What A Year

The other, Sebstian's pov

“Sebastian!” Lilah bellows from somewhere in the house.

“Seb!” She’s closer now. I grab my phone and step into the hallway, nearly colliding with her.

“You’re feeling down,” she accuses, “and it’s bumming me out, bro.”

I kneel to her level, brushing hair out of her face. “I’ll try not to be a downer on my birthday, baby sis.”

She puts her hand on my cheek, pulling my last thought to the surface.

The first time we saw you, Lupe. Your hair glistened that day.

Smiling she says, “Let’s go. I’m hungry and Momma and Dad are waiting.”

She bounces back to her usual self and we go into the living room.

Dad’s already got his keys in hand. “Well, you know if we don’t get going,” mom says, “we’ll be eating dessert in traffic.”

An image of mozzarella sticks drowning in marinara flashes in my mind. “I could go for some mozzarella sticks,” I say out loud, gaining a grin from Lilah.

We pile into the family car and drive off. My mind drifts, as always, back to you, Lupe.

Lilah puts on her headphones—her way of checking out when I get too sentimental.

I’m sure people suspect how I feel about you.

I’ve always respected your relationship with Victor and who you are to each other.

Still, there’s something special about you, something more.

As we near the restaurant, I play one of my favorite games. Closing my eyes, I whisper your name in my head.

“Guadalupe.”

I snap my eyes open when I hear it—“Who?”

No one has moved. All is normal.

But, I know I heard you.

The sound of your voice is a song I’d know by memory.

When we get to the restaurant, we’re seated quickly. Everyone’s chatting and laughing, but I can’t focus.

A flood of emotions flow through me.

Panic, confusion, and anxiousness.

These are not my own.

Our food comes, and Lilah and I share mozzarella sticks and I do my best to shield my thoughts from her.

As we’re finishing up, she says, “Hey family, wouldn’t it be awesome if today was the day Guadalupe woke up?”

And just as she says it, the waiters bring out a birthday cake blazing with candles and everyone sings.

Lilah has to sense something, right? Why else say that?

A text comes from the nurse.

Victor just left and she’s awake.

I nearly fall out of my chair. That woman is an angel.

She pities my puppy-dog devotion and always lets me know when it’s safe to visit.

I stand, grinning, “Guadalupe woke up!” I announce.

My family stares.

Lilah’s jaw drops. “I was just joking,” she whispers.

Mom and Dad cover their mouths, stunned.

“Dad, Mom—let’s take big bro to get his birthday gift!” Lilah says, catching on fast.

Coincidentally, we are not far from the hospital and make it there in fifteen minutes.

They leave me at the entrance and promise to wait in the cafeteria.

I take the elevator to the fourth floor, feeling lighter than I have in weeks.

I knock.

I know your mom is inside. I can sense her.

I’m not usually comfortable around Tonya, but today, none of that matters.

She opens the door, and her brown eyes flash to violet the moment she sees me. That’s her way of intimidating people.

Or maybe she just keeps that setting on for me.

“Sebastian,” she says. “What can I do for you?”

“I know she’s awake, Tonya. Can I see her, please?” She looks away and finally steps back, letting me in.

You’re sitting up in bed.

I notice the frailty of your body, but your beauty still shows.

Your eyes grow a little wider as we meet and I hear a faint clicking noise.

The air around you, jasmine and pine—fresh, wild, and delicate all at once.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you two, Guadalupe. I just had to see for myself that you were truly awake.”

We share seconds of blissful silence, until the tapping of your mom’s fingers on her phone echoes through the room.

“Apologies, Tonya. Please continue.”

She takes a sweeter tone as she speaks to you, “Your name is Guadalupe Jimenez. As to what happened to you—and how you came to be in this state—no one knows.”

She slowly continues, “Victor Delacruz, who was in here with you earlier, is your boyfriend, your mate.”

She swings her eyes my way and back to you. “And your other visitor here is Sebastian Hernandez—a friend of yours.”

Your eyebrow arches, as if that fact weren’t true.

My phone rings, a cue from my sister.

“I have to leave, Guadalupe, but I’ll be nearby, should you need me.” I hesitate, but my heart moves first.

I step forward and kiss your cheek—soft and slow.

I feel your response to my closeness—but you hold back.

I say goodbye and leave, practically bouncing my way to the cafeteria.

Lilah beams when she sees me. I know she feels it, too.

As we head home, I replay our conversation in my head. I glance at Lilah and notice her staring. “No headphones this time?”

And then, finally, I stop to think, why?

What happened overnight for my feelings to be this strong for you?

As we pull into our driveway, my mind feels heavy and full.

I didn’t even know you were like Lilah and me, magical. Until you decided to share your ability with us.

We shared a secret for a secret between us.

How long would it take for you to remember?

I burrow under the covers, holding onto memories, old and new.

Your smile and the feel of your soft cheek coax me into dreams.