Letty's POV
"Mia Come on, get up it's time for breakfast." I said shaking her arm to wake her up.
"What time is it?"
"It's almost ten O'clock"
"Why did your mom let us sleep so late?" She asked rolling over on her side in order to face me.
"Because it's a Saturday and it's my birthday!"
"Oh yeah, happy birthday!"
"Thanks, now come on before my mom gets mad that we're not downstairs yet." I said hoping off my bed and heading for my door with Mia trailing behind me.
"Happy Birthday!" My mom said as Mia and I sat down at the table.
"Thanks."
"I made your favorite chocolate chip pancakes, with eggs, bacon, and fresh squeezed orange juice." She said cheerfully as she sat two plates in front of Mia and me.
"Thanks mama, but you really didn't have to do this, cereal would have been just fine."
"That's what I told here." Elías said.
"I know that you wouldn't of cared but I wanted this birthday to be special because... well because you haven't had a good birthday in a years so I wanted to make everything about this one good."
"Thanks mama." I said smiling at her.
"Hey Letty do you have any syrup?" Mia asked.
"Yeah I'll get it." I got up out of my seat and walked over to the fridge.
"Hey Letty can you hand me another beer?" Elías asked
"Drinking already?" I joked, passing Mia the syrup form across the table. I went to grab a bear out of the fridge but Elías grabbed my arm.
"What did you say to me?"
"Let go of me." I said trying not to make a scene in front of Mia.
"Or what?" He questioned.
"Let go!" I said a little louder.
"Elías let go of her!" My mom said rushing over to us.
He let go of me and I stared at him for a brief second and went back to my breakfast.
"Okay, I've got to go." My mom said as she put her jacket on at the kitchen table.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to meet your grandparents at the airport."
"How long will it take?" I questioned getting a little worried about staying here with Elías.
"Not long an hour tops." She walked over and placed a kiss on the top of my head. "Ser bueno niña me vuelvo." (Be good baby girl, I'll be back soon.)
" Yo no te preocupes" ( I will, don't worry)
She walked off and shortly after I heard her car pull out of the driveway.
"I didn't know you spoke Spanish."
"Yeah my mom started teaching me when I was really young, so I know just as much Spanish as I know English and spending the summers in Puerto Rico also helps."
"Are you going to spend the summer in Puerto Rico this summer?"
"Just a few weeks."
"You're so lucky I've never even been out of California."
"Yeah it's pretty cool over there." I smiled.
We finished our breakfast and then we went up to my room I showered while Mia started to get ready. I take really long showers and it was after eleven by the time I got out.
"It's about time." Mia joked as I came into my room.
"Is my mom back yet?"
"Nope, but she should be back soon right."
"Yup I'd hope so, the party starts in three hours and we still have to decorate and cook the food."
"Can we help?" Mia asked getting excited.
"Yeah I think so."
I went over and grabbed some clothes out of my dresser and put them on, it was nothing special just sweatpants and a T-shirt.
"That's not what you're wearing is it?"
"No, I just don't want to get anything on my outfit for later."
"Smart idea." She smiled.
"Scotch over" I said sitting next to her in front of the mirror.
I looked at myself in the mirror and then over at her.
"Mia you didn't even do anything to get ready."
"Yes I did, I just didn't keep any of it on because I was just experimenting." She said matter-of-factly.
I just laughed at her and then I started to brush my hair.
"Hey Letty?"
"Hey what?"
"What that scar from?"
"What scar?' I asked confused.
"The one on your head."
"Oh um..." I didn't want to answer because I didn't want to lie. I knew exactly where the scar came from but how could I tell Mia the truth about my mom hitting me with a bat in the head. Thankfully I heard the door shut and a bunch of voice coming from down stairs.
"Come on Mi!" I said getting excited "I'll introduce you to my family." I grabbed her arm and lead her down the stairs.
When I got down stairs there was a crowd of people standing in my living room, My aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents were all here and standing in my house.
" Abuela, Abuelo!" (Grandma, Grandpa!) I yelled running off the stairs and into my Abuelo's arms.
"Leticia my darling!" He said catching me and spinning me around. "Look at you, you've gotten so big niña."
I was so happy to see them I almost forgot. "Abuela, Abuelo this is my friend Mia!" I said gesturing for her to come over.
"Nice to meet you young lady." My Abuelo said reaching his hand out to Mia.
"Nice to meet you too." Mia said with a huge smile on her face.
"Mia let me introduce you to everyone." I said taking her hand and leading her around to all the people.
"This is my uncle Andrew and my aunt Athelia, oh and this is my cousin Bella!" I introduced them and then we moved on to the other members of my family. Bella was twenty years old and I was pretty sure that we wouldn't be hanging out with her much, unless she stole Mia and started to dress her up like a doll.
"Mia this is my uncle Diego and Aunt Ella, and there two kids Gabriella (Gaby (6) and Mateo (2)
"Nice to meet you." Mia said extending her hand to them.
Mia and Gaby were a lot alike besides the few years in age so I could tell the once they got talking they would be really good friends.
"Let's move along, shall we?" I said leading Mia away from Gaby. They we already hitting it off and they had only been talking for a few minutes.
"Anyways Mia this is my Aunt Alexis and uncle Esteban, they have my favorite member of the family." I said smiling.
"Zeus, come here boy!" I called
"Who's Zeus?" Mia questioned.
"There amazing Pit-bull!" I smiled
"There's my good boy." I could tell he was excited to see me because he jumped right on me and started to lick me all over. After a few minutes of playing with the dog Mia and I went over to the rest of my family.
"Mia this is my uncle Marco and aunt Ester!"
"How you doing trouble?" My uncle asked as he pulled me into a hug.
"Good, I guess and I am not trouble."
"Okay you've always been trouble."
"Have not!" I yelled sarcastically.
"Anyways this is my best friend Mia and Mia these are my cousins, their kids Teresa (13) and Philip (15)."
"Oh great." Mia said rolling her eyes.
"What?" what I questioned a little worried.
"Dom and Vince are going to be all over her."
We both started to laugh and then we explained to Teresa who they were. I was to worried about them hanging out with Teresa because she was quite annoying and a little bratty.
"And lastly Mia We have my uncle Mario and his new wife Clara"
"Nice to me you." Mia smiled.
"Nice to meet you too." Clara answered.
"These are my uncle's kids Carlos (17), Cecilia and Sofia (15), Cayo (14), Hector (12), Gale (8) and this is their new baby I said rubbing her Belly."
"Oh that reminds me."
"What?"
"Is Hector coming to the party?"
"He promised me he would, so I think so and I'm pretty sure Edwin is coming with him."
"What about Zack?" Mia questioned.
"What about Zack?"
"Well I know you two have been getting along a lot better lately."
"And your point."
"I don't know I just thought that maybe, just maybe you had a crush on him."
"EW!" I yelled causing everyone to look over at us.
"Mia that's gross, I would never like Zack like that and besides we're only friends because we thought two evil master minds would work better than one."
"Right your guys' master plan to prank the teacher and other students almost every day."
"Well its working isn't it?"
"I'd say, you two are always getting in trouble... So did you invite him or not?"
"Yes Mia I did but it's not because I like him it's because we're friends"
Mia just started to laugh at me.
"Mi it's true, I don't like Zack at all."
"Okay, whatever you say." She said with a smile on her face.
We went on to help the adults get ready for the party. The girls were cooking and the guy were putting up decorations. Mia and I decided to help with do both cooking for Mia's sake and decorating just to help. With just under an hour left until the party Mia and I went up to my room to start to get ready.
Mia had Bella french braid her hair, while my mom straightened my natural wavy hair.
After they went down stairs we changed into our outfits. Mia had on a pink summer dress with matching pink flip flops, she was more dressed up then I was but I had to admit she did look nice. I wore a simple pair of jean shorts with a purple T-shirt that had a racecar on it. Mia had me Paint my nails a matching purple and hers pink then I put on my sneakers and I was ready for the party.
"Letty come down stairs Mrs. Graham is here from across the street!" My mom yelled from down stairs.
We didn't have many kids on our street that were my age but out neighbor Mrs. Graham had two granddaughters that were coming over this weekend so we invited them to my party.
"Hi Leticia and Mia it's so nice to see you sweetie!" Mrs. Graham said welcoming us as we came down the stairs.
"Happy birthday Letty." Samantha (4), the younger of her two granddaughters said.
"Happy birthday" Payton (11) her other granddaughter said with less enthusiasm.
"Thanks and why don't you guys come out back that's where everyone else is."
I escorted them to the back yard and I ran back to the door when I read the bell ring. I opened the door and saw Zack and his mom standing outside the door.
"Hey Let."
"Hey, come in." I invited them both in and my mom came back inside.
"Hi, I'm Zack's mom."
"Hi nice to meet you." My mom said shaking her hand.
"Well what time should I pick him up?"
"Any time you want, were having a bonfire when it gets dark if he want to stay for that I'd say to pick him up around ten p.m.. "
"Is that alright with you Zack?"
"Yup that's fine, see you later."
"Alright bye, have a good time." And with that she left and I went out with Zach and we started to hang out with Mia.
We went outside and started to hangout for a few minutes before our next guest arrived. This time it was Dom, Vince, and Tony.
"Hey guy!"
"Hey Letty happy birthday!' Tony said giving me a hug.
"Thanks, come on Mia and everyone else is outside."
"Wow Letty I didn't know you had this many friends." Dom joked
"Haha, you're so funny I forgot to laugh and for your information not everyone's even here yet."
"What babes do you have here?" Vince asked
"None that would like you!" I snapped.
Ever since they hit thirteen all they talk about is girls, I just hope that they don't hit on any of my cousins.
"Letty! Rachael and Veronica are here why you don't come say hi."
"Coming, talk to you guys later." I said leaving them out back and I went to say hi to Rachael and Veronica.
They were pretty much out back by the time I got to them and I said a quick hello then I went back outside to the party.
It was about five minutes later when David arrived with Adriana, and a few minutes later, when I saw Hectors Car pull into the Driveway.
"Hey Hector, did Edwin come too?" I asked opening the door.
I was so surprised by who I saw that I let out a small screech.
"Nicole!" I yelled pulling her into a hug.
I was so surprised to see her because I haven't seen her in almost a year.
"Come on follow me, you have to meet Mia!"
I dragged Nicole around out back until I found Mia who was chatting with Gaby.
"Mia." I said tapping on her shoulder in order to get her attention.
She stood up to face me and I started to introduce them.
"Mia this is my friend Nicole."
"Hi Nicole I'm Letty's best friend Mia."
"Oh sorry I think you're mistaking because I'm Letty's best friend." Nicole corrected
They both put their hand on their hips and looked at me.
"Well Nicole's my old best friend and Mia you're my new best friend." I said trying not to make either of them mad.
"So we're not best friends anymore?" Nicole questioned.
"No we are it's just you have been my best friend for longer so you're my old best friend and Mia since I have known her as long is my new best friend." I said trying to get them to understand what I meant.
They both just stared at me for a second before Hector interrupted us.
"Letty you rushed away so fast you didn't even see who else we brought." Hector announced and I turned to look at him.
I couldn't believe who was there it was Lorenzo, Juan (Nicole's brother), and Carlos (Hectors brother) who were all a part of my brothers gang and who I haven't seen in forever.
"Happy birthday Letty!" They all said in unison.
"What are you guys doing here?" I questioned giving each of them a hug.
"Well it's your tenth birthday and we wanted to make it special for you, plus we haven't seen you in forever." Lorenzo said.
"I haven't seen you guys since... since you know." I said getting quiet.
"Yeah we know and we're sorry." Juan said putting a hand on my back.
"Hey come on kid, cheer up. It's your birthday lets have some fun! Carlos said trying to bring me out of the mood I had just put myself in.
"Is everyone here or are you still waiting on people?" Lorenzo asked.
"Yeah everyone's here except my dad and Elena."
"Your dads coming?" Carlos asked a little surprised.
"Yup he should be here any minute with my sister. I'm actually going to wait for him out front. Have fun I'll be back."
I went out back and sat on the front porch and waited for my dad to show up.
It took about ten minutes but his car finally showed up in my driveway and I ran up and gave him the biggest hug that I could muster.
"I missed you papa."
"I missed you too baby girl, Happy birthday he said." Lifting me in the air as he hugged me.
He put me down and then I went over and said hi to Alaina and gave her a hug.
"Come on papa everyone's out back waiting for you." I grabbed him by the hand and started to pull him to the back yard.
"Everyone the party can start our final guest has arrived." I announced as I entered the back yard.
"Letty the party begin!" Tony yelled and everyone started to party.
The music started and people the adults started to shat and drink while the kids all broke off into separate groups to hang out with. I'm pretty sure that all the guys went out front to play football around and as much as I wanted to join in I decided to stay back with the girls.
I was actually enjoying myself for once and I couldn't have been happier with the party that my mom through me. Over these past few months I really have seen a big difference in her attitude and I was happy with how she was trying to get clean and better herself.
I was looking around at everyone and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. My mom was socializing with all her siblings, my Abuela was playing with Adriana, all my friends were laughing and getting along with each other, My dad and David were standing together joking around and my Abuelo was grilling food on the grill talking to Tony. Everything was perfect expect Elías who was just sitting there sipping on his beer. He look so out of place with sitting alone being antisocial and with about five or six beer bottles around him. He's been drink since he woke up this morning and with all the bottle around him I knew that he had to be drunk by now and that means he was getting mad.
"I'll be right back." I said walking away from Nicole, Alaina, and Mia.
"Mama." I said pulling on her shirt.
"What is it Letty can't you see that I' talking?"
"I know and I'm sorry, but I'm worried."
"Hold on Bella I'll be right back. Letty come with me over here."
I followed her over to an isolated place and then I told her what was bothering me.
"What is it Let?"
"It's Elías mama, I'm worried that maybe he's had to much to drink. I mean he's been drinking since I got up at ten and now it's four and I just don't think it's safe for him to be here."
"Letty stop worrying so much, he's fine. What do you even think he'd do with all these people around?"
"I don't know but we both know he gets angry when he drinks."
"I know how he gets but trust me he's not going to hurt you or anyone else."
"Okay"
"Okay, now let's go back to the party dinner should be done soon, Abuelo just started up the grill."
We went back over to the party and I walked back over my friends. I couldn't get my mind off of Elías I just wanted him to go so I knew everyone would be safe including me.
I just couldn't enjoy myself with Elías here, his drinking bothered me and he knew all the stuff I went through with my mom, so I didn't understand why he brought that stuff around me.
"Elías!" I said walking up to him.
"What do you want you little brat?" He mumbled taking another sip of his beer.
"Do you think that maybe... maybe you could go inside and drink that?"
"Why? Everyone's drinking look around! It's a party Letty."
"I know but you're drinking a lot and I think it would be safer if you just went inside."
"Safer? Why do you think that I'm going to snap and do something stupid, Leticia?" Elías said getting in my face.
"Well...no...I.. I...I just... Umm... well maybe... I don't know never mind." I stammered.
"Oh, no you don't Leticia you tell me what you were going to say." Elías said grabbing my arm to pull me back to him.
"Let me go or I'll scream." I warned.
"You wouldn't dare you little brat."
"Please just let me go!" I said a little louder.
"Be quiet!" He said squeezing my arm tighter.
"Let go!" I yelled
"I told you to be quiet!" Elías yelled as he slapped me across the face.
"Hey don't touch her!" I heard my dad yell as he ran up and punched Elías in the face.
Before I knew it my dad and Elías were rolling around on the floor throwing punches at each other until my uncle Mario and David pulled them apart.
The whole party went silent for a brief moment and all the sudden all eyes were on me.
I could feel tear swelling in my eyes and I have never felt more embarrassed in my whole life. I didn't know what to do so I just ran.
I could hear people calling my name but I didn't care because I didn't want to face them. I didn't know where to go so, I ran over to the only tree on our lawn and I climbed up the tree to a place where no one could see me.
It only took about five minutes until one of Elías' friend arrived to pick him up, and people started to search for me.
"Letty!" I heard Vince call.
I looked down to see Dom, Vince, Edwin, and Hector looking out front for me.
"Letty!" They all called, but of course I didn't answer I just wanted to be left alone.
Don got really close to the tree I was in and I thought he had found me but he called out to the guys that I wasn't over there and they all went back to the back yard.
A few minutes later I saw Dom come back out front and he walked over to the tree again.
Crap I thought to myself. I knew that he had saw me.
He started to climb the tree and when he got up to the branch I was sitting on he sat down and he didn't say anything.
I waited for him to speak but when he didn't I started the conversation.
"So you why didn't you tell the others that you found me?"
"Because you obviously don't want to be found or else you would of came down by yourself."
"Well thanks"
"No problem."
We didn't say anything for a couple of minutes until he started to talk again.
"Does he always hit you?"
"What?"
"Elías, does he always hit you."
"No, not usually."
"Letty, tell me the truth."
"I am, he usually doesn't hit me."
"But he has before?"
"Once, but he promised that he'd never do it again."
"Well he did it again, Let."
"I know and now everyone else does too."
"Did it ever cross your mind that maybe that's a good thing?"
"How could it be a good thing?"
"Well everyone will want to protect you so he'll never be able to hit you again."
"Yeah I guess."
He didn't say anything to me so I said the first thing that popped in to my mind.
"Why do you care anyways?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because I thought you hate me."
"I don't hate you, you just get annoying sometimes, just like Mia does and I don't hate her."
"Yeah but you're supposed to feel like that with her, she's your sister."
"Yeah and your like a sister to me."
"Really?"
"Well kinda, just cooler!"
"Yeah right."
"I'm serious Letty, you love cars, you're good at video game, and you're even better a sports then most guys are."
"Am I better than you?" I asked nudging him.
"You wish! You might be better than Vince but not me."
"I am so better than both you and Vince."
"At what being annoying?" He joked.
"No at sports, video games, and cars."
"There is no way that you're better than me at any of that stuff."
"I am too!" I insisted.
"Are not."
"Am too."
"Oh really, if you think you're so good then why don't we get a basketball and play."
"I'll play you anytime anywhere Toretto!"
"Okay then let's go right here right now!"
"You're on!"
I think it was right in that moment when I first realized that I had a crush on Dom. He was being so nice and helpful that the feeling of hate I had for him before had turned into something entirely different.
We both climb out of the tree and I grabbed the basketball out of the garage and we started playing. We stayed pretty even throughout the first part of the game before we got interrupted by my mom.
"Letty I've been looking for you everywhere!" My mom said worried.
"I've been out here for like twenty minutes, so you weren't looking too hard."
"Dom do you mind giving me and Letty some privacy, the foods done why don't you go get something to eat."
"Of course, I'll talk to you later Letty."
We waited for Dom to disappear out back before we started talking.
"I'm sorry Let, I didn't know he was that drunk."
"I tried to tell you."
"I know, and I should have listened, I'm sorry baby. Can you forgive me?"
"Well you've done worse and I've forgiven you before haven't I?"
She didn't say anything she just stood there and looked at me.
"Look can we just go back to the party and eat."
"Yeah let's go."
We went back to the party and enjoyed the party, when it got dark out David and Tony made a fire and we all roasted marshmallows.
People started to leave after they had a couple s'mores and it was just my family and the Toretto's left.
I was eating my third s'more when my dad call me over and sat me on his lap.
"Are you mad at me?" He asked.
"No." I answered eating my s'more.
"I'm sorry that Elías hit you, and I want you to know that i was just trying to protect you, when I started to hit him."
"I know papa and really its okay."
"I know but I just don't like when people put their hands on you."
"Yeah, I don't like it either."
He kissed the top if my head and nuzzled into him.
"Letty."
"Yeah?"
"How would you feel about me moving out here to L.A.?"
"What!?" I said getting really excited.
"I miss you baby and I want to be with you more. So what do you say?"
"I would love that more than anything papa!"
I hugged him as tight as I could and I didn't leave his side for the rest of the night.
By the end of the night I as quite happy with my birthday, my dad gave me great news and I had these weird new feeling for Dom that confused me but also made me feel happy. I Got to see all my family and some really old friends that I hadn't seen in forever, of course for me the party had its ups and downs but overall I'm happy with the outcome.