Chapter 8: Devil Child

-Monday after school-

"Haley, I'm asking you nicely to please drop it."

"Mandy, c'mon. You haven't said anything about this all day."

I slammed my locker shut. "There's a reason I'd rather keep it that way."

"Aww, but why? At least admit you're happy he's coming to the little dance & not the formal."

In truth, I WAS happy he was coming. But the downer part is that everyone's going too & there are no official dates. Except, for maybe Haley & Carlos. But the worst part was Leah'd be there too, hanging out w/us.

"Eh. I hate dances so it doesn't matter either way."

"You are such a party pooper Mandy. The least you can do is fake a smile & act like you're excited for this."

"Haley, I told you I'm not crazy for any part of this & I don't wanna go, period," I snapped sharply.

Her face fell a bit. Crap. "I'm sorry Haley."

She wasn't convinced. "Yeah, I know."

I took a deep breath & attempted to cheer her up. "Okay, maybe I am happy we're going." I fingered my Yin nervously.

Her face lit up again. Gosh, this girl is so easy to please. "I knew you were! I can see it every time you touch your necklace."

I smiled. "Kendall's special to me Haley. He's not like every guy we know. He's not crazy or stuck-up or show-offy or any of that. He's just Kendall. If only there were words to describe how I feel about him. And I'm sorry for snapping at you."

She gave me a hug. "It's okay. I know it's because of Leah. I'm not happy about her going either. And you know what? You're in love w/him. It's written all over your face."

I punched her shoulder playfully. "Do not. I mean, I do like him. Like him like him to be exact. But I don't know how much he likes me. He loves me, but like a friend."

"I see the smile behind your eyes when he grabs your hand, the blush you do when he speaks to you, the smile you have when he looks your way. For goodness sake, I can hear your heartbeat accelerate when he crosses your mind. F*ckin' Sarah & Bitchy Leah are the only ones getting in your way."

"God, have I mentioned how much I freakin' hate her & her mom? She was gonna ruin their career if Leah didn't come along."

"Shh," she warned me outta nowhere.

"Why?" I asked confused.

"Speak of the Devil," Haley muttered. Making her way towards us was Leah, the school's biggest slut. She was wearing a mini-skirt w/a V-neck revealing too much, despite the cool weather today.

"Hi Mandy," she greeted me w/her fake shrill nasal voice deliberately ignoring Haley.

"I'm not the only one here," I retorted avoiding her greeting.

Like always, she the game I was playing. "Cute necklace you have there. I saw Kendall wearing the other half. It's...cute he gave you that." She wrinkled her too perfect nose in disgust.

I touched it as a reflex. "I'm his best friend. And he's mine too."

"Again, I think it's kinda cute the way you try to get attention. If you ask me though, you reek of desperation."

"That's where you're wrong Leah. I didn't ask you for any of your opinions. And unlike you, I try to stay invisible to him."

"Didn't look that way when he dropped you & your little...'friend' off this morning." She sneered scorning 'friend'.

"My friend has a name Skank. It's Haley. Say it w/me slowly 'cause I know you get lost easily. Ha-ley. Ha-ley."

"I'm not a dog to be barking at your command. But your little friend right there is. Speak girl. C'mon. I'll give you a doggy treat if you do."

I narrowed my eyes & clenched my fists, ready to aim at her. "Excuse you b-"

"Ah ah ah, remember who my mommy is."

I breathed in heavily. Haley restrained me. Don't do anything stupid. You'll regret it. Think of Kendall. her expression screamed.

"Leah, I think it's best you leave Haley & my sister alone right this second," Javi said coming out of nowhere. "Kendall wouldn't like it." He turned to me, ignoring our latest bitch fight. "Oh um, Mini-Me, Kendallsaid he was sorry but he wouldn't be able to make your Starbucks date tonight. He said he was busy getting some stuff."He turned back to Leah. "Oh & by the way, he's looking for you. He said it was really important. Lemme show you where he's at." He guided her away from us & towards the school parking lot.

She managed to turn around & give us, well me, the We-both-know-who-he-likes-better look. She turned away & began chatting w/Javi before I could flip her off.

"Breathe Mandy," Haley coaxed, "You & I both know she's just trying to get under your skin."

I took a heavy, shaky breath. "Haley, I'll kill the bitch for disrespecting you. How could I just let her treat you like that?" I slammed my fist against the locker.

"Mandy, relax. She's not worth getting mad over. Just drop it."

" You're not entirely right but she's not worth my time. Let's go home already. But first..." I punched the locker again as hard as I could.

"Mandy! Don't risk hurting yourself."

Too late. I'd already felt a bruise coming on. I was gonna hit it a third time, but Haley caught my hand this time. "Miranda Victoria Peña, it's not worth it. Let's just go already," she warned. She guided us the opposite way of where I was sure they were.


We took a little detour through the park so I could calm down & forget about the school incident & I managed to do it. Haley & I were swinging on the swings like little kids, having fun.

"You should wear your purple dress w/those one flats you have. You'd look so cute!" I squealed, referring to the upcoming dance.

"As for you, we should take you dress shopping seeing that you don't own anything dressy-casual."

I gave her a little push. "Well sorry I don't go to parties w/my brother every week."

She giggled. "Who's fault is it you spend your weekends cooped up inside your house watching reruns of 'Pretty Little Liars' w/Kendall?"

"Who's fault is it she doesn't make enough plans for a girl's night out enough?"

"Okay okay. How 'bout we go home, get ready & have some coffee at Starbucks in twenty minutes."

I jumped off excitedly. "Let's do it, since Kendall blew me off anyway."

She hopped off too. "Hey, it must've been really important if Javi had to tell you."

I shrugged. "He woulda told me face to face, but whatever."


I was home earlier than anybody, so I got the mail.

There were the usual bills, magazine subscriptions, my monthly delivered magazines, etc. There was something unusual today though. There was a letter addressed directly to me.

It was from the adoption agency. I frowned. They were probably giving us a heads up that they were coming a check-up. Although, they haven't done so since I was 12. I'd open it later.

I dashed upstairs, threw the envelope in the bed, changed outta my uniform, & grabbed my wallet. I called Mami to let her know I wouldn't be home since Haley & I were gonna be out, but we'd be back before nine.

I got a text from Haley. Ready?

Sure am. On my way out. I texted her back.


"Dang girl, you're sure obsessed w/M&Ms. At least share!"

I made an exaggerated show of showing her how much it killed me to spare some. We burst out laughing.

We turned the corner of Melrose Ave. & walked until we found the little café we were both crazy about.

We were able to find some accessories for Haley's dress including some hoop earrings, a hair curler & a new sleek black clutch.

As for me, I was able to worm my way out of dresses & skirts, so I bought some dressy black skinny jeans, a blue of the shoulder top, some Vans & a new beret.

It was an overall fun shopping trip since we were both in need of a major slurge.

We ordered some coffee, every one of their pastries & picked a spot overlooking the beautiful promenade.

"Next time, we're getting you a dress whether you like it or not."

"If there is a next time. But you gotta love my killer fashion sense,"I joked.

"Girl, you can shop, pair up, & accessorize. I don't know how you do it."

I shrugged. "It's not hard really."

We toasted our mugs. "To a fun night Friday."

I sipped on my coffee. "It's gonna be a good night. I can feel it. You, me, Javi, Carlos, James, Logan, Dustin, Kendall... & her royal pain Leah."

She ignored the Leah part. "Wanna know how you can make it better?"

I cocked an eyebrow skeptically. "How?"

She pointed to the necklace. "Ask Kendall to be your date. You know it'll be the best night you ever had."

"I would but there's no way I could ever ask him," I replied twirling it between my fingers.

"Why not? It's just like asking him to do you a favor."

"I don't know...I just can't."

"Even if he wanted to, he can't say no to you. He's under your spell. At least ask him, please?"

She pulled the puppy dog face. And because I loved her w/all my heart, I nodded.

" 'Kay, I will. Are you ready to go? The sooner I ask him, the sooner it'll be outta my chest."

I dialed his number. He hated when I texted him, so I always called him. Unless I was in trouble or something. He didn't pick up his phone. Odd. I shot him a quick text. Nothing.

"I don't think you'd wanna look for him now though."

"Why not?" I asked dialling his number again. Still nothing.

"He might be a little busy at the moment."

I chuckled nervously. "W-Why would you say that? He's never too busy for me."

She pointed our the window. "But his lips might be."

I stared in the direction she pointed & immediately regretted it. He looked busy all right. Busy to cancel on me. Busy to cancel the plan we made since last night. But not too busy to make out w/a little slut who never bothered to dress descently named Leah.

A little tear trickled down my cheek as I heard my heart crack.