She's Just That Kind of Girl

One | Violet

"Why don't you want ir a casa?" Selena asked. Sweet, concerning, naive, Selena.

"I have my reasons. Besides, Alabama is not a vacation spot. Let's go somewhere like. . . Bora Bora!" I could literally picture digging my toes through the cool sand and bathing in the warm, tropical waters that mimicked screensavers.

"No, no. We're going home, you're coming with us, and that's final," Dallas said.

"Excuse you? I'm not going anywhere and there's no way you can make me."

Dallas narrowed her eyes. "I'll drag you out of your house if I have to. You are going."

I rolled my eyes. "Bien. Good luck with that 'cause that's the only way you're getting me to leave my comfortable bed for a six-hour flight of misery."

Jack slumped there watching us bicker until he decided to but-in. "Okay, okay ladies. I'll look into some condos. Anything specific you're looking for? Also, let me know of any activities you plan on doing, I can get those things set up for you too."

"Oh! Season tickets to the Alabama Crimson Tide games. Sideline passes too," Dallas requested.

"I would like the condo to have nice countertops, updated appliances, and bathtubs. Of course three bedrooms," Selena added.

The more they kept talking about the condo and Alabama, the more it felt realistic that this was going to happen. I told myself there was no way I was letting them take me out of my house alive.

Jack scribbled away on a small notebook he kept on his person at all times for fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants moments like these. He nodded diligently and mouthed-out what he was writing. "Alright, all things are noted. I'll be in contact about the condo. If we're serious about this, then this has to be done as soon as possible. The process is always painfully long when buying living spaces. I'll contact a pilot for your private jet once we have a closing date to get you out of here and to Alabama. Now, we just need to gather and schedule the bodyguards."

My mind instantly went to Stone and I blurted out a, "HA!"

Everyone stared at me startled.

Stone Jones was our head bodyguard. He went everywhere with us. Every tour, every public outing and affair, interviews, award shows, literally everywhere. He was like a father-figure to us and had become romantically involved with our mother a couple of years ago. It was weird at first. Trying to picture our mom with anyone other than our father—much less our bodyguard—but we loved Stone and he made her happy so we welcomed it with open arms. Except recently Stone and our mother flew off somewhere secretly, only leaving behind a vague note that they were gone and they didn't know for how long. Together. Alone. All this taking place a week after my very public breakup with Shane. Just when things couldn't get any worse.

"With all due respect, Jack, I think we can manage without the bodyguards," Selena said.

"What? No bodyguards? Are you insane? The minute anyone spots you you'll be mobbed. Who's going to protect you?" Jack persisted, "not to mention the media is going to find and follow you eventually and there's no telling all the chaos they'll cause."

"Jack, Jack, Jack. Relax. It's a quiet campus. We're going to be fine!" Dallas insisted.

"At least let me go with you."

"No, no, no," I said, "you harsh the vibe."

"I thought that was your job?" Dallas said, crossing her arms. It was very much not a question.

"I mean, do you really want a different mood-killer up your culo?" I asked.

You could tell she didn't want to admit I was right. "Jack, that's a very kind offer, but the three of us just want to be alone for the relaxing two weeks."

"Dos de ellas," I corrected, holding up two fingers while I kept my eyes glued to the game I was missing then pointing those two fingers at my sisters.

My sisters eyed Jack as if to say see what we're going to be dealing with?

"Listen girls, I'm all for two weeks of getting away to destress, but not taking any bodyguards is irresponsible and reckless. Either you take three bodyguards minimum or you can't do this. Okay? Please. Safety is my number one priority and concern for you guys," Jack said, pleading his final case.

Selena and Dallas sighed.

"Bien." Selena said.

*≈*∞*≈*

I laid lazily on my bed, watching college football. The Alabama Crimson Tide had dominated earlier in the day against the Western Carolina Catamounts. So, I figured I'd watch the LSU Tigers play the Arkansas Razorbacks. In two weeks, we would play the Tigers as well.

I derailed in thought about how they were going to try and take me out of this gorgeous mansion of mine. The entire third floor was my master bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet alone. There's no way they're taking me out of here alive.

In the middle of witnessing the Tiger's fifth touchdown lead, Dallas called. I slid my finger across the lock-screen and answered. "What do you want, Warden?"

"Very funny, Violet. I'm just calling to talk to you about the trip. Jack snagged a condo! It's so beautiful, you should see—"

"I told you I'm not going. Are you deaf?"

"I'm dragging you out of your house, so you know you're going."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah okay, I'd like to see you get past my security system."

"Pues nada, we're leaving in the morning. Jack set up a pilot to fly us out with our bodyguards. The guards are going to pick us up. Everything was finalized today so the keys to the condo will be waiting for us at the front desk when we arrive. Can't believe how long it takes to buy a condo. A whole week. Which I hear is faster than it normally takes. Two or three weeks! He also rented a condo next door to ours for the bodyguards to stay in. . ."

My patience wore thinner with every babbling word that left her lips. "Look, that's nice and all Dallas. But I really don't care."

"C'mon, this'll be fun! Just imagine all the normal-life activities you'll get to enjoy!" she said.

"I can do normal things in Bora Bora."

"They'll be a lot of hot, southern guys I'll bet you," she said as if that would be the thing to get me to want to go.

"All the more reason not to go and also, especially do not care about that either."

"Oh c'mon, Violet. What will it take to get the old you back?"

"Erasing all my memories up to this point or a time machine, take your pick."

I could hear her frown over the phone. "Well, there's just no pleasing you, is there? Either way, pack up. We've got a long-ish flight tomorrow. We have to be off the ground at siete."

"Okay, see you tomorrow . . . not." I hung up.

**SPANISH TRANSLATIONS**

Dios / God

Sí, lo estás. Este viaje no sucederá sin que vengas, así que te vas / yes, you are. This trip won't happen without you, so you're coming.

Ir a casa / to go home

Bien / good or well

Culo / ass

Dos de ellas / two of them

Pues nada / anyway

Siete / seven