HE 7

Anita thanked the lady who owned the shop, who was much nicer than the owner in New York. She walked with Jaunita back to the Casa de Scorpions as everyone called it.

"How did you guys get so, um wealthy?" Anita asked. Juanita laughed.

"Alejandro was rich in Mexico. His parents died and he was an only child, so he wanted to move away from all of his greedy relatives, so he moved to America. I was with him before his parents passed away. He proposed to me a year ago. We are still planning the wedding. It will be fabulous. I work at the seamstress shop, but I am terrible with a sewing machine. I just keep stock since I have a knack for keeping things orderly," she sighed. Anita thought of something.

"I could sew your wedding dress for you!" she grinned. Juanita's face lit up.

"Really?" she smiled.

"Si! I would love too! Just tell me what you would like sometime!" she said as they walked into the building.

"Dismissed," Alejandro said. He came and embraced Juanita. Anita walked up the stairs. She made it to their room and changed back into her teal dress. She walked up the last flight of stairs and to the rooftop. When she reached it, she breathed in a huge breath of fresh air. Bernardo was waiting for her. When he saw her, his eyes lit up.

"Anita," he said, kissing her passionately. When they pulled away, someone burst thru the door.

Chino and Maria.

"Let me go!" Maria screamed. Then she stopped when she saw Anita and Bernardo. Maria ran for Anita. She hugged her and started crying. Bernardo hugged Anita and Maria. Maria looked at Chino.

"He kidnapped me," she coughed.

"You ran away, little sister," Bernardo said sternly. She looked at him in disbelief.

"You sent him, didn't you?" she cried.

"Actually, no. He went on his own accord. It could've been worse," he chuckled.

"How?" she said angrily.

"Before I found out that Chino chased after you, the entire gang and I were coming after you," he said.

"I miss New York," she said, crying.

"Well, too bad. We are now in Los Angeles. And I need to talk to Anita alone, so go to the fourth floor. Ask for Juanita. She will tell you where your room is," Bernardo said. Chino nodded and pulled Maria along with him. Bernardo sat down on the bench. He patted a seat for Anita.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" she said, looking up at the countless stars.

"Mama and Papa want us to come back. The Jets are being challenged by a new gang, the Porcupines," he said. Anita laughed.

"Yes I know, funny name. But we as a couple have a desicion. I've talked to everyone in the Sharks. They really like it here. They want to stay. I am willing to go either way. It's up to you," he said. Anita looked up.

"I like it better here," she said after some thought. Bernardo looked at her.

"If we moved back, then I wouldn't be in a gang. There would be just us. We could get married, take care of my parents-" he smiled, taking her hand.

"Thats alot to think about. Why can't we just do that here? Everyone is so much nicer here," Anita said.

"Si, we could, but I made a deal with Alejandro. We can stay here, only if we would join their gang," he said. Anita was astonished.

"But- they," Anita said.

"Yes I know. But they said we must join. That's why I brought up New York. Another thing is there are some more of our friends from Puerto Rico coming to New York in a month. The place there hasn't sold yet. We can move back, accept new members, and crush the Jets once and for all!" Bernardo said in a big voice. Anita just sighed.

"Then what are we doing here?" Anita asked.

"First if all, we are waiting for things to cool off in New York. And we owe the Scorpions a battle. That was the dealbreaker," he said.

"What do you mean by a battle?" Anita asked.

"We must fight tomorrow night against the Jaguars. Alejandro garanteed our lives. We won't go in until we are completely necessary," he said.

"Oh," Anita sighed.

"They are having a war concil tonight," Bernardo said.

"And you aren't going?"

"We are the element of surprise," Bernardo smirked.

"Well, then. I guess we need a Shark meeting. Stat," she said.

"I already called one. You can go to our room. I'll be there soon. Good thing we didn't unpack," he smiled. Anita nodded. He kissed her.

"See you soon," he smiled. Anita nodded. She walked down two flights of stairs. She knock on Maria's door.

"Maria? It's me, Anita," she said. Maria opened the door and hugged Anita.

"We are returning to New York," she said. Maria got wide-eyed. Anita handed her a piece of paper.

"Tony tried to call?" she said. Maria looked down.

"I just can't do this anymore," Anita sneered.

"I love Tony!" Maria cried. Anita ripped the paper from her.

"This was a note from Chino saying how much he loved you and how sorry he was! You are a fool!" Anita hissed.

"I don't care, Anita! Can't you just see that?" she stood up angry.

"A boy like that wants one thing only! And when he gets it he'll leave you lonely! He'll take your love! Just wait and see!" she screamed. She slammed the door.

She marched up the stairs to her room when she opened the door, she found Tony. With a gun.

"Where is she?" he had the gun pointed at Anita. Anita fell to the floor. Anita remained silent.

"TELL ME!" he yelled. Anita stood up. He pointed the gun even more directly at her. She shivered.

"Don't ask me," she said, turning to leave. He cocked the gun.

"Don't make me," he said. Anita faced him.

"You've caused enough pain. Please leave now," she said, controlling her shaking. Tony aimed.

"If you shoot me, she will never love you," she said bitterly. Tony put the gun down.

"I'm not leaving without her," Tony said, pushing past Anita. She ran to the roof top. The Sharks were still up there.

"Tony is here! And he has a gun!" Anita squealed. Bernardo ran after the group.

"No! Stay here with me, 'Nardo! He had me at gun point! He'll shoot me if I'm alone!" Anita cried. When she followed the gang into the stairwell, it was silent. There was blood on the wall. Anita couldn't bear to look. Bernardo came to her and hugged her.

"Its Chino! He shot Chino!" Bernardo said. Anita rushed over to him. He'd been shot in the arm. The guys carried him off to the hospital. When they arrived, the surgeons removed the bullet and sewed him up. He was to stay there through the battle. Everyone said they goodbyes. Except for Maria. She stayed behind with Tony and Chino. Bernardo wrapped his arm around Anita. She shed a tear when they returned to their room.

"He had me at gunpoint, 'Nardo," she said quietly. He hissed and got up to find him, but Anita stopped him.

"Please stay. You are fighting tomorrow. You need rest. And I need you," she said. He sighed and nodded and went into the bathroom. He returned in sleep pants and shirtless. When he got in the bed with Anita, she smiled.

"That was alot of drama today," Bernardo laughed. Anita shrugged.

"Thats what happens when you are in a gang," she said and rolled over. Bernardo rolled next to her and snuggled into her. Anita sighed and let sleep catch her.