting at the small of Sandy's back. He made a point to touch her all the time, now that he no longer had a reason to hide.

I looked at the cellphone by my vanity. It was right next to the package I had put Ferdinand inside.

"Al? Are you watching me?" Before, there were no cameras in my room; but I had asked there be cameras in, on the promise that I would change all my clothes in the bathroom. "Just in case. I don't want to be alone."

The cell phone flickered. I had received a text.

"Yes."

I grinned a devilish grin. I pulled off my black ring, laying it on my table. My "ace" ring. I had no need for it now. I slightly raised up my skirt, and through the fabric of my dress, I pulled down my thong underwear, taking them off. I pulled out Ferdinand from his drawer, and gave him a long and lingering kiss.

"I did not just see that," said Sandy, quickly turning back around. I hadn't heard her come back in.

I giggled as she turned around and left. I put Ferdinand back in his drawer, draping my panties over his horns. I grabbed my cell phone, ready to put it in my purse. I got another text.

"I'm waiting."