Chapter 3 Rejection

The party had lost its luster, sweat and fatigue were noticeable on some faces. Meanwhile, another group continued to have fun like at the beginning. The common room was alive with people and artificial smoke when Selena decided she needed to go outside for some fresh air. Daniela wanted to join her, but she didn't want to. She shook her head and walked out onto the patio alone, a little pale.

Outside, the air was cool and humid; a few pieces of careless glasses and plates lay on the tables. The music was quieter, and she felt relieved. She leaned on the railing and let the breeze dry the sweat on her neck. She brushed her hair aside and closed her eyes, enjoying the night. She estimated that about fifteen minutes would be enough to feel comfortable entering again.

It didn't take a minute.

The patio gate opened, and the three of them entered, as if the night had just begun. Luciano with his mischievous smile, Elías with his characteristic calm, and between them, Adrián, whose mere presence made his way without needing to say anything.

"Are you running away? What are you doing here alone?" Luciano asked her, getting close enough for his perfume to brush her skin.

"I'm just getting some fresh air, I'm not running away from anything or anyone," Selena replied, still holding the railing.

Elías remained attentive, observing nature, and Adrián stopped in front of her. He barely glanced at her without saying anything, and she felt the space between them shrink. However, he held on without moving.

Selena grew nervous, swallowed, and avoided his gaze. Feeling uneasy and safe at the same time. A very strange contradiction for her.

"You shouldn't be with us," Adrián repeated. "I think I've already told you that."

Selena lifted her chin.

"And yet, you're here. I got here first."

Luciano let out a soft laugh. Elias looked down after seeing her.

Adrian leaned a little closer and inhaled.

"Mate," he said. The word wasn't for her, but for himself.

Selena frowned.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

Luciano snapped his fingers. Elias tried to step between them to avoid a confrontation.

Adrian held her gaze, and for a moment, Selena saw his hesitation.

"It means there's a bond between us. But it's a mistake. It can't be. Nothing can exist between us."

"A mistake? I'm not a mistake."

"Of course, you're barely human. You can't be my Mate. Don't you understand?"

"A joke of the universe," Luciano joked.

Elias clenched his jaw.

Adrian didn't take his eyes off Selena.

"It would hurt you to be around me, it's another world," Adrián added.

Anger seized Selena.

"You don't decide which world I belong to," she yelled at him.

"Fate decides, but this time she was wrong."

Selena remembered all the times she had been ignored in her life.

The silence lasted a few minutes. Adrián breathed through his nose as if her scent were a provocation.

"You can't hang out with us, don't mix."

"You can't forbid me from using the common areas."

"It's just advice. I recommend you listen."

"Okay, don't worry, I won't mix with you."

She walked between the three of them, brushing Adrián's arm without even looking at him. Without asking permission or apologies. She reached the patio door and reentered the party.

Luciano chuckled softly.

"She's a sweetheart," he commented, savoring himself.

"It's not for you," Adrian told her tersely.

"Not for you, bro," he retorted, looking for a fight.

Selena crossed the living room looking for the exit. Daniela caught up with her near the stairs.

"What happened? Where are you going? It's early."

"Nothing, I'm going home. I don't want to be here."

"Okay, I'll walk you."

"No, stay, I'll text you when I get there, don't worry."

Daniela thought for a moment, but didn't want to contradict her.

She ran toward the hallway of the dorm. She had the impression that someone was watching her and quickly closed her bedroom door, locking it. She leaned against the wood and took as many breaths as necessary to calm herself.

She was upset; she didn't feel like crying.

She washed her face with cold water and stood in front of the mirror. She looked at herself and remembered Adrian's words.

"I'm not a mistake."

She turned off the light and got into bed, and like the night before, she dreamed of the forest. The howl and the light felt closer, as if it were watching her. She walked barefoot on the cold, damp earth and watched her feet sink in. It smelled of rain and vanilla, and the wind whipped through her loose hair.

"You're not for us, you don't belong here," a voice said in the distance.

"I'm not, I didn't say that. Enough with that."

The moment she denied it, the image shattered, and she woke up.

*

At the party, the triplets were still in the courtyard.

Luciano was checking his messages without much interest. Elías was walking, kicking glasses on the floor. Adrián leaned right where Selena had been holding her hands a few minutes before.

"You were cruel to her," Elías complained.

"I was clear, not cruel," Adrián replied.

-Sometimes saying things that way is cruel.

The night continued as if nothing had happened. Selena, in her bed, opened her eyes, feeling a strange heartbeat that didn't seem to be hers.

She clutched the sheet, feeling sick about the way she'd been rejected.

And without knowing why, she decided to start over, because behind that rejection lay fear, she could feel it. It was just the beginning.