This is my first attempt at a multi-chapter anything, because I'm terrible at carrying a storyline out. But I was really frustrated by the show's lack of coverage of Jesús and Mariana's mourning at losing Lexi, and I felt the need to fill the whole. Basically, this is going to be about five chapters. Also, thanks to everyone for the nice reviews - I rarely check my fanfic profile but it's so wonderful to see all the sweet things y'all say. I hope this is up to snuff! Also, it was pointed out to me by lifesizehysteria that the picnic takes place in the Fosters' garden, not in the Rivera's. Oops. Ignore that, please.
Mariana's jaw fell open comically, a cartoon caricature of shock. Her English teacher's brow furrowed in response to her obvious confusion.
"She didn't tell you?" Timothy asked, puzzled. He knew Lexi Rivera and Mariana Foster were best friends; he'd had to separate them more than enough times. He couldn't imagine the tall girl keeping a secret this big from her friend, but then again, he wasn't a teenage girl.
Mariana snapped her mouth shut, shaking her head.
"Oh, Mariana, I'm sorry," Timothy started, but the sophomore had already ran out of his classroom. Sighing, he turned back to his desk and began to prepare for his next lesson.
Mariana ran down the hall blindly, her chest tight. Finally, she was out in the sunny San Diego air, throwing herself down onto a cafeteria bench and gasping for breath. Lexi, her Lexi, leaving forever? It couldn't be. She remembered her grandmother's quip at breakfast that morning, and bit her bottom lip, a single tear falling down her cheek. She knew she had to see her friend.
She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and texted Lexi
Timothy told me you're leaving. Are you at your house?
It only took a moment for the other girl to respond.
Yeah. Come see me?
On my way, Mariana texted, standing up and pulling her bag back onto her shoulder. She shoved the cell into her shorts again and glanced around for any adults. Upon seeing no one, she walked towards the beach, following her own advice to Callie so many weeks ago and leaving out the back way, so Lena couldn't see.
Mariana sat on Lexi's front steps, waiting for Jesús to finish saying goodbye. She'd made a picnic for her brother and friend, a Last Supper in its own right. She felt drained, like she had cried every possible tear in the world that afternoon. Her phone buzzed, and she flipped it over to reveal a text from her mum.
Do you know where Jesús is? His board is home but he's not.
She sighed, unlocking her phone with a few clicks and writing a response.
Yeah, we're together. Home in 15.
The door creaked behind her and her twin came out of their best friend's house, clearly struggling not to cry. Mariana stood up and held her arms out, and brother and sister fell into each other with a sigh.
"Mom texted me," Mariana said after their hug.
"Are we in trouble?"
"No. I told her we'd be home soon, though, so we should probably start walking." Jesús nodded, and the twins headed for home, walking in dismal silence. After a few blocks, Jesús reached out and wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulders, holding her close. She put hers around his waist, leaning slightly on him, grateful for the comfort. Comforting Mariana made Jesús feel strong when all he wanted to do was curl into a ball and collapse. Still, he refused to cry, or show any emotion other than brotherly care.
The twins separated as they walked up the front stairs of their house and Mariana pulled the door open. Stef and Lena were both waiting in the living room, hands on their hips.
"Where were you two?" Lena asked, lips pinched tight.
"Just hanging out," Jesús said casually, glancing at his sister. "Why, are we in trouble?"
"Well, you both skipped two classes this afternoon," Lena accused, "and Mariana skipped three. Is there something you'd care to tell us?" The twins exchanged another look. Stef was usually the disciplinarian, but Lena had a thing about school attendance.
"It was an emergency," Mariana said finally, after a pregnant pause. She knew she'd have to tell her mothers eventually about Lexi leaving, but didn't feel she trusted herself to explain without crying.
"An emergency," Stef repeated, raising one eyebrow. "What sort of emergency?"
"Umm…" Mariana started, blinking furiously, but Jesús interrupted, trying to save his sister.
"Don't worry about it, moms." His voice was rough, hostile. He turned around and headed for the stairs
"Excuse me?" Lena said, stepping forward and grabbing her son's wrist. "You don't walk away, Jesús Foster. Tell us what's going on."
"Is it Ana?" Stef interrogated.
"No!" Jesús said emphatically, pulling his arm away from his mother.
"Then what?" Lena asked.
"Mama, it's nothing," Jesús responded angrily, crossing his arms. Stef and Lena exchanged a look. They recognized the anger as Jesús' usual defense for emotions, including guilt.
"Mariana, what happened?" Lena knew to target the weaker link.
"Nothing," her daughter said, tears coming to her eyes again. "Can we please talk about this later?" Another look passed between the mums. They could see their daughter starting to crack.
"Alright," Stef said with a sigh. "We'll talk to you two after dinner." The twins turned and thundered upstairs. "What was that?" she asked her wife.
"Why should I know?" Lena said irritably.
"They're lying, you know," Jude said from his seat at the dining room table. He hadn't even turned around, but neither mum was surprised he'd been listening.
"What's that, baby?" Stef said, coming up behind him.
"Mariana was using her lying voice." Jude shrugged matter-of-factly. "Her voice always gets that tension in it when she's lying. Or when she's trying not to cry." Stef kissed his head.
"Do your math, you eavesdropper," she order, ruffling his hair. "And when you're finished, if you want to come help set the table, that'd be really great. Mama's making stir fry."
"Okay," Jude said, smiling up at Stef. "I'm almost done."
"You've gotten a lot faster at that, bud," Lena commented, pulling her hair up onto her head. "Way to go." She too kissed Jude's head, and the boy beamed.