Song: "Animal" by Neon Trees

**

Heather was bored. Chandler had gone on another weekend trip. It had been about a month since they got back together after the incident, and everything was going relatively smooth, so Heather spent all those weeks making sure she didn't "mess up." Her grades had also gone up, and her mom was off her back lately.

Now, she lay in her bedroom looking through her phone. She finished her homework, and Bruiser was asleep, so there was nothing to do at her own house. She didn't want to lay in bed all day and sleep, but she also didn't want to text anyone to hang out except for Courtney, but Courtney was meeting up with her debate team for almost the entire day so they'd be ready for their big competition on Monday.

Heather scrolled through her contacts. Alejandro was the first name that popped up. "If you ever need to talk to anyone, all you have to do is text or call." She remembered his warm voice from the day she went over to his house. She- dare say it -had fun. Chandler wouldn't want me hanging out with another guy without him there. He's made that clear so many times. I don't want to risk him leaving me again. But I'm so bored. She bit her nails, thinking about her choices for a while. Geoff won't be there to take pictures. Chandler won't find out about this one. She decided to text Alejandro: Hey, jerk

Heather thought it would be at least thirty minutes before he texted back, but to her surprise, she got a reply from him in less than a minute.

Alejandro: Hola, señorita😉

Heather: Don't make me regret texting you

Alejandro: Oh no, I wouldn't want that!😔😁 Is there something wrong?

Heather: Are you busy today?

Alejandro: No, why??🤔😏

Heather: Shut up

Alejandro: We're texting, not talking😂

"Ugh!" Heather rolled her eyes hard, but blush filled her cheeks. I'm super bored today. I have no one to hang out with; she texted back.

Alejandro: Oh? You want me to entertain you?

Heather: It's just hanging out, but ok if you want to call it "entertaining."

Alejandro: I'd love to!😍

Heather: What time?

Alejandro: Can you do 4:00?

Heather: I'd rather hang out now

Alejandro: Now? Ok, if you are sure!😊

Heather: No, I'm not sure. That's why I suggested it, dummy

Alejandro: I'll be there in a few minutes to pick you up, Heather😉

A few minutes passed. Heather shook her head to herself because the idiot had forgotten to ask where she lived.

Alejandro: Oh wait, where's your house?😅

Heather: It's about time you asked🙄

She sent him her address.

Alejandro: NOW I'll be there in a few minutes. See you, chica😘

Heather wanted to slap him for his excessive use of emojis because they made her blush like crazy. And she knew he probably knew that which made her even more frustrated. Holy shit, I've got to get ready! I can't let someone see me in my oversized cat shirt and ugly grey sweatpants! She swung her legs over the bed and scrambled to her closet. She found a black crop top and a silver skirt. She grabbed her black knee-high boots and black leather jacket to match. She smiled at her choice and got dressed. She made her hair look extra sleek with her straightener and quickly applied some natural makeup and pink lipgloss. She looked at herself in the mirror. Why am I so concerned about my appearance? It's not like this is a date or anything! I just want compliments. Compliments from him. Fuck. God, no wonder Chandler worries about you cheating! Don't be a slut, Heather. She took off her skirt and changed into jeans. There. Now I'm not showing off my legs. She zipped up her jacket.

Before she knew it, the doorbell rang. Heather was glad her parents were at work because they definitely would've made life hell for her by assuming Alejandro was her side guy. She went downstairs and opened the door. "Hola!" Alejandro grinned. "Wow, you look stunning, señorita!"

And—he still compliments me? "Thanks. Just so you know, I have nothing better to do. That's why I texted you."

"I love how you insult me after I did nothing but compliment you. Never change." He winked.

"Ugh." She stepped out of the house, locking the door. "So, what do you have planned?"

"Que?"

"Don't you have something fun planned for us to do today?"

"I was not aware that I had to have a plan, chica." Alejandro chuckled.

Heather put the house keys in her tiny pink purse. "Well, I'm not dealing with your sparkling water again. So what's it gonna be, Casanova?"

As she walked past Alejandro, he found himself checking out her frame. Wow, was she always this gorgeous? He smirked. "We could take a drive in my fancy Porsche."

"Alright, awesome. Why not?"

He quickly caught up so he could open the door for her. "You know, you don't need to do that every time," she said, a barely visible smirk on her face.

"Oh, but I must," he replied, his voice gravelly. Heather got goosebumps from his voice but chose to ignore it. She got in the car. Alejandro got in on his side and pressed the ignition button. "Is there anywhere, in particular, you want to go?"

"Nope. You make the plans."

"I am surprised you're letting me control this day."

"I'm just bored, ok? I'll do anything at this point."

"Anything? Hmm, interesting," he teased.

"Do not get any ideas. You know that's not what I meant."

"What ideas, Hermosa?"

"I don't know; they're your ideas!"

"Or they're yours. Or both of ours."

Heather blushed hard. You're such a whore for thinking about all the things you two could do. "Whatever. Just focus on the road. So far, you suck at driving."

"I'll have you know that I got my license last year, and I am much better than most North American drivers."

"You got your license last year?"

"Sí. In Peru, you have to be eighteen to drive."

"Oh." Heather nodded.

"I like it here in Canada, but I also miss my home country. A lot of things are so different here." Alejandro turned out of her neighborhood.

"Like what?" Heather asked, studying the silver cup holders below her window.

"Every event actually begins on time here. We're used to starting at least an hour late than the set time."

"Why?" She laughed.

"I honestly have no idea." He shook his head, laughing with her. "Someone always shows up late. That's just how it is."

"Wow, that sounds aggravating."

Alejandro shrugged. "Not when you're used to it."

"Well, I mean, there's always someone late around here, but people get annoyed." Heather played with the ends of her hair.

"Did you grow up here?" He asked.

"Yeah. I've always lived in Ontario," she answered.

"Is your family from here?"

"No. Well, yeah, my dad's from here. My mom grew up in Japan. She met my dad when she was studying abroad. It's the cheesiest, most disgusting love story I've ever heard."

"That sounds muy romántica."

"Ew, don't say that. I don't like my parents."

Alejandro remembered Heather mentioning that her parents sucked. "Why aren't you fond of them, chica?"

"—I don't wanna talk about it." Heather looked out the window.

He furrowed his eyebrows, glancing at her for a moment. "Alright. I will respect your wishes."

Heather sat in silence, watching cars go by in the opposite direction. The small, white dotted lines between the lanes began to look like one long line as they got on the highway.

"What kind of music do you like?" Alejandro asked.

"I like pop."

"Basic," he tittered.

"Hey! Don't make fun of my taste in music!"

"I was kidding, chica. I do not mind pop. We can play that." He turned the radio on and shuffled until he found the pop station. A song had just ended, and it switched to ads. Alejandro groaned and turned it down. "I can not stand commercials."

"Me neither. It just makes me want to buy the product even less," Heather said.

"My thoughts exactly."

Heather got bored of staring out the window, so she looked around the car more. "Let's open the top." She pressed the button below the rearview mirror.

"Could you not press buttons in my car?" Alejandro reached for the button, accidentally touching Heather's hand. He immediately pulled away. Ugh. I am being so dramatic. It was just a tiny brush! Why is it sending tingles throughout my body?!

"What? Don't want the roof opened?"

"It's fine." He played it cool. "I wasn't sure you were pressing the right button."

"I know car buttons, Alejandro." She rolled her eyes. "There's a freaking label on it too."

He rolled his eyes back. "Still not your car. I can't risk getting dirty fingerprints on it."

"Excuse me?! My hands are clean!"

"They are not mine. And any hands that are not mine are contaminated."

"Jerk."

"I am simply protecting the quality of my car," he defended.

"You're so—" Heather cut herself off when she heard another song start. Ignoring what Alejandro told her, she turned the radio back up.

"Hey! No touching!" Alejandro whined.

"Shh! I love this song!" Heather started singing. "Here we go again. I kinda wanna be more than friends. So take it easy on me. I'm afraid you're never satisfied..."

Alejandro bit his tongue, stifling a laugh. She wasn't the best singer, but her voice brought him joy. The kind of joy that someone would get on a Christmas morning. Pure and innocent joy.

Here we go again
we're sick like animals
We play pretend
You're just a cannibal
And I'm afraid I won't get out alive
No, I won't sleep tonight

Oh oh
I want some more
Oh oh
What are you waiting for?
Take a bite of my heart tonight
Oh oh
I want some more
Oh oh
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight

Alejandro kept sneaking glances at Heather. He liked the way her long hair blew around her shoulders in the Autumn breeze and how the afternoon sun shone on her face. He was thankful that there weren't many cars on the road at this time of day.

Here we are again
I feel the chemicals kicking in
It's getting heavy
And I wanna run and hide
I wanna run and hide

I do it every time
You're killing me now
And I won't be denied by you
The animal inside of you

Oh oh
I want some more
Oh oh
What are you waiting for?
Take a bite of my heart tonight
Oh oh
I want some more
Oh oh
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?
Say goodbye to my heart tonight

Hush, hush, the world is quiet
Hush, hush, we both can't fight it
It's us that made this mess
Why can't you understand?
Whoa, I won't sleep tonight
I won't sleep tonight

"Do you even know this song, loser?" Heather's voice came in like an angel's, despite her mean words.

"Sí. I have heard it before."

"Then sing, dummy!" She threw her arms up past the roof.

"I very much enjoy hearing your voice, Hermosa."

"Ok, I'm betting you can't sing. That's why you refuse to do it."

Alejandro raised an eyebrow. "Was that a challenge? I bet I am much better than you."

"Prove it!"

"Oh-oh, I want some more. Oh oh, what are you waiting for? Take a bite of my heart tonight. Oh, oh, I want some more. Oh oh, what are you waiting for? What are you waiting for? What are you waiting?" He sang.

Heather started laughing. "Oh my god, you suck!"

Here we go again, oh, oh
Here we go again, oh, oh
Here we go again, oh, oh
Say goodbye to my heart tonight

"Oh-oh, I want some more. Oh oh, What are you waiting for? What are you waiting for? Say goodbye to my heart tonight!" They finished the song, both of them laughing hysterically.

"I think it's clear that I won that challenge," Heather said proudly.

Alejandro turned the radio down. "I think you are greatly mistaken, chica. My voice is beautiful, much like the rest of me."

"Your voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard."

"And yours sounds like an untuned violin." He smirked.

"You're such an ass! I can't believe you just said that!" She glared.

"Heather, you know I am just messing with you, right?"

"—Yeah, of course. Duh. I wasn't messing with you, though."

Alejandro merged off the highway. "You are so mean."

"Just because your voice sucks doesn't mean you suck. I mean—ugh." She blushed. "A slip of the tongue; you do suck!"

"I'm glad you like me, Hermosa. It is an honor, really."

"I never said I did," Heather scoffed. "That was a mistake!"

He chuckled. "I'm no fool. I know denial when I see it."

"Ok? So what if I like hanging out with you?" She crossed her arms. "I don't have very many close friends, so it's not like I had many options."

"Why don't you have many close friends?"

"According to the therapist I had when I was a kid, I have, and I quote, "no social skills."

"Well, I think they are loco. You have plenty of social skills from what I've seen."

"I'm not nice to people. That's just how it's always been."

"I don't like nice people. They are always so fake," Alejandro said.

"Like you?" Heather laughed.

"I am only fake around other fake people. I have to match their energy. Otherwise, I don't get what I want. If I had been rude to the supervisors in the University, I wouldn't have gotten the TA position. And I am planning on getting higher in the education system by using my charm and good looks." I was planning on seducing the teachers, but considering what happened last time I had any sexual interaction, that can no longer serve as an option, he thought.

"That's actually—really clever," she replied. "I think that anyone polite is fake too. My mom gets like that in front of strangers, but she's really a bitch." Heather paused, realizing she may have opened up a bit too much.

"Wow." Alejandro blinked in disbelief. "I cannot imagine calling my mother that! She must be—awful?" She nodded, looking down. He decided to leave her alone about it. "So, uh—would you like to come over?"

Heather smiled. "I guess I can handle sparkling water again."

"Sí! I knew you'd be back for more!"

"Oh yeah, the sparkling water is the best thing I've ever tasted," she said sarcastically.

"I'm glad. You are always welcome to come over and have some whenever plain water gets boring."

They arrived at his house, and Alejandro stopped Heather from getting out so he could open the door for her. Heather sighed but smiled when he wasn't looking. They walked inside, and Alejandro immediately got them sparkling water, as if it were a tradition already. "Should we study Spanish?" He asked her as he sat down on the couch.

"You and I both know I don't need any tutoring sessions right now. My grades have gone way up in the past month."

"I know, but it is nice to get ahead. I can tell you what our professor is teaching next week."

"Giving me an unfair advantage over the class? I don't want that! I want to get an A fair and square!" Heather said.

"No one says "fair and square" anymore," Alejandro laughed.

"Well, I do!" She scooted closer to him.

"I think that is a ridiculous thing to say." He scooted closer as well, inching his hand towards hers. "It's rather childish."

"I think you're childish."

"Mhm." Alejandro wasn't paying attention to their argument anymore. His focus slipped to a piece of Heather's raven hair that had fallen in front of her face. He ever so gently moved the stray hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. His touch radiated goosebumps across her skin. Her cheeks flushed pink as she saw him leaning forward. She almost reciprocated.

Almost.

"Wait, stop." She pulled away, blinking and shaking her head. "I can't—I have a fiancé. I can't."

Alejandro let out a breath. "Fuck, that is right. Mierda, I am so sorry. We can pretend that didn't happen. That was—" the feeling of his own blush cut him off. Usually, he didn't care if the girl was already taken. But Heather seemed to be in love with Chandler. She took him back after he cheated. That's not right, but she must really be in love to do that. She must be so happy with him. I don't want to ruin that for her.

Heather stood up. "I've got to—can you take me home?" He swallowed hard, nodding. Heather was in her head the whole ride back. That was so bad. What if I had leaned in? What if we kissed? I would've cheated. I was so close to cheating.

Alejandro awkwardly waved to her. She waved back and got out of the car. As she walked inside, she touched her lips. She couldn't help but wonder what his lips would've felt like on them. Why did I want it to happen?! Chandler now has every right to believe I'd cheat. I'm such a terrible girlfriend. She immediately texted Chandler once she got to her room because she wanted to feel more loyal.

**

⚠️Content warning: Masturbation scene⚠️

Later that night, Alejandro stepped into the steamy shower. He closed his eyes, relishing the hot water as it trickled down his muscled arms and legs. He kept replaying the moment he touched Heather's hand in the car and the moment he touched her hair. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make him want more. He wondered what her lips would've felt like against his—probably soft and sweet, like cotton candy.

He started washing his body, and his imagination took a turn. He pretended Heather was in the shower with him, completely naked. Her lips moved to his neck and sucked at his skin, then trailed down to his collarbone. He took deep, shaky breaths, almost not realizing he had grabbed himself and started stroking.

Heather was now to his stomach, her tongue licking off all the water that hadn't made it to the shower floor. "Fuck," he breathed. She lightly scratched his thighs with her nails before wrapping her hand around his hard cock. Alejandro shuddered, leaning against the shower wall.

He stroked down ever so slowly and pretended her lips were encapsulating him now. He sped up on himself and pushed all of his body weight against the wall. Her lips fit so perfectly around him—they looked so good and sexy. He pictured her looking up at him with her striking silver eyes and moaning over and over again.

"Yes, keep going, baby. Sí, right there. Just like that. It's so perfect; you're so perfect." Alejandro was now wholly lost in his imagination. He was a helpless, panting mess—and this was just his fantasy of her. He rubbed the head of his member in circles with his thumb as if it were her tongue. "Oh, Dios. Do it just like that. Just like that."

He imagined what her breasts felt like. So soft and perky and squeezable. "Ahhh," he sighed with pleasure. This got him going. His muscles tensed while the pleasure kept building and building like a fire inside of him. The level of passion he felt was so powerful. He felt like he could fall over dead at any second. His legs wobbled, and his breaths became uneven as he neared his end. "Heather—oh, Heather!" He absentmindedly moaned her name while he climaxed.

Alejandro let out long, ragged breaths as he came down from his high. He wanted her so desperately. He felt this was the only way to keep his composure around her without kissing her. She can only be in my dreams, but that's better than not at all.

After washing up, he got out of the shower and changed into his red pajama shirt and pants. As he brushed his teeth, he kept seeing her. He saw her in the mirror next to him, telling him about her day. He felt her hands on his shoulders and her lips on his cheek. He wished he could brush her hair and braid it before going to bed and stroke her hair until she fell asleep. And if she wasn't tired, he'd talk to her all night, or maybe hum to her and scratch her back. Or perhaps they'd spoon, and he'd breathe in her fresh scent and warm skin.

Alejandro rapidly blinked his eyes to get back to reality. It hit him like a train, causing a deep ache in his heart. I'll never love someone as much as her, and she can never be mine.