hank you for beta'ing, A Star In My Universe! Warning, mentions of traumatic incidents.

querida-dear

pequeña-little one

The teen moms are all hanging out in Daya's room, eating Hot Cheetos and Takis, and talking between bites while listening to Drake. Polly has a neater snack, which is saltine crackers and cheddar cheese. "So, how the hell you own an apartment when you was only fourteen when you bought it?" Cindy asks Maria.

Maria smirks. "Yadriel and I share the cost. Also...my mother and my way older sister, stole Cousin Frankie's money after he sexually assaulted my niece, and went to the hoosegow, so he's not only got a broken cheekbone for life, he's also most likely dead, because they hate child molesters and rapists in prison!"

Ouija nods while cackling and pointing at Maria. "Yo, she told me, Blanca, Pidge, Michelle, and Zirconia that story before! It was one of her best ones."

"All right!" Daya exclaims and hi-fives Maria, causing orange crumbs to fly everywhere, as the residue is on their hands. "Girl, that's truly amazing. You must be filthy fuckin' rich."

"You bet your ass I am! We got it made!"

"Yeah, and at just fifteen years of age. Someone should make a movie about you guys," Allison quips.

Maria raises an eyebrow at her. "Jealous?"

"I am, a little. Sometimes, I don't like sharing Farah and Hassan with another girl. Meanwhile, you got Yadriel, who turns down other chicks his mother shoves in his face."

"Yeah, she's a cunt, she hates me. She probably thinks I corrupted her baby boy, even though I'm younger than him." Maria rolls her eyes. "I thought you were fine with the setup? Man, this is like when Sanka regretted her decision to let Anders Harding and her dumb Nazi twin, Corinne, be friends with benefits. They started doin' shit outside the bedroom...like couple-y things. She was an idiot to kick it with such an older crew. Then again, she'd always been brainless."

Cindy tsks and shakes her head. "You a dumbass, Abdullah."

"Nah, I'm even more stupid," Daya tells Cindy. "I gave my baby daddy the suggestion to walk out on me, and y'all know what he did!"

"That wasn't your fault," Ouija assures Daya. "I mean, you shouldn't have done that, because once a coward hears that you're gonna let him take the easy way out, he's gonna follow your advice...but you didn't know he was like that."

"He even promised he wasn't," Daya mumbles brokenly.

"Sometimes, you don't need to give them permission to leave you. They just...make future plans to trek to Alaska, for example," Polly says glumly. "I should've known Pete was a bottom feeder from the moment he kept laughing in birthing class and refusing to hold my hand because it gave him sweaty palms. The only upside was that my brother gave Pete a nice shiner and a pile of flaming shit landed on his porch."

The girls snigger. "Nice! Can they do that to Bennett?" Daya asks.

"Yeah, just give me his address."

"Hey, Allison...maybe you could talk to Hassan about it," Maria advises her.

"I did. I even said Sahar could be like Farah's auntie and not her second mother...but I think he's in love with both of us. Even though she's his side dish...it's still unacceptable! His dad married six women, but he's also like, in his fifties, and manscapes...which Hassan pointed out to me, but I realize now that I don't like polygamy." Allison sighs and puts her head in her hands.

"You could always kill her and make it look like an accident," Ouija recommends.

"No, he and Farah would be mourning her and I don't wanna make them upset."

Daya exhales slowly. "Why can't more dudes be like, in it for the long haul, and focused on one girl forever? Like...even after all the shit Aleida's done wrong and what she's gone through, Leon's still here."

"Oh, damn, if your mom marries him, he's gonna be such a step-DILF!" Ouija comments. "He could treat me right if you know what I'm sayin'!"

"Mmm, yeah! I bet he got buns of steel," Cindy adds, and she and Ouija burst into giggles. "Ain't no secret he well endowed!"

"Would you keep your voices down? The kids are trying to sleep!" Daya hisses at them. She wants the floor to split open and swallow her up and her cheeks are burning. Her friends are getting too much entertainment out of this.

"They won't anyway, he probably jammin' his trouser meat into her mama right now!" Maria exclaims through snickers, and Ouija and Cindy shriek while cracking up louder than they were talking before.

"Oh my god, Maria! Don't encourage them!" Daya growls.

Allison spits out her food and lets out a high-pitched squeak. "You're so dirty!"

"Yeah...gross," Polly mutters.

"Mm-hm, he should be gettin' with me instead!" Cindy insists.

"Nah, me!" Ouija tells her.

"Oh, Mr. Macka-" Ouija and Cindy start to yell, but Daya hits them both with large pillows, causing them to fall backward on the floor while laughing like hyenas.

"Stop, they could hear you, and Ma gets hella jealous! Also, you're making me feel uncomfortable!" Daya protests.


"Let's just give up on getting the children down for the night," Aleida decides. "The girls ain't gonna stop raising their voices every few seconds anytime soon, and it's the first time Daya's ever had a sleepover with me home. She's been too embarrassed before, so this is special for her, and I'm happy she's havin' fun."

"Absolutely, I am, too," Gloria agrees. "We'll have 'em stay up and watch a movie until they fall asleep in our laps."

"Yay!" the four children squeal at once. Benny and Christina quickly leave their beds and jump up and down together happily while cheering.

"Wanna go too like big sissy!" Emiliano says.

"Movie!" Julio echoes his mother.

"Alright, boys!" Leon takes Emiliano and Julio out of their cribs. "They were itching to get outta there!" he points out as they race out of the room excitedly. Christina and Benny run after their younger brothers and the adults follow the children into the living room.

"What do you wanna see, Benny?" Christina wants to know.

"You can pick."

"Oh, okay!" She chooses Mary Poppins and Aleida starts playing it.

"This is a girly movie!" he complains, and Christina sticks her tongue out at him.

"I won't be giving you sugar with your medicine, then," Gloria tells her son teasingly.

"You don't anyway!" Benny sighs and shakes his head. "The sacrifices I make for you, Chrissy."

"Thanks, Benny, I 'pre-shate it!"

"You're welcome, but next time, I want Monsters Inc!"

"That's for boys!" Christina shrugs. "Whatever, we can take turns."

"Yep!" Benny taps Leon.

"'Sup, little man?"

"Why did Daya's friend call you Mr. Mackadocious? That's not your name!"

"Am I well endowed?" Julio asks before Leon can answer Benny's question.

"What's a well endowed?" Emiliano quickly wonders out loud.

"Ay dios mío, somethin' you don't gotta know for a long time!" Aleida responds with exasperation in her tone.

"They kept saying Leon was that in Daya's room," Christina lets her know, and her jaw drops to the floor, along with Gloria's. Aleida's eyes narrow as she clenches her teeth.

"Yeah, I think a couple of the girls have crushes on me, which is completely inappropriate." Leon glances at Aleida warily. "Could you speak to 'em, because this is too awkward."

"I sure as hell will do that," Aleida says and stands up.

"Hey, try not to murder 'em!" Gloria shouts after her.

"I'll do my best!" She marches to Daya's bedroom and stops to listen carefully.

"Man, if he was single, the shit I'd do to him...ohhhh..."

"Or he could have an affair! I don't mind being the other woman!"

Aleida barges in suddenly, but nobody seems to notice her. "Yo, who the fuck keeps making sexual innuendos about my man?"

"Oh, shit...sorry, Ms. Diaz!" Ouija mumbles.

"Yeah, sorry you got a fine-ass sugar daddy!" Cindy puts in, and the others press their lips together to keep from snickering, except for Daya, who sends Aleida an apologetic look.

"In a way, you should be honored that we're so jealous of you," Ouija puts in.

"Not all of us have men quite as ripped as him, and you're...nice-looking, too," Cindy says.

Aleida gives them a sarcastic smile. "Nice try, butterin' me up with half-assed compliments. You bitches better never talk about him like that again or you gonna have to get outta here!"

"Ohhhh!" Maria, Allison, and Polly holler in unison while sniggering.

"Single bitches," Aleida mutters under her breath in reference to Cindy and Ouija as she slams the door behind her.

"I fuckin' told you idiots to shut up!" Daya scolds them, and Aleida smirks at the fact that her daughter is on her side. She goes back to her boyfriend, best friend, and their kids.

"I caught 'em in the act! Next time they say those disgusting remarks, I'mma throw 'em outta my house!"

"Thanks, baby," Leon murmurs as she sits next to him. He kisses her cheek and then her lips. The little ones are too distracted with the film to pay attention to them.

"Great job!" Gloria congratulates her and the two women share a high-five.

Aleida leans into Leon's ear. "You're well endowed, and I love it...but only I can say that," she whispers huskily so that nobody else can hear her, and he grins.

"So are you, honey."

"Nah...I don't got big tits."

"I think they're amazing," he assures her, and she beams while blushing.


"How's Pepa doin'?" Ouija wants to know.

"Well, after she cried when I kissed her goodbye, she pissed herself while sitting on Yads' lap, and then Red helped Blanca change her. He still needs help with that, but I can tell that he tries."

They chuckle quietly, and Daya is satisfied that the conversation has turned back to being innocent and kid-friendly. "Aww! That's nice," Daya comments.

"Yeah, she was born at seven minutes to midnight, and people were betting on her birth time when I was in labor at a party that Yadriel threw for me, and this one white chick guessed it right. I gave her a Twix."

"Cool," everyone says in unison.

"Speaking of junk food, anyone want my famous brownies?" Allison wants to know while bringing out a tinfoil-covered plate from her purse. The delicious aroma is seeping out. "Farah loves them, and so does the rest of my family! I just made them before I came, so they're still warm."

"Sure!" they all exclaim.

Allison lifts off the tinfoil and the girls take one each. They start chowing down.

"My taste buds thank you!" Cindy tells her.

"Mine, too!" Polly touches her brownie to Daya's.

"Mmm...ay dios mío, you're a great cook!" Maria praises Allison, and the others nod in agreement.

"¡Gracias!"

"So, I got this stepdad, Chen Dong, right? He got tons of dandruff, so when he itches his head, it's like...comin' outta his hair and shit. My mom bought him shampoo for it." Maria shrugs. "At least we have Chinese for dinner every time I go to their house...and when he smokes, he's respectful enough to do it outside and he ain't never done it in front of me or Yads or Pepa."

"I would never smoke, even if I wasn't pregnant...I don't want a hole in my neck...my mom's is as big as a Ritz cracker," Ouija mutters.

"Ugh...I'm sorry to hear that," Polly says, and Daya is relieved that it never got to that point with her own mother. The rest of the girls rub Ouija's back supportively.

"Yeah...so, Cindy...what you callin' your kid?" Ouija asks.

"Monica, from that movie, Love and Basketball! Y'all seen it before?"

"Mm-hm," Daya responds, along with everyone else, except Polly.

"It's really good!" Allison comments.

"Hell yeah! I'mma make sure she's the coolest kid ever, just like her name!"

They grin at that.

"I asked my crew to babysit Pepa, and Lorna offered, so naturally, I was like, of course! She's gonna take her out for a stroll on the morning after mine and Yadriel's first year anniversary." Maria smirks. "We wanna be alone then, and I'll say nothin' more."

The girls giggle. "Are you sure?" Polly wonders out loud, seeming nervous. "I know you trust her, but she can be unpredictable...what if she sees Angela and gets furious and distracted?"

Maria shakes her head defiantly. "Nah, her pills keep her more controlled, but she would never hurt Pepa, she loves babies!"

"Oh my god, she actually takes medication? That's awful..."

"Nah, it ain't!" Ouija insists. "She's much better than my cousin and Crazy Eyes." She rolls her eyes. "Suzanne, whatever."

"Fruity fuckin' Pebbles...man, she can be annoying as hell, but wherever she be, I hope she gettin' serious help," Cindy mutters.

"Yeah, same," Allison agrees.

"I have a question," Polly announces. "If you were stuck on a desert island with your individual groups of friends, and had to sacrifice someone, who would you choose?"

"I'd say Zirconia, since she calls Lorna loca, and she better stop, or a bitch is gonna get hurt," Maria replies.

"I'm with you there," Ouija murmurs.

"Janae, since she can be a crabapple," Allison chimes in.

Daya sighs. "I really don't know, because I treasure all of my friends!"

"I understand it's hard, but you need to pick one person...the clique is starving, they haven't eaten in days!" Polly says dramatically.

"Suzanne," Cindy decides quickly. She turns to Daya. "Yo, why not Lorna? That crazy bitch be sayin' Suzanne can't help her mental illness, but she can...she has pills!"

Polly snickers. "Goodbye, Lorna."

"No!" Daya shouts. "I don't like this game, it's stupid."

"I guess you'd all die of hunger, then." Polly stands up. "I'm gonna go make a phone call, so I need to step out for a moment."

"I'm watchin' that puta like a hawk," Maria says in a low voice once Polly leaves. "I'm just waitin' to catch her red-handed, since she was friends with Chapman. She used to make monkey sounds whenever she'd pass me and Blanca, since Blanca had a unibrow and I got a mustache that I didn't know about, since it was barely there. Of course, Pa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la Polly made us both aware of our imperfections. I waxed my upper lip from then on, but Blanca just ignored her, until she couldn't anymore."

Daya shakes her head in disappointment. "I'm sorry. She doesn't seem to be all that fond of Lorna, and Alex and Flaca hate her with a passion that I never understood until now. I liked her before, but she's a fuckin' bully. I was so naive about her meanness...I guess nobody said nothin' specific about what Polly said about 'em in order not to cause drama, maybe."

"She's such a prissy bi-" Ouija starts to say when Christina swings open the door and scampers in. "Be-yotch. Oh...uh, hey, cariño."

"What's up, bitches?" Christina asks enthusiastically.

The girls' eyes widen and they begin sniggering. "Where did you hear that bad word, did Ma teach you? That's only for grownups, not tiny children like you! You shouldn't use that kind of language," Daya reprimands her sister.

Christina puts her fists on her hips and pouts. "I'm five, I can say whatever the fuck I want!"

"No, you really can't!"

"Yo, that's fuckin' bullshit 'cause y'all bitches do it, so I can, too!"

"You need a little swat on your behind?" Daya tries to hide her amusement, but she's unable to.

"Your sister's got a point," Allison murmurs.

"I just wanna play. At least I made you crack up. You don't suck after all, Daya!"

"Alright, but you don't gotta swear, baby."

"I know, but it's fun!" Christina giggles and beams.

"Hey, could you run an errand for us, shawty? Go see what Polly's talking about on the phone," Cindy instructs her and Daya hits the African American girl lightly on the shoulder. "What? Squirts love doin' stuff for the big kids!"

"It's true, helping's fun!" Christina sounds proud of herself. "Okay, I'mma be right back!"


"Daya's being such a party pooper!" Polly complains to someone over the phone. "I'm the only white person here, and I feel more weird than ever now...Larry, I just need you to pick me up...this place stinks. I'm the odd one out. Yeah, obviously Daya would never betray Supercunt, Looney-Tunes, or the goth who thinks every day is Halloween. They're all linked to the other teen moms...Ouija's close to the former chimpanzees and that freakazoid, Allison is Supercunt's uncle figure's niece, and I may just have a shot at being friends with Cindy, but she's a fuckin' fatass without the pregnancy and I can't relate to her. The only reason I accept Daya, besides the fact that she's only gaining weight because she's got a baby growing inside her, is because we're in the same situation with the father bailing out."

"Outta my house, you fuckin' bitch!" Christina hollers from behind her, and she jumps while turning around. "Yeah, you gotta move it or lose it, puta!"

"I'm sorry about this. See you soon, Larry." Polly closes her flip phone. "Excuse me? Those are not nice words!"

Christina stomps her foot hard on the ground and folds her arms across her chest. She can't stand this mean old witch, for how she's gabbing about Daya and sounding stuck up. "I don't give a shit, you fuckin' stupid slut!"

Polly takes her to Daya right away, as the child is kicking and screaming. "You need to control your sister, she's not minding her business for one, and two, she's being incredibly rude and crass. I was on the phone with my boyfriend-"

"Yeah, nobody cares! She was spying on you for us, since you a goddamn wolf in sheep's clothing! You tricked us all...you apologized to me and Blanca, sure, but you're pressuring Daya to vote someone out of her crew, basically, and that ain't cool with us," Maria snaps.

"I don't have to like Lorna!"

"Nah, you don't," Daya agrees and then purses her lips. "You just can't make snide remarks about her mental illness."

"Who's Supercunt, the freakzoid, and Looney-Tunes?" Christina wonders out loud.

"Larry gave Alex, Flaca, and Lorna those names," Ouija informs her.

"Polly said them, too. She also called you a party pooper, Daya," Christina tells her big sister and then blows a raspberry at Polly, who scowls.

Daya closes her eyes and exhales through gritted teeth. "You gossipin' about my girls behind my back?"

"You would honestly fit in more with me. We're not psycho, we don't look like Emo Barbie, and we don't come from hookers who actually got paid to have sex with old geezers."

"Fuck you! I'm still nothin' like you 'cause I ain't a nasty bitch to my friends...or anyone else, for that matter! You really need to leave!" Daya's hands clench up into fists as she walks toward Polly.

"Now I see where she gets it from," Polly mutters while nodding towards Christina. "You're gonna be a horrible mother."

"You gotta go!" Christina points to the entrance that's down the hall from Daya's room. "Now!"

"You can't kick me out-"

Maria grabs the front of Polly's shirt and shakes her until she looks alarmed. "I'm the boss of this bitch, and what I say goes. Daya's also in charge, so you should listen to her, too. The kid's right, you're shitty, so your ass is out!"

Polly raises her hands in surrender. "Fine, but you'll miss me." Maria scoffs and pushes her away.

Allison cups her hands over her mouth as Polly exits the apartment quickly. "No, we won't!"

They start whooping when the door closes, and Christina squeals and giggles as Daya spins her around and then taps her nose. "Good work, angel!"

"Thanks, sissy!"


"Yo, Christina, it's way past time for beddy-bye," Aleida says, and Christina jumps into her arms.

"Yeah," Gloria agrees. "Hey, where's that white girl? She in the bathroom or somethin'?"

"Nah, she got thrown out 'cause she a bad friend!" Cindy replies.

"I knew she was a fake bitch when I met her, she don't even have a toothy smile," Aleida quips. "You know what I said about those kinds of chicks. They untrustworthy."

"Me too, I can smell one from a mile away!" Gloria chimes in.

"I wish I had, too," Daya grumbles. "Why am I so stupid about people's true intentions?"

"It ain't just you, everyone has idiot moments in life," Aleida assures her while rubbing her back soothingly.

"You'd be strange if you was perfect and right all the time," Gloria adds on.

"It's better we got rid of her now rather than never figuring it out," Allison continues.

"Mm-hm," Ouija and Maria agree.

"Say good night, pequeña," Aleida directs Christina.

"Nighty night, Daya and her friends!"

"Good night!" Daya responds and she and the other teen moms hug and kiss Christina before the women leave with her.

Daya then shows Maria, Ouija, Allison, and Cindy the videos by Flaritza. Their latest one is from the time they babysat the children at Maritza's house, along with Alex, Daya, Lorna, and Nicky. They're talking about Nicky and Lorna finally getting together, and then after, Flaca and Maritza sing It Ain't Over Til It's Over, Lorna's favorite song, as the blonde and brunette dance together for the camera. When Daya refreshes the page, though, another video has been added. Apparently, they'd filmed themselves on their date and announced that they're now an official couple. The girls clap and cheer for both Flaritza and Nichorello.

"Oooh, what's this? I bet there's juicy stuff you wrote about Adarsh in here," Ouija teases Daya while waving around Piper's diary.

Daya grabs it from her. "Nah, this ain't mine...Piper left it here," she lies.

"Huh, really?" Maria peers at it in interest, as do the others. "What's it say? We can read all of her secrets now that she's dead."

"Sure, go ahead, but don't take any of it to heart, if she talks rude about anyone here. She was so arrogant...even though her white ass couldn't clap to save her life!" The girls laugh boisterously. "I only told Flaca that, since I didn't want to offend Alex and Lorna. What the fuck was Piper proud of?" she asks rhetorically.

Cindy guffaws. "She was a loser in middle school!"

"Oh wow, let me see!" Allison interjects while taking it from Cindy. "Ha! That's funny."

"That could've been why she turned into a terrible Queen Bee," Daya mumbles.

Ouija looks at it next and bats her eyes while clearing her throat. "I'll read an entry. Okay...I think Marzipan Nipples might have a crush on me and it's weird. I had to remind her that I had a boyfriend when she tried to kiss me again. It wasn't on the lips, though, it was on my neck, but I made her back off." She glances at Daya curiously. "Who is that? Did she have code names for people?"

"I have no idea," Daya mumbles. She knows this particular one is about Alex, since Piper had once commented that her breasts smelled of marzipan when they were all drunk. "Alright, I changed my mind. Let's do something else...she's apparently got other people's secrets recorded in here, too, including mine, I'm betting." She grabs it from Ouija and puts it away in her drawer. "If it says anything good about just her, I'll text it to y'all."

"That sounds great!" Maria says.


"So, confession time...I had actually worn my tightest yoga pants to impress you," Diane admits to Charles while blushing. She combs through her tangled hair with her fingers, fixes her lipstick, and they both adjust their clothing and check their appearances in the mirror before leaving the cab.

"Well, it worked." Charles winks at her and she giggles. He wraps his arm around her and holds one of her hands and they stroll to his apartment. She's walking on air and they're gazing deeply and lovingly into each other's eyes so much that she trips over a crack and lets out a squeak. He holds her upright. "Careful, baby."

Her heart skips a beat at his protectiveness. "Thanks...I got a beard burn still?"

"No, the lotion was effective."

Diane sighs with relief. "Oh, good!"

"However, you do have a hickey-"

"What?! Where?" she freaks out.

He chuckles. "Diane, you can hide it with your hair or a scarf, or both! I couldn't resist giving you a little love bite, I'm sorry!"

"I know, and it ain't like I pulled away...but I can't go to work with one...I'll have to cover it with makeup."

"Excellent idea! Watch your step, my beautiful girl."

Diane's heart flutters. "Thank you, handsome." He helps her up the stairs to his place, and she holds onto the rail with her free hand.

"I could always carry you if you're getting tired," he offers.

She beams at this. "No, that's okay...save it for when I'm actually passed out. I ain't delicate, ya know!"

"I do. Okay, I will."

"You're the sweetest woman to ever grace my presence. I used to be a bitter man until you came along and softened me up."

Diane sighs while smiling. "I'm glad I was able to do that."


"Hey, Glo...Diane should be back from her date by now, let's say we give her a call!" Aleida says eagerly after they've kissed and hugged the children good night.

"That's fine by me!"

"Leon, would you mind very much putting our kids to bed while we have a little girl time?" Aleida asks.

"No problem!"

"Cool, thanks, babe!" They go to touch lips and Gloria turns away to give them privacy. A few seconds later, she feels her best friend leading her to the couch.

"Yours and Leon's romance is off the charts! You guys are cute together," Gloria comments.

Aleida smirks proudly. "Thanks, girl! You didn't wanna watch our PDA, though...you can if you so desire. I love the attention, and I'm sure he does, too. He's never complained about people watching us...who ain't children, obviously."

"Nah, it ain't that, really, it's more like, I didn't wanna disturb y'all with even my eyes."

"Well, that's sweet. So, even though Diane said she wasn't gonna fuck Charles, how much you wanna bet they actually did do it?"

Gloria laughs. "Nothin', 'cause you'll lose, and I ain't gonna take all your money! She's just starting to have faith in him as a boyfriend...intercourse ain't at the forefront of her mind. The last time somebody got into her pants, it was a one-night-stand with some stranger who she was in love with the idea of, all because he was a rock god, in her words exactly...and even though Diane and Charles are happy together and they know each other, it's only been three weeks. Trust me on this...she's serious as a heart attack about takin' it slow."

"Oh, I thought the only requirement would be that he needs to use a condom!"

"Nah, 'cause there's still the old hump and dump. She lives in his house, yeah, but if he's a jerk and doesn't like her after they do the nasty, he'd throw her and Alex out...they got Fahri to live with if that happens...my point is, she's seein' if all he cares about is gettin' between her legs. I think six months is a long enough time to wait. It gives them a chance to really connect and bond as a couple and have him become part of Diane and Alex's family."

Aleida glances down at her lap. "Do you think I should've done that with Leon...waited?"

"Everyone's different, Lei. You move fast with dudes, that's just how you are...but your past boyfriends should've been more careful."

"It ain't like I was on the pill or nothin'...but I never thought any of my babies were mistakes. I'm glad though, that Leon practices safe sex."

"Me too, for you."

"Opposites really do attract. He's responsible with everything, while I never was, until I started to be a month ago."

"Yeah, I know. He's a positive influence on you."

Aleida beams. "So are you, Glo. You said I'd thank you later. I thought I never would, I remember being so mad that night. I wanted to fuckin' kill you for butting into my personal business and moving yourself into my apartment...but I'm real blessed that you did...you totally whipped my ass into shape! Thank dios for you."

"I'm always happy to help, querida."

They hug each other tightly and then Aleida rings Diane. "Hey, girl, how was it?" Gloria asks excitedly as soon as Diane picks up.

"Lemme hide in the closet first so I don't wake up my daughter and he doesn't hear me gushing. I'm literally sliding down the wall right now, and I haven't done that since Lee, the first time. Now, with Charles, fuckin' amazing...but I don't kiss and tell! All we did was make out, though, I swear! I'm still...gah! I can feel him touching me ever so gently, even though he ain't in here! He's such a good kisser!"

Aleida shrieks softly while fanning herself and Gloria smiles at their friend's happiness. "Yes! Get it!" Aleida cheers quietly, and both she and Gloria let out small giggles.

"I haven't told Alex...should I?"

"Nah, let her find out on her own," Gloria advises Diane.

"Okay, I will. She ain't even aware of the list I made. I do know that she approves of me and Charles, though, so that's good!"

"It is," Aleida and Gloria agree at the same time.

"I strongly suggest we all go to the Monte Carlo Room for dancing," Diane recommends. "It's tons of fun!"

"Yeah, next weekend once homecoming is over!" Gloria says.

"The three of us women, right?" Aleida questions Diane.

"We can do a ladies night some other time, but I was more thinkin' us and our boys, Aleida, and Gloria and Fahri, if you'd feel comfortable dancing with him. If not, we can just all have drinks as a group and have a blast. It's just so you and Fahri can get closer together, Gloria, that is, if you'd like to."

"He hasn't texted me all weekend, and I ain't sure what to say. I know he's busy, he said he wouldn't be able to communicate much while out of town, but I hope he doesn't think I'm ignoring him. I'm just shy."

"That's understandable. Maybe wait until he returns? He's back on Monday."

"Okay, sure."

"I'm beyond ecstatic!" Aleida squeals. "I'd love to!"

"Awesome!"

Gloria's heart sinks at how settled in and content Aleida and Diane are with their boyfriends. She knows it's the honeymoon stage for both couples, and she feels like she's just in the way. "Hey, I'm gonna turn in...I'm gettin' hella exhausted. Diane, congratulations on your new relationship with Charles! Night, y'all!"

"Thank you! Sweet dreams!" Diane responds.

"Yeah, what she said." Aleida wraps her arms around Gloria. "Good night, love you, sis!"

Gloria kisses the tips of her fingers and places them on Aleida's cheek. "Love you too, sista!"

"I heart you both," Diane tells them sweetly.

They smile. "We heart you, too, girl!"

After getting into her bed and making sure the little ones are sound asleep, Gloria scrolls through her messages. Her thumb hovers over Fahri's name for a few seconds before she presses it. She starts typing and grins with satisfaction when she finishes composing her text to him.

You missed a good party with wonderful music! Red is an excellent host. It's okay, there's always next time! How's your drug selling going? I hope you're doing well and your boss ain't givin' you too hard of a time and you ain't gettin' busted.

She presses send and wills herself not to wait for a response. She doesn't expect one, since it's after midnight. When her phone buzzes with his reply, she jumps.

Yeah, I'll see her apartment sometime, I'm sure...and we're all chaperoning at homecoming, Diane said! He's a hard ass, but he didn't come along with me for this trip, he just sent me with a mule, so it's not too bad. I'm great, thanks. How are you?

I'm awesome! Hey, you're up late, but so am I, only 'cause we had to stay awake past ten with the children since Daya and her friends were really enjoying themselves and being hella noisy! We let 'em do that 'cause Daya had a hard day at school yesterday. She was due for some much needed fun. What's your excuse?

Oh, I get that! I'm glad she had a blast with the others. Uh, well, I'm just going to sleep now, it's been a long night. Missy, the mule, was taking forever to deliver all the packages of heroin and I kept worrying she'd do something to get us both in trouble, since she's new to this and all. The kingpin gave us way too much...but thankfully, we were fine.

That's excellent! Alright, I'll let you get your rest. Good night!

Night!

Gloria can't think of anything else to say to Fahri, but she feels like a brick is lifted from her chest after their conversation. It was so simple, slipping back into who she used to be, the kind of woman who lets in a man literally days after meeting him, but it's also way too easy for her to trust the wrong person.

She soon finds herself venting to Red. The lady had always been like an older sister to her, since the day they turned from rivals to friends, and she's already been to Lourdes for advice, so she doesn't want to bug her aunt again about this. Even though Diane and Aleida are her closest girls, and she'd share everything with them, they're just as naive as she is when it comes to love. It's just pure luck that they'd found themselves true gentlemen. Red, however, dumped her ex when their relationship was starting to go downhill. I got no idea what it is, probably that Aleida and now Diane are both dating a man who seems like he's got genuine motives, and I'd love to do that, too, but I dunno if I'm ever gonna be normal again. I crave intimacy, yet I'm afraid to fall for another monster! See, I really wanna trust Fahri, but I can't yet. I want a good relationship with a man, especially after seeing McDiaz be all cute together for a month straight. I ain't healed yet.

Red's answer comes quicker than Gloria expects. Have you gone to see a shrink?

Nah, it's never been a priority...why, you think I oughta do that?"

Yes. It really helped me after the trauma I experienced after Piscatella's inhumane torture when his family hosted me. I was just a tenth grade foreign exchange student and when his parents weren't around, he'd constantly beat me up, for no reason at all-but I'm guessing it was because he wanted to prove that he was tough every time his mother mentioned gay camp and his father called him a prissy boy. That in no way excuses what he did, though. It got to the point where I had to return to Russia. I have too many scars to count. I promise you, sweetheart, you're not alone. I can even go with you if you'd like me to.

Gloria's heart cracks at Red's story and fresh tears threaten to spill down her cheeks. Sure, thank you! I'm so sorry, you poor woman. If I could hug you right now, I would.

Don't worry, Nicky, Lorna, and Tricia are doing that already since they noticed I was upset while composing this. Nicky and Tricia are sleeping over like they did last night, Lorna is too, and tomorrow morning, we're going to my store, since Sundays are popular.

That's nice! Tell the girls hi for me.

I will, and let your clan know I said hi, too!

Okay, you got it!

You can discuss getting therapy with Aleida and the girls, since they've all been wronged by men like we were. I'll convince Nicky to go.

I don't think Aleida would go for it, but Daya and her gang would probably be interested. Flaca would most likely do it if Maritza does and finds it useful and enjoys it. I'll announce it tomorrow and have Daya spread it around!

Sounds good!


"Try this," Red instructs Nicky, Lorna, and Tricia while handing them each one third of a piroshki. She gestures to the different families who are packed inside the restaurant. "You see? They're all here for my specialty!"

"Whoa, you weren't kidding about the line, this place is so stuffed to the gills that not everyone can fit!" Lorna comments.

Nicky examines the meat pie. "Looks like a Russian hamburger when it's sliced in two."

Tricia chuckles. "Wow, yeah, it really does!"

"Mm-hm," Lorna agrees.

"Eat it, go!" Red encourages them excitedly. At once, the girls take a bite and Red watches them with hope shining in her blue eyes. "What do you think?"

"Mmm!" they exclaim in unison.

"This would be good with ketchup," Nicky comments.

Red lightly swats Nicky's shoulder. "I wanted you to taste its authentic flavor!"

"Relax, Ma! You're one of the best cooks I know, you're well aware of this!" Nicky assures Red. "Like...besides Gloria, of course, and Aleida and Norma. There's Miss Claudette, too, but this definitely wins over her beige coco-not cake!"

"I'll tell her you said that," Red teases her. "Thank you for the reassurance, though, that I'm a pretty good chef."

Lorna and Tricia laugh at their mini banter. "I have no complaints, except that I wanna have ketchup on it, too. You can blame Nicky for giving me the idea, Red," Tricia says jokingly.

"Hey!" Nicky whines while pouting and then sticking her tongue out at Tricia.

The redhead rolls her eyes at her daughters squabbling and envelops them into her arms, and it's like they belong there, in her loving embrace. Lorna joins them, snuggled in between Nicky and Tricia. "Well, I'm satisfied you girls enjoyed it!"

"Yeah, thanks, Ma," Tricia says shyly, and she feels a rush of extreme contentedness wash over her. Following Nicky's footsteps and referring to Red as her mother brought her so much joy and the title for the Russian matriarch tasted good coming off Tricia's tongue.

Red's face breaks out into a grin even bigger than it was before. "You're welcome, sweetheart." She gently cups their chins and kisses them all on their cheeks, leaving behind a bright red lip print. "Enjoy the rest of your piroshki, and I'll give you more!"


"What the fuck's takin' these guys so long?" Aleida wonders quietly to Daya. They're standing in line to see Taxi, and there are a couple of men ahead of them, taking their good old time just to buy tickets.

"How long does it take just to get a ticket?" Daya asks rhetorically while tapping her foot impatiently.

Aleida rolls her eyes. "Idiots."

"Yeah…"

"Yo…two things I always meant to tell ya…I wanted to thank you for taking care of your brother and sister when I was a shit motha, and when I dropped you off at camp when you were six, I never meant any of the nasty words I said...I sent you there so you could have a better life…I was working hard on doing so all of that summer, especially during the time you were gone. I cried in the car when I had to leave you…I'd miss you, and I felt so guilty bein' mean like I was."

Daya's heart warms. "You're welcome. Oh, wow…I never knew that, but I'm touched."

Aleida strokes her hair fondly, puts an arm around her, and then squeezes her shoulder. "My oldest baby…and I'm also sorry for making jokes about your weight. You already had that two-faced bitch doin' it, you didn't need my comments, too."

"I accept your apology...and you only did that 'cause I fucked Cesar, which I shouldn't have done anyway."

"I probably deserved it."

The two in front of them suddenly turn around and almost bump into Aleida and Daya. "I'm sorry," John apologizes. Pornstache is right next to him, smirking creepily. "I'm living with George."

Daya gapes at them in shock, wanting to slap her ex hard across his stupid face and also run away, because Mendez is there. She's trembling all over and she can hardly catch her breath. "You fuckin' pussy..."

"Walk the fuck away from us," Aleida snaps, and they obey her. "Hey…Daya, it's okay, you ain't gonna see him again…I'll be more watchful of who's around us!"

"I can't do this," she mumbles shakily. "What if he's seeing the same thing as us?"

"We'll sit far away from him. He's just an asshole who broke your heart, he's nobody!"

"I'm hurt by him, yeah, but I'm…I'm having a panic attack…because…because of Pornstache…" Daya shudders and Aleida envelops her.

"That pervert from the news? Why, did he molest you, too?"

"No, worse…I just don't get why these predators just get to walk around like they didn't do nothin'!" Daya's voice squeaks when she finishes her sentence.

"What?"

"Are you gonna buy a ticket or not?"

Aleida scowls at the boy at the ticket counter. "Can't you see she's emotional?" She throws her money at him, and his bored expression turns flustered. "Two for Taxi!"

He gives them the tickets and then, while linking arms, they get popcorn and soda.

"What happened, nena?" Aleida questions Daya.

"Mendez, or Pornstache…he raped me, Ma. I just wanna watch the film, okay?"

Aleida narrows her eyebrows and a determined, angry expression crosses her face. "I'mma find him-"

"Nah, not now…after this is over. I don't wanna waste our time together with you goin' after him."

"I wanna fuckin' kill him."

When the movie is over, Aleida gets another drink and throws it at the assholes once they're all outside. The men yell that their eyes are burning while covering them, and she takes the opportunity to ram her knee into both their crotches, causing them to collapse to the ground. "In yo faces, Johnny boy and rapey Burt Reynolds!" Aleida screams. Then, Daya and her mother run away from them to Aleida's car, giggling and holding hands all the way there. Filled with exhilaration, Daya high-fives Aleida just before she drives them back home.

"Thanks, Ma, that was really cool of you!"

"Anytime!" Aleida pats Daya's cheek fondly and pecks her temple. "You seen him since then, like today?"

"Yeah, a few times...once at school and then hours later, he came to the apartment when I was home alone with the kids and he tried to get inside! This was before Leon put in the alarm system. You were at college and Gloria was just arriving to our place. He and John were together the night my ex broke up with me forever, actually. That's why I wanna do therapy with Gloria and the other girls."

"I gotta get a restraining order," Aleida decides aloud through a sigh.

"Nah, you don't...he didn't expect to see me when I was with John, and at the movies, he didn't know I'd be there, too. If he ain't doing anything to me, the cops won't see it as illegal if we just exist in the same place."

"You're right, but that motherfucker raped you, it's a crime, and should be reported-"

"Oh, it was, Gloria called the cops when I let her know about him! He was bailed out, almost immediately!"

Aleida rolls her eyes. "That's such bullshit!"

"I know!"

"Why you never tell me?"

"We hadn't worked out our shit yet back then," Daya reminds her.

"Right. I wasn't the best role model," Aleida remembers. "I was the fuckin' worst."

"Yeah...and as the weeks went on, I didn't wanna dredge it up again. We were all so happy and I didn't wanna bring the mood down, especially not now 'cause of what happened to you."

"I understand."


"¡Ahora que es un bonito tatuaje, es muy bonito!" Lourdes compliments Gloria after her aunt examines her neck tattoo. "Me encanta el simbolismo, que ahora estás libre como un pájaro. ¿Cuándo lo conseguiste?"

Now that's a nice tattoo, it's very pretty! I love the symbolism, that you're now free as a bird. When did you get it?

"Gracias, tía." Gloria covers it up again with her hair. "Aproximadamente cinco días después de mudarse al apartamento de Díaz. Aleida me sugirió que lo ocultara mis cicatrices más feas."

About five days after moving into the Diaz apartment. Aleida suggested I get it to hide my ugliest scars.

"¡Oh, genial! ¡Buena idea!"

Oh, cool! Good idea!

Gloria had wanted her friends, besides Aleida, and the girls, other than Daya, to meet her aunt and discuss getting help after their personal traumas, so she decided to kill two birds with one stone and have the meeting at Lourdes' place while Leon watched the children for half an hour.

"So, why am I here again?" Nicky asks as she walks in with Red. "I've never been raped."

"Me neither," Alex mumbles.

"Yeah, only the people who have actually been violated should come to this," Blanca adds.

Red and Diane give the girls stern glances. "This is not only for sexual assault, Piscatella has beaten you all physically, and that sort of thing messes people up badly!" Red informs them.

"Lo siento, pueden ser tercos," Gloria apologizes to Lourdes, and the older woman nods in understanding.

I'm sorry, they can be stubborn.

"Oh, I thought this was like, a rape and domestic violence support group?" Maritza asks in confusion. "I never experienced none of that."

"You were born in captivity and felt up against your will, Mari," Flaca reminds her. "That's hella scary and traumatizing!"

"Mm-hm, and I'd actually like you to be with me when I talk about being gang raped and tortured, Nicky," Lorna tells the blonde beside her while folding her arms firmly across her chest.

"Are you kidding me, Blanca? You and your man were almost murdered in the fuckin' pool!" Maria throws her arms up in the air. "Ay dios mío, girl...you tellin' me you don't get nightmares about that?"

"I do...sometimes, it feels like I can't breathe when I even think about swimming, or like, when I used to see him in general," Blanca admits softly.

Nicky looks over at Lorna sadly and strokes her hair. "Oh, I'm sorry, babe, I didn't realize you wanted me present. I'll always be there, I promise."

"I need you, hon." Lorna takes Nicky's hand in hers and squeezes it. "This is gonna be good for you, too...you were fuckin' scared to death of Piscatella." She lightly hits Alex's uninjured shoulder with the back of her arm. "So were you, Allie!"

"It was one violent attack. I'm fine." Gloria can hear the tremor in Alex's voice.

Diane scoffs. "You were not! You sobbed through it, and that's expected! Sweetheart, everyone in this room has all been through something awful at some point in their lives. Don't be ashamed to say you were afraid. You were forced to run without your glasses!"

"Mom, could you not put words in my mouth? I'm okay, really. He wasn't even trying to kill me...it was one beatdown, while the others were constantly-"

"Once is more than enough!" Lourdes declares.

"Yeah, you're not foolin' anyone," Gloria murmurs.

"Just surrender, it's easier," Nicky advises Alex.

"I'm only here for my daughter," Aleida says while rubbing Daya's back soothingly.

"Alright, well if you wanna talk about anything later, you may," Lourdes tells her.

"I called everyone here since I wanted y'all to meet my tía Lourdes. Aleida and Daya already have. She'll be the facilitator of these sessions, since I don't really trust any counselors except her, " Gloria announces. "There's Berdie Rogers, too, but she don't work with adults, just students. We don't gotta tell our stories, but it could be beneficial. Tía Lourdes is practically my ma, she's been raising me since I was ten, as y'all know." She turns to her aunt and gestures to each person as she says their name. Lourdes shakes their hands and gently hugs Daya and Aleida.

"There's something different between wine on a Sunday afternoon than having it on a Saturday night...that means we're not at a party scene, trying to get trunked, or tanked, or whatever word you kids use for drunk these days, but this is merely a social gathering with family members, as well as friends, or it could be for a very elegant lunch with relatives," Lourdes states as she pours glasses of it for herself, Gloria, Aleida, Diane, and Red. Everyone laughs out loud at what she's just said. "What?"

"Trunked ain't what you think it means, that ain't even a word, it's slang for a large dick!" Aleida lets her know and Gloria stifles a giggle. "You may have gotten trashed and crunk mixed up and mashed them together, but it don't work that way. However, tanked is a thing, and it means shit drunk off your fuckin' ass!"

"Oh, I see! Thank you for this information. Uh...girls, what kinds of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages do you like? I have plenty of junk food and sugary drinks stocked up to spoil Benny and Julio with, so..."

"You got cheese puffs?" Nicky wonders aloud.

"Yeah, and a Heath bar and cold Dr. Pepper?" Lorna tacks on.

"Hot Cheetos and Takis!" the younger Latinas and Red exclaim in unison.

"Ice cream, thank you!" Alex requests politely.

Once they're all sitting on couches and chairs and eating or in Lorna's case, drinking, Gloria starts speaking between multiple sips. "I wanna be in love, but I don't think I deserve it."

"You sure as shit do, whatcha talkin' about?" Diane asks.

"It's never seemed to be in the cards for me, ya know? My first boyfriend was a douchebag, my second was a total weirdo, and the last one, y'all are well aware of what he did to me...and Benny!"

"Well, fourth time could be the charm with Fahri," Aleida tells her. "I went through three motherfuckers before Leon. Cesar's hard to get over, though. He had his good moments, like he used to rub my feet while I painted my nails."

"Maybe he had a foot fetish," Gloria mutters, hating that Aleida is still emotionally tied to Cesar while she's dating a much better man. She needs to cut her losses and move on entirely with Leon.

Aleida shakes her head no. "That wasn't it."

"How'd you meet Arturo?" Red wants to know. "You can tell a lot about a person when you first meet them."

Gloria opens her mouth to speak, but Lourdes puts her hand on her arm. "You don't need to share if it's too painful."

"It's okay, tía," Gloria assures Lourdes. She faces the group. "I'd just turned thirty, and he pressured me for a date, but of course, I didn't see it that way. I should've taken that as a red flag. We're in an elevator and it's stuck, right...so he's staring at me like a porterhouse steak."

The girls and women shudder. "Ew, what a creep," Daya comments.

"We can kiss while we wait for help, it could be hours," the stranger says while leering in Gloria's direction. She laughs while staring down at the floor, thinking he's joking. She's a poor, single mother of two and looking quite worn down, what with the black circles under her eyes. She's dressed in jeans and a black lace top and covered in makeup, but she doesn't believe she's all that pretty. "Hey! I'm serious." He moves into her personal space, so Gloria is trapped. "I won't take no for an answer!"

"Before I can push him off, he forces his lips onto mine, but it's in a way that makes me stupidly fall for him. I missed a dangerous look in his eyes when he was flirting with me."

"Sure you don't like me?"

"That was actually...good!" Gloria doesn't even sound like herself at this moment.

"Tell me your name."

"Gloria, what about you?"

"Arturo. I want your whole name," he hisses against her collarbone while pressing her into the wall with his hands groping her bottom.

"Gloria...Mendoza," she gasps out.

"We proceeded to kiss more, leading into sex, and I realize we know nothing about each other. When he suggests we should get dinner somewhere, I agree...and then I lost who I was in that moment. I'd do anything for him...while getting nothin' but abuse in return. Sure, he took care of my kids like he was their father and fixed the door in my bodega, but he acted like it was a chore. I...I thought he and I balanced each other out, I was shy and submissive around him while he was more loud and dominant. I liked it. Girls and women do love the bad boys, and I was no different. His boldness attracted me." By the end of her tale, Gloria's voice cracks and she swallows the forming lump in her throat. She wipes a tear away that's escaping her eye and the others look on sadly.

"What about Fahri?" Blanca asks.

"He never did that when he first came into the kitchen's backroom or for the five minutes I was alone with him after confronting you girls about setting us up. It was totally innocent...we didn't even touch each other, except to shake hands. I was shocked!"

"He's a good man, that's why he was respectful of you," Lorna explains.

"Yeah, I'm happy that he's fine with us being friends. It's just...I keep wondering if he thinks I'm attractive or just average. Like, does he talk sweet about me when I ain't around? Is he hopin' I'm into him?"

"No, he isn't. He likes you, though...not romantically just yet, because you're not wanting a boyfriend. He does find you beautiful, he told me," Alex informs her, and she beams.

"Oh, good...I'm relieved," Gloria murmurs.

"So am I," Lourdes agrees.

The rest of them go around, telling their heartbreaking stories while holding hands, and the agony in their voices is evident. Even Blanca, Alex, and Nicky open up about their nightmarish encounters with Piscatella, as does Red. Diane kisses Alex's cheek and hugs her tightly after the girl has spoken. Flaca discusses how she couldn't even go home until she finally told her mom about what her uncle had done. As she puts her head on Flaca's shoulder, Maritza describes the fear she'd felt when Humps touched her so inappropriately, and her taller girlfriend immediately wraps her arms around her. Lorna says she was so afraid after she was so viciously raped by multiple boys and like Blanca, she had a brush with death. Nicky holds her in comfort. Daya reveals that Mendez sexually assaulted her and when she mentions that Cesar has aimed a gun in her face a number of times, Aleida glances down at the floor with shame clouding her features, and she holds her girl. She refuses to talk about what she'd gone through at the hands of Jack, since everyone is aware of it and she doesn't want to break down. She prefers to be strong for Daya, Gloria, and the others. Diane and Maria are just there to support them. Everyone is crying, except Aleida, but Gloria can see that she wants to. She appears to be extremely upset.

Diane clears her throat, interrupting the dead silence, besides the clock ticking. "I never told anyone this, but I'll say it now." She takes a deep, trembling breath. "Well, when my brother died, I went to grief counseling, but nobody knows how he got the anyerusm. He, um...he beat this...asshole...to death...who was trying to...to, umm...this is difficult for me to say." She covers her mouth and lets out a small, choked sob as tears trickle down her cheeks. "Oh, fuck..."

"You don't have to, Mom, it's okay," Alex murmurs while leaning into Diane.

"No, um...I want you all to know. I should tell Charles soon, it's been almost nineteen years." Diane sniffles. "When I was, uh...twenty-one, just had my first legal drink...I...I was going back to my dorm from the bar with friends. These fuckers, they were catcalling us. We ignored 'em, but they followed us, all the way to my brother's car where he was waiting to pick us up...and once one of 'em brutally pushed me down and was about to tear my pants open and another attempted tearing my blouse in half, Mitch, that's my brother...he punched them to bloody pulps. They were barely conscious, but he died, protecting me. He was so mad, that's what caused the aneurysm. My friends took us all home in his car...and I didn't sleep or eat for days."

They gasp. "Oh my god," Alex whispers and then hugs her mother.

"That's terrible, I'm so sorry," Gloria adds and then puts her hand over Diane's.

"It's just when I'm lonely that I think about it...it came up just now, because we're in therapy, and I...I can't help but blame myself. What were we thinking, going out the back when he was parked in front? That's fuckin' dangerous...but I lived on the edge." Diane scoffs. "Oh yeah...we were all getting high and didn't wanna be busted."

"It ain't your fault, Diane," Flaca assures her.

"I know, but...I just laid there...instead of fighting back!"

"You was scared and motionless, I would've been, too!" Maritza insists, and everyone else agrees.

"I apologize deeply for your frightening pasts," Lourdes says as she looks around the room. "It should never have happened, to any of you. All of you are survivors...brave and strong, and somehow, you will get through it. I want to conclude our meeting with you knowing this. Okay?"

"Sure," they mumble altogether.

"Good!"

Thank you for reading and reviewing, CoffeeWritingAddiction, A Star In My Universe, and MinervaSnape394!