Read The Feria for Free Online

for this boy.
    One thing she loved about being with her abuelita was the careless nature about her. It wasn’t that Abuela was careless or uncaring or irresponsible, it was really that she just got things. She didn’t find the need to linger over Soledad. Whereas, if this boy were at Soledad’s home in El Paso, he’d have to get through an armed guard to get to the door, and then go through interrogations from her parents. They would not be allowed to go anywhere alone, but would have to visit in the living room or on the porch. And surely, the twins would have to be present as watchdogs. The fear of inappropriate sexual activity or the potential danger of anything happening to Soledad if she wasn’t with her parents overruled the need to live and let live.
    Soledad frowned. Her father was so different in California. Maybe it was the fact that he understood he could not control everything. When he was there working, Soledad did as she pleased. The beach, the theater, it was all hers for the taking. She could have easily dated a boy, and it would have gone unnoticed. But she didn’t want any of that anyway. She was a happy soul, off doing these things by herself. Maybe her father knew that, and perhaps that’s why he never worried about her keeping poor company. He didn’t worry about her off on her own; he just didn’t worry.
    Abuelita sent them off with a blessing. When Soledad’s feet left the porch, she felt like she had just entered a peculiar and thrilling world. And when they were out of sight and Xavier took her hand, she felt like anything in this world was possible. Their fingers intertwined, sending a thrill through every joint, every bone, and inch of her body, and she actually jerked.
    “Are you okay?” He looked concerned.
    “I’m great. I just caught a chill,” she lied.
    “Should we turn back for a sweater?” He slowed down and tugged on her hand.
    “You’ve got two strong arms for me, don’t you?” She smiled. Her boldness pleased her.
    She had caught him off guard, and he spoke with a stutter that pleased her all the more.
    “Y-yes, o-of course.” He glanced away and smiled at the ground, looking so sheepish that at that moment she found him completely irresistible, as well as her newfound take-charge confidence. This was, after all, her first real boy relationship, or her first real whatever this was with a member of the opposite sex.
    If there were any reservations about tonight, or where they stood, she had just extinguished them. His newfound confidence was undeniable as he let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her, and they continued their way to the feria .
    When they arrived, Soledad feared that the entrance would put a bad stigma around this evening, as her sight lingered on the spot where her trust had been violated. She felt herself pulled away. They wouldn’t be entering at the main entrance. Instead, without even realizing he was already saving her, Xavier led her along the side of the feria , and she gladly submitted.
    “It’s so dark!” She felt like they were sneaking in. She glanced around, scared.
    “I’m right here.” His voice was suddenly at her ear, and she could feel his mouth brush against her. He squeezed her hand and continued to lead her, but stayed closer so she’d feel more secure.
    Her eyes suddenly adjusted, and she felt better. Once they made their way through the unpredictable dirt and hilly ground, the endless patterns of tents lit blue by the moon, they procured a clean walkway and moved toward an opening. Two young boys gave them only a quick glance. Realizing it was Xavier, they greeted him. One with a nod, one with a wave.
    This section, she could see, was rather large, like a campground, and it was gated off from the actual feria with more space in between the two locations. In the distance, she could see people inside the actual feria, but where they were now, the workers, props, etc. resided.
    “Are you ready?” he asked.
    “I