Song: "Wrong Direction" by Hailee Steinfeld

**

Heather woke up early to the smell of blueberry pancakes. She stretched in bed and got dressed in the clothes she wore yesterday. She went downstairs.  Alejandro sat at the table, eating breakfast.

"Good morning." He smiled. "I made panqueques! That is pancakes en español!"

Heather looked at the white plate he set out for her with pancakes and syrup drizzled on top. "It smells good."

"Sí! And it is delicious."

She sat down. "Thank you. This is really nice."

"Of course." Alejandro took a bite of his food. "You look like you are still tired, chica. You are more than welcome to sleep in. I have to get up early for school."

"I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway," Heather said, shrugging.

He frowned. She's so precious. "I don't like seeing bags under those gorgeous eyes. I hope you can rest well tonight."

"Hm. Thank you." She blushed.

"I also wanted to give you this." Alejandro grabbed a black box next to him. He slid the box across the table. "For you." He grinned eagerly.

Heather gasped when she saw the iPhone picture in the front. "No way—Alejandro! No, I can't take this!"

"Ok, I can always take it back and get a refund." He reached for it, smirking.

Heather's arms shot out in front of her. She grabbed the case. "I was just kidding! It's something you say, you know?"

Alejandro chuckled. "I knew you'd want it. Besides, mi familia is rich. This doesn't affect me too greatly. I thought you wouldn't want to be alone while I'm gone today."

Heather held the silver phone in her hands. "Wow. This is so unreal!" She laughed with joy. Alejandro laughed with her, admiring her expression.

"Heather, would you like to have dinner with my family and me tonight?" he asked. "They have to leave for another business trip tomorrow, so I want to spend some time with them."

Heather twisted the fork into her pancake. "Um—yeah, sure."

"You can say no. I get if that would be too overwhelming for you,"

"No, it's fine. If I change my mind, I can do something else for a while."

"Are you sure?" Alejandro touched his glass of water.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Spend time with your family. I'll most likely have dinner with you guys."

"I must warn you, though. My undesirable brother will be here. I wish he didn't live so close to our parents." Heather laughed. "Ugh, please, do not laugh tonight. It will only encourage him."

"I can't make any promises." She shook her head with an amused grin.

Alejandro rolled his eyes, then placed the fork and knife on his plate. "Before I go, I need to tell you that I went shopping an hour ago this morning. I got you clean clothing, so you do not have to suffer from wearing an unwashed outfit all day."

Heather scoffed. "You don't even know my size."

"Nope, but I took a guess and bought small sizes. And your gratitude is deeply appreciated," he replied sarcastically.

"Well, it's rude to buy clothes for a woman when you don't know her size. It's basic etiquette." She took a drink of her water.

"Apologies, señorita, but you have nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to your body."

Heather curled her lips in, looking down at the tile floor from the crack between her and the table. She did. She had permanent scars that no one could see. She lifted her head, feigning wellness. "Yeah, I am a size small."

"I knew I'd get it right. I am an expert on women."

"You obviously aren't, considering what I just told you about etiquette."

"But it seems I don't need lessons in etiquette because I am already so knowledgeable."

"Airhead!" Heather spat.

"I have a reason to be one, hermosa."

"Whatever. I'm done with my plate."

"You're not going to eat the rest of it?" Alejandro asked.

"I'm not that hungry right now. I'll save it for later."

"Ok. I don't want you to starve, though."

"I'm not going starve, Alejandro." Heather stuck her tongue out at him.

"Very mature." He smirked. "I will take your plate for you and put your leftovers in the fridge." He stood up and stacked her plate on top of his. Heather looked at her new phone. Yes! I can change my number! My parents won't be able to contact me anymore, and neither will Chandler!

Alejandro put their plates in the dishwasher and wrapped the pancakes up in tin foil before placing them inside the refrigerator. He walked past Heather and grabbed his backpack next to the door. "I will see you later, Heather. Feel free to throw your clothes in the laundry. I can wash them later. And also, feel free to watch tv or do whatever you like."

"Ok, thanks," she said.

"Are you sure you'll be ok while I'm gone?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Heather gave him a reassuring smile. He grinned back and waved before walking out.

Heather plugged in the phone and waited for a few minutes for it to start up. While she set everything up, she couldn't stop thinking about how sweet it was for Alejandro to buy this for her. She smiled to herself as she downloaded the apps and social media she wanted. I could live like this forever.

She played some games and watched a few YouTube videos on her phone for a while until she got bored. She was glad that she knew Courtney's number by heart.

"Hello?" Courtney picked up the phone.

"Hi, Courtney. It's Heather."

She gasped. "Heather?! Oh my god! I missed you so much, Heath! You freaked me out when you didn't answer any of my texts two nights ago! And then when you told me you were studying, I got worried! That's not the reaction I thought you'd have. And then you didn't show up to school yesterday!"

Heather furrowed her eyebrows. "What did you text me?"

"—You didn't see it? You responded!"

"When was this again?"

"The night before last night," Courtney answered.  "I sent you a picture of a huge cat bed that I thought Bruiser would like."

The night before last night, Heather thought. Where was I? "Hold on, Courtney. I'm trying to remember if I saw it." She closed her eyes. I was here at Alejandro's last night; I was with Chandler the night before. But I can't remember what happened. He said something about Courtney texting me—that must've been it. "No, I didn't see it. Chandler probably replied to you."

"Chandler? Why would Chandler reply?"

"It's—it's a long story." Heather traced circles on the wood floor with her index finger. 

"Ok. Well, I'm here to listen, H," Courtney said.

She smiled. "Are you at school right now?"

"No. All of my classes were canceled."

"Are you serious? No way!"

"I know. It's hard to believe, but it happened. All three of my professors had different excuses."

Heather laughed. "Is it ok if I come over?"

"Duh! My bestie can come over at any time! Are you off school today too?"

"Yeah."

"And why are you calling from an unknown number?" Courtney asked.

"My Spanish tutor bought me a new phone," Heather answered.

"Your—what?! Heather, I need to hear this story!"

"That's why I asked to come over. I'll need you to pick me up."

"Ok. I'll be right over!" Courtney said.

"Well, I'm not at my parents' or with Chandler right now. I'll send you my location, and you can meet me on the driveway," Heather replied.

"—Where are you, then?"

"I'm at my Spanish tutors' house."

"Ok. This is definitely a long story. I'll be there soon after you send me the address."

"Ok. I'll see you, Court."

"See you, Heath. Bye."

"Bye." Heather hung up. She grabbed the new red shirt and jeans Alejandro had bought her, then changed into them.

Courtney arrived shortly after Heather was ready for the day. Heather got a text from her saying she was in the driveway and walked out. "Babe!!" Courtney held out her arms. Heather smiled and hugged her friend through the window. "Get your butt in the car!" She playfully scolded. Heather laughed and got in the passenger seat.

"So," Courtney began. "First of all, tell me why you're at your Spanish tutor's house."

"He let me stay over last night," Heather answered.

"Wait, what?!"

"Courtney, can we talk about this when we get to your house?"

"—Oh! Oh yes. Of course!" Courtney started driving.

**

"I'm ready to listen," Courtney told Heather, her hands folded on her lap.

Heather took a deep breath. "So, for starters, I'm not engaged anymore." She held up her left hand.

Courtney gasped. "Oh no, Heather—I'm so sorry. Did he cheat on you again?! I will murder him!!"

"No, he didn't cheat on me. Actually, I don't know if he did, but it doesn't matter." She scratched her jeans with her long nails. "Chandler—he wasn't—he hurt me. It wasn't just the cheating. It was much more. It's been much more since the start of school. And I didn't want to tell you because I didn't know how you would react. I was scared."

Courtney gently touched Heather's shoulder. "Heath, you're my best friend. Please don't be scared to tell me things."

Heather swallowed as tears gathered in her eyes. "I know. It's just really hard."

Courtney nodded. "I understand."

"Chandler hit me," Heather whispered. "He hit me—multiple times."

Courtney's eyes widened, and she clamped her hand over her mouth. "Heather—oh my god. I had no idea."

"I didn't want anyone in our lunch group to know. The bruise that all of you saw?" Heather paused. "That wasn't from falling down the stairs."

"Heather, I don't know what to say." Courtney got teary-eyed. "That's awful. You did not deserve any of that. I can't believe he treated you like that—after two years?"

"I-I was so in shock yesterday that I couldn't even fathom what happened," Heather stammered through choked-out sobs. "Courtney, h-he did so many things to me. I can't talk about it!" She hugged her knees.

Courtney wrapped her arms around her in a comforting hug. "I'm so sorry, Heather. I can't imagine what you went through. That must've been so scary."

She aggressively nodded. "It was. I'm—I'm so scared to go back there. I'm scared that he knows where I am now!"

"No. I don't think he knows where you are. Does he know where your tutor lives?" Courtney rubbed Heather's arm.

"No," Heather replied.

"That's good. You're in a safe place, then. Have you guys called the cops on him?"

"No." She shook her head. "I don't want to think about seeing him again, even if it's in court."

"I get that," Courtney said. "But—we need to get him in trouble. It sounds like he's a danger to you. Well, I guess as long as he doesn't know where your tutor lives, you'll be fine."

"I don't think they'll believe me anyway. I have no evidence," said Heather.

"We'll figure something out. I'm sorry for rushing into the legal side of things. For now, let's just focus on you feeling better, ok?" Courtney stroked Heather's hair.

"Ok," Heather whispered, grabbing the fluffy grey pillow next to her.

Courtney smirked. "I have a question that may distract you. Is your Spanish tutor cute?"

Heather sighed. "Ugh, Courtney. I am not in the mood for that type of question. I just got out of a relationship."

"I never asked about a relationship." She grabbed another grey pillow from her side and leaned forward. "It's a simple question. Is he attractive or not?"

Heather rolled her eyes. "Ok, fine. Yes, he is attractive. But that doesn't mean anything. He was nice to me and helped me out of the situation."

"What's his name?" Courtney asked in a singsong voice, resting her chin on her hands.

Heather groaned. "Alejandro."

"Ooh, what a nice name. I'm already fawning over him, and I don't even know him!"

"Don't you have a boyfriend?"

"I'm just kidding," Courtney laughed. "I wouldn't trade Dunkie for the world. I just think it's really sweet that Alejandro's protecting you."

"He's only being nice because he feels bad for me," Heather said.

"Bestie, who buys an iPhone for someone they're tutoring?"

"He's rich. He probably does that for every girl. And he's such a flirt. He tried to flirt with me during our tutoring sessions when I was taken! I mean, how lame is that?!"

"Heather, there is no way that he doesn't like you. He has to at least a little bit." Courtney scooted closer to her. "Is he, like, a lot older than us?" She giggled.

"No, he's nineteen. Stop being weird." Heather grimaced.

"Oh, thank God. That would've been super weird if he were thirty!"

"He's a TA; of course, he's not thirty."

"Is he good at tutoring?" Courtney wiggled her eyebrows.

"Well, yeah. He helped me get my grades up," Heather answered.

"And he's helping you through hard times. What a man."

"Courtney, stop."

"What?" Courtney fell back against the couch cushions. "Can I not admire someone?"

"You keep telling me what a great guy he is! What does that sound like to me?!" Heather yelled, her voice wavering.

Courtney froze. "Oh, Heather. I didn't think—"

"I don't want another relationship! Ever! This—this thing with Chandler ruined everything!" Tears streamed down her face. "I can't put all my energy into someone like that again. I just can't."

"Heather, I know it hurts really bad right now, but you'll find the right one someday." Courtney smiled.

"Or maybe I'll think I have the right one, and then he'll suddenly start hitting me." Heather sniveled.

"No, not every guy is like that. Duncan's not like that! And Geoff's not like that!"

"I'd just be a terrible girlfriend anyways."

"What? Heather, are you kidding me?" Courtney said. "You are the best girlfriend Chandler will ever have. Mark my words."

"I don't know—" Heather's voice trailed off. All she could hear were Chandler's derogatory words towards her. He had hammered them in so much that she started to believe it. Dirty whore. Slut. Traitor. Stupid. She rubbed her temples.

Courtney wrapped an arm around Heather's shoulder. "Let's watch a movie. It looks like you need to take your mind off of him for a while." Heather nodded.

Courtney turned on the tv and found a lighthearted movie for them to watch. She glanced at Heather and noticed the detached look on her face. Courtney felt sick to her stomach. Living with Chandler sounded like a nightmare. And Heather didn't tell me everything. What else has he done to her?

Heather stared at the tv emotionlessly. Nothing felt the same—not even the things she usually enjoyed. All she could think about was Chandler forcing himself on her. It was so traumatic that she could hardly remember how badly it had hurt her physically. She wished she could only remember the physical pain and not how she felt. His cold eyes haunted her, and no matter where she turned, she couldn't get away.

**

"I can put the napkins down," Heather offered to Alejandro. Alejandro was setting up for dinner with his family.

"No, chica, I got it." He smiled. "But your kindness is appreciated."

Heather groaned. "Why won't you let me do anything?"

"Because you are a guest here, and guests are treated like royalty."

"Oh my God." She rolled her eyes.

"All you have to do is sit down at the table and wait for your spaghetti dinner to be served," Alejandro said.

"Fine." Heather walked across the wooden floor and sat in a chair. She leaned on her elbow while watching Alejandro stir the noodles in a big silver pan. Will Alejandro's parents like me? What if they don't? Why do I care? She stared at the zigzag pattern on the oak table. "I hope you're a good cook!" Heather yelled to Alejandro.

"I am. You will faint at the taste!"

The door suddenly opened, and Alejandro's parents walked in. Alejandro quickly walked to the door. "Hola mama and papa!" he greeted with a smile.

"Alejandro! Hola, mi pequeño!" His mother hugged him. Nuestros viajes se sienten tan largos sin ti!" Translation: "Our trips feel so long without you!"

"I know. I know."

She sighed in distress. "Y estamos a punto de ir a otro. Ya no tenemos tiempo juntos!" Translation: "And we are about to go on another one. We have no time together anymore!"

"It's ok, mama. We'll make time."

His father frowned. "Eso espero. Estaré fuera en Navidad, pero eso es solo por un día." Translation: "I hope so. I will be off on Christmas, but that's only for one day." 

"It's ok." Alejandro hid his disappointment. "Let's focus on the present." He turned them towards the dinner table. "Mom, Dad, this is Heather. She is an amiga of mine."

They looked at her and beamed with excitement. "Hijo!" His mother gasped. "She is beautiful! Es tu amor?"

"Mama!" Alejandro facepalmed, flustered. "No, she's mi amiga. You know what amiga means!"

Heather blushed. She may not have understood most of what his parents were saying, but she understood that last sentence.

"Hola, Heather. It is nice to meet you." Alejandro's dad shook her hand.

"Hi," Heather said with a polite smile.

"How did you two meet?" His mother asked.

"Could everyone sit down first? Then we can talk," Alejandro said.

"Oh! Of course. Of course!" His mom nodded.

Alejandro served them spaghetti, then sat down next to Heather, across from his parents.

"So," his mom began. "Meeting story?"

"Spanish class," they said unanimously. Heather frowned at Alejandro. "What?" He chuckled.

"Qué lindos son," Alejandro's father whispered to his wife, who nodded in agreement. Translation: "They are so cute."

"So you are her tutor, Alejandro?" His mom asked.

"Sí, yes."

"Ooh, interesante." She giggled.

"Mom, stop!" Alejandro twisted the spaghetti around his fork.

"I cannot help it! You know this! Right, Pedro?"

"Right, Mariana," his dad replied. "Alejandro, your mother is thrilled for you. You know what this could mean."

"No! It doesn't mean anything." Alejandro rubbed his forehead. "You guys are muy agotadores." Translation: "exhausting"

Heather held onto the bottom of the table. She assumed Alejandro felt uncomfortable by his flushed appearance. I'm shameful to be with. "Alejandro and I are just friends."

Mariana raised her eyebrow. "Alright, querida. You say that now, but time will tell." Heather crossed her arms, turning her head away. This is so embarrassing. He probably meets so many girls. Surely, he's found someone he likes by now.

Alejandro looked at Heather. She looks uncomfortable. "Did you know that Heather's mother is from Japan?" He changed the subject.

"Wow," Pedro said. "Do you ever go there to visit family?"

"Um—no. I'm not close with my mom, anyway," Heather answered awkwardly.

Fuck. Alejandro cringed. I tried to make her feel more comfortable, and it backfired. "I just thought it was cool that she has ancestors there."

"That is cool," Mariana said. "And although you are not close with your mother, I think embracing your heritage can help with self-love," she told Heather with a warm smile.

Heather nodded. A slight smile tugged at her lips. No one had ever told her to embrace her culture before. She suddenly had a flashback to her eighteenth birthday party earlier that year. Her grandparents had come over for the week, and they sang the Happy Birthday song in Japanese. Chandler was there, and she recalled him muttering something along the lines of, "Just sing the damn thing in English." She hadn't thought much of it that day because it was a small comment, but now, she felt angry and upset.

"I have a souvenir from Japan," Heather began. "My grandparents got it for me on my eighteenth birthday in Spring. It's a lucky charm. They're called omamori, and they're supposed to keep evil spirits away."

"That's fascinating!" Mariana chirped. "Do you have it with you right now?"

"—No, actually. It's—at my parents' house," Heather fibbed. She felt nervous and hoped Chandler had forgotten about the present.

Alejandro was dumbfounded. My parents know how to talk to her more than I do. Then it hit him: he didn't know how to talk to women. He'd never spoken to a woman alone about anything else except sex. Heather was the first woman he enjoyed having a conversation with. He wasn't sure how to keep it going, though. She made him crazy and nervous. I must pay attention to how my parents ask her things to learn from them.

"Hopefully, we'll meet again so you can show us," Pedro said.

"Yeah, I'd love to show you guys," Heather replied. For the first time, she felt happy sharing information about her family.

The front door opened, and in walked José. "Sorry I am late. I got caught in traffic." He saw Heather sitting next to Alejandro and scrutinized the two. "Hey Al, who is this?" He hung his black coat on the chair's back and sat next to Mariana.

Alejandro clenched his jaw. "This is mi amiga, Heather. Heather, this is my brother, José." He looked at him flatly.

"It is an honor to meet you, Heather. You look rather striking this evening," José flirted.

"It's nice to meet you too, José. I definitely see the resemblance between you and Alejandro," Heather said, stifling a laugh.

Alejandro gasped, offended. "We are nothing alike!"

"While we are of the same blood, we are very different." José nodded.

"Not true." She smirked, crossing her arms.

"Boys, basta ya!" Mariana scolded. Translation: "stop doing that/cut it out!"

"Alejandro, you and José are brothers; hermanos. I have seen plenty of similarities," Pedro chuckled. Alejandro and José both sighed dramatically.

"José, how is Cristiana?" asked Mariana.

"Mi prometida is fine, mama," he answered.

"Prometida means fiancé," Mariana told Heather. "They have been engaged for six months! I am so happy for mi hijo!" Fiancé? Heather felt sick. "They are getting married next Summer."

"Mariana is more excited than anyone in the familia," Pedro laughed, shaking his head.

"How could I not be? The wedding will be so beautiful! Everyone will be there. And I will cry!"

"She did it during Carlos's wedding," said Pedro.

Heather felt the late summer air and saw the balcony she stood on when Chandler proposed to her. She wondered if he meant it when he said "forever." What if he never loved me, even before he hurt me? A lump formed in her throat, and she suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.

Heather pushed her chair back. "Excuse me. I need—I need to use the restroom." She awkwardly shuffled behind Alejandro's seat and quickly walked to the bathroom around the corner.

She burst out in tears the moment she closed the door. I can't even have a regular dinner without thinking about him! She leaned on the sink counter and looked at herself in the mirror. You're broken. You'll always be broken.

Meanwhile, Alejandro stood up from his seat. "I'm going to check on her. She didn't look well."

"That's a good idea, honey," Mariana said with a concerned expression.

Alejandro knocked on the bathroom door. "Heather? Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." He heard a tiny sniffle on the other side.

"No. You are not fine. I know you're crying in there."

There was a long pause before Heather spoke. "I—I'm just upset," she choked out. "I-I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Heather." Alejandro sighed. "You don't have to come back out. I understand. But can you let me talk to you for a moment?"

She opened the door, covering her eyes with one hand. She backed up so Alejandro could walk in. "Was it the mention of José's fiancé?" He asked gently. Heather nodded in response. "Can I see those beautiful grey eyes?" She shook her head no. He enveloped her in his arms. She tensed, then let out a tearful breath. Alejandro felt her body shake. "It's ok to cry. Let it out, hermosa."

Heather buried her head in his chest, letting her tears fall. Angered and anguished sobs escaped her lips. She felt like it was the end of that world, so she held onto Alejandro for dear life. Her cries sounded muffled to Alejandro, but he knew she was letting out an ocean of pain. The more he saw her cry, the more he wanted to kill Chandler personally. Unfortunately, the only thing he could do was get him arrested, but not without Heather. She needed to feel stable enough to provide authorities with evidence. And no matter how long it took, Alejandro was willing to stay by her side the entire time.