Thank you for beta'ing, A Star In My Universe!
Warning: thoughts about an abusive past and threats to murder someone and commit suicide.
From the moment Lindsay's mommy had dropped her off at Christina's apartment, the two girls hadn't stopped having fun. They'd squealed and giggled at random things, had a glitter fight in the bathtub since that would be easier to clean, Aleida had said, painted pictures of sunsets or clear blue skies, bright yellow suns, green grass, and different colored flowers, played Barbies, and then house, where they took turns to be the mommy or the baby, pretended to ride their scooters to Disneyland, Los Angeles, and the moon, and had a little fashion show with some of Aleida's old shirts, hats, and sunglasses. They'd tried to wear her heels, but she'd told them it was too dangerous and they could fall. They're in Christina's bedroom, playing with Christina's makeup, when Aleida calls them for lunch. Immediately, they come running.
Christina gasps excitedly when her mommy sets out a heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwich on each of their plates. "Yay, white bread!" she exclaims while the girls bite into their food.
"Yaaaay!" Lindsay echoes her. "Ms. Diaz, can you do my nails after dessert? Pretty please, with whipped cream and sprinkles on top?"
"Sure!"
Lindsay beams. "This is yummy!"
"I'm glad you like it, honey," Aleida responds while smiling back at her.
A while later, Christina and Lindsay are playing with their Barbie dolls again. "My Barbie is sad," Christina mumbles.
"Why?"
"Ken's a piece of shit!"
Lindsay forms her mouth into an O shape. "You said a bad word!"
"So? Mommy don't care. She just wants me to be nice to people, and I am."
"Oh, okay. Well...Skipper can help Barbie feel better." Lindsay makes the African American doll go over to Barbie and hug her. Christina puts her doll's arms around Lindsay's doll. "It'll be okay, Barbie. I'll help you find someone else better! Also, we can go to the movies!"
Christina pretends to sniffle. "Thanks, you're a nice friend. I love you!"
"I love you, too."
"Can Stacey and Kelly come with us? I don't have a babysitter for them."
"Okay!"
They stuff as many dolls as they can into the pink motor home and drive it around the room a few times. "Yay, we're here!" Christina says cheerfully.
"Yay!"
Christina and Lindsay smile at each other while giggling. They brush their dolls' hair and change their outfits until they find ones they like. The clothes mostly consist of pink and purple dresses.
"Let's decorate cookies I baked with my mommy in my Easy Bake Oven!"
"Yummy!" Lindsay comments, and they run to the kitchen. Aleida helps them pull out sugar cookies from the small pink oven, and the little girls spread pink frosting over them, and then top them with rainbow sprinkles and peanut butter M&Ms. They have their cookies with Oreo ice cream and it's very delicious, indeed.
Then, Aleida carefully dots Lindsay's tiny nails with light purple polish, as Christina's friend has requested.
"Oooh, pretty!" Christina and Lindsay squeal at the same time, and Aleida grins.
"Gracias," Lindsay says politely.
"De nada," Aleida replies in a sweet voice. "Now, please remember not to touch it for fifteen minutes, or when I say so, because it's wet. Keep your hands still," Aleida instructs her. "You can blow on them if you want."
"Okay!" Lindsay answers cheerfully.
"Good job, Mommy!" Christina exclaims, jumping up and down.
"Thanks, nena!"
"Now we have Barbie colors!" Christina points out happily while showing her friend her bright pink manicure.
"Hip, hip...hooray!" Lindsay cheers and they giggle. "My nails are pretty!" Aleida beams at them and exchanges a hug with Christina.
"So, basically, don't trust any men named Arturo," Daya informs the girls while Blanca and Diablo are making out in a corner of the restaurant and Lorna is fawning over them instead of paying attention to the issue at hand. Allison had to go home to take care of Farah since Hassan had to visit his father for some guy time, and they're visiting Mr. Abdullah's work site, which isn't safe for babies and children. Daya thinks it's too personal to share with Adarsh, so she doesn't involve him. She shows the rest of them a picture of Arturo's mugshot. Most of her friends had seen him before, but she wants to refresh their memories.
"That was Vee's boo before Fahri...I'm glad she dumped him!" Taystee exclaims.
"Ugh, that bitch don't need much protection, if you ask me," Poussey mutters.
Alana shivers involuntarily. "Eeew, he's so creepy!"
"He gotta be strung up by his nuts," Ouija grumbles.
"Yeah, and I wanna dig his eyeballs out and feed 'em to him!" Pidge chimes in.
"He looks like a pedophile," Michelle adds.
Daya inspects the photo closer. "Oh yeah...he does."
"Gross," Flaca and Maritza say in unison.
"That fucking disgusting mongrel," Alex hisses.
"I wanna punch him through the paper," Nicky comments, and everyone nods in agreement.
After the mood in Friendly's had changed from somber to sweet, the girls invite the boys to sit with them. Diablo has his arm around Blanca, while Daya rests her elbow on Adarsh's shoulder. They settle into easy conversation about school, work, and their families.
When Diane gets off work, Daya goes up to her. "Hey...I'm sorry to bother you, Diane, I know you're wanting to start getting ready for your date tonight. See, I'm going on one too, with Adarsh." The girl twiddles her thumbs and then laces her fingers behind her back.
Diane beams at this. "I know, Aleida told me. That's great, honey." She squeezes Daya's shoulder fondly.
"I came to you because we're in the same situation with some douchebag leaving us after getting us pregnant, and you give me such helpful advice. I just gotta ask...how did you and Charles fall in love so quickly? Like, when exactly did you meet?"
"The afternoon of Maria's party...so, maybe a month ago? He asked for mini cheeseburgers here and offered me one. We hit it off right away," she remembers aloud and grins to herself. "When he showed up for a late dinner and dessert and comforted me through a breakdown, I was shocked, to be quite honest. I don't recall exactly when we started really liking each other...it could've been during our first date at the Williamsburg Waterfront and dancing and I wanted to wear a cute outfit, not just any old thing...or when he offered me and Alex his apartment to live with him in, instead of allowing us to go homeless...or when he got me flowers when we were just friends before the triple date. Maybe then, because he started holding my hand that night...and I thought to myself, how the fuck is he still here? Why, after I'd told him about all my struggles...but none of it was a burden to him."
"Oh, that's so swoon-worthy," Daya gushes. "When do you think the same thing would happen with me and Adarsh? I wanna be with him, but I don't know when he'll decide to leave, and I can't deal with it again! We've been homies since October fourth. So...November fourth?"
"I have no way of knowing an exact date...I'm sorry. What I would do, is just open up to him. See how he takes it. Cry in front of him or let him offer to help you...and don't be afraid to ask for it, too. You could even try to seduce him if you're both drunk. If he doesn't pounce and he's cool with waiting, he's a good guy." The memory of Diane flirting with Charles and making a fake attempt to get him to make love to her right after their triple date at La Fontana's, is still fresh in her mind. "Have you ever gone to each other's houses?"
Daya nods her head yes. "He comes over to help Leon with the pool and play structure for the kids, and he comes in to talk to me if it ain't too late at night. I never been to his place, but maybe he's shy to invite me. I'll try suggesting I go over there. I should meet his dad and all...I'll meet his mom tonight when she picks us up to go hiking. Our first official hangout was at Dave and Busters, and two of my old friends bothered me a bit, so he stuck up for me! Every time he speaks to me, he's such a gentleman. Adarsh gives me the sweetest hugs and I kinda feel like I'm at home in his embrace. He accepts that he's friends with a teen mom."
"Aw, that's cute. I think you and him would make a nice couple," Diane comments while beaming at Daya's current happiness. "I've seen you together around school...and sometimes, I forget that you ain't romantically involved with each other. He kinda reminds me of Fahri at fifteen."
"Well, now I know that both me and Gloria are in good hands!" Daya says positively. "Thank you for taking the time to talk about this with me."
"No problem!" Diane wraps her arms around her daughter's friend, and Daya returns the gesture.
Everyone is getting ready for their dates. Daya is attempting to find the perfect outfit and she'd tried on about five skirts and tops that went with a pair of nude leggings and brown boots when Aleida walks in her room.
"Does this look good on me?" Daya asks her mother, posing in a sparkly red top and flowy black skirt.
"Thought you didn't like him that way and it wasn't a date," Aleida smirks.
Daya rolls her eyes. "Shut up!"
"Fine, it looks appropriate. He'll love it on you."
"Thanks for your opinion."
Daya spins around in her mirror, and she has to admit it does look really good on her. She fixes her hair so it's curly and down to the middle of her back. Then, she puts on a long necklace, hoop earrings, and a bracelet. Aleida had curled her hair as well and put on a tight red dress with spaghetti straps and black high heels. She's wearing a chunky necklace, bangles, and gold hoops to match the gold chain stretching across her midsection. The mother and daughter help each other with their makeup and nails, and then, they're both good to go.
After picking out a nice dress from her closet with Aleida and Daya's help, Gloria takes a quick shower, as Daya, Aleida, and Leon had to do. Nobody wants to run out of hot water. She's less nervous this time about going out with Fahri, since they've spent so much time together over the past couple of weeks. She'd eased her children into being okay with her chilling with Fahri, since she'd explained that it would be just like last time, with all of her friends, and she wouldn't be alone. Gloria had also mentioned that he doesn't do anything bad to her and he loves kids. Also, she purposefully had pointed out, to her sons, his interactions with Farah before taking her into their preschool. She'd spied on him in the parking lot from her car window, since she'd wanted to see his behavior with his great-niece when he was alone with the little girl. He'd taken her out of her carseat, bounced her in his arms to make her giggle, and kissed her temple and then her cheek. Nobody had been around, so it's not like he was faking anything. Gloria had smiled to herself since she'd never seen a man be that sweet and genuine with a child in private, not rush her into anything, and make her give him foot jobs, all at the same time. She'd then taken Benny and Christina to Dylan's house and the rest of the tiny tots to Allison's. She likes Allison and she had enjoyed their heart-to-heart. It was the first time she'd ever spoken to the girl and she didn't even care that she probably gave her a hint to her past, because Allison seemed trustworthy. She has an urge now to tell Allison all about it, even his name, so she can be careful just in case he's to escape.
She washes her face and then scrubs her body clean. Then, she takes a razor to her legs and armpits and shampoos and conditions her hair. Lastly, she lets all the soap run off her and closes her eyes, sighing in contentment at the warm water dripping on her skin, giving off a steamy mist. When she's finished, she gets out, dries herself with a towel, curls her hair with her fingers a few times so it can stay that way for the whole night, and lathers her face and body with sweet smelling lotion so her skin can be soft and smooth and lavender scented. As soon as she gets any remaining water out of her ears with Kleenex and Q-tips, she plucks the dress off the hanger on the door, and slips into it. Her dress shows her figure off a little more than the last one did- it has short sleeves instead of long ones, it's tight over her bottom, and it's gray with pink flowers. It doesn't show even a little bit of her cleavage, though, because she still isn't comfortable with another man seeing that part of her. Plus, she doesn't want her scars from Arturo or Dixon to show, and she covers the ones on her throat with a chunky gold necklace. The faint marks on her arms don't worry her, because the lighting is dim in the club and Fahri will barely notice since he'll just be focused on dancing with her and she'll do her best to impress him because she'd always been expected to entice Arturo before, for two long, dangerous months. Gloria makes sure her dress flows out from her hips when she twirls, and it does, so she's happy. She slides on nude stockings and the injuries that won't go away, are now barely noticeable. She takes them off since she wants to wear heels with every fiber of her being, mostly because Diane and Aleida are going to, and she would rather not be the odd one out. Gloria had always been forced to wear extremely high heels, but this time, it's different, because he isn't here. She's doing it purely by choice, and she'll be damned if she doesn't fit in or allow herself to do whatever she pleases. Gloria doesn't need a man telling her what to do, or anyone, really. It's her decision, and that fact alone makes her smile at her reflection. Her heels aren't too high, either, maybe two inches. She hasn't measured, but she can balance in them and they're comfortable on her feet, which is a good sign.
She'd break her ankle in her five inch stilettos if he had told her to hurry with his meal and bring it to him, or take care of her kids if they cried, because he hated hearing them wail for any reason whatsoever. He'd do countdowns and if she couldn't quiet them down when he reached zero, he would choke her and handcuff her to their bed and burn various parts of her body with cigarette butts that were still a bit hot, or make tiny cuts on her with a kitchen knife and stuff her mouth with a dirty sock and cover it with silver duct tape until she passed out. When she came to, he would release her and apologize and beg her to forgive him. At first, she tried not to take him back. She really did, but he promised he would get help and work on not hurting her. The next time, he'd watched after her children to make up for his behavior and got her flowers and made her have a pleasure-filled orgasm. He'd done so good, that she forgot he was a monster, and the horrible cycle continued. She couldn't run in heels and comfort her sons in the time he allowed, even though she'd done her best. She would always trip. That part of my life is over, Gloria has to keep reminding herself. She leans against the sink and grips the edge, and it steadies her. He used to sneak up behind her while she was gazing in the mirror and scare her half to death, but nobody does that here. They love her and respect her and she has privacy.
With that thought in mind, she grins again and applies her eye makeup, blush, and lipstick. Gloria makes her lashes long with mascara, her eyelids shimmery, and her eyeliner is sharp. She smacks her red lips a few times while putting on her simple gold hoop earrings and arranging her hair around her face. She's positive she looks perfect when she leaves the bathroom, and she can't help but wonder what Fahri will think of her appearance. It kind of excited Gloria when his niece had mentioned that he seemed to bring her up a lot in conversations. Fahri had actually let Gloria control his music, which surprised her. He hadn't demanded or even asked anything from her in return. He'd treated her like a friend and he's patient and kind and although she doesn't fully trust that he'll keep his niceness towards her up, she hopes he does. Gloria spritzes a rose perfume around the room and walks through the floral mist.
"Wow! Glo, you're such a doll," Aleida compliments her. "Seriously...you're beautiful!"
"Thanks, Lei! You are, too...red dress with that low V-neck is like, totally hot...and real pretty! So's that blue eyeshadow and hella red lips."
Aleida smirks. "That's what I was goin' for. Thanks, girl."
"You're welcome!"
"Lemme do your nails!" Aleida offers. "You want acrylics?"
"Si, por favor!"
It takes an hour for them to dry and during that time, Gloria watches a telenovela, reads a magazine, and Aleida gives her a dark pink pedicure. Then, it's time for Daya to go on her hiking date with Adarsh, and she hugs her mother, Leon, and Gloria goodbye and kisses the women on their cheeks.
"Have fun!" she calls out.
"You, too!" Aleida replies.
Adarsh links arms with Daya and helps her into his mom's car. "Hey, Mom," Adarsh greets her as they climb in. He looks so nice in his red suit, black jacket, dark blue jeans, and black boots. He'd styled his hair so neatly and Daya imagines how it would feel to run her hands through it. She doesn't want to compliment him and sound flirty in front of his mother.
A dark-skinned bejeweled woman with a bindi on the middle of her forehead, a dark purple hijab, and a matching dress, turns in her seat. "Well, hello, Adarsh! Who's this beautiful girl?" she asks with a thick Indian accent, and Daya blushes.
"This is Daya, we're going out tonight," he replies.
"Hello, Daya, my name is Nainika, it's a pleasure to meet you," she says, extending her hand to Daya, and Daya shakes it.
"Nice to meet you, too."
"We're going to work up an appetite by hiking first and then dinner at Lorenzo's," Adarsh informs his mother as she starts up her vehicle. His voice is so alluring that it makes Daya forget what she was about to say. It does wonders to her body. "Daya, is that okay with you? I picked that since you told me you'd always wanted to go there."
"Oh! Oh, yeah, that's fine," Daya responds, trying to hide her blush. "I love Italian food, it's delicious! My ex wanted to take me to that restaurant, but you're a much better dude than him." She wonders what she could afford to eat at this place, though. She didn't bring much with her since she'd expected they'd eat some fast food. Adarsh had said he was going to surprise her, but she didn't exactly know what it would be. She's lucky she picked out her cutest skirt and her boots can pass as adorable, but still be functional. Next time they go somewhere fancy, though, and she knows about it, she'll wear a sexy dress.
"Are you sure you'd like to eat there? I don't care, it's your pick."
"Yep, I've raised you right, son," Nainika tells him proudly, making him blush.
"Adarsh, there's no problem with you being a perfect gentleman!" Daya points out.
"I know."
"I just have one little issue with Lorenzo's," she admits. "It's expensive..."
Adarsh pats Daya's hand and she gets warm and tingly all over. "I'm paying, so don't worry about the cost."
She stares at him in disbelief. "Really?"
"Of course! I made a reservation for us two."
"Holy shit," Daya mumbles to herself when she sees the fancy restaurant come into view. It looks and sounds incredibly romantic. "I'm seriously gonna dine here."
"All right, kids. Here it is. Have fun, I'll meet you guys in this location at around eleven," Nainika said, waving at them as they get out of the car.
"Your mom's nice," Daya tells Adarsh, and he nods.
"So is yours."
"Thanks."
Just after Daya leaves, Diane beeps the horn twice from her army green car as she pulls up to the curb. Charles is next to her, in the passenger's seat. "You bitches ready to roll?" she hollers out the window.
"Yes, girl!" Aleida shouts back excitedly.
"Whoohoo!" Gloria cheers, and Diane steps out of her vehicle as the ladies walk up to her with Leon behind them. She hugs them and stands back while looking them up and down.
"Wow, you gals are so gorgeous!" she compliments Gloria and Aleida.
"Thank you!" they answer her in unison.
"Diane, you're a babe!" Aleida squeals. "Like, damn!"
"Yeah, whoa!" Gloria agrees. "It ain't like we didn't notice you were hot before, though."
Diane has on a royal blue dress with lacy cap sleeves and a plunging neckline, showing ample cleavage. Her heels aren't too high, either, and she's wearing silver dangling earrings that sparkle in the setting sun. Her hair tumbles down her back and over her shoulders in loose curls like Aleida's. "Thanks!" Gloria, Aleida, and Leon help themselves into the backseat, and Aleida is in the middle of Gloria and Leon.
"You're real handsome," Aleida murmurs to Leon, and he sends her a grin.
"Thanks, baby. You look hella wonderful."
"Thank you!"
"So, Diane...why the honking?" Gloria wants to know.
"I used to do that when Alex was in fifth grade, but I stopped since she asked me to. It brought back memories...plus, I needed a way to get your attention without going all the way to your door."
"Lazy ass," Aleida says jokingly, and Gloria chuckles while rolling her eyes. Diane doesn't seem to mind. She does, however, playfully give Aleida the finger before starting up her car.
"You didn't have to go out of your way to come get us, Di...I would've been okay with Fahri doing it. He's seen where I live, since he dropped me off last night!" Gloria points out.
"I know, but before, when I was so busy with my four jobs and trying to keep my head above water, getting to take the time to take Alex and you guys out is a novelty!" Diane lets her know, and Gloria immediately understands where she's coming from.
"Ah, okay! I totally get that, since I wasn't allowed to own a car during the time I was with...him." Gloria can't say Arturo's name without feeling sick. "He made me sell mine and shredded my license, so I had to get a new one. It was two months out of thirty whole years, but...the relief I felt when I could finally get behind the wheel again was huge. It's like...he took away my freedom, and I haven't taken driving for granted since." Aleida gives her hand a supportive squeeze and Diane smiles at her sadly through the rearview mirror, as do Charles and Leon. "He said it was a privilege, and I lost the right when I took my little ones to the park. I'm so glad it's over now."
"Me too," everyone murmurs at the same time.
Diane brings them to Fahri's apartment, where Fahri's driver is waiting for them by his limousine and Fahri is on the other side of the vehicle. Gloria is still in awe of it. Diane parks her car behind the limo and everyone gets out. She and Aleida greet Fahri with one-armed hugs, and the men bump fists with him. Gloria is shy to really touch him, so she just waves, they share a verbal exchange, and he lets her in through the doors first.
"I...I like your outfit," she tells him cautiously after the others have filed in.
"Thanks, Gloria." She's lost in his eyes and she loves how he says her name. His manner of speaking is so polite. "Yours is quite nice, too!" Fahri grins at her and his teeth are blinding. He's freshly shaved and he looks sharp, with his neat black slacks, white suit, black jacket, matching tie, and dress shoes. His buzzcut makes him appear to be even more polished. She inhales his cologne. He smells so good and he carries himself with a certain strength and confidence that Gloria admires. It's paired with protectiveness and a gentle soul. He's not afraid to show his love for those he cares about deeply, and suddenly, Gloria feels a twinge of jealousy that Diane has known him for Alex's entire life. She wonders why Diane was never tempted to jump his bones after he got to be drinking age, at least. She'd kill to have a man who was always there for her and her babies, even if he was just her friend.
Gloria presses her lips together, but she can't hide her smile. She attempts not to blush as she keeps her eyes on him and she crosses her legs at the ankles. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So, everyone knows why I chose the Monte Carlo Room," Diane announces proudly. She beams at Charles and scoots closer to him and it's one of the cutest things ever. He holds her in place.
"Yeah, you won't shut up about how you two lovebirds had your first steamy kiss there!" Aleida exclaims while gesturing between Diane and Charles.
"We never told y'all about our song during the moment, though," Charles lets her know. "Wasn't it by Sheryl Crow?"
Diane hits his shoulder playfully with the back of her hand. "I know guys have a hard time remembering shit like this, but I remind you all the time! It was The First Cut is the Deepest."
"That's what I was thinking, along those lines!" He pecks her cheek adorably and she giggles. They're causing Gloria to swoon with all the passion that is emanating from them.
"Awww, that one is hella sweet!" Aleida gushes while placing her hand on her heart.
"Mm-hm, it describes you with him perfectly!" Gloria points out while patting Diane's knee, and the brunette smiles even wider than she had been before.
"We were dancing to Pretty Young Thing by Michael Jackson that night, too. Then, we got drinks...you know, white wine for me and beer for him, and that song by Sheryl came on and he just had to kiss me," Diane reports cheerfully.
"I asked her if it was okay, of course," Charles adds. "She said yes."
"Fuck yes. I whispered that," Diane murmurs.
"I know, baby."
"He gave me a hickey, too," Diane admits, and the women chuckle. Leon and Fahri give him two thumbs up, and everyone bursts into laughter. She moves her hair to show them her love bite. "It's mostly gone away, but...the man can suck."
"Damn!" Gloria exclaims while fanning herself.
"Owwww!" Aleida chimes in while giggling.
"You two are like teenagers!" Fahri comments and Gloria snickers at this.
Leon puts his arm around Aleida and they touch lips a few times. "We are too, man."
"Ain't nothin' wrong with that," Aleida murmurs.
Diane points at her. "True!"
Gloria sincerely hopes the couples will feel that way about each other forever-purely, blissfully, and wholly in love, since she's never had the experience. She wants that for her best friends, at least, if it won't ever come true for herself.
They exchange mischievous glances, and Aleida and Charles start making out with their partners in front of Gloria and Fahri. It makes sense, since they were the ones to instigate the relationships, and therefore, might be more into public displays of affection. Gloria is dying from their cuteness, but she still wants to tease them. Fahri appears to be awkward and he shakes his head while smiling at her. "Get a room on the count of three?" she asks him discreetly.
He nods in agreement. "One...two...three..."
"Get a room!" they holler in unison and all six adults start cracking up.
"Y'all don't gotta get so hot and heavy in our presence," Gloria complains, but she's unable to conceal her grin.
"We were just trying to help y'all get in a romantic mood and flirt," Aleida says innocently and sends a devious smirk in their general direction.
"Yeah, we'd never do it to be rude or inconsiderate," Diane adds.
"Well, good!" Fahri states.
As Daya and Adarsh trudge up the hill alongside each other, their hands touch slightly, and she feels a spark shoot up her arm. She wonders if she should take his hand, but she decides against it. Tonight is just a friends thing, and she doesn't want to scare him off. Five weeks ago, she hadn't even noticed Adarsh, so he may think she's just pitying him because she used to be popular and he's been an outcast for most of his life. Daya is starting to like him quite a bit. She wonders if they're still just friends or if it's more. His hand brushes against hers again, probably in hopes that she'll get close to him, and in an instant, she puts her hand in his. From all the attention she's given him, he must assume they might get closer. Besides, she doesn't want to lose her balance, and he seems pretty strong.
"So here it is, the city that never sleeps," Adarsh announces, and Daya gazes over the beauty that is the New York City skyline. They're exhausted after their hike and Daya couldn't even talk, she was breathing so hard. She'd never done it before, but it's an amazing experience to finally see the lovely view from the top of a small mountain.
"Whoo!" Daya shrieks almost right away after taking a long swig of water, and her voice carries through the air. She wipes her sweaty forehead and brushes her bangs back from it. "It's so pretty!"
He chuckles. "I know! It's good that you're not scared of heights!"
"Yeah, but I have you to protect me!"
"You sure do! Hey...let's look at all the stars," he suggests, and helps her sit. She leans back on her hands and he pulls her against him so she can look up while laying her head on his chest. She doesn't think of it as flirtatious, since she does this with her friends all the time.
"They're so shiny," she comments.
"See that one?" Adarsh points to a constellation. "That's the Big Dipper."
"Wow," Daya breathes out. "Yo, that one looks like a halo." She points to a design in the sky.
"Made for an angel just like you."
"Thanks," she mumbles and grins up at him.
They just lay there together on the grass until they both need to eat and then get home.
For the first half hour they're at the Monte Carlo Room, Gloria and Fahri have watched Diane and Charles, and Aleida and Leon dance together to eighties and nineties music, as they'd requested the DJ to host an adults' prom of sorts, since the women never have had a very positively memorable one. The men spin their ladies around in the middle of the floor and dip them to the fast songs and the couples sway from side to side gently during the slow songs. Right now, they're doing the Macarena. Fahri notices a wistful look in Gloria's eyes as she does the hand movements subtly, and he has the urge to ask her if she wants to groove with him and join their friends. He doesn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, though. It's a Beautiful Life by Ace of Base begins playing.
You can do what you want just seize the day
What you're doing tomorrow's gonna come your way
Don't you ever consider giving up
You will find, oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
I just want to be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn...
He clears his throat and she glances over at him. He's so captivated by her beauty and her kind nature, and her dress is awfully cute on her tonight. Her eyes sparkle when the lights hit them. "So, uh...how are Benny and Julio doing these days?"
She grins, and it's such an adorable and innocent one. "They're great! Benny made another friend besides Christina and Michael, and he's at the boy's house as we speak, and Julio is very active...he enjoys playing with all his classmates, especially Farah. He talks to me about all the towers he builds with her and some of the other children in their classroom. I couldn't be prouder of my sons, they listen so well in school and at home, and they're learning a lot!"
"That's excellent. I mean, I'm not shocked, since their mother is equally fantastic."
Take a walk in the park when you feel down
There's so many things there that's gonna lift you up
See the nature in bloom, a laughing child
Such a dream, oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
I just want to be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn...
Gloria raises a skeptic eyebrow at him and her cheeks flush pink. "You really think so? I just...I don't see it sometimes."
"I honestly do. You're such a fantastic mother that you successfully helped my niece through a crisis...and I don't think I've ever seen you two communicate before. She just had an automatic connection with you." He snaps his fingers. "Like that." It warms his heart the way she'd comforted Allison, and when the girl had only positive things to say about Gloria and why they should be together, he wholeheartedly agreed.
"Well, I just saw her run out, crying, and I figured she needed comfort, so I gave her some. How's she holdin' up?"
I just want to be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn
You're looking for somewhere to belong
You're standing all alone
For someone to guide you on your way
Now and forever...
"Things worked out between her and Hassan, so she's just fine! Also, thanks to you, she felt a million times better, even before she and Hassan made up."
"I mean like, in general, with Farah and everything."
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
I just want to be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn
I just want to be anybody...
"She's an incredible mother...Farah is in really good hands with her. My sister and her husband, Allison's parents, help her out a lot...even when she says she doesn't need it. She's pretty capable, but she's sixteen. We want her to be a teenager."
"That makes perfect sense. Hey...you rock as Allison's uncle. You seem to care a lot about her."
"Thank you. I do...we've always been close."
Gloria beams. "Aw!"
We're living in different ways
It's a beautiful life
I'm gonna take you to a place
I've never been before oh yeah
It's a beautiful life
I'm gonna take you in my arms and fly away
With you tonight
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
It's a beautiful life, oh oh oh oh
I just want to be here beside you
And stay until the break of dawn...
When Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper comes on, Diane and Aleida run up to Gloria while squealing. "You gotta dance with us to this one, pumpkin!" Aleida tells her excitedly, and they both pull her off the barstool. She giggles as they do so.
"It's our anthem!" Diane exclaims.
"Hell yes!" Gloria shouts. "Whoo!" They take turns spinning her around and the three of them shake their hair from side to side and shake their hips dramatically as they belt out the words.
I come home in the morning light
My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they wanna have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun
The phone rings in the middle of the night
My father yells what you gonna do with your life
Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one
But girls they wanna have fun
Oh girls just want to have...
She's nearly moved to tears when Aleida and Diane wrap their arms around her.
"You okay, girl?" Aleida wonders aloud.
"Yeah...it just kinda makes me miss my folks. The song came out when I was nine, and I never knew I only had one more year with them."
"Why does God take the best people and not dispose of the worst?" Diane asks rhetorically while rubbing Gloria's back in soothing circles.
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun (girls and boys wanna have fun, girls wanna have)
Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world
I want to be the one to walk in the sun
Oh girls they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have...
It's during the song, that Gloria realizes the lyrics really pertain to her. She's having a blast with her girls, but like the singer, she had decent parents who would probably act like Lourdes did when she was a teenager and had extremely late nights and phone calls at inappropriate times, and she had recently been with someone who hid her, or in other words, had taken away her spirit. She would conceal both the marks he made on her, and her true self, so she wouldn't risk being in trouble with him. Now, though, she has the chance to shine, and she couldn't be more than happy.
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun (girls and boys wanna have fun, girls wanna have)
They just wanna, they just wanna
They just wanna, they just wanna, oh girl
Girls they wanna have fun
They just wanna, they just wanna
They just wanna, they just wanna, girls
They just wanna, they just wanna, oh girls
Girls just want to have fun...
She goes back to sit with Fahri as The First Cut is the Deepest begins, and the couples slow dance again. Diane and Charles are smiling so much because it's their song. It's about a girl attempting to love another guy after heartbreak, and once again, Gloria finds herself connecting with the artist. She wants to tell Fahri it's okay if they dance together now, but she decides not to, since Diane and Charles are the stars of this thing. Aleida and Leon aren't, really, since they didn't have their first kiss to this particular song, but they're in love and Aleida's first boyfriend never lasted, just like Diane's hadn't, and both women have such great men. The longer Gloria looks at Fahri, the more tempted she feels to take him out on the floor and let him hold hands with her and twirl her and dip her low to the ground. At the same time, though, she's afraid-not of him, but the mere prospect of giving herself to a person who might break her in the end, like what had happened twice before.
When I think how life used to be,
Always walking in the shadows.
Then I look at what you've given me, I feel like dancing on my tip toes...
It's only when Blessed by Christina Aguilera plays, that she gathers up the courage to say something. "Hey, Fahri. You wanna go out there?"
"Do you?" he wonders aloud.
"I asked you first!"
Fahri smiles at her. "Okay."
I must say everyday I pray
When realize you're by my side,
I know I'm truly
Blessed for everything you've given me,
Blessed for all the tenderness you show,
Do my best with every breath that's in me,
Blessed to make sure you never go...
Gloria jumps off her barstool at the same time he does and walks alongside him to where their friends are moving slowly to the beat. She chuckles nervously as they stand across from each other. "I haven't done this in a while." She takes a deep breath and puts her hands on his upper arms and then his shoulders, and finally, laces her fingers against the nape of his neck and rests her elbows on his shoulders. "Been so close to a man during a slow dance," she clarifies and bites her lip while glancing down at their feet gliding in time with the melody. Gloria is up to Fahri's nose and he puts his hands on her sides, but no higher, nor lower. He has the gentlest of touches, and it makes her heart go wild.
"Is this alright? I want to make sure you're absolutely fine with this."
She nods her head yes. "Mm-hm."
There are times that I test your faith, 'til you think you might surrender.
Baby I'm, I'm not ashamed to say, that my hopes will grow in splendor
You walked by in the nick of time
looking like an answered prayer
You know I'm truly...
She's not sure whether to look up at him or rest her cheek against his chest, so she alternates between the two. "Can you spin me?" she asks him timidly. "Sorry...I don't mean to sound desperate, and I ain't tryin' to tell you what to do or nothin'."
"You don't need to apologize, you're just requesting something of me, and I have no problem doing it. Sure thing," Fahri murmurs, shocking her. A pleasant expression crosses his face and he carefully takes one of Gloria's hands in his, interlocking their fingers. He swivels her a few times so that the skirt of her dress swirls and fans around her. She suddenly feels like a princess because he's treating her as such.
Blessed for everything you've given me,
Blessed for all the tenderness you show,
Do my best with every breath that's in me,
Blessed to make sure you never go...
Their dance changes to a faster tempo when Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer starts to play.
Kiss me out of the bearded barley
Nightly, beside the green, green grass
Swing, swing, swing the spinning step
You'll wear those shoes and I will wear that dress
Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift you open hand
Strike up the band, and make the fireflies dance, silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me...
She feels like some magnetic pull is between the two of them as they stare into each other's eyes. Her heart beats so fast, it sounds like it could jump right out of her chest and her insides turn to jelly. Butterflies flutter in her tummy and she grows weak in the knees. Come on, Gloria, you just met him! Don't fall in love with him right now. You're in too much emotional pain for romance, the little voice in her head scolds her, sounding a lot like Lourdes.
Kiss me down by the broken tree house
Swing me, upon its hanging tire
Bring, bring, bring your flowered hat
We'll take the trail marked on your father's map
Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift you open hand
Strike up the band, and make the fireflies dance, silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me...
Gloria keeps giggling as he lifts her up slightly off the ground and twirls her around. He spins her under his arm and she's so carefree with him and shakes her hair and hips all around. "This is a hella fun song!" she exclaims cheerfully.
"I know!"
Kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band, and make the fireflies dance, silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me
So kiss me...
So kiss me
So kiss me...
"Allison was right, you're a terrific dancer!"
"Thanks! You are, too!"
"Thank you." Salsa music comes on all of a sudden. "I'm real good at this, though, especially!"
He watches in awe as she does the movements required and then she beckons him forward to join her. He does, and they move together as one. They're quick in their steps and make fast, short twists and turns, and they're both sweating and gasping in and out deeply by the end. She can sense his sweet, hot breath on her, and her brain is turning to mush.
"God, you're amazing," he compliments her and then he turns red at what he's just told her. "I mean...at the salsa." She presses her lips together and covers up her smile with her fist. She clears her throat and collects herself while grabbing his hand again.
Then, their friends applaud for them. Their hands separate and they create more space between their bodies. Gloria can't believe she'd just danced with this guy to a song about kissing, and then shared a sexy salsa dance with him. That would get anyone in a certain mood, if they were with the right person. Her hands are so clammy that she has to wipe them on her dress and her heart continues to race. She doesn't remember a time she'd ever crushed so hard on someone who hadn't pushed her into a relationship. There's so much more she wants to know about Fahri and say to him before getting close to him physically, though, and she's fully aware that she'll have to share her past eventually. She doesn't want to keep secrets from him-he deserves to know, and that's probably why she'd hinted to Allison that she was abused. She'd thought she'd feel nothing while dancing with him, like he was Leon, but she was very wrong. She's melting from his smoldering gaze on her, although he isn't doing that anymore.
"The way you two whirled around the floor like that was so elegant!" Diane gushes. "It was practically a scene out of a movie."
"Yeah, you're hella perfect together," Aleida puts in. "Like, as dance partners, you know?"
Gloria nods quietly and sneaks a peek out of the corner of her eye at Fahri's reaction. He grins. "Thank you!"
"Mm-hm, thanks," Gloria echoes him while beaming. She's flushed all over and needs to splash herself with cool water and take calm, deep breaths because of her intense emotions and she wants to fix her hair and reapply her lipstick and make sure her eye makeup hadn't run since while she was cracking up, she was also tearing up a tiny bit. It was purely out of happiness, though. "Excuse me...I gotta use the bathroom, I'll be right back!"
She has to keep reminding herself it's only been nearly two weeks, and they're not even dating yet. As far as she knows, Fahri might just be doing this with her because everyone is encouraging him to and telling him she's a nice lady and he should be her boyfriend or at least her friend. It took Arturo one week to get her in bed, and her, two weeks to fall prey to his tricks and confess her undying love for him because he'd told her he enjoyed her body even if she thought it was ugly and played with her children and acted like he was their dad. She'd seen his monstrous side two weeks after that. She's breathing heavily by this point.
She gets an odd feeling of someone tailing her, so she rushes into the throng of women waiting in line.
"How's the wedding planning goin'?" Aleida quips as soon as Gloria takes off for the women's restroom. Aleida glares at Fahri. "I'mma join her over there, 'cause you never know what could get ya." She storms off before he can answer her, and Leon follows her.
Diane wants to go with them so she can check on Gloria along with Aleida, but she also needs to talk to Fahri about his marriage to this lady he barely knows. She can see that Gloria and Fahri are really hitting it off and tonight, they'd acted more like a couple than they ever had before. Her idea of bringing them closer by arranging this triple date at a nightclub with nonstop dancing and romantic music, had worked better than she thought it would.
"I may have made a mistake," Fahri admits sheepishly as he shoves his hands into his pockets. He, Diane, and Charles sit at the bar and save room for the other three people they're with. "How can I break it off with Vee without hurting her feelings?"
"When would you wanna do it?" Diane wants to know.
"Sooner rather than later," he responds. "I just danced with another woman...and felt...things."
Diane smirks. "I could tell! It reminded me of when Charles and I were dancing on our first date, and then at Red's housewarming party, and all the times here. It was the song and the dude." She and Charles smile at each other and he takes her hand and kisses it. She swoons like she'd done during all of their intimate moments, which was cuddling on the couch or in bed or making out here and in the cab and limo.
"Then it's gotta be tonight, man," Charles advises him while absentmindedly stroking Diane's hair. "It's better to break up than cheat."
She nods in agreement. "Nobody deserves to be led on. If you're gonna end it, make it right after deciding that you're positive you don't wanna be with the person."
"You're right, that's uh, what I was thinking. Thanks, guys."
Diane swats his shoulder with her knuckles. "Next time, idiot, don't fuckin' say yes when somebody you don't know, asks you to marry 'em! This ain't medieval times!"
"Ow! Lesson learned!"
"Table for two please, and it's by the fireplace," Adarsh is reminding the maitre d, and Daya gets a little excited. He wants them to be alone together, and that probably means he likes her. Still, she wants to take things slow. She'll let him make the first move so she doesn't appear to be overly eager, and she won't allow him to do anything with her further than first base, holding hands, and cuddling. "Khanna."
"Yes, sir, right this way." The man takes them to a secluded area with a table decorated with candles and roses. Adarsh pulls out Daya's chair for her and she sits down on one end.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome...ma'am." They both share a chuckle.
Adarsh takes a spot across from her. "You're beautiful, as always," he comments to her, and she blushes.
"Thanks!" she says, beaming and propping her chin up on her fist and letting it rest there. "You look hella handsome...you sure know how to dress up." Daya gestures to Adarsh's outfit.
"I could say the same for you. You're absolutely lovely."
"Why, thank you!"
He smiles at her. "Any idea what you want?"
"Well, fettuccine and Caesar salad sound real good right about now," she answers with a grin. "Later, dessert, of course! Remember, I gotta eat for two."
"Yeah, that's what I'm getting, too."
"Cool, maybe we could share a Chocolate Banana Cream Pie?" Daya asks.
"Sure!"
When they get their waters, Daya takes a sip of hers. "Let's have a toast," she announces, holding up her glass and glancing at Adarsh's. He raises his glass up to hers.
"To us," he says, and then they both laugh. "Cheers!"
A few minutes later, Gloria returns with Aleida and Leon. "Are you okay?" Diane asks Gloria, the concern in her tone evident. "This ain't too much for you, right?" she whispers.
"Yeah, we can go home anytime," Aleida tells her at the same low volume that Diane had used.
"Nah, like I told you and Leon when he offered to tell Fahri that we needed to leave, not at all! I'm havin' a blast," Gloria responds truthfully. "I was just hot from dancing and needed to...rinse the heat off a little, and touch up my hair and face." She squeezes their hands. "I love you for lookin' out for me, though." The three ladies beam at each other.
"We heart you too, sweetie," Diane answers.
"Mm-hm, totally," Aleida adds. "To the end of time!"
"If you want to stop dancing with me, you can let me know," Fahri tells Gloria.
"I will!"
"You don't need to talk to me or hold my hand if you'd rather not do it. Basically, don't feel pressured!" Fahri continues.
"Yeah, and if you feel uncomfortable for any reason, we'll get you out of the situation," Leon adds.
"You can give us a signal, like putting your finger on your nose and pointing at us," Charles suggests.
"Alright! Sounds good, thank you." Gloria pats the guys' shoulders fondly while beaming. Then, the women start giggling because a hip hop beat booms from the speakers and the men are breakdancing to it. They cheer the guys on and when it's over, Leon and Charles jog to Aleida and Diane and kiss them.
"We should make use of the bar!" Gloria exclaims as Fahri takes a spot next to her, like he'd done when they first got here.
"What's your favorite drink?" he wants to know.
"PiƱa colada. Yours?"
"Scotch!"
"I'll buy us drinks," she volunteers pleasantly. Fahri most likely won't slip anything in her beverage if he pays for hers and his, but she wants to be extra cautious.
"Okay, sounds great!"
Once they receive their orders, they clink their glasses together while beaming and locking eyes, and they take a sip at the same time.
"What are we toasting?" she wonders aloud.
"Our...combined fantastic dancing talent!"
She giggles. "That works!"
"I like your laugh," he tells her with a sincere smile.
Gloria rests her chin in her hand and covers her blush with her fingers. "Thank you," she says softly. She chuckles again.
"You're welcome!"
"Yo, she hasn't texted us in the past few hours!" Maria exclaims. The girls, Diablo, Yadriel, and Hassan, are meeting in a restaurant for a group date, directly next to the Monte Carlo Room, spying on Gloria and Fahri. They had already witnessed Daya and Adarsh's adorableness, and they want to see how the relationship between the lunch lady and the janitor is developing. "Daya must be havin' a real good time..."
"She's just trying to move on from that dimwit Bennett," Yadriel reports. "That's what she told me."
"No shit, chico! Hey...check those two out." Blanca nods towards the window of the club, where Gloria and Fahri are chattering away over drinks at a bar and laughing their heads off.
"They seem to be getting along," Flaca says happily to Maritza.
"Yeah, they're holding hands!" Maritza points out giddily.
"Hey, chickadees and dudes!" Alex greets them, waving to them and sitting down with Michelle.
"Perfect, we're just in time for the food," Diablo mutters, taking his place next to Blanca while the waitress comes over to get their food ordered. Everyone wants ravioli and tortellini.
"When is your uncle's stupid wedding?" Michelle asks Allison, who grimaces at the question.
Allison pinches her bottom lip and lifts her shoulders up and down. "I dunno, they haven't set a date."
"Then you have an unlimited amount of time to ruin it!" Hassan lets her know, and he puts a reassuring hand on her back. God, he's so sweet, she thinks.
"How would your girl, or any of us, stop two individuals from marrying, bro?" Diablo asks him. "I know you're trying to make her feel better, but...we gotta be real here. Crashing a wedding would probably not be effective."
"Well, it'll be easy to get rid of Vee," Nicky informs everyone with a evil grin stretching across her face.
"What's your idea?" Lorna asks her excitedly. "You got a prank up your sleeve you can pull on that cooze?"
"Oh, do I! Okay, did you guys ever see Cheaper by the Dozen?"
"Yeah," they all chorus.
"You know when they soaked meat in Hank's underwear?" Nicky wonders out loud, and Allison snickers.
"Oh yeah, that was hysterical!" Alex remembers, giggling.
"Every dog in the neighborhood went after him and his car!" Michelle adds.
Allison chortles, recalling it from her memory bank now. "That's right..."
"We gotta show Farah the movie when she's older!" Hassan tells her, and she nods in concurrence.
"Same with Pepa," Yadriel lets Maria know.
"Mm-hm!"
"Anyway...let's do that to Vee to dispose of her! She'll be mauled to death!" Nicky clarifies.
"Excellent plan, my friend," Blanca murmurs, hi-fiving her.
"You're so smart!" Lorna squeals, pecking Nicky's cheek. Then, the blonde pulls her brunette girlfriend in for a passionate kiss that lasts quite a while.
"Not when I'm eating!" Maria complains. Yadriel kisses her cheek just to tease her. She kicks his leg under the table.
"Don't mess with the pixie," Flaca says, giving Maria a playful glare.
"Not bad, Morticia," Maria snickers.
Maritza flips her off and everyone laughs.
A while later, they have to go home, since the adults had left already, and it's almost midnight. They hug each other goodbye before the bus drops each of them off at their stops.
As Daya and Adarsh stroll to his mother's car, she links her arm through his. Later, while he walks her up to her doorstep, she says, "This date was fun, Adarsh. Why don't we do something like this again? Maybe you can come over and we can hang out here." She unlocks the front door, opens it, and hugs him goodbye. She's not close enough to feel his boner, so that's a good thing. He's so into her, but he knows not to do anything without her permission.
Damn right we'll hang out here, and I'll fuck you all night like you've never been fucked before. You'll scream my name so loud it bursts both of our eardrums and I'll put my hands all over your nice big-
"Adarsh? What do you think?" she asks, kicking him out of his perverted reverie.
He's ashamed of himself for even being turned on by her because she would be grossed out if she knew or touched it accidentally. He tries to ignore his hard-on. "Oh! Oh, that would be fun. Yeah, sure, Daya, that would be great." He needs to stop his ridiculous rambling as of now, and just leave her apartment.
"Terrific!"
"Where the fuck were you?" Vee demands as soon as she lets Fahri in. "Your ring is gone! If you lost it, I'mma shoot you dead!"
"I thought I told you...going out with some friends." He scratches his head. "Uh...and about that, I need to make a confession to you. I have the ring at home, but I'm gonna give it back to you and you can sell it or give it to someone else who really loves you. I can't be your husband, because I...it just doesn't feel right to Gloria. I'll still be your pal and help you with the baby-"
"You will not be alone with her again!" she yells in his face. "You're getting way in over your head with that cunt!"
"Would you not use that word aimed at her or any woman, in fact? She and I haven't even had the chance to date yet, and that's fine, but tonight, I danced with her, and there was a spark."
Vee huffs. "She's not even into you back!"
"Like I said, something was blooming between us...she was genuinely cheerful with me, and she seemed jealous when Suzanne said I wasn't available last night in the limo-"
"She went with you?" Vee growls.
"Yeah. I asked you to come with me, but you didn't want to. You wanted it all to yourself...and you called Alex and Allison brats, which I did not like!"
"They are! They tried to drive us apart."
"Gloria and I might always be friends, but even so, I only think of you as a work partner. Nothing is between us, and I deeply apologize for that. I just felt like you pressured me, and I didn't want to hurt you. I come here all the time, but you've never showed at my house, even when you've said you were going to. I don't think you care about me either. So, in that case..."
"I'll kill myself!" Vee seethes.
"You don't need to do that, I'll get you help! I know you're upset..."
"I'll slit your throat in your sleep."
Fahri sighs hopelessly. "Oh my god. I'm going to leave now. Just...goodbye. I'm sorry." With that, he walks away and wishes it could've gone a little better.
Thank you for reading and reviewing, A Star In My Universe, MinervaSnape394, and CoffeeWritingAddiction!
