Shot of Silence

Xiomara’s Pov

I’ve known César and Enrique or Kique my entire life, due to our parents working together. We met Liam in the 5th grade during recess, when he joined us in a game of soccer, and have been inseparable ever since.

At the beginning of high school, I started having feelings for Liam, and it was clear the feelings were mutual. However, due to our schedules, I ended up spending more time with Kique, ultimately developing feelings for him too. By the time graduation rolled around, Kique, Liam, and I had become a full-fledged love triangle.

We all got into the same college and were going to be living on campus as well, which now meant 2 things. I’d get to go to school with my friends, but I’d be attending college, with the 2 guys, I’ve had a crush on since high school. The more time I spent with Liam and Enrique, the more feelings for one another grew and

I knew that eventually, a time would come when I’d be forced to decide who I wanted to be with. When that time finally came, I wasn’t ready. So I postponed it. I told them that on the eve of our college graduation, I would give them an answer. Unfortunately for me once again, the time for me to make my decision has come.

I lay on my dorm bed, looking out at the moon through the small window beside my bed surrounded by boxes of my packed belongings. Now I have more on my mind than how I’m going to look tomorrow. Before I’m fully lost in thought, there’s a knock on my front door.

I roll out of bed and walk over to the door opening it for an annoyed César standing on the other side.

“Thanks for coming.” I say.

“Whatever, you really need girlfriends.” He replies. “Can I come in now?”

I move over. “Yeah, sorry.”

I walk back to my bed, sitting cross-legged facing César. He sits at my computer table, resting his arms on the back of the chair, looking at me.

“Xo, what am I doing here?”

“I don’t want to make my decision César.”

He sighs heavily. “You know what I think? I think you made your decision 6 months ago but dragged it on because you don’t want anyone to get hurt. Now, I’m sorry you feel that way, but let me remind you that graduation isn’t the only big decision we’re making tomorrow, and if you choose to be with Enrique which, I’m assuming you are, the decisions you’ll have to make will be much harder than this. You need to be prepared for the life you’re choosing to live Xo.”

I stare at the floor, no longer able to match his gaze as tears form in my eyes.

“Me odias César (do you hate me César)?” I ask whipping my eyes.

“No,” César sighs. “Xiomara I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.

"You’re the sister I didn’t ask for.”

I chuckle looking back up at him. “Thanks.”

“I just don’t like that you led both Enrique and Liam on for this long.

Now, go break Liam’s heart, and don’t take too long with Enrique.” César pulls out his headphones putting them on.

I stand and walk to the door. “Wait, what are you going to do?”

“I’m staying here. I can’t go back to my room because my friends decided to fall in love with each other, and if I walk in on you two, I will gouge out my eyes.”

“César!” I gasp laughing. “I’m not even ready for that, what kind of girl do you take me for?”

“An annoying one.” He puts his headphones on. “Now get out of here.”

I roll my eyes walking out, closing the door behind me. I make my way to the other side of the building where Liam’s room is. When I get there, I knock on the door and Liam opens greeting me with a smile, then lets me in. I sit on his bed while Liam sits on the computer chair, as César did.

“So,” He smiles. “what’s up?”

“Liam,” I stand pacing around the room. “I promised you and Enrique an answer about who I want to be with, and I wanted to tell you first what I made my choice.”

“Xo can you please stop pacing, you’re making me nervous.”

“Sorry.” I stop and face him. “I-I’m sorry Liam, but”-

“You choose Enrique. You don’t have to apologize,” Liam comes over to me wrapping his arms around me. “I just want you to be happy. I’ll be fine. Now,” he pulls away. “you’d better get out of here and get to bed.”

Liam walks me out. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I smile sweetly. “Bye Liam.” I walk out and watch as he closes the door.

I take a deep breath and walk down the hall to Enrique and César’s room. When I get there I knock on the door trying to hide the feeling of being a bad person off my face. With a smile, Enrique opens the door inviting me in. He sits me down on his bed next to him looking at me intently.

“I know that look.” He takes my hand. “Hermosa que esta mal (beautiful what’s wrong)?”

“Don’t worry it’s nothing bad. I made my choice of who I want to be with, and I just spoke with Liam to tell him that I choose you Kique.”

“What?” He stands staring at me shocked.

I join him standing and cup his face in my hands making sure his eyes are only focused on me. “Enrique Victor Gonzales, te amo (I love you), and I’m sorry it took me this long to realize it.”

Without another word, Enrique pulls me in for a passionate kiss. For what feels like 2 seconds bit, in reality, is 5 minutes, it’s just us in the world. Reluctantly pulling away, Kique offers to walk me back to my dorm, and taking his band, I accept. When we get there César leaves my room and waits for Enrique at the end of the hall.

I unlock my door, and just as I'm about to go inside Kique pulls me close.

"Oye, yo tabién to amo (hey, I love you too)."

I let go of his hand and head inside and get ready for bed. Once I'm ready for bed, it's lights out. The next morning after getting dressed for the day. Finishing up some errands alone, I meet my friends at the graduation ceremony.

Just before it's time to take our seats, Liam, Kique, César and I get together, and of course, it's extremely awkward. Luckily César helps me break the silence.

"I can't believe we're finally graduating. I feel like we've been in this school forever." He chuckles.

"That I think we can all agree on" Liam adds. So, what are you guys gonna do after graduation?"

"My dad offered the 3 of us jobs, but wasn't sure if you'd be interested." Enrique answers. "Unless you had something you wanted to do?"

Liam shrugs. "It's cool, I was actually thinking about going to work with my dad."

Before the conversation can finish, the principal asks all the students to take their seats.

Enrique's Pov

César taps Xiomara, and Liam and I watch as they turn then walk in the opposite direction. Liam and I walk in the other direction towards our seats in silence. We take our seats and the ceremony begins.

During the ceremony, I find myself struggling with my words, wondering if I should say anything to Liam, I say too much it'll sound like I'm bragging, but if I say nothing would that be rude? At a certain point, I just decide to suck it up and talk to him. I lean over to my left and whisper to Liam.

"Hey man, I know things are a bit awkward right now, but I wasn't sure if we'd get to talk after graduation."

"Talk?" Liam chuckles. "You sound like Xiomara."

I laugh. "I guess you're right about that."

"Dude don't even worry about it. I'm not gonna say I'm not hurt, but Xo chose you, and I just want her to be happy." He adds.

"Thanks, man and I'm sorry."

"Pssh," Liam brushes me off. "I'll be fine seriously." I dap Liam up just as the principal calls his name.

He goes up and I scan the crowd making eye contact with my father, who nods at me approvingly. It's as if he agreed with my decision to make amends with Liam. I didn't do it for him, but I'd rather have his approval than have him yell at me later. After the ceremony, César, Xiomara, and I find our parents in the crowd standing next to one another.

My mom hugs me, and my father gives me a grim handshake. Things get awkward when Liam and his father join us. I introduce my parents to each other, but it's as if there's no introduction needed and not for a good reason, but they're playing it cool for the sake of the children.

After the parental encounter, the families go their separate ways. César and Xiomara are to come home with my parents and me. Each of their parents will join us in the evening for dinner. The 5 of us pile into the back seat of a large SUV that my father instructs to be driven to my house. My mom and dad sit on one side, and César, Xo, and I sit on the other. On our way, my father addresses the 3 of us.

"Enrique, César, Xiomara." He announces.

"Yes sir." We answer in unison.

"now that you've graduated, I want you to be clear about your path in life from this moment on. I will speak with each of you individually in my office, and you must be honest with me and yourselves that you want to be a part of this business because once you decide there's no going back, there's no going back. Is that clear?" He asks.

Once again we reply in unison. "Yes sir."

My father inherited the Mexican Cartel from his father before him. Xiomara and César's parents worked with him, so of course, they weren't around much growing up. Like my father said, tonight the 3 of us will decide if we want to join. Should we choose to join, I will be next in line to take over, and as my wife, Xiomara will rule with me. As my best friend, César will be my right-hand man.

Liam's Pov

I watch Xiomara as she leaves the ceremony with the guy I thought was my friend and his follower.

"Dad, what the hell was that?" I scream. "Do you know their parents or something because you sure looked like you did?"

My dad grabs my arm whispering. "Not here." He demands. My dad drags me to the car, driving me to the station in complete silence.

He parks the car taking me upstairs into this office. He closes the door behind us. I sit in one of the seats across from his desk, while he takes his seat across from me. Still not having said a single word to me, my dad pulls out a folder putting it on the desk, ushering me to open it, so I do.

I open the folder to see pictures and notes of the Cartel my father has been studying for as long as I can remember.

"Dad," I closer the folder putting it back on the table. "Why are showing me this?" I sigh annoyed.

"I showed you this," He clears his throat. "Because that Enrique kids' entire bloodline has been running the Cartel ever since it began, with help from Xo, and César's families. If the cycle continues, those 3 friends of yours-"

"Ex-friends." I cut him off.

My dad smiles widely. "even better. Those ex-friends of yours will be next in line to take over, and I plan on ending each and everyone one of them. Son, are you in or out?" My dad puts his out our preparing for a handshake, so I take it.

"I'm in." I smirk.

"Welcome to the force kid."