Alejandro's eyes shot wide open in the middle of the night when he realized something. I haven't slept with any other women for almost a whole month! And the entire time, I've been sleeping with Heather. I don't want any other woman when she's with me. He sighed, sitting up. "Aye, no," he rubbed his forehead. I think I... have feelings for her. But what do I do about them?

Duncan hadn't been asleep the whole night because he was texting Gwen. He rolled over when he heard his roommate. "What's up, man?"

"Ah! Duncan! I didn't know you were awake, amigo."

"Yeah, I'm not tired. And neither is Gwen."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not tired either."

"You were just asleep a few minutes ago. Don't play dumb. Now, what's going on?"

"Uh..." Quick, think of something! "I think you should get back together with Courtney."

"What? Are you high? There's no way I'm going back to that psycho. She's hot, and I tried to get to know her, but she has way too many screws loose."

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I think she's hotter than Gwen."

"Wait a minute...weren't you just on a date with her the other day? What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing, amigo." He faked a yawn, laying back down. "Just a late-night thought."

"Whatever, man." Duncan rolled back over to continue texting.

Should I talk to Duncan about it but keep her name out of it? He wondered. He's had a girlfriend or two, and he has one now. Or should I? Because he did cheat on Courtney. He claims he was in love with her before, but how could it have been true love if he was willing to hurt her? He decided to stay quiet and try to get some sleep, although it seemed impossible now. I think I'm in love with her, but I don't want to be. I want to show José that I can get more girls than he can. I must fight these feelings. I must.

**

Heather didn't get out of bed the following day. Courtney felt awful for her, but she had no idea what to do. Heather wasn't exactly easy to comfort. "Um...want anything to eat?" She shook her head, burying her head into her pillow. "...H, you've got to get up at some point. You didn't eat anything yesterday."

Heather ignored her and covered her ears with the pillow. She has to eat; eventually, Courtney thought. "Hey, I'm going shopping if you want to come with." She got no response, unsurprisingly. "...Alright. I'll see you later, hon." She grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

Heather turned back over, staring at the ceiling. I just want him back. Her stomach did flips when she thought of what her mother did. How could she? She hates me so much. I just wanted a burial! That's all I wanted.

She got up and threw up again in the bathroom. Ok, maybe Courtney's right. I do need to eat something. She grabbed a piece of toast and ate it plain as she went through all the pictures she ever took of Bruiser. She had a special album for him in her photos.

Her favorite had always been the one with her holding him as a kitten. Seven-year-old Heather looked so happy in that picture. She squeezed her eyes shut, letting a single tear stream down her cheek. I'm sorry, Bruiser. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for the last few minutes of your life.

**

Alejandro saw Courtney when she returned to the sorority from her shopping trip later. He smirked and caught up to her. "Hola, Courtney."

"Hi Alejandro," She smiled.

"How are you this fine evening?"

"I'm alright. How are you?"

"I'm doing fantastic. Speaking of fantastic, I think we should go out later tonight."

"I'd love to, but I can't. I have to stay home and watch over Heather."

He immediately felt concerned. "What's wrong with Heather? Is she ok?"

"Her cat Bruiser died yesterday, and her mom wasn't so nice about it," she cringed.

He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Courtney frowned. "Well...I won't say much, but I'll just say her mom isn't a good mom. And Heather was really close with her cat."

"Awe, I'm sorry about that. Yeah, it would probably be best if you stayed home with her."

"Definitely. She didn't eat anything all day yesterday and nothing today as far as I know."

She isn't eating?! "Make sure she eats today. She doesn't need to get sick."

She nodded. "Yeah, I'll try. Thanks." He waved to him before heading inside.

Alejandro furrowed his eyebrows with worry. She'll be fine. It's just a cat, he told himself. She'll eat eventually. He had no idea about the story behind her close relationship with Bruiser.

Just then, he got a call from José. He rolled his eyes but picked up. "What?"

"I want an update. It's been a few months. Body count since you started school?"

He clenched his jaw. "I am not telling you until I am done."

He laughed. "That makes me believe you've slept with no one. Wouldn't surprise me. Once a loser, always a loser."

"Oh, I've slept with plenty of women! And I'm still going!"

"I do not believe a word you are saying, Hermano."

"You WILL! Your days of tormenting me will be over!"

"Will they? Al, remember when I embarrassed you in front of your middle school crush? The whole school wouldn't shut up. I was genius, making it look like you peed your pants-"

"Shut the hell up," he growled.

"Does that seriously still make you angry? After all these years? Wow, you make it way too easy to humiliate."

"Not for long!"

"Dad seems to think so. Didn't he tell you to stand up for yourself like a man? That my teasing shouldn't affect you that much?"

"It's not just teasing, José! You bully me! And you will pay!"

"And I am going to enjoy watching you struggle."

Alejandro angrily squeezed his phone. He thought of all the times José messed with him on a daily basis. From calling him names to physically hurting him, to humiliating him in front of friends and family, and even online a few times. "Let me make this clear, Hermano. I will win this game. And I will do everything you did to me in our childhood. You will be begging for mercy." With that, he hung up, filled with rage. I've put off my bet for too long.

With nothing else but defeating José in mind, he went up to the first woman he saw walking on the sidewalk. Forget trying to get that whole sorority. I'll take whatever I can get. "Hola Hermosa," he greeted smoothly.

"Oh, hi," she blushed. Alejandro expected to feel that prideful high whenever a woman became flustered around him, but it didn't come this time. He brushed it off. I need to get her into bed.

"Are you by any chance...busy right now?"

"No, why?" She giggled.

"That's great. Would you like to see my room?"

She nodded in a daze. "Absolutely. I bet it's almost as perfect as you."

"Gracias," he smirked. Wow, I didn't even have to try with this one. I bet José has to try really hard! He led her to his dorm.

**

"I'm so glad you're finally doing something!" Courtney beamed when she saw Heather getting dressed for the day-well...by now, it was late evening.

"I can't just lay there all day. It only makes it worse. I might as well try to get my mind off it. At least for a little while."

"I'm proud of you. You're so strong."

Not really, she thought. She told Courtney she was taking a walk, but what she was really going to do was hook up with Alejandro. He may be an asshole, but his body can work wonders. Plus, he's not as bad as I thought...Still a jerk, but not AS much. His Instagram posts are kind of cute-

"Heather!" Courtney waved a hand in front of her face. "Are you even listening?!"

"Hmm?"

"Ugh, of course not. I was saying after you're finished with your walk, we could go out and get ice cream?"

"Oh! Yeah, that sounds good."

"You need to stop tuning out. You've been doing that a lot recently."

"Sorry," she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. Just go on your walk. I'll see you later."

"You too." Heather left the house and went across the street. She hadn't texted Alejandro before because she didn't want to wait for an answer. She knocked on the door.

Lightning opened it. "Sha-what?! Why are you here?"

God, he's so obnoxious. How can anyone stand him? "Is Alejandro home?"

He gave her a suspicious look. "...Yeah, why?"

"None of your business."

Before he could reply, Alejandro himself came to the door. But he was with another girl. She was tan, had blonde hair and dark eyes. Heather's heart dropped to her stomach. "I'll see you around, beautiful," he flirted. The girl only responded with a wave and a giggle.

Lightning looked disgusted and went back into the house. Alejandro saw Heather and stepped out to the porch, shutting the door behind him. "Heather, what brings you here?"

She watched after the girl walked away, her mouth slightly agape. Why is he talking to me all casually now?! "I, um..."

"Let me guess; you wanted me?"

"Who was that girl?!" She snapped.

"That is none of your business, chica."

What were you thinking, Heather? Of course, he hasn't changed. He hasn't changed one bit. He's probably been fucking ten girls on the side this whole time. She glared at him. "Well...I only asked you because she must have bad taste to be sleeping with you! And I was coming over to tell you that I'm done sleeping with you! For good this time! Have fun dating Courtney in the future and having dozens of desperate girls you feel nothing for to fuck whenever you want!"

Alejandro was surprised by her sudden outburst. Her tone of voice reminded him of when José would mock him. "And it's such a shame that you're quitting because I'd definitely make you one of them." He hated himself for saying that, but he was so enraged at José that he wanted to say anything that would make him stop pursuing Heather, so he could keep going with their bet.

Heather gasped lightly. He could tell that comment slightly hurt her. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Oh no, maybe that was too far.

"I wouldn't do that to Courtney. EVER. You're the biggest asshole in the world! I don't feel anything for you either, so it's mutual."

She...doesn't feel anything for me? I could've sworn she did! Wait, why does it even matter anyway? Ugh! She keeps distracting me from what I want! "I guess I am then," he shrugged. "But you already knew that... didn't you?"

She glared at him, flipping him off before walking away. That hurt him more than he expected. He wanted to run after her and apologize, then cuddle her. He mentally scolded himself for thinking more fuzzy feelings. He started slapping himself. "Focus!" Slap. "Focus!"

Heather slammed the door to her and Courtney's room, scaring her friend half to death. "Heather! What's wrong?!"

"Nothing important. I decided not to take a walk. Seeing people makes me mad." She grabbed her sports bag from the closet.

"Ok then...what are you doing now?"

"I'm going to practice ballet. Might as well be productive."

"Are you sure? You hardly ate anything. I don't think it's a good idea to-"

"Courtney, I'm a grown woman. I think I can make my own decisions."

"Fine," she sighed. "Just be careful."

"I will." She was already sliding into her ballet shoes. This will be good therapy for me. I need to get my mind off him as soon as possible. He was a player from the beginning, and I let him waste my time.

Heather went out from the back to her usual practice spot. She turned on some relaxing music as she began her warmup stretches.

She then got up and positioned herself for the first part of the dance. This recital was going to be more difficult than the one at the beginning of the semester, so it made her focus even harder, which, in her opinion, was a great thing—anything to keep her mind off her life.

Heather did her first leap across the gym floor, but something felt off. She decided to brush it off. I hardly ate, so of course, I'm going to feel weird. I'll eat more after I practice. She continued her routine, having no issues until she started spinning. She felt as if her stomach started doing a bunch of cartwheels.

She suddenly became extremely nauseous and stopped. She rushed to the nearest restroom and puked. "Ugh, what the hell?" She said to herself. I'm so sick of throwing up all the damn time! She reluctantly decided to stop for the night and go back to the dorm.

Courtney gave her a strange look. "Heather, you were hardly gone for long."

"I feel sick." She tossed her stuff to the ground.

"I don't want to have to say I told you so, but I told you so. Exercising on an empty stomach isn't good."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"You know what you should do next?"

"Yes, I know. I'm going to eat. But not because you told me to."

Courtney shook her head with a smirk. She's so stubborn. But that's why I love her. She knew Heather wouldn't be Heather without that trait.