Connected by the Smoke

By Bel Romero Coplin

Karen is an outcast in the Montenegro family, shunned by her mother from the press and publica life, causing her to become a mere ghost. She is treated this way just because she is not equal to her siblings and cousins. Coping with her manipulative and horrible mother is not easy, but there is a silver lining. The only joy in her life is catchin

• Language: English
• Publisher: ibukku, LLC
• Release date: Feb 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781685745394

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CONNECTED

BY THE SMOKE

BEL ROMERO COPLIN

All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of this work is not allowed, nor its incorporation into a computer system, or its transmission in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright holder is a violation of these rights and may constitute a crime against intellectual property

The content of this work is the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishing house. All texts and images were provided by the author, who is solely responsible for their rights.

Published by Ibukku, LLC

www.ibukku.com

Graphic Design: Diana Patricia González J.

Cover Design: Ángel Flores Guerra B.

Copyright © 2023 Bel Romero Coplin

ISBN Paperback: 978-1-68574-538-7

ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-68574-540-0

ISBN eBook: 978-1-68574-539-4

Dedication

For the person who taught me that every broken heart needs a shoulder to cry on...

"We are both broken, but we have each other. You know who you are.

Unanswered Feelings

I always wanted to know what he felt,

when that gray smoke from his lips would expel.

Curiosity,

would drive me to spy.

As the cigarette to his mouth he’d apply.

Behind that tree which hid secrets galore,

with that peculiar shape,

the smoke would obscure.

It was clear I’d never draw near.

I just liked to watch him,

from the shadows that slowly did sear.

He would never know,

that I was that nerd girl,

from the shadows, his guardian, though.

The longing to speak just a dream to unfurl.

Though I knew the truth,

I admit the questions did swirl.

My mind would repeat, all the while.

What would happen,

if behind that bench, he saw my style?

What would happen,

if I asked him...

How do you feel when the gray smoke that rises,

from your lips fades, and reality in shadows disguises?

I’d always follow,

and he’d never realize.

Narrator

He was a mystery to many, but to her, he was a concealed soul. A soul that would settle behind the gray smoke. Behind a feigned smile, with an inner child that grew more fractured.

She wasn’t the typical good girl, but she had learned to be a ghost to all. Invisible in the eyes of the one she desired, or so we all thought.

Synopsis

Karen

For over a year, I’ve been watching him from the shadows. Observing how the smoke that escapes his lips draws me closer to him, pulling me towards those full, rosy lips and those dark brown eyes with light glints that never seemed to notice me.

He doesn’t notice me. Perhaps, he doesn’t even know I exist, but that doesn’t bother me.

A broken boy, sitting on the ground with headphones in his ears and an arrow tattoo on his neck. He didn’t notice me, but from that moment, I became his shadow, to put it politely.

From there, I began to study him: his gestures, the way he walked, how he talked to others. In short, everything. Only Adriana, my cousin, knew of my little obsession. My obsession with the bad, the forbidden, and the broken.

«He’s not bad... you just don’t know him like I do.»

Chapter 1

Karen

Listening to my mother complain from breakfast is part of my daily routine. Sometimes she’s so unbearable that I head to high school early or have breakfast with the service staff.

They’re all inept, I asked for perfect white flowers for the entrance and what they brought aren’t it" she paces back and forth, complaining about it.

Good morning! I exclaim sarcastically, smiling at Malik, the baby of one of the employees. This child gets more beautiful every day, Sonia. You should share the recipe I say, laughing, playing with his little hands.

Joker! my nanny comments from behind. Instead, tell us if you’ve written anything new.

Honestly, I’ve always loved writing, but sadly, there’s no room for that in my family.

No, I haven’t been able to, I have what they call «writer’s block» I murmur.

Don’t get discouraged, dear. You’re very good at what you do, even if you have to do it anonymously she says, serving me breakfast.

Yes, I’ve been writing anonymously since I was twelve. Truth be told, I don’t mind, I might miss out on a lot by being a ghost in the literary world, but I’d turn to ashes if my mom read anything I wrote.

Karen... Karen, where the hell are you? my mother asks frantically from the living room.

I’ll be right there, nanny I say, stepping out of the kitchen.

What do you want, mother? I ask, unenthusiastically.

First, take off that hideous coat and secondly, come home late tonight. I have a dinner with your siblings and some important people who shouldn’t see you she says the last part calmly, then plants a kiss on my forehead. Here we go with the manipulation again.

You know I’m only doing this for your own good, little ghost. Besides, I don’t need to remind you that you don’t know how to eat lobster she claims before turning and heading toward the garden."

When will the day come when she doesn’t hurt me? How much longer do I have to wait? When will the abuse stop? When will they understand? I’m tired of hiding and overthinking. Of having to be someone else’s ghost. Not to mention the times my rug becomes a pool of tears.

Azucena’s words, my mother, have always left me in the dark. Her commands and the way she speaks when someone asks about me will always break me. Everyone wonders: why don’t you leave? It would be the easiest option or so thinks someone who doesn’t experience it.

For years I’ve been emotionally dependent on others. Trying to find the love that my birth mother never knew how to give and never will. Over the years, I became numb to being the family’s little ghost. Leave? I’ve always wished for it, but the fortune that my father and grandfather left me as inheritance forces me to stay next to the beings that radiate the most hatred.

Until I say so, you won’t see a penny of that inheritance. Remember, you’re useless and in less than a week you’ll lose everything, dear.

Not being eighteen is another factor that doesn’t help, binding my soul to this golden cradle that has always suffocated me.

Chapter 2

Karen

It’s eight twenty-two in the morning, and I’m behind those benches that give me a view of the oddly shaped tree where my gray boy hides. The book on my lap is just a cover. Even though he has never looked my way in all this time, I’ve always had a plan for the day he notices me.

It might sound strange, but I’ve never approached him, not even when I found out he was the one throwing water at me, when he kicked my backpack, or even that morning in the first year when a teacher forced him to sit at my table. I remember vividly how my tanned cheeks burned and how nervous I was, creating imaginary scenarios in my mind.

The sound of my cell phone makes me jump, startled, since I’m lost in my thoughts. I tap the screen and Ariana’s name appears on it, along with my horrendous face, as it’s a video call.

I quickly run my fingers through my hair to look presentable and answer.

How are you? she asks, positioning her phone on a surface.

I’m doing very well, thanks for asking. I grab some fries and put them in my mouth, waiting for her response.

Well, rude, I’m doing well too. I shake my head, and stealthily glance to my left, noticing something odd about Evans.

Is he crying? No, that’s impossible. I know he’s deeply hurt, and when I analyze his handwriting, I can tell he has mommy issues, but I never thought I’d see him cry.

The urge to run to him, hug him, and tell him I’m here for him if he needs me is growing in my mind. But deep down, we all know I would never dare; I’m just a useless ghost.

Adriana calling striped pumpkin here she remarks, and I remember I’m on a video call.

I’m here, caterpillar... just... I have a class, I’ll call you later. I end the call without waiting for her to respond. My gaze shifts back to him.

All this time, I’ve never seen tears fall from his eyes, and seeing them now hits me hard. It’s a reality check.

What are you doing here, Miss Montenegro? the Algebra teacher asks. I quickly think of him and how, if she sees him, he’ll get in trouble.

Ahh! I shriek loudly, looking at her. You scared me! I shout as loud as I can, ensuring Evans hears me. My plan works, or so I think, because upon hearing me, he retreats behind the tree. Before, he was sitting on a slim root where the teacher would’ve seen him.

I’m so sorry, Miss Clark I say, feigning sadness. They suspended my first class, so I took it as a free period. Plus, I was on a call with my mother, and as you know, she’s quite strict. We just hung up.

Well, in that case, it’s okay. We both know your mother is on the board, and well, you know... I should get going, I’ll see you inside the school she says before walking away.

My cheeks burn as I sense his dark gaze on me.