Thank you for beta'ing, A Star In My Universe and yay for Johanna-002 catching up!

Happy birthday, Elizabeth Rodriguez (Aleida)!

Note, this may be the last chapter I'm posting for free, because of our stupid American government, but don't worry, I'll still be here to write more and pay extra!

To the guest who asked about Bennett, he'll make an appearance (probably his last) but he's never going to be with Daya in this story again, sorry! He was a deadbeat dad in canon and I really can't stand him, he hurt her!

Warning, bullying.

Doubt and confusion sweep over Taystee. She doesn't know why Vee would want to double the amount of drugs coming into their apartment by bringing in another connect. "Oh, cool, nice to meet you," she says politely while shaking Arturo's hand.

"He escaped prison, and I don't want him getting busted, so you need to keep our relationship a secret," Vee instructs Taystee.

"I'm turning my life around, and I'm gonna help Vee do the same," he adds, pulling Taystee's foster mother in for a hug.

"Wow!" Taystee beams. "I'mma have the perfect family if y'all make it! We all gotta go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings and shit, though!"

"That much is clear, Taystee Girl," Vee says and grins widely while patting her cheek. "Now, tell me, what'd you girls do at the pizza joint?"

"Oh, we just talked and ate...it was fun to reconnect with Maria and Steph and have all our best friends kick it with us!"

"I'm glad."


"Nice jacket!" Michelle compliments Alex once they see each other at school. "Is that pleather?"

"Yeah. Thanks!" Alex beams at her. "Are you sure the white doesn't make me look too washed out?"

"Mm-hm, some white girls can pull it off, and you're one of 'em. I love the fringe, too, by the way!" Michelle threads her fingers through the material. "It's so cute, I might just have to buy it off you!"

Alex chuckles. "It's not for sale!"

"I know, I was teasing you."

"My friend, Lorna, white's her color, according to her mom. I tend to agree!"

"Oh yeah, I know Lorna, she's a nice girl."

"Right, you're in her gym class!"

"You were the only one I hadn't met out of your gang, up until yesterday, probably 'cause I'm Latina. Anyway, I'm glad we're going to homecoming together. I'll be at the game tonight, too."

"Same here! Oh, that's awesome! Hey...since we're starting to become acquainted with each other, I oughta share some tidbits about my life that the other girls are aware of. Uh...as you may have already guessed, Diane, or Ms. Vause, is my mom...and up until Maria's quinceñera, I never knew my dad. You ever heard of Lee Burley?"

"Not really...am I supposed to?"

"Well, he was famous...he played the drums for this washed-up rock band, Death Maiden...before they all got addicted to drugs." Alex gestures to her jacket and puts her hands in the pockets. "I was gonna wear this if I ever met him...like go to a concert of his or something and have it on. I planned it all out, I'd do this in my late twenties. I've reached my full height, so it would've still fit. I guess my mom didn't know he was such a loser...or, I should say still an asshole, since she gave him another try, because that's how good she is. The son of a bitch hit on me in front of all my friends, and he was so gross about it, too...saying if he'd never discovered I was his daughter, he would've tried something with me because of my rack!" Alex rolls her eyes. "Motherfucker...thank god I didn't waste this jacket on him!"

Michelle wrinkles her nose and sticks out her tongue. "Wow, what a creep! I'm sorry that happened to you."

"I know. At least he's out of our lives forever, and we've moved on completely. I just wanted to open up to you about that."

"Oh, I see...and I thought my worst story was this ugly, painful scabbing on my forehead that I'm currently covering up by having on a beanie every day! You can always feel free to come to me about anything."

"Thanks for listening! I hope you're okay."

"I am...just trying to ignore it. I thought it was shingles or spider bites at first, but now, I'm sure it's the latter."

"Have you gone to see a doctor?" Alex wonders aloud in concern.

"Yeah, I've been taking medication. It should take a while to go away, who knows how long...but I hope before homecoming! I'll have bangs if they're still there."

"That's a great idea."

"I'm full of 'em!"

Alex feels her phone buzz in her pocket, so she takes it out. Seeing that it's from P, she quickly covers up the message. "You can walk in front of me if you want! It's kinda crowded here, and I wanna make sure no one bumps into you!"

"Oh, okay...thanks."

Once Michelle isn't able to see the P text, Alex reads it. My, how we move on so quickly in good old Queens! One girlfriend's dead, the other one's missing, I wonder what's gonna happen to this one? People will start to wonder why your lovers keep disappearing...you're just not watchful enough, bitch! Blind as a fuckin' bat...

A chill runs up Alex's spine and she shoves her phone into her purse. She hurriedly takes a protective hold of Michelle's hand, and sparks shoot up her arm, probably because of how warm and soft the other girl's skin feels. "Hey...hope this is alright! I just...I think you're pretty and sweet, and I'm so comfortable with you. I know it's fast, but...yeah," she ends awkwardly.

"It's more than alright. You're awesome and totally fine!" Michelle grins up at Alex and squeezes her hand.


After getting permission from Caputo to paint a mural for the homecoming dance, Daya and Nicky get to work. They don't let their friends see it until they're done. In the middle of their project, Daya is just dipping her paint roller into the can of blue when she hears her last name mentioned.

"Yet another Diaz family member was arrested!"

"What else is new?"

"Isn't that like, the third one now?"

"It's always drugs with them...but why would an old fart need to shoot up?"

"God, no wonder Daya's pregnant, she grew up with criminals! I wonder who the father is..."

"Would you idiots stop spreading rumors and talkin' about me?" Daya bursts out at the gossipmongers. "I'll make it easy for y'all so you can finally shut the fuck up! It ain't your damn business!" She steps off the ladder. "You can continue it, Nicky!" She heads to Diane's classroom quickly and lets herself in. "Hi...can I speak to you?"

Diane pauses in her writing today's lesson on the board and turns around with a pleasant smile. "Yes. What's up?"

"Okay..." Daya takes a deep breath and lets it out. She takes a seat in the front and laces her fingers together on her lap. "How did you deal with it...being pregnant and alone? I'm the new topic of the school now."

"I have so been in your boat, although I was twenty-four and not fifteen. Everything hurt from the heartbreak...I only listened to sad songs, I didn't eat or leave my bed, except for to visit the Williamsburg Waterfront, I couldn't sleep, I felt drained and sick, like physically...and that was just before I found out I had Alex inside me. My parents ditched me because I had, in their viewpoint, fucked up my life and they wouldn't allow me to stain their precious upstanding reputation. I was having a baby out of wedlock, and her dad wasn't even in the picture, so what good is a single mom, right?" Diane scoffs while taking the chair next to Daya. "I basically had to start over. They said it was my fault for chasing my dreams and being stupid in the first place. While that's true-"

"It's not, they were rude to say that to you!" Daya insists.

"I know...and my advice to you, is ignore anyone trying to bring you down, or just give 'em the middle finger. Single mothers don't get enough appreciation as it is, and if they're young like you and I, forget it."

"Did people call you a whore?"

"Yeah, I've heard that delightful word a time or two," Diane mutters. "You gotta remember that people don't know the whole story and they're being ignorant little shits. You're better than them, though. You're doing the best you can, so keep your head up high, and let those nasty words go in one ear and out the other."

"Thanks. It's just...I wanted John to stay," Daya says wistfully. "If only he wasn't a deadbeat..."

"Who knows? You could find a real man later on in life."

"I hope so. Uh, somethin' else...you've heard it going around that somebody else in my family was taken to prison...well, he's not related to me at all, by blood or love."

"I know, honey. Alex told me it was just some dumbass who tried to break up an argument between your mom and grandma."

"Yeah, but people outside of my social circle and you...don't need to know that!"

"I understand. You wanna stay in here 'til the bell rings?"

"Nah, it's alright. I was actually busy with Nicky...it's a surprise, so you and the rest of the school will see it later next week!"

"Oh, cool! I'm looking forward to it."

"It was nice talking to you!" Daya and Alex's mother hug. "Bye!"

"Bye!"


"You can't just split up!" Lorna protests. "You're Flaritza!"

"Well, Mari says she needs space, and I can't say I blame her." Flaca sighs sadly. "Why am I so blind? She's gonna have lunch with Blanca, Maria, Ouija, and the rest today...she's with that crowd as we speak. I feel like such a fuckin' jerk!"

"Don't beat yourself up, hon. I didn't know Nicky was into me, and I talked about Christopher incessantly...like, I was aware that she loved me, but I thought it was as a real close friend. You remember what I told ya?"

"With a voice like mine, singing is the best thing I can do to win a girl back. I tried that! It didn't work, dude. I even wore my favorite plaid skirt and eyeliner she likes, and nothin'. She ain't even talkin' to me or lookin' my way."

"She's probably embarrassed. I think the song we're writing together is cute...maybe Kubra could host an open mic night at the Sparrow Tavern and you can serenade her. She can't say no in front of a huge audience! At least get her to forgive you, but be real romantic about it."

"Dios mío..."

"I know you're emo, but you gotta have some hope. I miss that light in both of your eyes."

"Me, too."

The warning bell rings, ending Flaca's heart-to-heart with Lorna. Daya meets up with Flaca and wheels her into their English class. They say hello to Ms. Rendon, a Latina who appears to be in her young twenties and has replaced Mr. Bennett. Flaca gets out her materials needed as Daya goes up to Adarsh's desk and taps it, getting his attention.

"Oh, hey, Daya!" He stands up and they hug. Flaca beams to herself and tries not to giggle at how adorable they are together.

"Hi! Um, so I was wondering if you wanna go to homecoming? Like, the two of us?" she asks. "With all my friends, of course!"

Adarsh beams and Daya grins back at him. "Sure!"

"Okay, we'll get tickets at lunch!"

"Alright!"

When Daya returns to her seat, Flaca gives her a hi-five. She stiffens when her phone chimes on top of the table and a text appears. She scans it discreetly. Well, the good news is if Maritza doesn't ever forgive you, that's one more person on my side! You just can't stop losing friends, huh? Maybe you got some kind of disease. Kisses, P

Maria and Blanca stroll in and sit behind her and Daya. Flaca turns around quickly. "How was Maritza? I know she's mad and depressed and everything, but...could you just tell her I'm real sorry? I've tried to say it to her face through song, that I love her, but she won't listen to me."

"We can't get her out of her slump, no matter what," Blanca responds.

"Yeah, and you didn't exactly apologize, fool!" Maria puts in.

"It ain't like she said shit!" Flaca defends herself.

"She gave you so many hints!" Blanca mutters.

"That's what she said!" Maria says.

"Yo, don't make me feel worse than I already do! What is this, gang up on Flaca day?"

"You gotta keep trying different things to get her to forgive you. That's what true love's all about," Daya lets Flaca know.


"How do you know you're in love, Diane? You see stars and all that?" Lorna wants to know as she walks into English class with Maritza.

"I'm not quite sure, since I'm just learning myself," Diane answers.

"In my experience, you don't really see stars, but you just feel happy and light inside, you smile more, and when you see the person, it's the best part of your day. They're the number one priority, and the first one you come to when you got somethin' to share, whether it be good or bad. You also get a tingling feeling, and your eyes could sparkle like stars! At least that's how it is in mine and Diablo's case," Blanca tells Lorna just before leaving the classroom and waving goodbye to Diane.

"It's like that with me and Nicky, as well!"

"Yeah, basically like a best friend, but with romantic feelings attached. That's why it hurts so much when they don't think of you the same way," Maritza whispers bitterly.

Lorna squeezes her hand in support and then wraps her arms around her slightly taller friend. "She does, hon. She's mentally kicking herself over it!"

"Nah...you can't help who you're in love with." Maritza shrugs. "It was worth a try, believing we had a chance. Like, I don't hate her or nothin'...but I'm keeping my distance until I calm down. I basically set myself up for failure." Her voice cracks at the end of her sentence and she hiccups. "I'm sorry...I need a breather," she squeaks and then sniffles. "Girls can mess you up, too."

"It's okay, go ahead," Diane responds, glancing at her in concern.

"Thanks."

Lorna shakes her head as her heart shatters for her friends, who have serious communication issues. When Maritza comes back, appearing blotchy-faced, she wipes her eyes, gives her nose one last honk, and takes her seat. "Don't you wanna fix your makeup? It's kinda running," Lorna points out while handing Maritza a tissue.

Maritza dabs at the corners of her eyes with it. "I also came to school in sweats, so I don't give a shit how I look. Besides, Sophia can give me a makeover for tonight. I feel more comfortable without anything tight around my waist anyway. At least I'm showing school spirit by wearing red and blue."

"True."

"Just let me wallow, okay? I know you're like, all about the romance, but you can't force shit between people when one of them clearly doesn't want it. We may have been the masters of putting Gloria and Fahri together, but she never outright said she didn't want anybody...however, Flaca was totally upfront with how she felt about me, and that's nothin' more than a homie. Those songs didn't come from her heart...she was just tryin' to make me feel better. You got it?"

Lorna blows out a large gust of air defeatedly. "Alright." Her phone pings as she goes to turn it off. The students' eyes are all on her, and she hates being on the spot like this.

"Could you put that on vibrate and put it away, please?" Diane asks. "I don't wanna take it, but I will if it's gonna distract you."

"Sorry, Diane! I was just about to!" Her face flushes in mortification as she hurriedly looks over her new notification. It's always funny when some idiot disrupts the class with their phone's volume all the way up! Sure you're still the teacher's pet? Love ya, P

"Thank you, Lorna. I also apologize...Caputo's been on our asses to be more strict! That felt so weird coming out of my mouth. I hate my stern voice."

Lorna grins. "It's fine."


At the beginning of lunch, Diane finally has time to once again check up on Aleida, since Daya had reminded her of what happened at their apartment. The ladies are cooking up something delicious while Fahri is sweeping crumbs into a dustpan. "Hey!" she greets them, and they hug her while smiling.

"Whatcha doin' back here?" Gloria questions her.

"I thought your man was comin'!" Aleida chimes in.

"Don't even bother to correct her, he's given you a little bounce in your step!" Claudette notices aloud when Diane starts to protest.

"Yeah," Diane admits through a laugh. "Well, Charles is working...he's got a month-long case ahead of him! He wants to come to the game, so he's doing tonight's tasks right now. We haven't kissed yet, though!"

"Oh, but you will!" Red predicts, and Norma nods cheerfully.

"He better not do anything without your permission!" Fahri says and then exits the backroom.

"He won't, dude! I ain't gonna let him!" Diane chuckles and shakes her head at his overprotectiveness, but she enjoys the fact that he's like a brother to her. "Anyway...how'd you really cut your lip, Aleida? Even after those three monsters were sent to live in prison, you still seem troubled...and someone was taken out of your place. I saw it with my own two eyes when Charles arrested him."

"He's nobody, okay? Emiliano hit me with one of his toys by accident," Aleida mumbles as she scrubs a pan.

"Why'd you blame it on the pig fuckers?" Red asks.

"I don't...I don't know, it seemed easier, I guess. Kids can be a pain, literally."

"Are you alright, dear?" Claudette wonders aloud.

"Yeah. On another note...I dunno who to pick between Leon and Cesar."

"The fact that you mentioned Leon's name first says it all!" Diane points out.

"I didn't wanna get mushy about it, but he told me those three little words. I love you."

"Aw, cute!" Gloria squeals.

Aleida smiles, but she appears to also be a bit sad for some reason. "Only thing is, I never said it back. How can I? I love both men."

"When was the last time you even thought about Cesar or visited him?" Diane asks.

"Like last week, and we had a fight...but that don't mean nothin'! We was bein' jealous of each other's new partners and shit. If he wasn't in prison, we'd be having makeup sex all the fuckin' time!" Aleida sounds almost desperate to get them to believe her.

"Do you think you still would've met Leon?" Red wonders aloud.

"I don't wanna imagine him not in my life."

"Here's the thing, Aleida...you seem to be doing just fine without Cesar, and frankly, you've really become one of my best friends," Gloria tells her.

"Mine, too," Diane agrees. "See, I like my men loyal and compassionate...and Cesar just isn't either of those. Girl, he's got a woman here, there, and every-fuckin-where! If he weren't in prison, he would continue his pattern of putting babies in their bellies and making your children suffer! Sure, you're cheating on him...but he's a lot worse!"

"Yeah, trust what we're saying, we've been through it with guys like him!" Gloria adds. "All he did was use you!"

"He's like most men, he thinks with his dick," Aleida grumbles. "I know he got flaws, but we got history."

"I didn't wanna jinx anything by explaining the relationship between Charles and me, and I'm a teacher and I've been burned before, so I prefer to keep it on the down low. Lee and I are done forever, though. It was easy to choose Charles over that dumb fuck!" Diane exclaims. She puts a comforting hand on Aleida's shoulder. "Sometimes, old flames burn out for extremely good reasons, such as abuse or being incredibly inappropriate with your kids, and it's okay if you find a new person to relight the candle inside your heart."

"That's correct!" Red tells her.

"Yep! Well, it was nice talking to y'all!" Diane lets them know and waves goodbye to the women. "Welcome to the English department, Johanna!" she says excitedly when she comes to where Johanna and Frieda are at a table. "How's the new job treating you?"

"Great, thanks!"

"Awesome!"


"Isn't it a little too early for you to have such poor bladder control?" Artesian, Daya's History teacher, asks Aleida while they're both in the women's bathroom. "You've rushed in here three times now!"

"What the fuck?! Where'd you hear that?"

"Sorry, just, uh, through the grapevine..."

Aleida rolls her eyes. "Okay, well it ain't your business, nosy!"

Artesian puts her hands up in surrender. "I apologize. You wouldn't believe what the students are saying...like, you could be pregnant. I dunno."

"They're all talkin' about me?"

"Mm-hm. Look, I'm just concerned about my fellow co-worker."

"Well, don't be!"

"I'll speak to her, Ms. McCollough, it's alright," Daya cuts in, and the blonde woman finally disappears. "Ma, why you always waiting 'til the last second to go to the bathroom?"

"It's so nobody catches me like Jack did," Aleida whispers. "Shit, don't say nothin'!" She stomps away from Daya and back into the cafeteria. Everyone is staring at her like she's an alien from outer space.

"I think it's her fourth time going..." someone trails off.

"What's she in such a hurry for?" another person asks themselves.

She attempts to ignore the rumors that are circulating about her as she rejoins her fellow kitchen ladies, who are serving beef and noodles, but it's still like she's being suffocated. "I'm so fuckin' tired of this," she mutters to Gloria and Red. She leans over the counter. "I was fuckin' raped, everybody happy now?" she yells. It goes completely quiet, and she leaves to the backroom.

Diane runs up to her, alarmed, and hugs her. "Oh my god, Aleida..."

Aleida returns the gesture and feels Red enveloping both her and Diane in her arms. "I'm sorry..." the older woman murmurs. Claudette pats Aleida's back fondly and Norma and Fahri give her sympathetic looks.

"You don't got nothin' to apologize for! I just needed everybody to shut the fuck up, and now they finally did, so whatever." She slips out of their embraces and goes to hand out food again, but before she gets there, Leon walks up to her without a word and starts kissing her tenderly while cupping her cheeks. She stands on her tiptoes so he doesn't have to lean down so much. His calloused, strong hands run down her jawline, neck, shoulders, arms, and land around her elbows. She reaches up to hold his face in her hands. "Mmm..." she moans into his mouth and closes her eyes as the tension leaves her body. His breath is so warm and sweet. "When did you come here?"

"About three minutes ago, and the gossip reached my ears. How cruel of them all to drive you to say you were-"

"Yeah, I just wanna forget it."

Leon plays with a strand of her hair and brings her closer to him than before so that their waists are touching and they're in their own little bubble, with her buried in his muscular arms. "Aleida, I'm with you, okay? Always."

Aleida beams at his assurance and presses the side of her face into his chest. "Okay. I like knowin' that."

"Hey, I mean it, baby!"

"I believe you."


"We can still go to homecoming, Mari," Flaca lets her know. "I know you're mad at me-"

"Nah, you don't gotta take me. We ain't girlfriends, and we got our own friends. I thought when we kissed a few times, we really connected, but I guess I was mistaken." Maritza turns around to face Daya. "I feel so bad about what happened with your ma!"

"Yeah!" the others with them agree as they're buying tickets.

"Thanks," Daya replies. She really doesn't want to talk about it anymore, so she decides to take a break from her friends until she and Aleida are no longer the center of their conversations. It's bad enough that the whole school knows the Diazes' secret. She puts her hand on her still flat belly and strokes it affectionately as she walks away to be alone.

"Hey...where are you going?" Adarsh asks from behind her, attempting to keep up with her brisk pace.

"Everybody is fully aware that this is the generic sign for leave me be!" Daya sighs loudly once he catches up to her. They both lean against the fence separating the school from the parking lot.

"Well...why?"

She folds her arms across her chest. "You don't give up, huh?"

"Nope. You can tell me anything. I'm not trying to pressure you, it's just...I'm worried about you. It's awful, your mom went through that-"

"Yeah, my abuela was so bad with Aleida, in fact, she's so horrible that she victim blamed my ma and we had to kick her out of the family last night. The treatment that Ma got from her own mother, made her be terrible to me and my baby sister and brother until Gloria and Leon came into the picture, therefore, I'm gonna suck as a mom, too!" Daya snaps at him and then laughs bitterly. "I'mma need a Gloria to help me...and maybe a Leon!" At this, he puts his arm around her. She doesn't push him away this time. If he wants to be burdened with her, that's his choice.

"Daya, you're just yourself...you know your grandmother and Aleida were wrong, you know to do the right thing and what the right thing is, and if you ever feel like you're struggling with motherhood, I'll be there through it all," he tells her soothingly. She glances at him in disbelief and scoffs.

"Where have I heard that before? You've only been my pal for two weeks...dude, it's nine months! John couldn't even stay one!"

"Seriously, I'll stick around, and he's a snake. Your friends are positive influences in your life, too, and you have great role models in Aleida, Gloria, Red, and Diane, right?"

"Of course!"

"Well, maybe your grandma and your mom didn't have as wonderful of a group of supporters like you do, and I'm sure you'll be an excellent mother, you already take care of your siblings really well!"

Her spirits rise a bit more because of his kind words. "What if my kid asks me why I gave them up for adoption?"

"Just explain that you had them too young and you were still in school, and you wanted the best life possible for them."

"I'll keep that in mind." Daya's phone vibrates and she jumps and plucks it out of her bag. She swivels around to hide it from him. Wouldn't it be a shame if your baby killed you? Don't you dare give it up to a fucking stranger for adoption, you selfish slut! You're just like your gold digging mother! Xo, P

"What's up?" he asks worriedly as she shuts her phone all the way off and doesn't let him read the P message. "You got a scared expression on your face just now."

"Nothin'...sometimes, I get harassed for bein' a teen mom, like cyberbullying." Daya shrugs. "I can deal."

Adarsh gives her a gentle smile. "Dayanara Diaz, life hasn't always been kind to you, but you got people, including me."

She hides a snicker beneath her palm. "Really, you used my full name?"

"I just wanted to say it, I think it's pretty," he admits shyly. "You ready to face the big, bad world again?"

Daya nods her head yes while grinning. "Mm-hm."

"Have I entered an alternate universe or did you really just crack a smile for me?"

She pushes him to the side and giggles. "Shut up."


"Hey, goth freak, I bet you enjoyed that blood," Polly taunts Flaca as she and Larry sit across from Flaca, Alex, Michelle, Lorna, and Nicky. "Unfortunately, Ms. Bell isn't into it like the sicko she's replacing, so in that way, I feel sorry for you."

"Whatever, puta!" Flaca snaps while flipping her off.

"Why don't you just get lost, Holly Hobbie?" Alex asks roughly.

"No can do, Supercunt."

Larry guffaws. "I saw your mom in some porn videos! She was a real whore! All the guys wanna bang her now...even some girls. I bet you would, if she wasn't your mom, and Nicky, too, and Michelle!" Alex just grits her teeth at him and Nicky can tell she's trying to hold tears back.

"You're such an asshole!" Nicky grumbles.

"Joey wants to lick her mom's," Larry says while tilting his head in Alex's direction.

"Oh, you're disgusting! Fuck you, stupid pig!" Michelle hollers at him and whacks him over the head with a tray. "Get outta here, and take your dumb little girlfriend with you!"

"How dare you!" Polly shouts and inspects where he was hit. "You're lucky he's not bleeding!" She's about to slap Michelle, but Alex stands up and stops her by slamming her hand down on the table.

"Don't you touch her, bitch."

"Right...she's contagious." Polly smirks and switches her attention to Lorna. "Don't think I haven't forgotten about you, loser who belongs in the looney bin!" Lorna shows her the bird on both hands while sending her a malicious glare. "Nice! Stick those down your throat and see what comes up!"

"Good one, Pol," Larry tells her and snickers.

"Why are you two bugging them? Just go away!" Nicky commands. "I could report you both to Caputo! In fact, I'm going to!"

"It's fun! Come on, Nichols, you should know what that word means!" Larry hits her shoulder and she uses all of her strength to punch his upper arm hard. "Ow!" he whines, rubbing the spot. "Do it more playful!"

Nicky frowns. "We're not friends, idiot. Keep your filthy fucking hands off me. I don't take pleasure in tormenting people!"

"They deserve it, and you'd understand if you were supposedly friends with Piper but then fucked her over. We're only giving Daya a break because I'm in the same situation as her. There aren't a lot of teens who got pregnant and then had the guy leave them."

"We'll tell her you ain't trustworthy, and we'll let Maria in on it, too! She'll kick you out of your support group so fast your head'll spin! You're a horrible friend!" Flaca growls. "Sure, we got into fights with Piper when she was bein' a little cunt and shit, but you got with her boyfriend even before she was killed! That's hella disrespectful, and if she was here right now, she'd kill you for not realizing your big mistake! You totally broke the girl code!"

"Polly and I needed each other!" Larry protests. "We both lost someone we loved deeply!"

"Bull. Fucking. Shit!" Alex yells while pounding the table with her fist after each word. "The four of us loved Pipes too, but you didn't see any of us hooking up with one another! You didn't even wait for her to die!"

"None of you cared enough about her," Polly hisses. "This is how Larry and I are coping! Get over it!"

"You don't bother nobody else in this school," Lorna points out. "I hate to break it to ya, but not many people really liked Piper, not even adults."

"They weren't expected to, she wasn't friends with everyone!" Larry shoots back. He shoves Piper's friends' meals and drinks off the table. "Get the cooks to make you more lunch, you're their favorites anyway." He and Polly finally stomp off.

Alex, Lorna, and Flaca shake their heads while fuming, and Nicky and Michelle help them clean the mess. "We don't say nothin' bad about Polly to Daya," Lorna mutters. "Just Larry!"

"Why? She's as bad as him!" Nicky insists.

"Yeah, that bitch tried to smack me!" Michelle adds.

"Holly's a hateful piece of shit!" Alex chimes in.

"I ain't gonna let her get away with it," Flaca says.

"She's the only friend Daya has that is literally going through the exact problem of having the father walk out on her while she's got a bun in her oven. We can't ruin that for our girl!"

Alex groans. "You're right, but technically, my mom-"

"No hate towards Diane, but they're a generation apart. Polly is Daya's actual age!"

"That's true," Flaca agrees and rolls her eyes. "She's a cool thirty-nine year old, though!"

Daya and Adarsh join them not a minute later. "Oh my god, what the fuck..." Daya begins to ask.

"Polly wanted to say hi, but Larry was being a big asshole! He's such a bully!" Lorna explains. "I dunno how he's so much better than Pete for her."

"Probably since Larry didn't leave her to raise her child on her own," Adarsh says, and Daya nods.

Later, Nicky is standing outside Lorna's Drama class, about to walk to Biology with her, when she hears her girlfriend's voice from inside. "My honey's chocolate brown eyes sparkle like the sun's reflection spread across the ocean. Her dimples appear whenever she smiles so sweetly. She shows her teeth, and her grin is just so attractive. Her curly golden hair is soft as I glide my fingers through it. If you looked up beauty in the dictionary, her picture would be right next to the definition." Nicky beams to herself, since she knows Lorna is talking about her.

"Very nice, Lorna!" Ms. Rogers praises her. "That, ladies and gentlemen, is how to show, and not tell in your writing. You'll see a lot of that when screenwriters are describing a character. Alright, see you guys next time!" The bell goes off shortly afterwards and Lorna exits the room with Alex.

"Aw, you're a true romantic, baby!" Nicky envelops Lorna and pecks the top of her head.

A faint blush passes over Lorna's cheeks. "You caught that?"

"Hell yeah, and I thank the good lord above every day that I have you." Nicky pulls her in for a deep kiss and they both chuckle into it. She gently pushes Lorna against the wall as they continue to make out with their hands running up and down each other's backs and sides. The only sounds out of them are gasps and soft moans.

"Jesus, honeymoon couple much?" Alex wonders out loud, and they pause.

"Don't you have Geometry to go to?" Nicky asks in an annoyed tone.

"Shoo, band geek!" Lorna chimes in.

"Ms. Bell is gonna eat your souls if you're late!" Alex calls out as she disappears from the hallway.


"The reason why you became a lawyer is that you put your kid in danger! It's always colored women who get kidnapped," Howard Bloom tells Juliana rudely while all the parents are walking to the bleachers for the game. "I should put you out of business! You only get Hispanic and poor white clients anyway!"

"That doesn't insult me! I can't wait to fight you one day!" Juliana fires back at him. "Mysoginist, racist creep..."

"We'll be against each other for that rape trial, and I just know I'll win!" By now, he has anyone's attention who's within hearing distance, and Aleida goes pale.

"Can it, asshole!" Daya yells at him and then runs off with Adarsh.

Gloria feels like shoving Larry's father headfirst down the bleachers and killing him instantly. Leon moves to get up with his hands balled up into fists, but Aleida keeps him next to her.

"It ain't worth it," she mumbles shakily.

"Howard! Stop it!" his wife, Amy, scolds him. "Sorry about him," she tells Juliana and pulls him away from Maritza's mother. "You can't get anything past me! Honestly, I'd be better off playing mah jong with my friends."

"Keep your spirits high!" Ms. Jones instructs the cheerleaders just as the football players are stretching on the field.

"Yes, we should, because we are in high school!" Lorna tells her, and everyone laughs at her pun. The squad then dances to two songs for the audience, Britney Spears' "Toxic" and Usher's "Yeah". The crowd bursts into applause and whoops at their performance, and then the game starts.

"Go, Diablo!" Blanca shouts as she stands up on the bleachers and waves while blowing him kisses. "That's my man!" She's with a huge group consisting of Taystee, Poussey, Cindy, Janae, Alana, Stephanie, Ouija, Michelle, Pidge, and Zirconia. "Make me proud tonight, baby! Just try your best! If you boys don't win tonight, it's okay!"

He winks at her and then continues running after the ball. The sport has never interested Gloria, but she does enjoy being with her friends and people-watching. Besides that, she wants to watch Lorna, Nicky, and Maritza cheering and doing their stunts and Alex, Flaca, and Maria in band club.

"Sit down, girl, you're blockin' my view!" Michelle groans.

"Shawty, you just wanna see yo woman!" Cindy says and gives the small Latina a noogie.

"I totally get it! I want a full view of mine, too!" Poussey tells them.

"Too much information, dude!" Taystee puts her hand in Poussey's face and pokes her belly a few times, emitting a series of guffaws out of her.

Daya, Adarsh, Allison, Hassan, another girl, Yadriel, Polly, and Larry are talking down below as Pepa and Farah play together in their respective fathers' laps. Theresa and Juliana are a little ways away from Gloria, Fahri, Diane, Charles, Aleida, and Leon, and chattering away happily in Spanish. Franny is near them and pointing Lorna out to the college-aged boy she's with. Johanna, Susan, Red, Tricia, Mercy, Flaca's brothers, Shelly, Claudette, Norma, Frieda, Wanda, Scott, Wade, and even Caputo, are in attendance as well, beside Franny.

"Diane, Franny, hello...you look quite out of place, but at least you can stick together...or would you rather sit with Bill, his mother, Celeste, Howard, Amy, and I instead?" Carol Chapman asks, seeming very uncomfortable in the way that she has her arms folded tightly across her chest. "In case you forgot, Amy and Howard are our good friends and Larry Bloom's folks. We're all over there." She gestures to the far end of the bleachers, where it's crowded with stuck-up looking rich white people. "It's kinda...mixed...here."

"In what way?" Franny questions her.

"I'm wondering that, too," Diane murmurs.

"Carol, you don't need to do this by yourself, I know it's hard to face them," Bill says and puts his hands on his wife's shoulders. "What she is trying to say, Diane, is among the blacks and Latinos...and an Arab, you just don't belong there."

"I fear for your safety," Carol adds. "It's like being in the ghetto."

Gloria stares at the couple coldly. "Oh, you should've seen Diane last night, she was the only white woman on our friendly triple date, but we all beat her up, it was terrible!"

"I'm traumatized just thinking about it!" Diane pretends to whimper and shiver, and Charles grins at her act. She holds his hand and Carol appears as if she's about to pass out, while Bill would have steam coming out of his ears if he were a cartoon character. "The scars will never go away..."

"It's quite tragic," Charles adds in with a stoic face.

"A-lee-da, you have your large tattoo on display, and it's so disrespectful. I don't know how they let you even have a career here! Ugh!" Carol wrinkles her nose in distaste. "Scorpions are dangerous! It represents you and your lifestyle perfectly! No wonder your kids are so...damaged."

"Well, I'd show you the one of a wolf on my ass too, but it wouldn't be appropriate here!" Aleida snaps. "You so stupid, you can't even pronounce my name right! It's A-lay-dah!" she says slowly. "How do you hold down a job? Oh, wait, you're an unemployed socialite with no cooking or cleaning skills!"

Leon smirks while kissing her cheek. "That's my girl."

"You're all bad influences on your daughters!" Bill states. "That's why one's pregnant, the other has tattoos, Franny, your sister let in a stray drug addict with your permission, and who allows their kid to go around looking like a Goth?"

"Ick! So repulsive," Carol puts in. "You animals should all be in prison!"

Gloria stands up quickly. "Hey, look who's talkin', bitch and her cheating hubby, somebody hated your daughter so much they murdered her and it's all your fault, since the apple don't fall far from the tree, as you say!"

"You need cold water for that harsh burn?" Fahri asks while Carol and Bill just look on, stunned.

"That's right, walk away!" Franny hollers at them as they leave. The others around them appear to be pleased.

"So, Diane, Fahri..." Gloria starts out, and Diane lifts her head off Charles' shoulder to look at her. "How'd you guys meet?"

"I saved his ass, basically," Diane responds. "He was bleeding all over the fuckin' place, so I took him to the hospital. In return, he looked after Alex, and I totally was not expecting that favor!"

"Yeah, I was a drunken mess and being pushed around, physically, by these bigots...they were calling me every Arabian slur in the book, from terrorist to raghead when she stepped in with a can of mace!" Fahri explains further. "I don't think I'd be alive if it wasn't for her." He reaches over Charles and pats Diane's shoulder. They grin at each other. "I'm so thankful for my best friend."

"Same here, dude." Diane turns back to Gloria. "I'm not sure how I would've handled poor single motherhood without him."

"Oh, wow! You really helped each other out!" Gloria comments. "This is so interesting...you guys truly bonded, just like Leon and I do over you, Lei!"

Leon rubs soothing circles on his girlfriend's back and faces her. "We both deeply care about you, sweetie pie, but that's a given!"

"Mm-hm, and Benny too, you and Glo love that kid to pieces!" Aleida leans out of his embrace. For some strange reason, she seems almost bitter about this. "Of course, the rest of the family does, too, and Gloria also loves Julio and my children, but Benny is real close to Leon, and he's Gloria's son, so...Christina really likes you, Charles! It's the first time she wasn't scared of a man. How do you do it?" Aleida wonders aloud and grins widely at him.

"She probably trusts cops because they took away the bad guy who terrified her and Emiliano," Charles answers.

"Some people just have a way with kids," Diane says.

"I thought you said you don't like children, man," Leon mutters. Gloria thinks she can sense a hint of jealousy in his tone, but she's not positive.

"I'm fine with the well-behaved ones, and Christina and Emiliano are nice and quiet."

"Now that's one awesome pyramid!" Gloria points out. She gestures to where Lorna is at the very top and standing on Maritza and Caitlin's shoulders as the girls hold her shoe-covered feet. Ella, Nicky, and Brook are under them while Tiff, Tia, Liz, and Ines are on the bottom. "Whoa, what the fuck?!" she yells and a blurry red object zooms way over Lorna's head. It sails in her direction, and she, Aleida, and Diane all try grabbing for it at the same time.

The football lands right into Aleida's hands. "Yo, this mean I scored a touchdown?"

"Not exactly, babe, but congratulations on catching it!" Leon gives her a low-five.

"Oh, thanks!" Diane shouts while cupping her hands around her mouth.

"Sign this for the Gen-X-ers!" Charles adds, and the adults laugh hysterically in unison.

"How do you aim into the audience when the goal post for the Bumblebees is in the opposite direction?" Fahri asks, and Gloria chuckles at his rhetorical question.

"Ma, give it back to them, they can't play otherwise!" Daya tells Aleida. "What you doin'? Humiliate me more, why don't ya?"

"I don't mean to embarrass ya, I just ain't never held one of these before!"

"Sorry, we need that!" Christopher hollers.

"You missed and tossed it at the hot moms!" Joey informs him, and Pete snickers as he takes a spot next to Larry. Polly steps hard on her ex's foot.

"Ow!" he whines.

"Don't go along with their douchebaggery! Oh, wait, I forgot, you're an asshole, too!"

"Bitches!" he grumbles and walks away.

"That motherfucker tried to hit Lorna with this?" Aleida points to the football. "I got no idea why a boy would wanna throw away his balls!" She kicks it and it ends up slamming into the back of Larry's head. "Whoops! I ain't real good at this, I guess!"

Polly and Larry glare up at her angrily, but the girls around the adults, Daya, Allison, the cheerleaders, and Alex, Flaca, and Maria, explode into loud cackles. Diane snickers. "Idiot deserves it, he's called Alex a horrible name a few times now! Susan told me." Larry huffs and pitches it to Christopher.

The Bumblebees end up winning the game, but Christopher has to sit out since Diablo accidentally trampled him. Gloria wonders if it was really a mistake, and she hopes it wasn't.


Much to Flaca's delight, Kubra had agreed to host an open mic night from ten to one in the morning and invite everyone from the game, but she, her friends, and the adults except Kubra and Theresa, only decide to stay for an hour. Flaca and Maritza are still not talking, so their band with Nicky, Maria, and Pennsatucky doesn't play. Somehow, though, Lorna gets Maritza to come along, probably because Daya has promised to sing something first.

When Daya gets up onstage, the audience cheers her on, the girls, Gloria, Diane, Aleida, Leon, and Adarsh being the loudest. Daya leans into the microphone, closes her eyes, and begins to sway and croon slowly.

"Leave me alooooone...

Get out of my faaaaace...

You don't belooong...

In the human raaaace..."

Daya's eyes snap open and she takes a deep breath. Her voice goes up a few octaves, and she's practically yelling the lyrics now.

"Just go awaaaay...

Go on hooooome...

I've had enough...

Of you and your tooooone...

I don't want you heeeere...

Stop breathin' my aaaair...

Just get the hell...

Right on out of my haaaair...

I'll deal with yoooou...

Some other daaaay...

I just want yoooou...

To go awaaaaay!"

She gasps when her voice breaks and she clutches her heart. Flaca can tell she's really getting into it by how emotional she sounds. The wounds John had left were still so raw that it broke Daya enough for her to sing this beautiful, yet depressing song. It's causing Flaca to tear up, as well as a few others in the audience, namely the girls, Diane, and Gloria. Aleida just looks proud of her, as do Leon and Adarsh. Daya continues after a few inhales and exhales. She's much softer now, like she was in the beginning.

"Leavin' me heeeeere...

Scared out of my wiiiiits...

I really can't taaaaake...

You and your shiiiit.

So just get the fuuuuuck

On outta heeeeere...

So you can't see meeeee...

Shed a single teeeear...

Can't you seeeee...

I need a friend...

Can't you seeeee...

You've hurt me baaaad...

Come on now...

You don't have to pretend...

What about all the fun we haaaad?

I remember the games and the laughter...

We could have had a happily ever after..."

Daya sniffles and brushes her tears away with her sleeve. Her facial expression turns angry, she rips the microphone out of its holder, screams the words this time, swirls her hair around as she dances onstage and stomps her feet after each lyric.

"But now you've broken me down, you pushed me to the ground, so I no longer want you around!

My tears faaaall, you hurt me agaaaain...

I thought you were the perfect boyfriend...

But nah, you're just another one of them looosers...

Why you gotta play around with my heart?

Do you really wanna see me fall apart?

You gotta hold me today, you gotta wipe my tears away, I just wanted you to staaaaay!" This seems to take a lot of energy out of her, as she's breathing hard.

"But now you're gooooone..." she starts again, much quieter now.

"I never thought I'd feel this waaaaay...

Now it's too laaaaaaate...

No goin' baaaaaack...

I didn't deserve that smaaaack...

You ruined meeeee...

I'll fuckin' ruin you, too!" she finishes furiously. Her performance gets deafening cheers and thunderous applause. She bows dramatically and jumps off the stage.

"Coming up next is Flaca Gonzales, singing 'My Darlin' Little Valentine', a song she wrote all by herself."

Once Kubra calls Flaca's name, she starts getting butterflies in her stomach. What if Maritza doesn't believe her even after this song? This is her last chance to make Maritza hers. She knows she'd screwed up big time by not even seeing that Maritza was into her, so she has to apologize, from the bottom of her heart, so Flaca hopes Maritza will forgive her. She wheels herself to the front of the crowd with her guitar in hand. Theresa gets out Flaca's video camera to record her and next to her and Kubra, Nicky holds Lorna's hand while rubbing circles on it. Flaca suddenly feels jealous that they are all happy and she isn't yet. She wants to hold Maritza's hand and rub circles on it, too.

"This song is dedicated to a special girl who is with us tonight," she starts. She sees Lorna squeeze Maritza's hand and beam. Flaca hopes Maritza knows that this song is about her.

"Well, there's this chick I know,

From her head to her toes...

She's cute and she's got style,

She always makes me smile.

I love hearin' her havin' fun,

She's like my very own sun.

When she laughs, I laugh,

When she cries, I cry,

I feel her emotions,

and my devotion...

goes to her.

Sorry for what I've said n' done...

I really miss you a ton...

Sorry I thought you were just my best friend,

'Cause you're the one.

I'll love you till the end,

You are so much more.

You're exactly what I've been lookin' for.

I just want you as mine,

My darlin' little valentine.

You're so nice and sweet,

Swept me off my feet,

You make me feel complete.

I want to feel your kisses along my lips,

I want my stomach to do some flips,

From the moment I met ya...

Sometime in July,

I could never forget ya...

You're the apple of my eye, and...

Sorry for what I've said n' done...

I really miss you a ton.

Sorry I thought you were just my best friend,

'Cause you're the one.

I'll love you till the end,

Oh, baby, you're so much more.

You're exactly what I've been lookin' for.

I just want you as mine,

My darlin' little valentine.

Size don't matter at all,

I'm real tall and you're super small,

I get lost in your pretty brown eyes,

Your hair is super awesome, ain't no lie.

You're sexy and you're beautiful,

Your personality is wonderful,

Hyper, perky, and full of joy,

And you have a gorgeous voice.

I can be your girl,

If you want me or not, your choice,

and...

Sorry for what I've said n' done...

I really miss you a ton...

Sorry I thought you were just my best friend,

'Cause you're the one.

I'll love you till the end,

Sweetheart, you're so much more.

You're exactly what I've been lookin' for.

I just want you as mine,

My darlin' little valentine.

Your laughter is like bells,

I'd catch you if you fell,

I'm in love with you if you couldn't tell...

I hope you still feel the same...

All I feel is love and shame...

Love for you and shame for me,

You see,

Sorry for what I've said n' done...

I really miss you a ton...

Sorry I thought you were just my best friend,

'Cause you're the one.

I'll love you till the end,

Mari, you're so much more.

You're exactly what I've been lookin' for.

I just want you as mine,

My darlin' little valentine.

From the bottom of my heart,

I knew it from the start,

That you were mine.

My darlin' little valentine,

My darlin' little valentine,

My darlin' little valentine…"

Flaca strums the guitar one last time and looks straight at Maritza, as she'd been doing during the whole song. Tears glisten in Maritza's eyes and she's clapping. Flaca's family and friends give her a standing ovation, and Lorna has to help Maritza rise to her feet. Flaca may have finally gotten to Maritza.


"Come on up and kiss me, Mari," Flaca says into the mike. There's a collection of gasps and murmurs in the audience, and Maritza is totally shocked. She really does love her after all! Maritza points to herself while her eyes widen with surprise, and Flaca nods and motions for her to come onstage.

Flaca assists Maritza into her lap. Their eyes meet, and their mouths connect like pieces of a puzzle. Maritza captures Flaca's bottom lip between her own with desire, and the taller girl tastes like candy and hot sauce. Her pink lipstick smudges a bit and Maritza can smell floral perfume coming off her. Their kiss is wet, warm, soft, and Maritza can't get enough of Flaca. Their tongues tangle and Flaca's runs over Maritza's teeth and then Flaca gently bites Maritza's lower lip, causing her to moan a little. It's more sensual than ever, probably because they're not drunk this time. Maritza closes her eyes and hums with pleasure. She opens them halfway and sees that Flaca's eyes are fully shut. Her cheeks are red, and Maritza's own are burning as well. Their bodies are close together and relaxed and even though Maritza's heart is beating fast, she feels so comfortable in Flaca's arms, kissing her deeply. She can feel Flaca's heart thumping rapidly, too, and when they pull apart, their breaths are hot and heavy and they're giggling between gasps of air.

"Holy shit, that was good!" Maritza squeaks. "I'm hella dizzy right now...Blanca was right. Being in love is so amazing!"

Flaca smiles with her eyes. "I know! I got feelings for you, too, I promise."

Everyone cheers wildly during their lip lock. Flaca has her arms around Maritza's waist, the taller girl's hands resting on the small of Maritza's back, and Maritza's arms are around Flaca's neck and they make out again for about a minute. There are some wolf-whistles from their moms, the other women they consider as role models, and their friends, and then the new couple stops.

"Te amo, for real, more than as a bestie," Flaca whispers into the shorter girl's ear.

I love you

"Yo también te amo," Maritza says softly into her chest as her heart expands.

I love you, too

Flaca continues to hug Maritza, stroking her hair for a few seconds, and then they hold hands as they wheel back to where their friends are sitting. Daya hugs Maritza and then Flaca and Alex gives them both a thumbs up.

"Took y'all long enough!" Nicky teases, and then, she and Flaca poke Maritza in the side.

"Hey, I'm ticklish!" she giggles.

They all watch the rest of Open Mic Night until eleven.


As Charles spoons Diane on the couch while they're watching a movie, with his arm across her tummy, she feels like she's in a fog. They've been in this position for an hour or maybe more. She can't remember the name of the film, and she's only focused on him as he trails his fingers up and down her arm. "Don't stop, Charlie," she mumbles while closing her eyes and smiling. She sinks further into his embrace and he continues what he's doing. A short mewl escapes her lips and goosebumps form on her bare skin, as she's wearing shorts and a tank top for pajamas. "Caress me...keep it up..."

"You cold, Princess Di?" he questions her.

"You're doing great at heating me up, but yeah..."

Alex cringes from a chair next to the sofa. "Oh my god, get a room!" She shields her eyes, and Diane just has to giggle.

"I'm sorry, honey," she tells her daughter.

With his free hand, Charles wraps Diane in a blanket. "Is that better?"

"Much...thank you."

Five minutes have passed, and after a few yawns, Diane is out like a light. She feels so comfortable where she is, and she doesn't care about the rest of the movie.


The credits roll and Alex turns off the television. "Mom, it's over..."

"Shh..." Charles puts his fingers to his lips. "We should let her sleep. I'll take her to your room." He scoops Diane into his arms bridal style and carries her to hers and Alex's bed as she secretly follows him on her tip toes. He's so respectful and gentle with her mother, as he just lays her down, fixes her shirt so her tummy no longer shows, and tucks her in so she looks snug. He smoothes her hair back from her face and beams down at her. Alex can really tell he's fallen completely in love with Diane. All along, she was well aware that what the girls had been talking about is true, but she was just afraid of her mother getting her heart damaged again. Seeing Charles treating Diane so well when she's so vulnerable at this moment, makes Alex burst with joy inside. Happy tears form at the corners of her eyes and she quickly wipes them away while swallowing the lump growing in her throat.

"You have my full permission to officially date her. I recommend taking her out to dinner soon, one-on-one, and holding her hand afterwards. You're a pretty cool dude, and that's a lot coming from me! Well...good night!"

Charles turns to Alex and grins at her. "Thank you, I'll do that, then! Night!" He exits the room and closes the door behind him.

Alex gets under the covers and is careful not to disturb Diane. "I love you, Mom," she whispers. "I really hope you and Charles work out, because he's so enamored of you."

Thank you for reading and reviewing, A Star In My Universe, Johanna-002, a guest, and HannahMiley1fan! Happy New Year! The next time I'll post is in 2018, but keep an eye out for my one shot (which is sort of a prison fic for this story lol)