Lita sat at the kitchen table swirling her Coca-Cola in a red solo cup with her straw. She eyed her bunch of cousins, uncles, and aunts busting moves to "Techno Cumbia" by Selena in the living room. But for some reason, she felt a little subdued. Tonight was her last night in New York before she had to go home in early the morning tomorrow as her bus leaves at seven in the morning, back to her stuffy apartment and back to her job as a waitress at a lowly coffee shop.

Back in Philadelphia, it was nothing more of a reminder of her feeling dead inside. She graduated from cosmetology school this past May and she couldn't find a job anywhere. The loans and fees were unbearable, and the bills were piling high. Her cousin Julia was a newly registered nurse, and her profession was on high demand. Lita lamented to herself for days, that following one's dreams can't get anybody anywhere financial wise.

Here in New York, she felt alive. All the memories of her spending her teenage years here comforted her. No responsibilities, no worries, nobody talking down on her, just her just living life, and looking to the future. Just a few hours ago, she was having the time of her life living with her Abuela after moving from Texas before starting her sophomore year of high school.

After finishing high school in New York, Lita and her Abuela moved to Philadelphia, to take care of her ailing Uncle, who finally earned his eternal peace just two years ago. Her Abuela came to love Philadelphia, as it was more quieter and peaceful than here in New York City. At least in her opinion. Lita recently got herself an apartment of her own, in the same building as her Abuela, so that she wouldn't stray away from her.

Here in New York, in Lita's opinion, there were always cute, gorgeous men she saw down the street. Especially that boy in the record store. He was probably one of the best looking guys she had ever seen. If not THE best.

He had great wavy, neck length dark hair, that looked soft to the touch, warm brown eyes which were flecked with green, giving it a honey color. Lita loved his thick, expressive eyebrows, and how his left eyebrow would furrow a little when he spoke, as well as his full lips, that would curve into a sexy crooked smile. He had that blue graphic t-shirt, that made Lita see his well built torso through it. He wasn't that tall though, probably 5'8 or 5'9, compared to Lita's 5'7 stature. But she wasn't looking for basketball player sized men like how other girls foam at the mouths for. She felt herself get hot, even in the warm atmosphere of the apartment when remembering his tight black jeans, seeing each of his imprints, back and front. She couldn't stop looking down as he walked away from her out of the record store.

"What're you smilin' about, loca?"

Lita picked her head up to see the lady of the hour, her cousin Julia laugh as she plopped down in a seat across from her. Lita sucked her teeth in annoyance at her cousin's pet name for her.

"You always catch me off guard, Julia!" Lita exclaimed, with a laugh.

"It's so easy, you're always in another world," Julia pointed out.

"Yeah, you're right." Lita sucked her teeth at that realization about herself.

Julia chuckled. "Hey, don't we all?"

Lita smiled at her cousin, feeling better about herself.

Julia rested her chin on the palm of her hand, eyeing Lita longingly. "What were you thinking?"

Lita felt herself blush in embarrassment. "Um, nothing important," she replied quickly, taking a sip of her now flat Coke, fighting the urge to recoil at the taste.

Julia looked at her cousin amusedly. "Ok, lemme think..." she said, her eyes darting up to the sky, as if she was deep in thought. "You met an extra fine ass guy on your way here."

Lita stared at Julia in shock, making Julia laugh out loud. "I knew it!" she exclaimed.

"How the hell did you know that?" Lita asked furiously.

"What else would make you smile to yourself like you just smoked a major blunt?" Julia joked, making Lita shove her playfully.

Lita groaned. "Ok, ok, I met him twice while I was buying your Clash CD at the record store, and right outside in the hallway. He's so hot, Julia, like, oh, my God!" she gushed. "And he reads too, he got Ernest Hemingway in his back pocket, I haven't read anything from that guy yet, but I guess he's great!"

"Girl, you were just looking at his ass," Julia said flatly.

"I guess I can't help being a pervert," Lita replied, holding her hands up in surrender.

Julia chuckled and shook her head at her cousin's madness. "What's his name?"

Lita's face fell when realizing that she didn't even know his name. Julia looked at her cousin in disbelief.

"Girl, you were talking about how hot and literate this guy is and you didn't ask for his name and number?" Julia huffed in disappointment as she did a face palm.

Lita waved her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter anyway, I'm leaving for Philly tomorrow morning, I'll probably never see him again."

"Umm, haven't you heard of long distance?" Julia asked with a narrowed look. "And New York isn't that far, it's like one bus ride away."

"Julia, even if I asked the guy, he looked sad and angry at the record store and in the hallway too," Lita replied matter-of-factly. "The last thing he needs is some girl asking for his number to get in his pants."

Julia smirked at Lita knowingly. "You ready to risk it all, huh?"

Lita sucked her teeth. "And I don't even know his name!" she whined, feeling like an idiot.

Julia took Lita's hand and squeezed it. "Hey, anything can happen, trust me," she said reassuringly.

Just then, the speakers started playing "No Me Digas Que No" by La Makina, One of Julia's favorite songs. Her eyes widened in excitement as she grabbed Lita's hand and yanked her from her seat.

"Julia! What the fuck!" Lita protested, in an annoyed tone.

"Come dance with me," Julia replied, ignoring Lita's tone. "You need to burn off those tostones, I saw you."

Lita rolled her eyes as she was dragged to the dance floor, while feeling personally attacked. She did overdo it with those deep fried plantains. As the pair danced in the midst of their family, she couldn't stop thinking about that guy. She imagined herself dancing with him, if he didn't have two left feet. But then again, she was going back to Philly and she'll probably may never see him again. Despite her disappointment, she smiled as Julia twirled her around.

After handing the waiter his paid bill, Jess sighed in sadness as his mind wandered back to Rory. He couldn't stand the fact that she was falling back in love with Dean. Maybe Luke was right. He didn't open his mouth that much. If only Jess was more open, then none of this would happen.

But then, his mind ended up to that girl in the record store. She didn't look that much older than him. Everytime, he'd imagine that infectious smile, all his feelings of the past went away. As if there was something looking up for him. He had no idea why.

Then again, the girl said she was visiting. She was going back to where she lived, probably not in New York. Jess sighed sadly, as all his laments came back to mind.

"Guess I just have to move on, I guess," Jess thought to himself.

First things first, Jess needed to get out this God forsaken place called New York City, which harbored nothing but bad memories for him.

Jess tucked his book in his back pocket as he left the restaurant, trying to think of a plan. It would take a while but he'd find a way. Maybe he'd run into that girl again, and probably catch her name.

But when he got back, there wasn't music. The party was over. Jess huffed as he went back inside his apartment to get ready for bed. Just his luck.

A/N: Hey, guys, I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter! Hopefully, the action would pick up on the next one. If you like where this is going, please leave a comment, and tell me what you think so far! Thanks!