Without You: Book 1 of the Changing Hearts Series by Yesenia Vargas Read Free Book Online Page B

seen.
    “Have a good time, sis.” He began to walk away.  
    “Jimmy!”  
    He came back and shrugged. “What?”
    “Are you guys going to…”
    “No. It’s a date! And I’m a gentleman.” He looked at her like she was crazy. “We’re hanging out and watching a movie. Ordering in.” He winked.
    She couldn’t believe what was happening. She looked at her phone. It was too late to cancel with Lucas. She would look like a jerk. Besides, she didn’t want to cancel on Lucas.
    “Have fun, sis. But not too much.” Jimmy walked up Mayra’s porch and knocked on the door. She had no choice but to leave and drive to the movies.  
    But not before texting Mayra.
    WHAT THE HELL???
    ###
    By the time Ariana arrived at the movies, Mayra had answered her text.
    :)
    She couldn’t believe that Mayra and Jimmy had tricked her. She sat in her car, wondering what they were up to. She shook her head to get rid of the image that had just invaded her mind. Surely they were just watching a movie, not even touching, much less kissing or who knows what?  
    Her phone buzzed again. It was Lucas. He was inside waiting for her. As she had gotten closer and closer to the mall, where the movies were, a knot in her stomach kept growing from the nerves.  
    She didn’t think this was a date, but it kind of felt like it.  
    As she got out of her car and locked it, she wondered what the night would bring.  
    She checked herself in the car window. There was nothing obvious like something in her teeth, so she went inside to meet Lucas.
    She saw him right when she opened the door to the mall. He was near the ticket booth with his hands in his pockets. He looked just as nervous as her.  
    She walked up to him, not knowing whether to just say hi or give him a hug or shake hands…
    “Hey,” she said. She settled for keeping her arms at her sides.
    “Hey.” Lucas came towards her, and they had an awkward hug. She smelled his cologne and closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds before pulling back.
    “You look nice,” he said.  
    She tried not to blush. “Thanks. You too.”  
    He really did. He looked like he had stepped out a fashion magazine, especially with his always-smiling eyes and perfectly white smile. Working at that clothing store obviously had its advantages.
    “Are you hungry?” He looked down at her and indicated the concession stand.
    “Not yet. I thought we were going to watch the movie first, so I had a snack.”
    “Oh. Yeah.” They began walking towards the ticket booth. “What movie do you want to see?”
    “Doesn’t matter.” They looked at the movie posters on the wall and the electronic sign above their heads with movie titles and start times.
    “What do you like to watch?”
    “Anything really? I like action, thriller, romantic comedies.”
    “Have you seen that new car racing movie?” He pointed at a movie poster with two racing cars on it.
    She shook her head. “Mayra, Jimmy, and I were going to watch it last time, but we ended up watching something else. I hear it’s good.”
    “Me too. Should we see that one?” They looked at each other.
    “Sure.” They got in line.
    A few silent minutes later, it was their turn. Ariana quickly got out some cash from her pocketbook, but Lucas handed over a twenty to the lady before she could even complain.
    “Lucas!”
    “What?”
    “I was going to pay for my ticket.” She grimaced at the fact that her comment came out kind of whiny, but she didn’t want Lucas spending all his money on her.  
    “I got it.”  
    The lady handed them their two tickets, and they began walking upstairs towards the movie theaters.
    “But you help out your family and stuff. You don’t have to buy me anything. We’re just friends.”
    As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she wished she hadn’t said them. They felt wrong. But it was too late. They stayed quiet for a minute after that. Once they got to the top of the stairs, they looked for their theater and