Almost a Fairy Tale

This is a story in which the life of a young woman named Son changes completely. The story takes place in New York.

Son was a 16-year-old girl who lived with her parents and was in her freshman year of high school. She was friendly, cheerful, and open to any idea. She had many friends, but the only thing she was missing was that special person, that young man who would make her feel loved and appreciated, that person who is there through thick and thin. She wanted a boyfriend.

One day, Son was chatting with her best friend, Erika. Erika was telling Son how great it would be to have a boyfriend, go out on dates, go to the movies, or go for hot chocolate. While her friend was daydreaming, Son interrupted her and said, "Look, I haven't found that person yet, but honestly, what a drag. The best thing is to enjoy our youth. I'm not looking for anything, and we'd better change the subject before you just get sad."

The girls changed the subject, but deep down, Son wanted to be loved. She wanted to go on dates, get lost in some boy's gaze, have her first kiss, and feel like she was on cloud nine.

That same day, Son ran into her best friend Luis at the mall. They talked for a while, and as they were saying goodbye, Luis invited her to a party where teens from different high schools were going to get together. Son accepted the invitation and arranged to meet Luis at the party.

Son arrived at the party, and while she was looking for one of her friends, she saw the boy of her dreams walk by. He was taller than her, had a mane of black hair, big brown eyes, and the perfect smile. The boy saw her, and they exchanged glances and smiles. Son worked up her courage and, out of nowhere, walked over and asked him his name. "My name is Rodrigo, and you?" Son stared into his eyes, thinking that he had the perfect name—common, but perfect for him.

Rodrigo touched her shoulder and asked if the cat had cut her tongue. Son snapped out of her daydream and answered, "My name is Son, and as you've probably noticed, I'm a little spacey." Rodrigo smiled at her, offered her a drink, and that was the beginning of a great conversation that lasted late into the night.

Son and Rodrigo had a lot in common; they liked the same movies, the same style of music. Son felt like she was in a fairy tale, even though she didn't believe in that stuff. The night was coming to an end, and Son had to leave. She said goodbye and, as she was walking away, she realized two things: first, they hadn't exchanged numbers, and second, she didn't know if he had a girlfriend. Son turned around, and Rodrigo was already behind her. They laughed nervously. "Sorry if I scared you, but I didn't ask for your number."

"Don't worry, here, give me your phone." Son put in her info. Just then, she turned, looked him in the eyes, and asked, "Hey, we've been talking all night, but I don't know... do you have a girlfriend?" Rodrigo looked at the ground and said, "Yes." Son looked at the ground, too. She said goodbye again and walked away quickly, as she didn't want him to see her sad. She had already created a whole story in her head, and the saddest part was that she had never felt this way before.

When she got home, Son received a text message from Rodrigo: "I had a great time tonight. I'd like to see you again." Son saw the message, didn't reply, and was left thinking about why life was so unfair. Her heart had finally beaten hard for someone, and in the very same night, it had been broken.