Thank you for beta'ing, A Star In My Universe!

Warning: unwanted touching and leering at someone

"This is truly happening, finally," Lorna whispers to herself in relief. By some miracle, she'd somehow managed to convince Nicky and Tricia to sleep over at Red's apartment tonight, and Franny is going to work, leaving her basically home alone until five in the morning and free to see Juan. She can have the night to herself without any judgements. Of course, she didn't tell them this. She'd said she just wanted to be alone, and they respected that.

When she gets home and is in her bed, she waits for Franny to join her. Once she sees her sister come in, she rolls over to face her. "Franny, do you remember a babysitter we had named...Juan? He was Mexican."

Franny shakes her head no as she plops down and slips under the covers next to Lorna. "I don't...why?"

"I guess nobody would if they were that young! Well, he just contacted me...we're chilling tomorrow night," Lorna informs her. It's a lie, but that's okay, since they don't even have plans then.

"You ain't hangin' out alone with some guy I've never met, and you're aware of this. That's a bad idea! I think your delusions are acting up again. Did you take your medication?"

Lorna scowls. "Yeah, duh! I never wanna forget it...and we're not dating or anything, we're friends! He found me online."

"Of course he did."

"I'll go with one of the girls," Lorna tells Franny. "You can't do shit about it anyway...you won't even be home!"

"Excuse me for protecting my little sister!"

"Yeah, I love you for that, but I know the rules, thank you very much."

"Okay. Good!"


It's the first time Nicky and Tricia will be sleeping over at Red's apartment. Their mother figure has let them share her bed, while she takes the couch. The girls make sure that she's comfortable there since she has a bad back. Melanie, Red's cat, curls up at her human's feet while purring.

"I say we had a pretty successful day...after school, of course!" Nicky tells Tricia and Red as they're all hanging out in the older woman's bedroom just before going to sleep.

"I thought you got rid of those assholes?" Tricia wants to know. "It was awesome how you did it!"

Nicky smirks, proud of herself and her fellow students who aren't jerks. "Fuck yeah."

"Language, Trish! You're eleven, for heaven's sake!" Red scolds the younger blonde. "Yes, but there are still some nincompoops, such as the students who enjoy bullying Nicky and her friends."

"Sorry, Red," Tricia mumbles sheepishly. She points at Nicky. "Yo, she swore, too!"

"Be a good example for your little sister, Nicky," Red reprimands her gently.

"Mom, we both grew up cussing. It's a habit!" Nicky protests. She freezes and blushes with humiliation when she realizes what she'd just called Red, but nobody seems to notice.

"It doesn't hurt nobody. There's worse things we could be doing, ya know!" Tricia insists.

Red sighs and rolls her eyes. "I suppose you girls are right." She raises her eyebrow at Nicky. "Did you refer to me as Mom?"

"I thought I heard that, too," Tricia murmurs.

"I guess I did," Nicky admits shyly. "It slipped out...my bad. It's like when a kid calls their teacher that by accident."

Red beams and her eyes shimmer with tears as she cups Nicky's face in her hands. "Oh, honey, please don't apologize! That means so much to me. You both are my daughters." She kisses Nicky's cheek and Tricia's forehead as she wraps them both in her arms. "I love you like I do my sons."

"Aw, we love you too, Red! It'll alternate," Nicky lets her know.

"That's fine."

"We gotta spend more time together, just the three of us. Then, I can get used to this little family," Tricia says. "I don't see a lot of you, Red, since I don't go to Martin Van Buren and me and Nicky live with Lorna's family."

"You also spend a lot of after-school time with your friends," Nicky reminds her.

"I know, but that's what young people do." Tricia stares at something on the ground. "I wanna stay with Red...like on the nights Franny isn't home and you're with Lorna. I never said anything before since I wanted you to have fun. I love how you take care of me there, but I wanna let you live your teen years."

"It's fine, Trish!" Nicky ruffles her sister's hair. "I promise, kid. Do whatever you want, we'll share the responsibility." She glances at Red. "Is that alright?"

Red nods. "Of course, and I feel silly that I didn't think of it before. You two are welcome here anytime!"

"Thanks!" they tell her in unison.


Right when Lorna meets Juan, she's surprised, because he looked younger in his photo. Still, she grins as they shake hands. "Lorna, hello...you're more gorgeous in person," he compliments her.

"Thanks!"

"Now, before the movies, I was thinking we could buy milkshakes at a fast food place out of town. I drove here, but we can take the train together, if you're more comfortable with that."

"Sure! Uh, the train is fine."

"Fantastic!"

They end up at Wendy's and drink vanilla shakes through straws at a square table, across from each other. He grins widely at her. "So, why does such a lovely girl as yourself get picked on every day in school?"

Lorna sighs heavily. "Well...it all began when I stalked Christopher, this guy who I thought was in love with me. It turns out that I was completely obsessed with him, but he wasn't into me at all! Everyone told me the truth, that he was a grade A dick who couldn't give a shit about me if he tried, but I didn't believe 'em. I, uh...I tried to seduce him, but he called the police on me. Red, my auntie figure, she bailed me out."

He appears to be amused. "That's interesting. I mean, I feel sad for you and that idiot should die, but who names their child after a color?"

It makes Lorna chuckle a bit. "That's what you got out of my story?"

"Go ahead, continue."

"Okay! So...afterwards, you'd think I'd learned my lesson, right? Wrong! I was so far from reality, it wasn't even funny! I trashed his car and lawn because he had this girlfriend...they're still together...and I followed them all the way to Atlantic City one weekend...and shit you not, I bathed in their tub and totally destroyed their hotel room! I just...I let my explosive personality take over, resulting in a restraining order. I even went as far as installing a bomb in that cooze's car! She's not dead, but I was making an attempt to scare her off. You can see why they hate me!"

"It's alright, we all get like that. I recently had a restraining order put on me as well," Juan says.

"That sucks real bad! Get this, though...they're telling all their friends and a lot of the school to torment me, and now is now. I discovered that I actually have a mental illness called erotomania. My brain is so messed up that it informed me that Christopher was devoted to me, so I returned the feelings. Luckily, I'm taking medication to control myself...so, those are all my troubles."

"Wow, that's quite a wild ride you've had."

"Yeah...but at least the pills are making me smart enough to realize he doesn't like me at all, and this other monster, Humps, forced my then-best friend and I to fight...like, physically. She was in the hospital, and I'd never been more terrified of myself."

"At least your mental health is improving and she's okay, correct?"

"Mm-hm. Thanks for listening to all my problems."

"Welcome!" Juan then proceeds to tell Lorna all about his fiancée, who left him without a word.

"She sounds as bitchy as they come!"

"She was...just like your Christopher."

"What was her name?"

"I'd prefer not to say it, so I can forget it."

"I understand. It's just...she was really that bad? You can confide in me, I won't tell nobody."

"Vee," he says spitefully.

"Oh yeah, she's a bitch! She even beat up my girlfriend! I wouldn't mind if you gave her a good ol' whack! She ain't no real woman!" Lorna snickers, thinking of Vee finally getting a taste of her own medicine.

"I know. I hate her."

"I do, too."

Then, they go to the movies and get settled with their hot dogs and a large bucket of popcorn to share. Halfway through the film, his arm snakes around her shoulder and he draws her closer to him. She feels his breath near her mouth and shifts away uncomfortably. "Sorry...I'm just fifteen, can you not kiss me or really touch me at all? I'm not looking for romance, I already have somebody, I thought I told you," she mumbles.

"I'm the one who should apologize. I'm ashamed of myself, I forgot. I didn't even know how old you were," he whispers while backing off. "I hope we can still be friends."

"Of course. I should've been more clear about it, so, my fault too."

She likes Juan and excuses that he made a move on her since he simply wasn't aware of her age. She's going to be more cautious around him, though.


After Red has kissed them good night, Nicky and Tricia snuggle up under the covers together. "She's exactly like Miss Honey from Matilda," Tricia points out. "Should we ask her to adopt us? Franny can't even foster us, that would make things weird since you're dating Lorna...she'd be your sister, basically."

"I know. Uh, well...I'd love to, but I'd rather let Red come to that decision on her own. I don't wanna put any pressure on her."

"Yeah, me neither." Tricia rests her chin in her hand. "What do you think life would've been like had we grown up together?"

"I would've been five when you were born. You would've been my little dolly to play with, just like Lorna was to Franny when they were children."

Tricia giggles and cuddles into Nicky even more. "I've always wanted a big sister."

"So did I...but a little one is also fine." Nicky tousles Tricia's hair and kisses her temple. "You're awesome, kid."

"You're hella cool, too!"


Aleida's phone rings as she, Leon, Daya, and Gloria are just coming home and saying goodbye to Lourdes, who was babysitting the children. Gloria hugs her aunt good night and Aleida answers her call. "Oh, hi, Cesar, look, I'm real sorry about how we left things..." Leon doesn't want to hear any more of her side of the conversation, so he walks into the nursery room with Gloria and Daya, who don't seem too pleased about Aleida talking to Cesar either, by the way they're rolling their eyes and exchanging a look of annoyance. He was planning on kissing and hugging Gloria's sons good night anyway. The kids are all already sleeping, so they're quiet.

He needs to speak to Gloria about this, but he feels awkward mentioning it in front of Daya, so he tells Aleida's oldest daughter she can get ready for bed first. Only one person can use the bathroom at a time, since it's so small.

"Thanks, Leon!"

"You're welcome."

Daya grins as she disappears behind the door and locks it.

"Gloria...while we wait for Daya, could we talk?" Leon wonders aloud.

"Sure, bro," she answers with a smile.

"Alright, so I told Aleida I loved her...and she didn't say she loved me back...why is this, do you think?"

"She ain't real good at expressing her emotions verbally, but she shows that she loves you, ain't that enough? As they say, actions speak louder than words. Maybe wait a month or two before saying it again," Gloria recommends.

"Okay, thanks for the advice."

"No problem."

Daya soon finishes up, and then Leon goes to see if Aleida is done with her call. She's sitting very still on the couch with her hands folded in her lap, and her phone is a few feet away from her, as if she'd dropped it. As he gets closer to her, he sees that her body is shaking and she appears to be frightened. Immediately, he grows worried and he wants to beat Cesar into nothing for scaring his girl like this.

"Lei?" He takes a spot next to her. "What'd that bastard say to you?"

"Nothin' much...just creepy breathing and whispering of you're mine...and I was so fuckin' stupid to think it was Cesar, he rarely, if ever, calls, and we're in the middle of a fight, so...I know exactly who was on the other line."

Leon gathers Aleida into his arms and pecks her temple. "I'll strike Jack dead when I see him next!"

"Nah...death is way too easy. I want him to suffer in prison...they hate rapists and child molesters there, even more than serial killers! He's probably gotten fucked in the ass lotsa times already!"

"Good. I hope the inmates terrorize him every single goddamn day."

"Me, too."


After Geometry, Maritza senses someone stalking her, and she starts to panic when she spots Humps leering right at her. She's suddenly grabbed from behind and when she's shoved against the wall, she sees that Dixon is her assailant and he, Piscatella, and Humps are cornering her. She can't escape and she wants to shriek for help, but no sounds come out of her except for crying and panting.

"You really thought you could just, what, make a run for it like usual?" Piscatella snarls.

"Shortstack is just my martyr...I don't care about her in the slightest! It's really you I want!" Maritza flinches and shudders as Humps' fingers slither through her hair. "You sssssmell delicioussss," he hisses at her.

"Let me go," she begs tearfully.

"Are you going to continue just talking about how you lust after her or will you just take a damn bite out of her already?" Dixon demands.

"Morello was never supposed to be hurt and traumatized, I just feel sorry for her...she's like a small child who tried on her mama's bra and stuffed it with balls and played dress up with her mama's makeup, but because of Little Miss Diva Number Two here, filing a restraining order to keep you away, she suffered," Piscatella lets Humps know. He faces Maritza. "You can thank yourself for that!" he says angrily and his spittle flies at her.

Humps pins her to the wall with his hands tightening around her wrists and starts to remove his belt. All three men are towering over her and she's so scared. She lets out the loudest scream possible when she sees a few people through the cracks between the monsters. It's what saved her and her mother fourteen years ago.

"Get the fuck away from her!" Aleida yells fiercely. She's with Gloria and Red, and they push through the men to make a path for her.

"Hot Pants, nice seeing you again." Dixon sniggers. Red leads the younger women and Maritza far away from them, and she takes off into a sprint to Earth Science, not even bothering to take a breath. Once she arrives to the door of the classroom, she's sweating and gasping for air. She calms herself down enough to appear as if she hadn't just been tortured and almost raped. She decides not to bother anyone about the encounter, especially Lorna. She hadn't been attacked by Humps in a long while, but she knew there would be a time he'd come for her again.

Maritza wakes up quietly sobbing, and the pair of arms that had been around her, only hold her closer. Flaca strokes Maritza's hair. "Hey...what's wrong, mi amor?"

Maritza's heart suddenly starts pounding so hard she thinks it's going to leap right out of her chest. She's sweating even though it's freezing out. She feels unsteady on her feet and generally shaky, like the world around her is spinning out of control and she can't get a grip. Her hands and feet are numb and useless. She hugs her knees to her chest. She's gasping for breath, but she can't speak. It feels like she's drowning, but she knows what's going on. She's having a panic attack, and she only has these nightmares on cold, dark, and stormy nights. She doesn't want to tell Flaca at first, but now, she has to. Flaca deserves to know. She'd given Maritza every detail of her trauma, so Maritza should share hers with Flaca. Tears fall from her eyes. Maritza wants to run to her mother's room, but she can't move. She can't even scream for help.

"Humps was after me all along...he and Piscatella and Dixon trapped me against a wall at school before we got 'em arrested...and he tried to rape me...I had a flashback just now..." Maritza explains through her tears. "He was punishing Lorna because he couldn't get to me with the restraining order...he and his cronies were scaring me! Aleida, Gloria, and Red stopped 'em just in time, but I was terrified!" Maritza's voice cracks, she sniffles, and Flaca massages the back of her head gently.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Mari! He's locked up forever, they all are, but I so wanna kill 'em! Shhh…you're okay with me, baby," Flaca soothes her and then presses an adorable kiss on the apple of Maritza's cheek. "You'll never have to see those horrible shit piles again."

Maritza lets Flaca sing to her until she finishes crying.


"Are you sure you're okay going to Christina's birthday party with Alex and me today, Charles?" Diane asks the next morning as she runs a hand through her messy bed hair. He's making them waffles with strawberries and whipped cream before she and Alex go to yoga. "There's gonna be a lot of kids there, and most of them are pretty damn noisy!"

"Yeah. I can deal, one day isn't gonna kill me! Besides, Christina said she really wants me there to make sure no bad guys come to ruin her party, since I'm a police officer and all."

"She's got you wrapped around her little finger," Alex comments as she and Diane help Charles cut and wash the strawberries and heat up the maple syrup.

"Aw, that's cute," Diane murmurs while grinning.

After their delicious breakfast, Alex and Diane walk to yoga with their mats rolled up under their arms. They're dressed in tight but comfortable pants, a workout tank top, and a sweatshirt. "You fell asleep on Charles last night!" Alex teases Diane. "He carried you to bed, but nothing else happened."

"I must have! Well, I felt myself being moved, so I figured that was his doing."

"Charles really likes you. I can see it. While you were sleeping, he just adjusted your shirt since it was exposing your belly, then, he put you under the covers, got your hair out of your eyes, and smiled at you. You guys already act like you're in love with each other...so I suggested he take you out sometime soon, like just you two."

Diane beams. "Is he going to?"

"Yeah, he said he would!" They put their arms around each other. "He's perfect for you."

"I'm glad you approve."


The grownups and big girls and boys had arranged a small birthday party for Christina. They'd invited hers and Benny's whole class, and their brothers are also in attendance.

Benny can't wait to give Christina his present, and he'll do so before the cake and ice cream. It's a stretchy, plastic pink bracelet with hearts. He knows she'll love it, and Daya and Aleida had said she would. Leon had helped him pick it out and then, they showed it to his mommy, his tía, Aleida, and Daya.

Aleida turned on fun music and everyone danced to it. Then, the kids played Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Hide and Seek, and Tag. Benny lets Christina chase him and he doesn't want to chase her because he's worried of making her fall down. He never wants to hurt Christina. She's special.

"Okay, boys and girls, it's time for presents!" Leon calls out to them.

"Yay!" they shout. Daya carries Christina to a chair in the middle of the group of guests on the rubber mulch outside their apartment.

"I go first," Benny announces.

Christina claps her hands excitedly. "Gimmie! Gimmie!"

She makes him laugh, which causes her to join in. He gives her his present and she rips and tears it open.

"I love it, it's boo-ti-ful!" She smiles at Benny and gives him a giant hug. They jump up and down together.

"Do you want me to put it on you?" he asks.

"Yes, please."

Daya, her friends, and the adults take pictures of Benny putting the bracelet on Christina, and then he gives her a short kiss on the cheek, just like he's seen Leon do with Aleida. Christina giggles and pecks him back on his jaw.

"Aw, that's so sweet," his mommy says, and the others agree.

"Christina and Benny sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage, that's not all, that's not all, the baby is playing basketball!" Michael sings.

"Oh yeah, well at least I got a girl!" Benny teases him back. Michael sticks his tongue out at him because he knows Benny is right.

"Guys, there is nothing wrong with two little kids being best friends with each other! Say sorry for teasing your friend, Michael," his mommy scolds him.

"Sorry," he mumbles and gives Benny a hug.

"S'okay."

"Now, here's mine," Daya murmurs, handing Christina something and sitting on the ground next to her. Christina opens it and it's a Barbie doll.

"Wow! I love it! Thank you, Daya!" Christina throws her arms around her sissy's neck.

Benny's mommy and tía had gotten Christina a pair of black Mary Jane shoes and they helped Aleida and Leon get her a Barbie themed bike. She'd been asking for one since she'd seen Benny's that he'd received from the grownups. Alex, Diane, and Charles give her Finding Nemo on DVD, and Christina says she'll watch it soon after the party. Michael gives her a tiny car that she can scoot around in and it looks just like her mommy's real van. Lorna, Nicky, Flaca, Maritza, Blanca, and Maria give Christina tiaras and pretty dresses in pink, purple, blue, green, and yellow. Aleida and Leon's second present to Christina is a necklace that matches the bracelet from Benny. The rest of her kindergarten class, Julio, and Emilio had gotten her other movies for kids.

"I love to look like a princess and I wanna ride my bike now! Thanks for all my presents, I love 'em!" she squeals excitedly and gives everyone a hug.

"You're gonna learn together, the adults said," Daya tells Benny and Christina while gesturing to the bike.

Then, it's time for the cake and ice cream. Aleida says they have to wait until Leon brings out the cake and they have to be careful of the candles. They sing Happy Birthday as Aleida and Leon carry the cake outside and Christina is beaming. The oldest kids and Benny help his mommy bring out the ice cream. They set out plates and silverware and then sit down while Christina blows out the candles. Benny holds her hair away from the candles so it wouldn't get burnt-another thing he'd learned from Leon. It's not very hard for her to blow out five candles, and Benny's mommy takes out the candles and puts them on the side of the plate. Leon cuts the cake because he says it's dangerous for kids to do it. He hands pieces to Aleida, who places them on plates. Christina gets hers first but they have to wait until everyone has a serving. Leon puts ice cream right on top of the pieces of yellow cake with funfetti icing.

"Dig in!" Aleida permits them.

"Yummy!" Christina squeals. She's getting food on her face so Daya wipes it off for her. Benny hands Christina some Handi Wipes too and tells her his mommy uses it when he and Julio make messes. He also picks pieces of cake off her mouth and eats them, so she does the same to him.

When the party is over, they say bye to their guests, and then Aleida turns on Finding Nemo for Benny, Christina, Emiliano, and Julio, and they also play with trucks. When they finish the movie, Christina rides around in her toy car.

"How did you like your party, Chrissy?" Benny asks later. She seems tired because she has her head against his shoulder and he has an arm around her.

"It was the bestest birthday party I ever had! Thank you for the bracelet, Benny. It pretty."

"Like you. You're pretty."

"You really mean it?"

"Yeah, from da bottom my heart."

"Are you gonna kiss me like Leon kisses my mommy?"

"I will if that's okay."

"Ummmmm…." She scrunches up her face. "I'm not old enough. Just kiss me here." She points to her cheek and Benny touches his lips to it softly.

"Awwww," they hear Aleida and Leon say behind them. They turn around and giggle.

"Whoa, smooth, but you guys are only five years old!" Gloria exclaims.

"Wait ten years or so, yeah?" Daya suggests.

"That's forever!" Benny complains. "I wanna be a grownup like our mommies and Leon."

"Yeah, too long! When I get bigger, I'm going to be really happy!" Christina puts in.


Before the party starts, Nicky, Lorna, and Tricia had come early to help Red clean up and make dinner for her guests. "Hey, Red, I hope you don't mind, but Mercy's gonna be my plus one for tonight," Tricia says.

"Oh? That's okay, sweetheart. The more the merrier!" Red cups Tricia's cheek fondly and kisses the top of her head.

"Have you ever had any past boyfriends before Dmitri?" Lorna wants to know. "I've always been curious about that."

"Only Pavel...we broke up because he didn't put himself out there as much as I would've liked."

"He was bad in bed?" Nicky wonders aloud teasingly.

Red swats her with a towel. "Quite the opposite, but I'll spare you the mental image."

"Gross!" Tricia mutters, wrinkling her nose.

"Yeah, keep that to yourself!" Nicky agrees.

"Ooooh la la!" Lorna squeals. "So, what happened?"

Red leads the girls to the couch and they plop down on it as Melanie wanders around the apartment. "He was a wimp...in the way that he quit instead of rebelling against our government and standing up for what he believed in. You see, it was illegal to own jeans in seventies era Russia, but we and a bunch of our fellow college students sold and wore them. When two of our friends went missing, he backed out of continuing to distribute jeans because he was a coward."

"Oh, that sucks! Well...do you think you'd ever wanna date again?" Nicky wonders aloud.

"I don't need to. Frieda and Norma are both single, we're all fine with that. Good men in their mid forties to early fifties simply don't exist around here. I'm not going to date someone young enough to be my son, so there's that."

"Have you ever tried a dating site?" Lorna inquires.

"That didn't work out for Theresa, besides I'm way above that!" Red shakes her head. "Jesus..."

"I know, but didn't she meet that dude in the bar? That's what Marco and Pedro told me," Tricia says.

"Yes...and I always go to the Sparrow Tavern with the Golden Girls, as Frieda likes to call us, though I'm not as old as her, Norma, Claudette, or Taslitz, but anyway...nobody's ever interested me. It doesn't matter, though. I'm happy with my children." She puts her arms around Nicky and Tricia and cuddles them close to her sides.

"Eh, that's alright, Red! Whatever floats your boat!" Nicky answers.

The doorbell rings promptly at five, and Tricia rushes to get it. She looks through the peephole. "Mercy's here!"

"She's early, I wonder why," Red mutters, and Nicky smirks while glancing at Lorna, who beams.

Tricia lets Mercy inside and they hug. The two preteens are soon standing in front of Red, Nicky, and Lorna. "So, I just wanted to make it clear...uh, Nicky and Lorna know this already, but Red, Mercy is more my girlfriend than you realize," Tricia explains while taking the other's hand. "We're more than friends. I'm a lesbian."

"I am, too," Mercy adds.

"Oh, well, congratulations to you both, I'm very happy for you!" Red tells them cheerfully and squeezes them into a tight hug.

Tricia grins proudly. "Thanks, Red!"

"Yeah, thanks," Mercy echoes. "You're cooler than Lorna's dad, who kicked me out since Tricia and I were kissing."

"Of course I accept you! Tricia, Nicky, if he gives you any trouble, you're more than welcome to stay here. You too, Lorna. Mercy, you can come as well, but the doors of the rooms you're in together need to be open!"

"Alright," the four of them say in unison.

The rest of the guests arrive a half hour later, and Melanie seems to only hate Kubra, in the way that she keeps arching her back and hissing at him. "I think she's being unfriendly because he's never been here before, she doesn't like strangers," Red tells him and Theresa. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Theresa murmurs.

"I totally get it," Kubra says. The couple sit across from each other at the small kitchen table.

"Fahri couldn't make it, he's away...with his family," Diane lets Red know.

"Oh, that's alright."

Michelle comes soon after Alex does. "Mom...this is Michelle, and we're not girlfriends, but we're getting there," she introduces the Latina to Diane. "Michelle...my mom." She gestures between the two.

"Oh, hey, Ms. Vause, it's nice to formally meet you." Michelle shakes Alex's mother's hand. "Now I know where you get your good looks from," she murmurs to Alex, and Diane, Red, and Alex chuckle.

"Thank you...and it's Diane, please. Ms. Vause is for school."

"Diane," Michelle repeats with a polite smile. "I'll treat your daughter like royalty, I promise."

"Good!"

Alex and Michelle then go off to dance with Nicky, Lorna, Gina, Tricia, Mercy, Maritza, Daya, Adarsh, Blanca, Maria, and Yadriel to the teenage music that's been censored, and Flaca and Diablo just groove in their wheelchairs. Gloria, Aleida, and Leon are on the couch with the children and helping them hold baby Pepa.

"My mom has a surprise for us!" Gina announces and waves at Norma with a grin. The mute woman returns the gesture.

"Neat!" Lorna comments.

Claudette and Jean Baptiste take their spots on the loveseat as Frieda sits on the chair beside them. Norma has herself a snack, and then shows Red a notepad with her handwriting on it. I'm gonna sing some slow songs for the couples, since the Gen-X'ers and we baby boomers can only stand this childish music for so long! I think Nicky and Lorna would enjoy our kind of music, too.

Red chuckles and pats Norma's back. "That would be great, thanks!"

"Hey, Red, when you were dropping off Fahri, I recognized his apartment right away...I put two and two together and realized it was where I dropped off Daya. I told Diane that his place was nice before even knowing a thing about him!" Gloria says as Red goes over to where the little ones are. Diane and Charles soon join them, hand in hand.

"Oh wow, neat!" Red comments.

"Eeep!" both Flaca and Maritza squeak in unison.

"That's destiny!" Lorna chimes in, and all the girls giggle together.

"It could be!" Diane tells them, and she and Aleida share an excited smile. Gloria just shakes her head in amusement and rolls her eyes.

"Hey, we almost ran into each other, but we didn't...I'm sure I saw you from the back as you were leaving from Caputo's office and I was going into there to talk to Lorna," Charles informs Diane as his thumb rubs circular patterns on the back of her hand.

Diane laughs and leans her head on his shoulder. "That's so weird!"

"Cute!" Maritza comments.

"I guess destiny strikes again!" Aleida squeals, and Gloria and Red grin at this.

"Sooo meant to be," Flaca murmurs while pressing her hand to her heart. Lorna appears as if she's going to cry tears of joy any second now.

After playing with the baby, tiny tots, and kindergarteners, Diane taps Red and discreetly slips her something. "Anyway, Red wants to show me her bedroom, so you guys talk to each other!" Diane lets go of Charles' hand and stands up with Red.

They go into the bedroom and Gloria and Aleida follow them. "Yo, what's up?" Aleida wants to know as Red unfolds the piece of paper in confusion.

Diane closes the door behind them. "I've been writing down all the sweet things Charles has done for me...and I gave it to Red, since I've talked to you and Glo about it before." She turns to Red. "I wanna get your opinion, too...should I start trusting him now? They said he seems fine, but I also gotta listen to my woman's intuition."

One. He comforted me at Friendly's the day we met and then walked me to my car.

Two. I said yes to chilling with him because he asked me out so charmingly, and he was cool with us being friends.

Three. I had a nice time with him on our hangout and he was so sweet when I broke down crying.

Four. He drove us to the hospital when Alex hurt herself.

Five. He let us stay with him when we were about to be homeless-us having previously lived in a trailer park, didn't bother him in the least.

Six. He bought us stuff we needed because everything was destroyed in the flood.

Seven. He cooks for us frequently.

Eight. After the three douchebags tried to bring me down, he made me feel good about myself, he always does, and he even punched them in their ugly faces.

Nine. He accepted me when I told him about my past jobs.

Ten. I fell asleep in his arms and he didn't take advantage of me, he just put me to bed like a gentleman.

"This is wonderful, Diane! He's beginning to sound like a keeper," Red lets her know after scanning the list. "Looks like Frieda won't have to kill him after all." Diane, Gloria, and Aleida chuckle uncomfortably. "I'm overjoyed for you!"

Diane beams and pumps her fist in the air. "Yes!"

"What's your gut feeling about him so far?" Gloria wants to know.

"Really great, actually...I'm going to wait half a year before sex and he hasn't said or done anything terrible to Alex, so I'm having high hopes that he never will! He's been my friend for a month now, and I'm more than ready to kiss him, damn it!"

"You should go for it!" Red encourages Diane.

"Yeah!" Aleida and Gloria agree at the same time.

"Okay, then I will on our date after this...we're going to the Monte Carlo Room to dance!"

"Whoohoo!" Aleida cheers.


"So, I had this idea that we can contact Pavel from Russia, like find him on Facebook, and bring him to America for Red! She deserves to find her long lost love, and he very well could have grown up," Lorna tells Frieda, Claudette, and Norma in a hushed voice. "Y'all wanna help me?"

Norma frowns and pretends to slice an imaginary knife across her neck. "Second chances with the same person are doomed, nobody changes. I mean, look at all their exes!" Frieda gestures to where Red, Gloria, Aleida, and Diane are in the older woman's bedroom. "Most of the time, they don't work out," she corrects herself when Claudette raises an eyebrow at her.

"True, but my mom made a huge improvement within like, a month," Daya points out. "It could work out."

"Aleida's one in a million!" Leon says.

"Yeah, look, it's a sweet idea, kid, but I don't wanna see Red hurt over this idiot again. Ya know, we shouldn't waste her time...or ours," Nicky mutters.

"Come on, Nicky, be my partner in this...for me?" Lorna pouts at her cutely. "Pleeeeease?"

"Shit, I can't resist saying no when you make that face!" Nicky rolls her eyes. "Fine, but we're making sure he's worth it by talking to him daily about a little phrase I like to call when the going gets tough, the tough get going."

"Deal!" Lorna shakes Nicky's hand. As Red comes back into the living room with Gloria, Aleida, and Diane, they quickly stop talking about this subject. "So, Nicky...I wanted to ride the Wildwood Ferris Wheel with Christopher at sunset, but since he's a..." She trails off, trying to think of the right word to describe him without cursing in front of the children. "He's such a trash bag, so I'll never get a chance to go all the way there."

"I'll take you, baby," Nicky assures Lorna. "We can go to New Jersey next Saturday if you want, by cab, so nobody has to waste their gas money."

"You'd do that for me? It's so far away!"

"Not really, I'm from Weehawken, and I hitchhiked here just under four hours," Tricia cuts in, and Nicky pushes her away while groaning.

"Of course!"

"Aw, you're the sweetest!" Lorna hugs Nicky and jumps into her arms so they can kiss. "Thank you!"

"Anytime!"


"I'm so excited for our teen mom slumber party, dude!" Maria exclaims.

"Me, too!" Daya agrees. "So, since you're like, the leader of this, and I'm hosting, we could both be in charge, kinda...to make sure things run smoothly!"

"Alright!"

"Is Palalalalalala-Polly invited?" Blanca wonders aloud with dread in her voice.

"Yeah," Daya and Maria respond sheepishly at the same time.

Alex huffs. "My god, why do you like Holly Hobbie, besides the fact you have one thing in common, both your boyfriends bailed out on you?"

"We kinda bond over that," Daya replies.

"Okay, but I'mma be the first to bash her face in if she fucks you over!" Flaca tells her.

"I'll help," Alex chimes in.

"Just because she was a friend of Piper's and Larry's girlfriend, don't mean she's a piece of dung, too!" Daya insists. "We were part of Piper's crew, we ain't bad at all!"

Maritza shrugs. "Girl makes a point."


Norma then wows everyone with her beautiful singing voice. The songs she belts out are Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe by Barry White, Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon, and lastly, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack. The couples are just swaying to the lyrics and the singles are watching them.

"Daya, do you wanna dance?" Adarsh asks her.

She nods and takes his hand. Then, Alex and Michelle get up together. They seem to be more intimate than Daya and Adarsh.

Lorna can feel Nicky's eyes burning into her own with adoration, and she beams while blushing.

"The first time ever I saw your face...
I thought the sun rose in your eyes...
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave...
To the dark and the endless skies..."

"What would be your perfect date?" Nicky wants to know while holding Lorna close to her and stroking her hair. "I'm thinking of taking you out on one tomorrow night. We can get ready here."

"First, bring me flowers...then we'll go to the movies...and when it's cold, you gotta give me your jacket. None of mine are warm enough."

"I already did, remember?" Nicky reminds her in a hushed tone. She smirks, and Lorna chuckles softly. Her adventure on the streets seem like it happened so long ago.

"Yeah, but I want you to actually put it on me. Protection and providing warmth is a real turn-on."

"Sure thing, doll." Nicky gives Lorna a heated, open-mouthed kiss.

"You guys goin' on a date tomorrow night?" Flaca wonders quietly as she rocks Maritza from side to side on her lap.

"Fuck yeah," Nicky whispers. "We're in that romantic mood, and I wanna please my girl, ya know?"

"Sweet!" Flaca connects her mouth to Maritza's. "Yo, Mari...you up to doin' somethin', too, but right after Red's bash?"

Maritza nods happily. "Sure, let's!"

"The first time ever I kissed your mouth...
I felt the earth move in my hand...
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird...
That was there at my command my love..."

"Estoy en un equipo llamado Bumblebees! ¡Eso me hace sonar como un coño!" Diablo complains softly.

Yeah...but I'm on a team called the Bumblebees! That makes me sound like a pussy!

"Eres lo más alejado de un coño," Blanca assures him in a hushed voice. "¡Eres mi hombre grande, fuerte y fuerte! ¡El mejor hombre de todos!"

You're the farthest thing from a pussy. You're my big, tough, strong man! The best man ever!

Diablo beams at her and gives her a few cute pecks on her lips. "Gracias, mi amor."

Maria has her arms around Yadriel's neck and their faces are close together, but their lips aren't touching. They're talking to each other in Spanish.

"And the first time ever I lay with you...
I felt your heart so close to mine...
And I knew our joy would fill the earth...
And last till the end of time my love..."

"Wow, this really is the city that never sleeps!" Jean tells Claudette. "Listen to these kids, making plans after ten at night!"

She chuckles. "Yes, it's so silly!"

There are no words spoken between Diane and Charles, but Lorna can see that they're well on their way to becoming official, the way they're gazing at each other like teenagers experiencing first love. "This song makes me think of how beautiful you are," Leon compliments Aleida, and she beams. "Lei, you matter a lot to me."

"Thanks, babe. You're too amazing and handsome for words...and you're empowering."

They exchange a cute kiss and it's the first time Lorna's seen their PDA, besides dancing. It makes her heart melt.

"The first time ever I saw your face...

Your face, your face..."

Norma finishes and everyone breaks apart while clapping and cheering for her. The conversations among everyone continue for another few hours, and then, there is pizza for dinner. At nine, everyone leaves, and since the sleepover will be hosted at Daya's apartment, Maria goes home with her.


It takes Diane and Charles under a half hour to get to the Bronx, where the Monte Carlo Room is located. The nightclub is lively when they go inside, and she dances her way through the crowds while pulling him along with her. They sit on barstools, about to order their drinks, when Michael Jackson's Pretty Young Thing begins to play.

Where did you come from lady
And ooh won't you take me there
Right away won't you baby
Tendoroni you've got to be
Spark my nature
Sugar fly with me
Don't you know now
Is the perfect time
We can make it right
Hit the city lights
Then tonight ease the lovin' pain
Let me take you to the max...

"Oooh! This song is one of my jams, oh my god!" Diane shouts excitedly while grooving in her seat and clapping to the rhythm. "I'm gonna dance!" She cheers while jumping to the floor and starts spinning, swiveling her hips around, gyrating, and shaking her hair from side to side like there's no tomorrow.

"Look at Ginger Rogers over here!" Charles says proudly to the onlookers who are cheering her on.

"Would you be my Fred Astaire?" Diane extends her hand to him and he takes it almost right away.

"I'd love to! Though, I probably suck."

"No, you don't!" Diane giggles as he twirls her over and over again and dips her at the end of each stanza.

I want to love you (P-Y-T)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T-L-C)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
I want to love you (P-Y-T)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T-L-C)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there...

"I've been listening to MJ since I was five years old!" Charles hollers over the thundering beats.

"Same here! This came out when I was eight! You bet I shook my little booty to it!" Diane replies just as loud, and they both crack up.

The crowd separates to make more room for Diane and Charles and start chanting, "Go, go, go, go, go, go, go...heeeeeey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!"

Nothin' can stop this burnin'
Desire to be with you
Gotta get to you baby
Won't you come, it's emergency
Cool my fire yearnin'
Honey, come set me free
Don't you know now is the perfect time
We can dim the lights
Just to make it right
In the night
Hit the lovin' spot
I'll give you all that I've got

I want to love you (P-Y-T)

Pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T-L-C)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
I want to love you (P-Y-T)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin' (T-L-C)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there...

They receive booming cheers and applause when they stop for a second or two. They're breathing hard through the last two verses and their moves slow way down. Diane falls into Charles while they're both laughing. They go back to the bar and order her Pinot Grigio and his BudLight and show the bartender their IDs. "Whoo! That was a lot of fun, and I'm not even drunk yet!" Diane says.

"I know, you don't need alcohol to have a good time!"

"Yeah, but it sure is delicious!" Diane takes a swig of wine and swallows hard.

"Mmm, for sure!" Charles downs his beer.

"Too bad my ass doesn't clap."

Charles snorts out his drink. "Say what?"

Diane bursts into cackles and pats his back as he coughs. "It doesn't!" she insists. "When you work at a high school, you learn the terminology."

"Well, would you mind if I told you some good news about your butt? I want to get my feelings out in the open before we're both trashed."

"Hm?" Diane sets her chin on her fist and grins at him. "Did you like it in my tight yoga pants that I wore this morning?" she wonders aloud flirtatiously.

"I sure did," he murmurs, winking at her. "You're hot, like everywhere, and I really love the person you are. I'm so happy you exist."

She shrieks happily and her heart explodes with bliss. "Wow! I wasn't kidding the other night when I basically said I was attracted to you. Sorry that I was so wasted, though. Thanks for giving me the best hangover cure ever...water."

"It's alright. No problem." He's looking into her eyes as he says this, and then he moves his stool closer to hers. "Let's just sip this stuff slowly so that the most we get is a small buzz."

"Okay."

They dance together as they drink, and then when they're finished, The First Cut is the Deepest by Sheryl Crow comes on. Diane's hands are on his shoulders, and his hands are on her hips as they sway slowly back and forth. She melts because of how he's holding her so protectively and gazing at her like she's the moon. There's so much passion between them.

I would have given you all of my heart
But there's someone who's torn it apart
And he's taking just all that I had
But if you wanna try to love again
Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know

"I can really relate to these lyrics," Diane murmurs.

"I know." One of his hands move to her hair as he guides her to put the side of her face against his chest. She wraps her arms around his waist and never wants to let him go. Her smile isn't going to disappear anytime soon. He massages the back of her head and his other hand goes to the small of her back.

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest
But when it comes to being lucky, he's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, he's worse

Charles lifts Diane's face up from his chest and glances from her eyes to her lips. "Can I kiss you?"

She gasps quietly and beams. "Yes. Fuck yes."

He cups her cheeks in his warm hands and presses his lips to hers softly. Diane runs her fingers down his stubble and kisses him back. She'd never thought a man could love her like this. She moans a few times in excitement as they begin to make out with their tongues tangling. She senses a beard burn coming on, but she doesn't care in the least.

I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
But I'm sure gonna give you a try
If you wanna try to love again
Try,
Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know...

They forget about everything around them as they continue swapping spit, and Diane's in heaven and on Cloud Nine at the moment. Charles' hands slide down her arms and he squeezes her hands for a second before rubbing her sides with his thumbs. She reaches up and grabs his hair, but then interlaces her fingers at the nape of his neck. He lifts her slightly off the floor and she squeals.

"Oh, Princess Di," he murmurs. "When I first saw you and you smiled at me, I went 'oh, shit.'"

"Aw, Charlie...you're the best man in my life," she confesses against his lips and then snuggles into him, with her head tucked under his chin.

"Baby, I feel so lucky that you're now my lady." He pecks her temple, then her cheek and jaw and finally, nibbles on her neck, causing her to make sounds of pleasure and tilt her head back, allowing him more access. "Is this okay? You can tell me to stop."

She swoons and blushes at the affectionate name he'd given her and how gentle he's being. "Don't..." she whispers breathlessly with her eyes closed. "I'm enjoying this. My man...I could get used to sayin' that, babe." It rolls off her tongue easily. "Charlie, my man."

"Diane, my lady...my sweetheart."

"You wanna find someplace else to do this?"

"Sure!" Charles carries Diane out of the bar and they make out the entire time on the cab ride home, fogging up the windows as they do so.


When Flaca's mom drops her and Maritza off at La Rica's Salsa, Maritza all but jumps into Flaca's arms. They both giggle through their kisses and link arms while walking to the restaurant.

"Any idea what you want?" Flaca questions Maritza. "I made reservations!"

"Well, a taco or burrito with major hot sauce sounds real good about now!" The smaller girl laughs.

"Yeah, that's what I'm gettin' too."

They order their waters and then Maritza takes a sip of hers. "Let's have a toast," she says, holding up her glass of water and glancing at Flaca's. She raises her glass up to Maritza.

"To us," they both say and then laugh. Flaca takes a drink of her water, as does Maritza. They clink their glasses together. "Cheers!" Then, they set their waters down.

Maritza winks at her from across the table. "Yo...why don't we play a game? Michelle and I thought this up together, and I thought it'd be fun to play with you. "

"You two planned this date?" Flaca wants to know, resisting the urge to giggle out loud.

"Well, we were hoping to be asked out by our crushes during our high school career, and we was just playin' around. It's called ABC's of You. Basically, we list in alphabetical order what we think of each other. You go first."

"Amazing and alluring, and awesome!" Flaca says, blushing.

Maritza laughs. "Just one adjective."

"Can't we use three?" Flaca wonders aloud, pouting.

"Sure. Okay, here's mine for you. Beautiful, brilliant, and breathtaking."

Flaca beams. "Thanks! Captivating, charming, and cute."

"I'd call you cute too...and I am hella charming. You are delicate, delightful, and divine, oh, and darling too. I stuck a fourth word in there." Maritza smirks.

"Delicate?" Flaca chuckles. "Enjoyable, exciting, and elegant."

"You're good at this!" Maritza points out. "Fun, fascinating, and fashionable."

"Yes! Goddess-like, gorgeous, and good-looking."

"Well, my ego just got bigger. Heartwarming helpful, and hella fine."

Flaca laughs. "So did mine. Important, idol, and insightful."

"Joyful, jubilant, and jovial."

"That's right I am. Kind, knowing, and kind of a hopeless romantic," Flaca giggles. She leans in close to Maritza. "...and I love those kinds of people." Flaca gives Maritza a smile that turns her legs to jelly.

"You're lovely, loveable, and lively."

"Mind blowing, magnificent, and marvelous," Flaca praises Maritza just before their waiter comes over to get their food ordered. "What would you like, Maritza?" she wants to know.

Maritza looks up at the waiter. "I'd like to have two tacos with rice, refried black beans, ground beef, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and extra hot salsa...and chips on the side," she says as he hurriedly writes her order down.

"Bean and beef burrito and extra queso and hot sauce for me, please," Flaca chimes in. "Oh and for dessert, churros and ice cream."

The waiter nods and hands Maritza a slip of paper while staring at her chest instead of her eyes. She notices he'd been doing that the whole time both she and Flaca ordered. "Pervert," she mutters, opening the folded paper. His number is there, and she rips it into tiny little shreds. Flaca chuckles and claps in approval.

"He ain't gettin' a tip," Flaca mutters while shaking her head.

"Nah! Thanks for getting dessert. I've had a craving for it for about two years since I joined the squad in middle school."

"You're very welcome. Anyway, let's continue with our game." Flaca looks Maritza in the eyes, as she'd been doing all along. Maritza loves her for it.

"Alright, it's your turn," Maritza reminds her.

"Nice, neat, and nerd lover."

Maritza hits Flaca's arm playfully. "You're not a nerd. Overprotective, obsessed with making me happy, and only for me."

"Perky, polite, and playful."

"That I am. Radiant, romantic, and refined."

"Small, seductive, and special."

"Tall, tempting, and tasteful."

Flaca winks at Maritza. "Ultimate, unmatchable, and unsurpassable."

Maritza bats her eyes at Flaca. "You really think so?" Flaca nods and takes her hand again. Maritza feels a sensation down south but continues. She's afraid her voice will break. Flaca really does love her. "Vivacious, vibrant, and vital."

"Of course, baby! My turn. Wonderful, warm, and wholesome."

Maritza sighs with happiness. "Can't think of anything for X. I'm going to Y. Hmmm…young, you're totally worth it, and you're stunning."

"I'll give you those. Zazzy, zealous, and zestful."

"Thanks! That was really fun," Maritza says, smiling.

"So, who won?" Flaca wants to know.

"It was a tie. When it gets to X, we no longer on a roll," Maritza responds, shrugging. "Oh, our food's here!" As the meal is set down on the table, their hands separate, but the feeling inside Maritza is still there. They scarf down their meals and then feed each other bites of the churros and ice cream. "Mmmmm, this is so good! You know what this reminds me of?" she asks as she digs in for another bite.

"What?"

"My mom and I used to have this all the time before I joined the cheer squad. I'm so glad I can have this again!" Maritza explains chirpily. She puts her feet up on Flaca's lap. Flaca gingerly picks up her feet and she pulls away. "That tickles!" she squeals through a laugh. Maritza wonders where else Flaca would tickle her later, but she stops the thought right there.

She can't believe Flaca wasn't scared off by all the compliments she'd given her by playing that game. She can't believe that Flaca actually wanted to play the corny game. Flaca had seemed very sure of herself and what she was calling Maritza, and it seemed as though they were a solid couple. Whenever they touch lips, Flaca's breath on Maritza's face is always so sweet. Flaca's being seductive without even knowing it just by licking her lips before scooping ice cream and a piece of churro into her mouth.

Okay, Maritza, get a hold of yourself.

Thinking about making love with Flaca has got Maritza in a tizzy. She's never had sex with anyone, but Flaca has experience, so naturally, Maritza is nervous that she won't be the best. She'll have to practice hard for this, like she'd already been doing since she developed a crush on Flaca. She's also excited, because Flaca would be able to pleasure her so well and treat her just right for the whole thing. Between them, there's really nothing to be ashamed of. She's aware of this, but she wants to give Flaca an enjoyable orgasm, too.

"Whatcha daydreamin' about, Mari?"

"Just how much I love you, darling."

"Aww, honey...I love you, too." Flaca hands Maritza the treat. "Yo, you can have the rest!"

"Oh, thanks, Flac!" Maritza takes it from her cheerfully and gobbles it down.

Thank you for reviewing, Johanna-002, A Star In My Universe, and HannahMiley1fan!