Thank you for beta'ing, MsSchneeheide! I wanted to post this today in honor of both your birthday and my chiquita's 1st birthday party!

"You gotta blend your eyeshadow in more."

"Eh? I thought I did!" Juliana insists.

"Nah, mira, you got tiger stripes." Maritza points at her daughter's reflection in the mirror. Juliana sighs exasperatedly and rubs at her lids to get rid of her mistake. "Okay, that's better."

"Gracias." Juliana smiles as Maritza puts on her gold jewelry. They apply magenta lipstick and then, they're good to go.

Maritza inspects herself one last time. She smooths down her strapless violet dress and fans out her straightened hair. "Muchas gracias por peinarme...¡te has hecho muy buena!"

Thank you so much for doing my hair...you've gotten pretty good!

Juliana smirks proudly. "De nada, Mami. It's hella easy to use a flatiron. Aleida did your French tips real good, too!"

"I know. She kept talkin' about how I might meet someone hot tonight and she made it clear that I can't chip my manicure! I was all like, yo, I'm not that kinda woman."

"Oh, did she now?" Juliana grins hugely and then they walk down the stairs. "Well, don't worry, you look super perfect."

Maritza giggles. "Girl, I know. You do, too! I got a tiny beauty queen on the rise!"

Once they reach the foyer, Juliana spins around in her cute blue dress that had once belonged to Nicky when the blonde woman was around her age. Nicky had worn it to her Bat Mitzvah and it had been long forgotten in her childhood bedroom closet, until tonight. "Hell yeah, you do!"

Maritza chucks Juliana's chin and they put their boots and jackets on. Then, they grab their purses and head out.

"Too dark, mija," Flaca murmurs as she adjusts the skirt of her black and red plaid dress. She straightens the lace sleeves and holds out a pink tube of lipstick. "This goes better with your complexion."

Michaela groans. "Ma, I'm thirteen! I wanna wear reddish-purple like you!"

"You don't need to look older, okay? Wait like, two more years."

"Really?" She folds her arms across her chest and raises an eyebrow. "Why? I'm baby goth."

Flaca considers her. "Fine, you win this round, but only 'cause I'm proud of you that you wanna be a mini-me."

"Yay!" Michaela giggles. Flaca shakes her head while pursing her lips. The girl is wearing a casual gray cami paired with an adorable ruffly black skirt with white polka dots. She also has on lacy black tights and brown boots. Her jeans jacket and a black chain necklace with a dark purple pendant completes her outfit. "What do you think of my ensemble?"

"Amazing, my little princess."

Michaela curtsies, appearing quite proud. "Thanks!"

"You're so welcome!" Flaca gestures to herself. "Me?"

"You look so pretty!" Michaela holds up a finger. "Oh, wait!" She yanks a black hat with a silver beaded strap off Flaca's bed. "Here."

Flaca sets it on her head and turns from side to side. "Okay?"

"Yes! It compliments your hair and the silver hoop earrings you got on. Also goes with the dress and your ultra-cool flatforms!"

"Aww, darling, gracias." Beaming, Flaca pats her heart and pulls Michaela in for a hug.

"Thanks for letting me touch up your nails," she murmurs, squeezing Flaca back tightly.

"De nada." Flaca slips into her black leather jacket and pulls her long hair out from under it. She swings it over one shoulder and puts her gold purse on the other. "You have everything?" she checks.

Michaela nods, patting her pink cross-body purse. "Phone, keys, wallet, got 'em!"

"I'm the one driving, silly." Flaca taps her nose and lets them out of their place. She locks up the house.

"I know, I was messin' with you!"

"Ay dios mío, nena." They both laugh together.

At the club, Maritza carries champagne in an ice bucket with a sparkler. A bowl of strawberries sits beside the bucket on her tray. Weaving through the crowd, she brings the tray to a group of men and women, including Aleida. "Hola, chicas y chicos! What are we celebrating?"

"Gloria's fiftieth birthday!" one of the ladies hollers excitedly and hugs the woman of honor. A guy on her other side does the same and then kisses her cheek.

"Watch out, Blanca, you're next!" Gloria shoots her a playful glare.

They all cheer and Aleida waves a sparkler. "Yo, ¡felíz cumpleaños!" Maritza says.

Gloria smiles at her. "¡Gracias!"

"¡De nada! Lemme get some flutes for y'all, hold up."

They wave at her and she returns the gestures. Her lips purse. Maritza squeezes through the throng of clubbers. She spots Tavi asking for another round and gives him a nod.

Ducking behind the bar, Maritza glances around cautiously, then grabs an empty vodka bottle from a trash can. She fills it with water using a soda gun.

Pennsatucky spots her. "Uh...you sure you wanna pull that again?"

"What?" Staring at Pennsatucky, she finishes filling the bottle and screws on its cap. She sets it on a tray with a bowl of ice.

"Oh, don't act all innocent! You break these bottles that you fished out of the garbage and scam dudes out of their hard-earned money, claiming you have your sick mom and your baby to support...one of those suckers even tried to sip the water off the floor through a straw and then all three of them took bills from their wallets and put them on your tray. The darker guy gave you a weary nod and you counted your cash."

She notices Tavi glancing at her. "Shit, Penns...you stalkin' me now?"

"Nah, I just see a bunch of stuff go down in this place. Your janky-ass con's gonna get you in major trouble one day and you ain't never gonna meet a man. You'll be someone's bitch in a chick prison, that's for sure."

Maritza rolls her eyes. "Ay, let me live a little, 'kay? I ain't gonna get caught."

Pennsatucky shrugs. "Suit your damn self. Let's watch the band first, though!"

"What the fuckin' hell is takin' Maritza so long?" Daya wonders aloud, leaning her head on Adarsh's shoulder.

"Who knows!" Adarsh responds.

Elena plucks a strawberry out of the bowl and bites into it. "I'm ready to get smashed!"

"Me, too!" Ceci sighs impatiently.

"Me, three!" Lorna exclaims.

"When she comes back, I'm gonna ask for caramels!" Vinnie mutters.

"Should one of us remind her that we don't have anything to drink our champagne from?" Leon asks. "Maybe she forgot..."

"Yeah, she's so busy talkin' to her co-worker!" Aleida complains.

"Seems like the other bargirl started a convo with her," Margarita points out, and RJ nods in concurrence.

"I'll get her," Karla volunteers as she stands.

"Want me to go with you?" Ramón asks, rising to his feet as well. "I can't have you gettin' harassed on the way over there."

She rolls her eyes. "I won't, but okay, Mister Overprotective." They leave together.

"I hope Flaca's doin' okay backstage," Gloria murmurs. "Poor girl's probably a nervous wreck."

Fahri puts his arm around her and gives her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure she's fine with Diablo, Weevil, and Sonya there, but...do you two wanna go check up on her?" His eyes dart between Gloria and Blanca, who are the closest to Flaca.

"It wouldn't hurt," Blanca says. "Possibly she could use some encouraging hugs."

"Yeah!" Gloria agrees.

"Um...excuse me, miss?" an older woman calls out. "Do you expect us to drink fancy champagne out of the bowl when we finish our strawberries or whatever?"

"Oh, the glasses!" Maritza realizes out loud. "Sorry...I knew my brain skipped somethin'." She sets the large bottle of water down and Pennsatucky quickly trashes it for her while rolling her eyes. "So, uh...I'll get 'em for you."

"Yes, and also caramels, por favor," Ramón adds.

"Those as well! Just sit back down, okay?"

They nod and retreat to where they were previously. After Maritza gives the group what they need, she sees Nicky, Shani, Lida, Vasily, Red, Tricia, Alex, Katie, Michelle, Diane, and Charles maneuvering through the space. She's amazed that they're all here on the same night. Shani waves at her and Maritza returns the gesture, but she's very confused.

"Hey..." she murmurs as they each envelop her in their arms in greeting. "What is this, a mother-child-significant other night?"

"You could say that," Nicky says.

"Mm-hm, our families enjoy hanging out together, especially since Nicky, Alex, Tricia, and I are very close," Lida adds.

Vasily pats his mother's shoulder. "Ma hasn't been to a club in quite a while!"

"My mom has actually worked in a place like this and she wanted to see if there were any openings!" Alex chimes in.

"Oh, alright! I'm sure there are," Maritza tells Diane. "Sooo...I'll get you seated."

"Hey, what y'all doin' here?" Flaca asks as Gloria and Blanca join Diablo and his bandmates backstage. She's just finished working on some choreography. "¡Holaaaa!" she greets her best friends as they envelop her into their arms.

"We just wanted to say that you got this, homegirl!" Gloria assures her.

Flaca beams. "Aw, well gracias...I'm kinda more excited than anything...gettin' back up on the stage will be fun! I'mma sing from my heart since I got nothin' memorized."

"Fantastic!" Blanca grins at her and squeezes her hand supportively. "We have full confidence in you, and...whatever you belt out is gonna be great!"

"I hope I wow the audience enough to inspire myself to do makeup tutorials on YouTube again!"

"You will...stay positive!" Gloria tells her.

"I'll try." Flaca takes a few deep breaths and does some vocal exercises while spinning around a few times.

Blanca takes this chance to make out with Diablo passionately while threading her fingers through his hair and beard, then resting her hands on the front of his black leather jacket. "Buena suerte, mi amor."

Diablo gazes into her eyes lovingly and strokes her cheeks with his thumbs. "Gracias, mi querida."

They nuzzle noses and hold each other before Blanca and Gloria wish Flaca good luck and depart. The group also has to begin their concert.

She goes out into the blinding blue, purple, and pink lights and shades her eyes. "Mira, colores bisexuales, hicieron esto por ti," Diablo jokes as he stands behind his gold drum set. Flaca chuckles and punches his arm playfully.

Look, bisexual colors, they did this for you

Weevil places himself in front of one of the microphones and Flaca is at the other. Sonya Chekova holds her red guitar. They're all spread out around the stage.

"We gettin' crunk in here tonight?" Diablo hollers and everyone below them cheers loudly in response.

"Soy Marisol Gonzales, pero mi gente me llama Flaca...I'm a new member of this wild death metal band, The Rockets!" The crowd becomes even more excited.

I'm Marisol Gonzales, but people call me Flaca

Sonya starts strumming her guitar while Diablo plays the drums. Flaca begins the song and Weevil does background vocals.

"Well, I'm just a rebel girl...I got the devil on my siiiiide...darling, when you see me...you'll say I'm bona-fiiiiide...got those streaks in my hair, I walk with a flair, I'm not all bad, yo, in faaaaact...I'm the best bitch you ever had!" Flaca swings her hair all around and breathes in and out while smiling. People are dancing to the lyrics. Among them are Gloria and Blanca, of course, but also Aleida, Leon, Fahri, Adarsh, Daya, Karla, Ramón, RJ, Margarita, Elena, Ceci, Vinnie, and Lorna. She'd known her friends were coming, but to see them grooving below her while she's entertaining them, is so surreal. She feels like a star up here.

"They'd tell me in high school, that I was just a punk...they'd always accuse me of starin' at some hunk...but really, I got C's 'cause I wasn't learnin' shit...dude, I totes got so fuckin' liiiiit!" Flaca screams.

"If Cat could see me now, damn we was tight, holy fuck, I think she'd have a fright...I'm still an art freak, got my flatforms, but I grew up...while she acted like a newborn!"

"Yo, I like what I like, you like what you like, she likes what she likes, he likes what he likes, they like what they like, we like what we like, everybody is cool, ain't no time to act a fool!"

"You may find me charming, but I'm so alarming...like a sexy siren...baby, I know you're firin'...up to be with me! That's right, I'm a mermaid...my beauty ain't never gonna faaaaaade! Even when I'm layin'...six feet underground!"

"I'm crashin', I'm burnin', everything in me is churnin', I'm fallin', I'm sprawlin', your face got me ballin'...'cause you look real good, like I knew you would..."

"The lights are really blinding, I gotta stop my whining, 'cause our fingers entertwining, we are totally finding...looooo-ho-ho-hooove!"

She's at a loss for words now, and anyway, it's time for Diablo's drum solo. She's gripping the mic, almost touching her lips to it, but not quite, because the pandemic literally just diminished greatly a week ago. Her gaze travels around the sea of faces until she notices one of the Latina waitresses just staring, speechless, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

The chick is so short and graceful that she can dart around the patrons without crashing into them. The dress she's wearing is skin tight and quite a beautiful color. Flaca can't help but notice how big her cleavage is and how perfect her makeup is. She sees that the waitress is checking her out, too.

"Hola, chica, she's good, hm?" Daisy asks cheerfully as she arrives to the front of the stage and stands next to Maritza, who raises her brow skeptically.

"Hell yeah, but why are you here? Not that I mind, but...who are you with? You shouldn't be all by your lonesome..."

"Can't a single woman want a night out to meet sexy dudes without her embarrassing friends interfering?"

Maritza blows out a gust of air as she redirects her attention to the attractive female singer who's just swaying in place now. "Alright." She's completely enamored when Flaca continues her song and then finishes it two minutes later just before the drummer bangs his sticks on the cymbals one last time. "Whooooo!" Maritza cheers along with everyone else. She jumps up and down and cups her hands around her mouth. "That's the way we do it in NYC!"

Flaca pumps her fist in the air and curtsies in her cute dress at first, then takes off her adorable hat and bows. "¡Gracias a todos!"

"De nada!" Maritza answers back through giggles.

"What's your name, chiquita?" Flaca kneels and extends the microphone out toward her.

She blushes, for the tall Latina's eyes are on her. "Maritza."

"Nice meeting you!"

"Likewise!" They beam at each other with delight.

As soon as the concert is over and Diablo and his fellow band members give her high-fives, Flaca jumps off the stage. She maneuvers through the cheering crowd and finds her other friends. They gather her into a group hug. "Yay, you were fantastic up there!" Elena says jovially, and the others agree.

"¡Gracias! Did you see that petite waitress who went up to the stage? She was Latina like me."

"Mm-hm, girl, she was totally flirting with you!" Aleida points out with a wink.

"Really?" Flaca asks. "She didn't say I was hot...but the look in her eyes was like, enchanted."

"That's so romantic!" Lorna gushes.

"She's diggin' you!" Daya puts in.

"Why don't you ask her out?" Blanca suggests.

"I mean, she is pretty cute...but I don't want her to get weird vibes, like what if she's straight? She could've just been admiring me like we do with all famous people."

"You can just make friends with her...see if you wanna be somethin' more later on," Gloria advises.

"It ain't a bad idea," Margarita chimes in.

Flaca shrugs. "Okay..."

"¡Buena suerte!" Ceci shouts, pushing her away from them.

"I can't believe that lady asked my name, out of everyone else around me!" Maritza exclaims when she comes to the table where her favorite people are. "Do you think she was into me or somethin'?"

"Oh, definitely!" Nicky grins.

"Here she comes now!" Shani informs her.

"Let's see some awesomeness happen!" Tricia says, and she and Red giggle together. Lida joins in and snuggles into Vasily.

"This is going to be exciting!" Red comments cheerfully.

"If she tries to pick you up, please say yes," Alex murmurs.

Michelle smirks deviously. "Fo' sho, bitch!"

Maritza plays with her hair and fixes her necklace so it hangs just right. "She's seriously looking at me, right? First time I ever been starstruck..." Butterflies flit around her belly as Flaca is about to approach her.

"Sweetie, you'll be fine," Diane assures her and then they all go back to eating their food.

"So, hey...um, I noticed you being a big fan de mi canción," Flaca starts out, her eyes twinkling like stars. Seeing her up close like this is sort of magical. The smile on her face appears as if it'll never go away.

my song

"Yeah, you were amazing!"

"¡Muchas gracias!"

"¡De nada!"

"I...I was wondering, Maritza...would you be down with hangin' out with me sometime?"

Maritza nods her head yes and it takes a few seconds for her words to come out. "Sure, yeah, it'd be fun."

"You do beauty tutorials, right? On YouTube?"

"¡Los hago!" Maritza states proudly.

I do!

"That's so cool! I used to, but I dropped that habit as soon as trolls kept saying I'm a failure."

"Hey, you're not at all...¿por qué no haces uno conmigo cuando estemos juntas?"

Why don't you make one with me when we get together?

"Okay, ¡me encantaría!" Flaca squeals.

I'd love to!

Maritza claps her hands quickly a few times. "Yay!"

Once Juliana and Michaela have heard that things went well between their moms at the Indigo Club, they high-five each other and squeak happily while hugging. "Eeeep!" Juliana practically shrieks.

Michaela giggles. "I know!"

Later, they overhear Maritza talking to someone, probably one of her co-workers. "I met a woman tonight. Flaca Gonzales, she's new to this area..." Gasping, Michaela and Juliana rush over to the door and listen in from behind it while opening it just a crack. Nicky and Shani lean in eagerly to hear what Maritza is saying. "So, I was casually listening to music, right? Her voice draws me in, metaphorically carries me bridal style as I drown in her chocolate irises, and I wish I'd fainted from my low blood sugar problem so she could perform CPR on me. I felt so much more alive than usual once we locked eyes, and...ohhh, it was pure heaven!"

"Holy fuck, you wanna try mouth to mouth on her?" Nicky asks excitedly.

"Yes!"

Juliana and Michaela exchange a joyful glance. "Maybe you could ask if she'd like to," Shani murmurs.

"I might! I just don't wanna scare her off if she's straight."

"Eh, what's the harm in asking?"

"You're right, Nicky. I gotta practice for that, though."

"Yep!"

"So remember, if you're having a bad hair day, wear a fashionable hat." Maritza points to Flaca's as the latter holds her purple iPhone in front of them on a selfie stick.

"Yeah, and if you really need to, put your locks into two braids to hide that frizz!" Flaca chimes in.

"Earrings are a great accessory if you got your hair pulled back or into an updo, but make 'em big if your curls are down," Maritza goes on. "Okay, thanks for listening, mi gente...you know how to properly apply eye makeup from our last video, right?" She pauses. "So, I don't think we need to say it here."

"Adiós, basic bitches!" Flaca waves and Maritza does as well. After bringing the phone back down from its height, Flaca switches the camera off. She posts the tutorial up on YouTube. "Hey, we did good!"

Maritza swings all of her hair over one shoulder. "Lo sé."

"I'mma make enchiladas and bell peppers with hot sauce, okay?"

"Muchas gracias, compa."

Flaca grins at her new friend. "No hay problema, güey."

No problem, dude.

"Tienes un hermoso departamento, por cierto," Maritza comments, her tone bright.

You have a beautiful apartment, by the way

"Gracias," Flaca murmurs as she puts oil in the pan and turns on the burner. "Can you believe it, ten thousand viewers already, after only two days?!"

Maritza squeals with glee. "Sí, somos jóvenes, hermosas y sexys, ¿por qué no nos adorarían?"

We are young and beautiful and sexy, why wouldn't they love us?

"You got a point. Still, it's amazing!"

Their daughters sneak into the kitchen, behind the living room.

They have a wonderful time conversing all throughout lunch and Flaca is just about to serve afternoon tea when-

Ding-a-ling-a-ling!

"Oh, man, my phone's ringing. It's just a friend from Miami," Maritza says. Hang up! Juliana wants to scream at her mom. She shares a horrified expression with Michaela.

"Shit, that's me...such a coincidence. Someone's calling me too," Flaca adds. They both pull out their cell phones from their pockets and answer, "Hello?"

"No!" Michaela whispers under her breath.

"Jason," Flaca hears Maritza say on the phone. The smaller Latina holds up a finger and walks to another room. "How are you?" Her voice gets softer as she strolls further away from Flaca.

"Hello? Flaca, are you there?" Ian asks on the other end of the line.

"Yeah, I'm here. What is it?"

"I wanted to try us again...I actually don't mind being your sugar daddy, even if you got a kid..."

"We're done, I told you!"

"Come on, don't be dramatic...I'm lonely, please..." His whiny voice is driving Flaca insane, and she sees Maritza walk into the room, closing her phone. "Take me back..."

"Hold on, Ian."

"Why? Is there someone there? Are you cheating on me?"

"What the fuck, we ain't even together! I got mi amiga over."

"So, you're just gonna hang out with her and not support me in this?"

"I said I can't satisfy your boner 'cause I ain't some booty call. Now, I'll see you never. Goodbye."

"Love you."

"Fuck off, asshole!"

The door slams shut as Maritza hastily makes her exit. How will Flaca get her back? Who is this Jason person?

Once she notices Flaca still on the phone with Ian, Maritza grabs her things and rushes out the door. It closes with a loud bang that she hopes Flaca had heard. Maritza is starting her car when Flaca comes out.

"Lo siento, both our phones rang."

"All right," Maritza says, waving to her. "I gotta bounce." She's with someone else. "Ian," Maritza growls under her breath. She wants to find and kill that idiot. She's just getting to know Flaca, and both Ian and Jason had to ruin it with their stupid phone calls. "I fucking told you, she's straight," Maritza hisses to herself. "Te lo dije. It's no use getting your heart broken again."

I told you.

"Why the hell would you answer Jason, Mami?"

"I'm venting, mija, I don't need you to judge me, okay?" Maritza blinks back tears and wipes her thumb underneath her eyes. "It was a mistake...no sé yo que estaba pensando. I don't think Flaca's really into me either...she's good to be true. I knew she was unavailable! Fuckin' Ian..."

I don't know what I was thinking.

"Lo siento," Juliana mumbles. "Don't lose faith, por favor. Maybe they'll break up soon."

"I'm being realistic."

"Make sure Flaca's aware that the lawyer dumped you...he doesn't want you back."

"I can't seem like some loser! I ain't someone who gets ditched."

"You should at least apologize! I know your pride sometimes gets in the way, but...you gotta swallow that shit."

"She can say lo siento too, then." Maritza continues flipping through her magazine.

Juliana lets the subject drop and tries to think of a way to get her mom and Flaca together again. She has to call Michaela first. The girls are partners in this. She feels her phone vibrate in her pocket and she assumes it's Michaela, but it's Sterling. During all this matchmaking business she's in with Michaela, she has almost forgotten about him. They'd met when she ran out of the basketball game and then again when Michaela had introduced both her and Kolya to the clique. "Hello?"

"Hey, Juliana, how are you?"

"I'm great, you?"

"Yeah, listen, Abel and I were thinking of taking you and Michaela out on a double date tomorrow. What do you say?"

Juliana beams. "That'd be awesome! I'd love it, thanks! Where are we going?"

"Pizza Hut. That's where Kolya Reznikov, Isla Mendoza, Benji Córdova, and Vanessa Caputo are gonna be, and we'd sit with them, so it'd be like a quadruple date."

"That would be so cool! Let me ask my mom." Juliana holds the phone away from her mouth. "Hey, Mami, is it okay if I go to Pizza Hut with Sterling Morello and a bunch of other kids for a quadruple date tomorrow?"

"Sure it's fine! One of my favorite places, too. Get outta the house, away from your vieja mami for a while."

"You're not old, Ma," Juliana giggles. Then, she puts the phone back up to her ear. "She said yes!"

"Great! See you tomorrow!"

"Hasta mañana. Adiós, muchacho."

"Bye."

Juliana feels like dancing. She has a date with Sterling, her very first, in fact. They actually had a moment at the movies a few days ago, but Abel had invited all of them. This time, though, Sterling has invited her. This gives her a great idea all of a sudden. She'll bring her work to her fun and let the magic go from there. Michaela and Juliana may have started things, but it's up to their mothers to continue.

"Michaela, have you ever been in love?" Flaca asks her.

"Yes. I'm in love with Abel, and the only person I see is him when we're in a room together," she admits.

"Aw, that's fabulous!"

"Spill your deets, I know you got some, lady!"

"I came across a lovely woman at the bar the other night. Her name was Maritza Ramos. She acted like I saved her from something...one look into her eyes…she was the only one I saw in that club, nobody else," Flaca sighs.

"Oh, that's so romantic!"

"I'm not sure if it'll actually turn into anything more than a friendship..."

"It could," Michaela states positively. "I don't think one call from that lousy molly dealer wrecked whatever was developing between you two."

"I hope not. She just seemed so pissed when she took off."

"You really need to learn the art of ignoring calls when you're with other people. If it's so important, they'll leave a voicemail and you can listen to it later. Tell her you're sorry."

"Me? She's the one who answered her man so casually and left the room. It's too bad she's taken."

"She ain't even into him, okay? She's feelin' you. I saw the happiness she felt when she was with you..."

"You were eavesdropping on us?" Flaca lets out a disappointed sigh. "Michaela..."

"What?" Her phone starts to ring and she leaves the room, thinking it's Juliana. "Hey!"

"Michaela, it's Abel."

"Hi, Abel! Sorry I've been so busy trying to set my foster mom up with Maritza."

"It's alright. I know why you're doing this...but don't you want a break from all this work? I'm inviting you on a quadruple date tomorrow at Pizza Hut with me, you, Sterling, Juliana, Sammi, Kolya, Atticus, Isla, Vanessa, and Benji! It'll be crazy, but fun!"

"I'm so down, dude. You just gave me a brilliant plan. I have to ask Flaca if I can go, but she'll probably say yes. Hold on." She clutches her phone to her chest. "Hey, Flaca?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it alright if I chill with Abel at Pizza Hut? A bunch of other kids are going, like a group date."

"Sure, it would be great to meet new people! Have fun, kiddo."

"Thanks!" Michaela shouts. Then, she puts the phone back to her ear and speaks into the mouthpiece. "She said it was fine. I'm so excited!"

"I am too. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't spy on me getting ready."

"I was about to say the same thing to you." She giggles flirtatiously.

"Bye, Michaela!"

"Bye, Abel!" She loves saying his name.

She has to call Juliana right away. This plan is going to work. She can have fun with Abel while being a matchmaker with Juliana. If Flaca and Maritza really are into each other, they'd go out on a date. How will we get them to go to where we're going? she asks herself.

"¿Hola?"

"Maritza, solo quería decirte que lamento haber respondido a la llamada de mi ex novio," Flaca says, her voice sounding sincere and apologetic.

Maritza, I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry I answered my ex-boyfriend's call.

"Lo siento también," Maritza responds quickly. "So, he's really your ex? Like, in the past?"

I'm sorry too

"Mm-hm. Is Jason?"

"Sí, he's like, nobody to me. I don't care about him no more, I swear. Jason's a complete pendejo!"

"Okay, but you picked up the phone!" Flaca insists. Still, she smiles hugely at Maritza's confirmation that she's single.

"I told you I was sorry about that! What about your Ian?"

"Annoying as hell. Like I said before, he ain't mine anymore. We're not even together, I swear to Díos! I knew I shouldn't have picked it up. He just wanted to have another chance at gettin' with me!" Flaca shakes her head.

"Does he?"

Flaca purses her lips. "Oh, hell no, homegirl! So...you wanna hang?"

"Sure!"

"Does Pizza Hut sound good?"

"It's my favorite chill spot! Let's go there tonight!"

"Awesome! Te recogeré a las siete en punto."

I'll pick you up at seven-o-clock.

"Yay!"

Flaca picks Maritza up right at seven on the dot just after Juliana leaves with Sterling and his mom. Her eyes scan over Maritza and Flaca gestures toward her. "Nice!"

"Thanks, you too," Maritza says, smoothing down her magenta dress, looking down, and blushing. "I really like how well your purple flower patterned shirt goes with that leather jacket and gray jeans!"

"¡Gracias!"

"Do you feel like we're being set up or something? Juliana told me to wear this."

"Yeah, Michaela begged me to dress up for you. It's like they know each other."

"Well, they'll meet tonight. Shall we leave now?"

"We shall." Flaca links her arm through Maritza's, and then off they go.

When they get to the restaurant, they sit at a secluded table in the back, directly across from Juliana and her friends. They're laughing boisterously and Flaca and Maritza can hear them a little bit. Some people give them looks, but Maritza is glad they're having a great time. Juliana gives her a tiny wave, and Maritza does it back. Then, she sees a white girl with brown hair sitting next to Juliana. Is that Michaela, her daughter's friend who had come over to her house the other day?

"I think I know that Latina girl. Is that your daughter Juliana?"

"Yeah, and is that brunette your daughter Michaela?"

"Yeah. I wonder why Michaela went to your house and Juliana went to mine."

"Ay díos mío, we are being set up!" Maritza realizes aloud.

"Sí, but do you care?"

"Actually, I don't mind. ¡Me alegro de haberte conocido!"

"I'm glad I met you too!"

Flaca's words send a thrill through her.

The waiter walks over to their table. "Hi, what would you like to drink?"

"Just a coke, please," Flaca said, looking at Maritza. The waiter seems to glare at the taller Latina, and she grins right back at him.

Maritza makes googly eyes at Flaca just to piss him off. "I'd like a coke too," she murmurs. "What was that about?" Maritza wonders aloud once he's gone.

"The waiter was jealous of me, I guess. So I wanted to play with him a little bit," Flaca smirks.

"Ah, smart move. I couldn't stand him looking at me like that. I have enough men at the club doing that, I don't need him!"

"Do I look at you like that?" Flaca asks worriedly.

"Not really, but I don't care if you do."

Flaca raises her eyebrow at Maritza. "Why?"

"'Cause you're true to yourself. I like that in women!"

"Really?"

"Sí." Maritza takes Flaca's hands in hers and places them in the middle of the table, still holding them. She can't stop staring into Flaca's eyes. "I'm sorry. You're straight...this is supposed to be a 'just friends' thing."

Flaca scoffs. "Mari, that's a load of bullshit. I'm bi!"

Maritza's jaw drops in astonishment. "You serious? Me, too!"

"Sweet! Lemme ask you somethin'...what is your idea of a perfect lady?"

"I told you, true to herself, beautiful and smart, and she has to look just like you."

"Same here!"

"¡Gracias!" Maritza can't stop smiling at Flaca through dinner. She's really and truly in love with her.

"They seem to be getting along," Juliana comments happily to Michaela.

"Yeah, they're holding hands!" she points out giddily.

"Hey, guys!" Isla greets them while waving and sitting down with Kolya. Across from them are their dates, Sammi and Atticus Nichols, Nicky's half siblings.

"Perfect, we're just in time for the food," Vanessa said, plopping onto a chair next to Benji while Taystee comes over to take their orders. Everyone wants pepperoni and sausage pizza with extra cheese, and Isla is already having pasta.

"When is your mom's stupid wedding?" Michaela asks.

"Yeah, she ain't marryin' that scumbag," Juliana says confidently. "How do we get rid of him, if he pops up somewhere like the creep he is?"

"Not sure," Isla murmurs, stabbing her fork into a marinara sauce coated noodle.

"Benji, do you have a prank we can play on Humps?" Kolya asks.

"Oh, do I! Okay, did you guys ever see Cheaper by the Dozen?"

"Yeah," they all chorus.

"Remember when they soaked meat in Hank's underwear?"

"Mm-hm, that was hysterical," Vanessa comments, laughing.

"Every dog in the neighborhood went after him and his car, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Michaela chortles, remembering now.

"Let's do that to Humps, then call the police!"

"Excellent plan, my bro!" Abel says, hi-fiving Benji.

"You're so smart," Vanessa praises him, kissing his cheek. Then, he grabs her and they make out passionately for quite a while.

Sterling beams. "Then, he'll never hurt Juliana ever again!"

"Okay, pause all this!" Juliana puts her hands up, palms facing forward. "Look, it's really sweet how you guys are trying to protect me and make him disappear...but he's not just some annoying douchebag...he's dangerous. Mami even brought a gun for our safety. Hopefully, she won't need to use it because Charles will be meeting him at the airport, ready to arrest that son of a bitch. She completely ditched him over the phone the other day...I was just like, talkin' about if he escapes prison and wondered if anyone had another idea on kicking him out of our lives for good that wouldn't put Mami behind bars. She'd get self-defense, but...he'd just be lurking, lying in wait...being spooky in general."

"I dunno, then," Atticus says defeatedly, and the group sends Juliana apologetic smiles.

Juliana sighs sadly. "It's okay. I guess we'd have to bother Charles again about it."

"It's not called bugging the police when you've got a stalker," Sterling points out.

"Yeah!" the rest of them agree.

Michaela pats Juliana's hand fondly. "Don't worry. My mom will be like your bodyguard. If you wanna move in with us just so he won't find you, that's A-okay with me. I'm positive Flaca would think so, too."

Juliana smiles at her. "¡Muchas gracias! You're such a good friend."

"No prob!"

"How'd you girls meet, anyway?" Sammi wants to know. She props her chin up on her hand.

"We banged into each other, literally!" Michaela responds. "I rang the Ramos' doorbell and skedaddled as soon as I saw Humps."

"I ran away from the basketball game y'all were playing," Juliana informs the group. She points at Michaela."You got my cheer uniform dirty!"

Michaela swats her shoulder lightly. "Well you just about ruined my leather jacket...and tore my black tights!"

"So I guess we're even."

"Mm-hm."

"Oh, that's funny!" Isla and Vanessa chorus. They hook their pinkies together. "Jinx!"

"We should also pull that perro trick on that racist asshole Brittany Harding. She called me a dirt taco at school!"

"She makes me embarrassed to be white," Michaela grumbles. "I'm sorry." She gives Juliana a sympathetic look and puts her arm around the Latina. "She deserves to be terrorized by ferocious animals!"

Their friends agree, cackling hysterically in unison. Juliana and Michaela quickly join them.

"So, my husband, Darius died when Juliana was born," Maritza informs Flaca.

"Oh, lo siento."

Maritza nods. "Gracias. I was first married at twenty-one, but now I'm thirty-two. That makes Juliana eleven."

"Mm, okay! I'm thirty and Michaela's thirteen."

"Cool! You two should totally watch Thirteen Going On Thirty!"

"We did! It's a good movie." Flaca's facial expression lightens up.

"I know, right? So, what was the deal with Ian?"

Flaca rolls her eyes. "He sells molly and made me choose between life with him and motherhood. Guess what I picked."

"¡Eres una buena mamá! He's a jerk, though."

You're a good mom!

Flaca beams. "I appreciate hearing that."

"It's true. Anyone who loves their child like I do my daughter, is muy bién in my book."

"Mine, too." Flaca leans in. "You're so excellent with Juliana!"

"Muchas gracias. Sometimes, I don't feel like I am, though...like, if a guy is bad for me, I don't know it until it's too late. I don't want those nasty freaks around my baby, but this recent asshole, Humps, has already met her, unfortunately...barged his way into my house, I couldn't get him out until he left, but once he did, I called the cops. He was trespassing on my property and he hurt Juliana! I gotta protect her, and myself, too."

"Well, good! I'm relieved you did! I hope you're both okay." Her voice drips with concern.

"Yeah, we are. I met Jason at a funeral and then we went to this club with an afterlife theme...I was the first to do the wheelbarrow with him...but the next day, he ditched me." Maritza shrugs halfheartedly. "We're better off without him."

"That's for sure! Fuck that guy, right?"

"No one wants to!" Maritza giggles and then Flaca joins in. "I don't really wanna converse about dudes anymore, though. It's like, boring, straight white women talk. I was explaining how I knew Jason, and pointing it out that he's clearly a scumbag."

"I gotcha."

"Oh hey, Mackenzie, can you believe what Jason did? He ran for state senate and then golfed all day long...I guess we'll have to reschedule the luncheon for tomorrow afternoon!" Taystee pouts as she walks by their table.

"Amanda, my goodness, your husband is turning into a word I can't say in public, because, why, that would be horribly vulgar!" the waitress' best friend, Poussey, states in a fake high voice. "Does he do that all the time?"

"No, honestly! Why don't you and Mark try that bistro? It's stupendous!"

Poussey clasps her hands together. "I'd be delighted to!"

Both women stifle giggles behind their palms as they break character. Flaca and Maritza laugh out loud.

"They remind me of mi mejor amiga y yo," Maritza comments. "Daisy's like my roommate and Juliana's live-in babysitter! She used to be a nurse, but I'm glad she's with us twenty-four seven now."

"That's awesome! One of my besties, Ceci, is a nurse too, still. That would be neat if they worked together once!"

"Yeah! Yo, this pizza was deliciosa. ¡Mi comida favorita! It's probably everyone's."

"So are bean, cheese, and rice tacos with hot sauce! I loved our cena, too." Flaca's eyes sparkle with excitement as she rests her cheek in her palm. "We share so much compatibility, you feel me?"

"Definitely!" Maritza grins.

"You wanna get outta here?" Flaca holds her gaze. "We gotta have our privacy!"

"Okay, and go where, exactly?"

"Um...my car?" Flaca responds shyly. "That is, if you wanna try stuff...between us?"

"Like..." Maritza's eyes widen as she supposedly comes to a realization. "Oh! Of course, yeah!"

"¿Estás segura?" Flaca checks.

Maritza nods, her smile almost giddy. "¡Vámonos!"

Let's leave!

After splitting the bill, they stroll out of the restaurant while linking arms. "Chiquita, I just wanted to say I had a wonderful time tonight with you," Flaca murmurs.

"Yo también lo hice. You're so pretty..."

I did, too.

"So are you, beautiful." Flaca gently pushes Maritza against the hood of the car and caresses the shorter Latina's cheek. They exchange an affectionate, adoring stare as Maritza toys with the tassels on Flaca's leather jacket and then embraces her. She tilts her head up as Flaca angles hers down so their mouths can meet. Flaca lets out a dreamy sigh as Maritza's sweet breath fans her face.

Entwined in each other, they moan as they kiss hungrily, passionately, alternating between soft swipes with their tongues and sucking each other's lips.

"Oh my goodness, darling," Maritza gasps out once they separate. They remain hugging.

Flaca chuckles. "That was amazing!"

Maritza squeals. "I wanna do it over and over again. I got so much affection for ya..."

"Same, I...I really enjoy your company."

"Mi querida..." is all Maritza is able to say before she and Flaca dive into another heavy makeout session under the silver moonlight, their lips molded together.

A while later, Vanessa, Isla, and their dates have left already, and now it's just Michaela, Abel, Juliana, and Sterling in the restaurant at almost eleven. They need to go, so Karla picks them up and drives them all home. The girls hug each other goodbye and Juliana waves at the boys. She exits Karla's car once the woman drops her off and walks up the steps to her house. She knocks on her front door.

"Hi, Mami!" Juliana greets her as Maritza opens up for her. They hug.

"Hola, querida," Maritza whispers in her hair.

"¿Cómo ha sido tu cita?" she asks. "Flaca really likes you. I saw you two holding hands at the restaurant!"

How was your date?

"You're right. She said she'd dump that Ian bitch for me, if they were a thing."

"That's great, Mami!"

"Really, though, what would you say if I went out with a woman?"

"I would be so ecstatic!"

"Yo, Kayla!" Flaca sweeps Michaela up into a huge hug. "It's cool if I nickname you that, right?"

"Of course, sure! How was your date?" Michaela wonders aloud.

Flaca wears the giddiest beam on her face that Michaela has ever seen, so this must be extremely good news. "Maritza is the most wonderful person I've ever met! I'm just wondering, did you and Juliana set us up? We felt like we were being spied on."

"The truth is…yes. We did, but for very good reasons. She was about to marry a monster, but Juliana and I had a lot of tricks up our sleeves and he won't be a problem anymore, unless he wants to rot in prison for the rest of his sorry life. You're lucky I have a prankster for a hopefully-soon-to-be boyfriend."

"Yeah, that prank gene Abel's got is rubbing off on you and Juliana!"

"You're also lucky that's the only thing he's rubbing on us." Michaela laughs and then runs to her room before Flaca can say anything.

"I hope so!" the woman shouts from the kitchen. "You're thirteen, why you talkin' like that?"

"I'm a teenager! Good night, Flaca," Michaela tells her while changing for bed. She jumps under her covers and waits for Flaca to come and kiss her good night. She's close to falling fast asleep when she feels Flaca's lips press against her forehead. Moments later, Michaela opens her eyes for a second to see the light on in Abel's room. He's changing out of his pants and shirt. Oh my god, I just saw him naked. He looks so sexy! Michaela drifts off for real this time, laughing.

"So, did ya kiss?" Juliana asks once Flaca lets her and Maritza inside the next afternoon. Michaela jogs up to them. "I know you been textin' all mornin'."

"Yes, we did, you nosy niñas," Flaca replies and then gives Michaela a noogie.

"Hey!"

Juliana chuckles and high-fives Michaela. "Woohoo!"

"¡Seriously, though, gracias!"

"Sí, gracias," Maritza echoes as Flaca hugs her close. They lock lips intensely and the girls both race to Flaca's small backyard.

Under the golden rays of light, they cheer in unison, their unending joy flowing through them.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, MsSchneeheide and Juliette45!