Warning: Islamophobia
Dochenka: daughter
"Felíz cumpleaños a ti, felíz cumpleaños a ti, felíz cumpleaños a Blanca, felíz cumpleaños a ti!" Diablo and Karla sing to Blanca in unison, and she feels more relaxed already.
"¡Aww, gracias!" Blanca exclaims.
"De nada," they reply.
"Gracias for giving me a piggyback ride, Blanca," Karla says as she holds on tight to Blanca's shoulders and wraps her legs around Blanca's waist. "Those crutches are too heavy...and I didn't wanna slow ya down."
"Hey, no problem." Blanca and Diablo are walking to the boy's car. Diablo is carrying Karla's crutches and then he opens the trunk and puts them inside. He opens both the passenger seat door for Blanca and the backseat door for Karla. Such a gentleman, but I wouldn't expect anything less, Blanca thinks.
"Blanca, what the fuck?! Can't ya answer yer goddamn text?"
"Oh, jeez!" Blanca jumps and jolts Karla slightly, but she keeps her hands wrapped around Karla's knees on either side of her body, to hold her new friend in place. "Lorna, you can't just sneak up on me like that!" She carefully sets Karla to her feet and helps her into the backseat. After closing the door, Blanca turns to face Lorna, who has her arms crossed firmly over her chest and her mouth set in a thin line. She looks annoyed, on the verge of anger.
Lorna waves at her dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, never mind that. So, have you decided?"
"On what?"
"You're not inviting that bomb-totin' cooze, are ya?"
"Look..." Blanca sighs sharply. "First of all, I've been busy helping my new friend here. I cannot argue with you right now. Secondly, I'm not here for your racist-ass comments, no matter who they're directed at. You're gonna turn off your girlfriend with that kinda language. If you can't deal with Shani being at my special celebration, then don't come, okay? I don't need fuckin' drama on my birthday. How'd you find me here, anyway? Maldita acosadora..."
Fuckin' stalker...
"Whoa!" Lorna puts her hands up and shakes her head no. "What's with the bitchy attitude? That ain't how you talk to somebody who comforted you in the bathroom stall last year!"
"You didn't need to, nor did I ask you to! I appreciated it, but it doesn't give you an excuse to be a cunt."
"I was invited to your fiesta first. You made friends with Shani yesterday."
"You opened your big trap in front of her about it! If someone isn't invited to something and you don't want them to go or get their feelings hurt, don't mention it when they're sitting right there! It's only polite. She's nice enough. I didn't do it to be nasty to you or anything. You can come if you want, so can she...it's a free country."
"I was trying to make Shani realize that Nicky is taken."
"I'm sure she knows that. Nicky even introduced you as her girlfriend."
Lorna scoffs. "So it's like Ellis Island, then? The whole damn world can be let in? Even all the terrorists?"
"That's where you and your family came through, right? Of course I don't mean bad people, tonta," Blanca retorts.
"Shani was born to be one," Lorna insists. "You might have to do a bag check tonight."
Blanca rolls her eyes. "You really think a fifteen-year-old girl would bring a dangerous weapon to my quinces?"
"Mm-hm."
"Well, Nicky would've stayed far away from her if she was that terrible, and she clearly wouldn't have brought Shani into the group!" Blanca sighs, annoyed now. "I've gotta go home and get ready. You're gonna have to find a way to get along with her. She's got no problems with you! See you later, okay?" She gets into Diablo's car next to him, slams the door shut, and blows out a huge breath while smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
"¿Que pasó, princesa?"
What happened, princess?
"¿Puedes llevarnos de vuelta a mi casa, por favor?" Blanca straps herself in.
Can you take us back to my house, please?
Diablo nods and starts driving away. "¿Quien era esa?" Karla wants to know.
Who was that?
"Es una larga historia," Blanca mutters.
It's a long story.
"Ma...I'm having a real big problem here," Nicky admits as Red flips over chocolate chip banana pancakes in the frying pan and flattens them down with her spatula. Nicky arranges strawberries, blueberries, and a peach into a bowl after washing them. She's glad that Lorna had stayed overnight at Alex's house so she could have this conversation with Red without worrying Lorna. Tricia heats a small container of syrup in the microwave and then she turns around in interest until it beeps after thirty seconds. The younger girl then puts the syrup down on the counter and starts setting the table.
"What is it, malyshka?" Red wonders aloud.
Nicky cuts the stems off the strawberries and slices the peach into bite-sized pieces. She concentrates on her task and thinks about how she wants to say this. "You know Shani, right? The one you referred to as Cleopatra?"
Red nods. "Yes?"
"Well, she was my girlfriend while I was living on the streets and I still kind of...like her. Um, I missed her so much when she had to leave just under a year ago, that I blocked her from entering my head at all. I had absolutely no hope that we'd ever reconnect. I honestly thought her parents would murder her for being a lesbian. Honor killings exist over in Egypt! I even searched for her on MySpace and then Facebook, but her name didn't come up. She explained to me yesterday that her parents took her off social media entirely...and she couldn't contact me all that time, either. I...I even had a dream about her. Our relationship only lasted a month or two, but it was the best one I ever had, before Lorna. Shani actually wanted to kiss me, and she gave me my first big O. She was my first everything."
Red pauses in her cooking. "Sounds like a love story for the ages."
"Also got some starcrossed lovers vibes, except that she came back eventually," Tricia adds. "What does Lorna gotta say about this? Oooh, sounds like trouble." She opens the refrigerator door, pulls out orange juice, and pours it into three glasses.
"Stay outta this, Trish!" Nicky waves her sister away and focuses her attention on Red. "She's pretty envious, and I don't blame her, but...I kinda had to lie to shut her up. You should've heard her! Spewing up racist word vomit..." Nicky scoffs. "She didn't use to do that so much before, or at least, it seemed like she would catch herself and learn from her mistakes, but yesterday, when it was directed at a girl who I loved with all my heart and soul once, and still do, somewhat...it made me really mad!" She slams the knife down and her voice rises with passion. "Like holy shit, Lorna, you don't have any idea what Shani's been through...you don't know her life, or why she needed to seek asylum in America!" Red turns off the burner, moves the pan from the heat, puts a cover over it, goes over to Nicky, and places her hands on Nicky's shoulders. Nicky claps her hand over her forehead and sighs exasperatedly as she sits down on the stool in front of the kitchen island. Red pulls up a chair to sit next to her.
"I'm sure she didn't mean any of it to be nasty, honey. She has a warped vision of the world we live in and had that terrible influence called her father...and she doesn't know half of what she's saying. Don't take it to heart. Maybe if she knew Shani better, she'd be a lot more sympathetic to her situation and why she had to come here. Possibly you would like her to share something at your group therapy in front of Lorna?"
"I'll suggest it to Shani, but I don't want to make her feel pressured to open up or anything."
"Of course not," Red agrees. "It could help Lorna understand Shani, that's all."
"Yeah." Nicky nods. "I know Lorna's got a mental illness, Ma, but that's got nothing to do with her blatant bigotry. Then when I call her out on it, she denies it and accuses me that I'm suddenly falling in love with Shani. Which is like, a tiny bit true...but even if I wasn't, Lorna shouldn't ever say those things! I just can't believe her...she didn't participate in the white lives matter bullshit that Piper started...and I know she's just jealous, but she's taking this way too damn far." Nicky breathes in and out heavily after her rant. "Shani seems like she thinks I hung the moon. She even tried to kiss me yesterday, but I had to tell her I had a girlfriend, and she respected that, but I felt so bad. I'd missed Shani like hell and I have a soulmate in both her and Lorna. I think I might love them the same amount. Shani and I are even acting extremely close like we're in a relationship, but not intimate. It's like she never left, in fact. Ma...what should I do? I don't wanna be unfaithful, but...how can I handle it...having eyes for two girls who both desire me just as much as I do them?"
"Well...I had to make a choice between two men when I lived in Russia...and when I picked the sensible option, I ended up divorcing Dmitri. I only married him to get into America...and if it wasn't for him giving me my boys, I would've split up with him right away. I suggest that you not do what I did, but instead, follow your heart, my dochenka. Rethink your whole relationship with each girl. Make a list of pros and cons for your relationships with Shani and Lorna. If you want to break up with Lorna, don't cheat on her, but let her down gently."
Nicky beams gratefully. Talking to Red had been like removing a brick from her chest. "Thanks for the tips, Ma."
Red kisses Nicky's cheek while standing to her full height. "You're welcome, sweetheart." She takes the pancakes out of the pan with a spatula and lays them on a plate. "Who's ready for some yummy breakfast?"
"Me!" Nicky and Tricia squeal in unison.
"We gonna get this scumbag," Flaca says excitedly as she and Gloria walk to the police station where Charles had asked them to meet.
"I hope so. It could be anyone, though, Flaca...some assholes hack random people's accounts and pretend to be them, and they're just some shady scammer behind a computer God knows where, and they haven't been caught for years. He could be in some faraway country or living right next door to you. That's why I always ask for a video when talking to a stranger online," Gloria tells her wisely.
"He did send me one...probably of whoever's account that was. Can I just blame Piper for this, though, because she got us involved in some dirty business and we got Internet famous for private stuff I can't tell you, and that's how he saw my profile...like a secret one."
"You didn't have to do such risky things...but I shouldn't be talkin', 'cause look at me, dating an abuser for two months this summer. We all make stupid mistakes, nena. I'm glad we both learned from ours. You didn't have to respond to that motherfucker, just like I didn't need to see my ex again after he forced kisses on me in an elevator, but we were swept in. It's not only your fault, or mine...it's also the perp's. They should fully get blamed, but we gotta own up to our dumbness, too."
"I know."
After explaining everything to Charles in a private room, he goes through the notes he's just taken. "Flaca, I apologize that this happened to you. You're one of Alex's close friends, and you know I consider her as a daughter, almost. I want to do everything in my power to help you and hunt him down and throw him in prison for the rest of his life. It's just...you willingly gave the suspect money and sent photos. I understand why you did, but the only crime I see here is that he blackmailed you. How about you take screenshots of every time he threatened you and send them to me via email? Pictures of him would also be helpful."
"Okay." Flaca nods. "Sorry for wasting your time. I tried to tell Gloria it would be useless, but...I just wanted you to catch him."
"It's not easy, because he's most likely a faceless person behind a screen. He used a fake name and even his children's names aren't real. He's also a decade older than he said he was." Charles turns his computer around and plays a video of Cameo talking to his son and daughter. "This is an American accent. You said he spoke to you in a Nigerian accent, right?"
"Yeah, somethin' like that. I thought it was Jamacian, but Gloria said Nigerian and he sounded old. Could be Bulgarian too, I dunno. It was heavy, but nothin' like...that." Flaca points to the video which has ended. She sighs dejectedly. "I can't wait for Blanca's quinces tonight...it'll make me feel better."
Charles gives her an apologetic smile. "I hope it does."
"Do you mind calling the Litchfield police station?" Gloria asks. "She got this from the scammer, who was pretending to be two different people. The quote, end quote, commanding officer, said he received a letter from this Jayden guy, who apparently had the money he was gonna give back to her, two thousand eighty-nine dollars, but she and I both know that's a bunch of bull." Flaca shows Charles the screenshot that "George" had sent her last year.
Dear sir
This to inform you that the package was held by a custom for money laundering according to the section no money higher from $1000 should be mail out ,we proved all the evidence to them but required a fee here as a duty service of $100 we are presently in Litchfield, New York kindly get back to us sir
Sergeant Jayden
"I asked him to hold it until Monday since that's when I would get paid next, but then he said it would be sixty dollars more, and that's when I quit," Flaca explains. "I hope you'll still try to search for him, even if I waited so long to report. I know I shouldn't have, but I thought I didn't need to, since he hasn't done anything..."
"Good thing you stopped giving him money," Charles comments. "You should've reported sooner or talked to an adult about this, but I will be on the lookout for anyone suspicious. Here's my suggestion, since he knows your home address and social security number...do not open the door for anyone if you aren't expecting visitors, tell your friends and family members not to come over without telling you that they will, and freeze your credit reports."
"I...don't even know how to do that," Flaca says nervously. "I've never seen them. No one has stolen my identity or nothin'..."
"Not yet. You should tell your mother...she'll know what to do," Charles recommends. "She needs to contact TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax and report fraud."
"No, I can't! She'll ground me for life and not let me go to the party tonight."
"You gotta get it taken care of as soon as possible," Gloria murmurs.
"I could fess up after...I'm not even home tonight anyways."
"Criminals like him could open a bank account, get benefits from the government, or rent an apartment, all under your name. He could drive to your house while you're getting ready and kick the door down, demanding to see you."
Flaca gulps and an involuntary shiver flows through her as she grabs Gloria's hand. "He hasn't taken the opportunity to do it. We got Kubra to ward off any intruders. Maybe I could just ask my mom if she can call Leon and have him install a security system in our home."
"That's a good idea."
The weight is still on Flaca's shoulders, but after reporting everything to Charles, it's not so bad anymore.
"How did you get rid of your child rapist uncle?" Lorna asks Flaca as they board the bus to Flaca's place.
Flaca shivers at the mention of him. "My mom called Immigration on his ugly fucked up ass. Um, how was your sleepover with Alex?"
"Oh, that's interesting! Alex and I stayed up late watching Gilmore Girls until her mom and Charles got home about one in the morning. We pigged out on ice cream and brownies and whipped cream and sprinkles!"
"Cool! That must've been fun."
Lorna nods while smiling. "It was. So, Immigration, huh? Sounds serious...and he was outta the country, just like-" She snaps her fingers and smirks. "That?"
"Yeah, he was a disgusting criminal, ICE picked him up within ten minutes, and we were so relieved...why?" Flaca twists the cap off her bottle of Coke and takes a swig.
"Shani had to have been taken back to Egypt for a reason. She don't belong here!" Lorna scoffs. "Sneakin' back here, stealing my girlfriend...what's the phone number for ICE?"
Flaca's heart sinks in disappointment at her friend's words. "Yo, I can feel catty vibes comin' off you...if you just wanna call them on her so they can rip her away, I ain't givin' you any info."
"That's my plan. Once she's gone, I don't gotta worry about her no more," Lorna says haughtily.
"She's never committed a horrible crime, she didn't hurt nobody by comin' to America! Not even you, Lornita. If you do that, get her sent back like she's the wrong shoes you ordered, Nicky will never forgive you. Trust, girl, I saw the happiness in Nicky's eyes when she saw Shani. It's like, not even a true friend does that, gets rid of someone who meant the world to their bestie. It ain't about Shani right now. You really want to hurt Nicky, your girl, like this? I know I'd never do that shit to Mari, and she'd never betray me either. We're girlfriends, but we're best friends, too. I would also never deport an innocent person, even if she was Mari's ex. Piper claimed that you're sooo compassionate, but now I'm like, bitch, where?"
Lorna shrugs. "Flaca, Nicky and Shani love each other...and I can't have that. How would you feel if Maritza's ex just sauntered in like she owned the place and was all over her, huh? Flaunting it in front of your face, too?"
"Shani didn't do that. She had no clue that you and Nicky were a couple, that's why she seemed flirty in the beginning, but after that, she seemed fine. Yo, I don't get it. You didn't even love Nicky at first. You basically called her a scumbag street ho."
"She was one, but now she's not. I love her for how far she's come."
"You didn't even wanna be her friend. You hated her!"
"Yeah, so? That happened in Ten Things I Hate About You and A Walk to Remember. Enemies to lovers trope."
Flaca rolls her eyes. "Okay, fair enough, but...those are movies. I find relationships more genuine when they start out light and happy, like mine and Maritza's, Alex and Michelle's, and Blanca and Diablo's."
Lorna glares at her. "Oh, shut the fuck up, Shani can't ruin what Nicky and I have."
"She's not trying to...and don't you realize that Nicky doesn't fit into your traditional hetero relationship bullshit with you being a fifties housewife?"
"Well, she didn't...but I got used to her."
"You really think about marrying her someday? 'Cause there's no use in dating someone for more than a few weeks if you ain't gonna plan on gettin' hitched. I know that I wanna wake up next to Maritza every day when we get older and live together. I can't imagine life without her."
"Whoa!" Lorna puts her hands up. "No one said anything about a wedding. We're in high school!"
"You wanted Christopher to put a ring on it the minute you met him," Flaca points out sourly.
"I thought we were meant to be since I wasn't well then."
Flaca nods. "I know. I think if you really love Nicky, you won't dare to get Shani deported. It sounds like her country was unsafe to live in. She might be seeking asylum here. I did research! There's so much gender inequality, worse than it is here. They do honor killings there, Lorna! Honor killings, simply for being a lesbian, or being with a dude the family doesn't approve of...or making a girl our age marry some crusty old man. It's honestly scary. Shani doesn't deserve to be tortured like that!" She tears up as her voice rises.
"That happened to Diane in America, so it's not like Egypt is a special country or nothin'. It probably happens everywhere. If they didn't do nothin' to Shani before, they won't now...and she and Nicky can keep in touch via social media. I dunno why they didn't before." Lorna guzzles down her strawberry Gatorade.
"Shani was probably not allowed to have any. Diane survived her ordeal, she got lucky. We have no idea how Shani escaped, but it might not work next time. Like, I get it...you're jealous of Shani. I was mad at this bitch Janice once for stealing Ian before we got back together last year and you know what I did? I just started calling her Chicken Nugget and encouraged everyone else to call her that, too."
"Oh yeah," Lorna remembers while grinning. "She had to switch schools."
"She actually did something, though. Shani isn't a threat and Nicky's not disloyal like Ian was. You're on your meds, so you got no excuse to not understand this. Also, mental illness doesn't make you Islamophobic. That's really turning a lot of us off."
Lorna glances down at her lap in shame. "Now that I think about it, everyone's been ignoring me lately. Even Nicky. Alex and I barely spoke last night and this morning...it was kinda awkward, so we filled the silence with television and eating. Diane and Charles talked to me more than Alex did."
"Yeah, well you might be shunned for even thinking about doing such a horrible thing, calling ICE and allowing Shani to get tormented in her home country. I don't want that to happen to you, and I don't wanna see a perfectly nice human being be forced back to some place where they'll face brutality or death as punishment for things that shouldn't even be an issue. So, please, don't do it." Flaca wrings her hands. "Please. I hate begging, but please, as one of your best friends, drop this subject and never mention it again. Accept Shani into the crew, you don't have to be close, but you do gotta to be polite and brush any rude thoughts aside. Put yourself in her shoes for a minute. How would you like it if you were constantly called a dago or a ginzo or being threatened to go back to Italy and it was dangerous there? It's like if somebody pressured you to live with your father again or shamed you for being Christian. Come on." Flaca sniffles and wipes her eyes with her knuckles.
"Okay...I'm sorry." Lorna fiddles with her necklace. "I'll try to think about it from her perspective...I wouldn't like being treated bad for my religion or my being Italian-American."
Flaca breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you. You should tell Nicky that, too. In fact, why don't you send out an apologetic group text to our squad?"
"Sounds fine."
"I don't mean to be rude, but how come Blanca invited you again?" Alex asks Diane. "Maria didn't..."
"I stopped Piper from bullying Blanca the minute Ouija told me about it, and of course, Charles is my plus one."
"I feel kinda bad," Alex mumbles as she slips into her three-quarter length black dress. "I just got her a playlist with her favorite songs, that's what I do for everyone's birthdays, since I wanna do something from the heart...and I used to call her heavy-browed. That's probably the worst thing." She puts her hair into a fancy updo and then slips in dangly gold earrings. "Do I still deserve to go to her quinces?"
Diane nods at her daughter's question. "Of course you do, baby. You weren't saying it to be mean, high schoolers can be blunt without thinking...it is an insult, but you could've done a lot worse than that. It's a good thing you didn't."
"Red named her the eyebrow once. It was rude...but I think at one time, Blanca was actually proud of her unibrow, so she didn't mind my comment or Red's. She told me she wanted to scare people away since she was a loner, but then, I guess it got too much for her. I'm happy she's found popularity now."
"So am I." Diane changes into her red evening gown that she'd purchased with Gloria a while ago, the night they'd had their heart-to-heart.
"Do you want me to curl your hair and give you a makeover?" Alex wonders aloud. "I learned some skills from Flaritza. They did mine at a sleepover."
"Sure!"
Once Alex is finished with Diane, she takes Diane to the kitchen where Charles is on the couch, watching television in his black suit and red tie to match Diane's outfit. "Hey, my mom and I are ready to go!" Alex announces. "I did her hair and makeup."
Charles turns around and grins broadly. "You did a great job, Alex!"
"Thanks, man." She and Charles bump fists.
He gets up and walks around the couch to Diane. "You look beautiful, honey."
"Thank you, handsome." Diane beams brightly and they kiss as Alex turns away.
"Okay, let's get Michelle! I'll let her know we're on our way." Alex leads Diane and Charles to his car and he opens the doors for them. They all get inside his vehicle with their presents and he drives to Michelle's apartment. As she comes out of her front door, she picks up the skirt of her neon pink dress so it doesn't drag on the ground, walks down the concrete steps, and strolls up to the car with her gift. She opens the door and gets into the backseat with Alex.
"Hey, babe!" Michelle greets her euphorically. "Hi, Diane, Mr. Ford."
"Hi," everyone says in unison. "Oh, it's cool if you just call me Charles, okay?" Charles tells Michelle.
"Alright."
Immediately, as Charles drives away, Alex and Michelle start making out, with Michelle practically on top of Alex. Diane just rolls her eyes at their public display of affection, but at the same time, she understands what being in the honeymoon stage is all about. She and Charles are still in theirs, too.
"You did contour and highlight with your MAC Pro Palette and a number nineteen fan brush!" Flaca grabs Maritza and spins her around as they both giggle. "Right?"
"Mm-hm. Yo, I got Blanca a DJ for her quinces, but he mostly does Dubstep," Maritza informs Flaca as they walk to the party room while linking arms. Maritza is in a knee-length white sleeveless dress with a scoop neckline while Flaca has on a bright pink strapless dress that's just as short as her girlfriend's. The two of them have their hair down and straight. Maritza pulls Flaca along with her. "Oooh, girl, you look hot!"
"Thanks, honey, you do, too! Like, wow!" Flaca leans down to sensually touch her lips with Maritza's. "Your face smells so good..."
"Well yeah, I used my facial apricot scrub!"
They both smile while wrapping their arms around each other as they stroll into the large space filled with pumping music and flashing multicolored lights. The whole room is under blacklights so it appears purple. "I hear Beyoncé!" Flaca says cheerfully. The magenta stripe in her dark hair matches her lipstick perfectly. Maritza can't take her eyes off of her girlfriend.
"Yay!" Maritza squeals. They put their gifts for Blanca down on the present table. Both of them start dancing crazily together until they reach Blanca and another girl who looks just like the birthday girl, except that she's leaning on crutches and wearing a long royal blue sequined evening gown with sheer cap sleeves. Her hair is in a half pony and her side bangs are curled under. She has on silver chandelier earrings, a gold necklace with a heart pendant, and red polish on her fingernails. Maritza and Flaca give Blanca their presents and wrap her in a huge hug. "¡Felíz cumpleaños, chica!" they shout through their laughter. They both have French manicures.
Blanca smiles at them. "¡Oh, gracias!"
"You're so pretty!" Flaca compliments her. Blanca is wearing a light yellow ruffly halter dress and her hair is in tight curls framing her face and all down her back and shoulders. Her strappy high heels are gold and so are her accessories, such as her chain necklace with a flower pendant, her hoop earrings, and the tiara that's sitting on her head. Her fingernails and toenails are painted white. She has enchanting dark red lipstick on.
"Yeah, like a vision," Maritza chimes in while beaming. "Una reina."
A queen.
Blanca's face lights up like a Christmas tree. "Thanks! You girls are beautiful, too."
"Thank you!" they chorus. "Is she your cousin?" Flaca juts her chin toward the other girl. "You two look alike!"
"We're not related, but meet my new friend." Blanca puts her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Karla, these are Flaca and Maritza."
"Hi," they greet Karla while shaking her hand.
"Nice meeting you girls."
Alex, Michelle, Nicky, Allison, and Daya join them and hug Blanca in greeting and tell her happy birthday while putting her presents down on a large table where the gifts go. "Oh my god! Y'all look stunning!" Maritza compliments them.
"Thanks!" they say in unison.
Alex is elegant in black while Michelle is a beauty queen in her neon pink dress. Allison has chosen a gorgeous red strapless dress, a red and gold hijab, a pearl necklace, and black flats. Daya is wearing a bright green dress with matching hoops and white high heeled shoes. A silver chunky necklace is around her neck and she has her hair straightened and tied up in a lime green scrunchie high on her head, making it swing when she moves. Nicky is in a summery orange crop top and a high-waisted black miniskirt with a matching leather jacket. She has on tall, shiny orange boots and a simple necklace and studs in her earlobes to complete the outfit. Her hair is in loose curls. Everyone's makeup is perfect and their long manicured nails and pedicures are the same colors as their outfits. Hassan and Adarsh are a little ways away from them, in suits and black bowties.
Blanca introduces them to Karla. "Before you ask, Karla and I aren't long-lost twins or anything. We're two pals who just happen to look the same, probably because of our hair!" The girls have a chuckle at that and they nod in agreement.
"Blanca and Diablo found me literally on the side of the road. They probably saved my life," Karla announces.
Blanca's other friends' jaws drop in surprise. "What?!" Daya asks.
"How?" Alex wants to know.
"Well, I was basically trying to get back to America because my home country, El Salvador, is very unsafe to live in. So, a few hours after falling in the desert and almost being left behind because of my broken ankle, this other group apparently heard me screaming for help and found me and they took turns carrying me to a safehouse where I was taken care of. The service wasn't great, but it was good enough. I held a walking stick made out of a tree branch and limped along with the group and was contemplating just swimming in the Rio Grande until I reached a boat, but I figured it would be way too dangerous to attempt it alone. We had to use rafts and when it was knee high, we just walked. Sometimes, I'd stumble, and I had to drop my phone into the river so it wouldn't make noise if it rang. We had to be as quiet as church mice. It was a hard trek…I don't even know how many miles, but…I got here eventually!"
"Oh, wow," Allison murmurs and the others just look at Karla sympathetically. Maritza's heart breaks for Karla and she presses her hand to her heart. Flaca tears up.
"You poor girl," Michelle puts in.
"Yeah…and when I came into Texas, I was completely on my own…just had this little one with me." Karla pats her slightly rounded belly. "I knew I couldn't raise a baby in a place where we'd be tortured. My husband already was murdered in a drive-by shooting. I'd do anything for my children, you know? Even die...although, it would be terrible for them to grow up without parents."
"Mm-hm, I'm glad you and your kid both survived, that's a fuckin' miracle," Nicky says. "Though, I'm terribly sorry for your loss! How awful."
"Yeah," the others mumble in agreement.
Karla nods and peers up at the ceiling, appearing emotional. She shakes her head and sniffles. "I'm not gonna burst out crying or anything, it's been almost half a year, but I get sad when I think about it. They…they won't know their dad. Then they're gonna be upset that they never met him, and…their pain will be mine."
Blanca rubs her back soothingly and hugs her. "It's okay, mama. Perfectly understandable." Karla grins sadly at this.
Maritza notices Shani emerge from the bathroom wearing a white sparkly dress with spaghetti straps, matching sandals, and her hair down and straight accompanied by a pink flower barrette. Red lipstick coats her mouth and she has on smoky eye makeup. Maritza's gaze flickers to Nicky for a moment. The blonde appears to be entranced by Shani. "Oh wow, ex-hottie at twelve-o-clock," Maritza comments, and Nicky blushes and looks away. "Too late, I caught ya starin'."
"Stop, that's not fair to Lorna," Nicky mumbles. "The temptation for a threesome is strong, but I know Lorna doesn't like sharing."
"No, she doesn't, but I can read you like a book. You're really still in deep love with Shani, holy crap," Alex points out.
"My story of survival turned into this high school love triangle drama? Really?" Karla cuts in. "I'm jealous, honestly…I came here with almost nothing, and this is what you're discussing? Sorry, but I feel like I'm way too ancient for this shit. It's like a telenovela!"
"Ay dios mío, I love telenovelas!" Flaca comments.
"Me too!" Maritza gushes.
"Karla, you're seventeen," Blanca mutters with a hint of a smile. "Maybe you can be our mom friend if you feel that way."
"Good idea." Karla rolls her eyes. "I'm almost halfway to eighteen and going on thirty. I was married for Christ's sake. We were taught to grow up fast in El Salvador." She lifts her shoulders up and down. "What can I say, I'm an old soul. Ignore my griping for now and help your friend out with her dilemma. Sorry I'm not being much fun…I can't even dance with this bad ankle."
Maritza frowns. "That sucks. Maybe just move and groove in your seat? Eat delicious food. Try to enjoy yourself and let all your worries fade away. We'll take lots of pics with you, and you can even be in our vlog about the quinces!"
"Maybe a nice gentleman will sweep you off your feet tonight, literally," Flaca adds.
Karla wrinkles her nose. "I dunno, but I'll include myself in this special occasion as much as possible." She taps her good foot on the floor to the beat of the music. "I owe Blanca that much."
"I took a shower with all my clothes on while I cried mascara tears when Lorna led me on the first time, which is proof that I don't have a preference," Nicky insists. "I feel like I'm at home with both of them."
"When did she do that?" Daya wants to know. "Like, would you care if she dumped you right now? She's late…are you concerned?"
"Uh, it was when we fucked and then she beat me up a while after…and she texted me to let me know she's on her way, so I'm sure she's fine."
Karla raises an eyebrow. "Your girlfriend abused you? I recommend you lose that one."
"That wasn't really her fault. An evil teacher of ours, Humps, pushed her into having an episode, she has psychological problems," Blanca explains to Karla, and the newest member of their clique nods in understanding. Blanca switches her attention back to Nicky. "She apologized to us for being Islamophobic, so we don't need to dump on her anymore, it's cool."
"Good, 'cause I was really wanting to smack her," Allison grumbles.
"Yeah, but Shani wouldn't quit the fuckin' cheerleading team if I was on it. Lorna did, which was…making me think she didn't give a shit about me and that's why I got so upset. I know she has a mental illness and she's taking medication for it, but I wish it wouldn't have taken so long for her to realize she needed help, even with all of us telling her. All that time, I thought, why was she doing this? Inside, I compared her to Shani, and I was like, Shani wouldn't do me dirty like that," Nicky admits.
"Stephanie's mom has erotomania with Kris Kristoffersen, but she claimed that everyone else was goin' looney," Flaca says. "That could've been the case with Lorna."
"Yeah, but I'm positive she didn't do it to hurt you, Nicky, it's just how her mind is. It runs away with her and she gets too deep into her fantasies," Michelle chimes in. "As annoying as it was, it wasn't on purpose and thank Díos she was treated when she was."
Shani strides up to Nicky and they hug each other for a few seconds. "Hey, you look like the California orange flower," Shani tells her.
Nicky beams up at her. "Poppy," she supplies.
"Yeah, that. I can admire those in Google pictures, but I've got a real live flower in front of me. You look nice in orange."
Nicky's cheeks turn pink and she chews on her bottom lip. No flirting, Maritza sees Flaca mouth at their friend. "Thanks. You're…not so bad yourself. I love your dress! It's so…glittery!" Nicky gushes.
"Thank you. It's Blanca's. Karla and I had to borrow from her. I was hoping to find something a little gay. I also learned that pride parades are a thing in America? I would love to go, since I am proud to be a lesbian!"
"I see! I am too! We'll take ya, then, next summer." Nicky turns to Blanca and her eyes travel between Shani, Blanca, and Karla. "So, who picked it out?"
"I just let 'em go wild and have a little fashion show to see which one they liked best," Blanca answers. She takes Karla's and Nicky's hands and starts jumping up and down excitedly. "It's my birthday, bitches!" she hollers and everyone claps and cheers.
"Yes queen, we know!" Flaca and Maritza shriek happily in unison.
"Whoohoo!" the others chime in, and even Karla laughs with them, appearing to be in lighter spirits. "I must admit, acting my age is fun!" Karla starts fist pumping and shaking her hair all around to Jumpin', Jumpin' by Destiny's Child like the other girls are doing. "I'll still be thirty at heart, though. Sometimes even fifty. I wish someone would pop open a bottle of champagne already! I know I can't drink since I'm pregnant and underage, but the fizz looks so cool comin' out."
"I can next year!" Shani exclaims.
"Yeah, me too, after I give birth, and only on special occasions!" Karla says.
"Not if you're gonna stay in America," Allison informs them and they frown. "Legal drinking age is twenty-one here!"
"Aw shit," Karla and Shani groan and everyone chuckles. "It's eighteen in both of our countries," Shani explains.
"Don't worry, we sneak drink sometimes at the Sparrow Tavern and at high school parties," Michelle tells them discreetly, and they smirk craftily.
"I love having a mom friend!" Blanca tells Karla while twirling around. "It might be weird since I'm taller, but whatever!"
"Yeah, lots of kids are taller than their moms, like me, and Alex is getting there!" Daya puts in.
"It's true." Alex puts her hand on Karla's shoulder, getting her attention. "My mom and I literally stood back to back and Charles, my mom's boyfriend, he measured us and determined we're almost the same height!"
"Oh, wow," Karla says. "That's interesting."
"I might have a few inches on my mother, too," Shani mumbles.
"Do you miss her?" Allison wants to know.
Shani shakes her head and her eyes glisten with moisture. "Not really. At least she didn't want me killed."
"That's okay. I don't miss mine either," Nicky mutters and gives Shani's hands a comforting squeeze. Unfortunately, this is the moment that Lorna chooses to arrive, and Nicky immediately backs off and grins at her girlfriend.
"Oh shit," Maritza whispers to Flaca, seeing Lorna's eyes narrow into slits.
"We gotta back up our girl," Flaca comments. "Nicky, I meant."
Nicky goes up to Lorna, but Lorna passes her without even looking in her direction. She saunters right up to Shani and glares at her. "I know you're an illegal immigrant," she growls through her gritted teeth. Shani gasps and puts her index finger to her lips while shushing Lorna and glancing around, her brown eyes looking slightly panicked. "I ain't gonna get you in trouble, so you're lucky, but stop seducing my girlfriend! Or I will pull some shit, and it won't be pretty. She's mine, you got that?" Lorna hisses. Blanca and Nicky pull her back from Shani a little.
"I wasn't doing anything, I promise," Shani informs Lorna while crossing her arms over her chest. They stare each other down. "I'm not a bitch. For your information, I came here for safety. It didn't even register in my mind that Nicky would be in a school, never mind living with a woman who loves her with all her heart and soul."
"You were holding hands! I'm not blind, ya know!"
"Lorna, I squeezed her hands in solidarity because we were talking about how our birth moms both stink. We have that in common, that's all. You gotta stop jumping to conclusions, sweetheart," Nicky lets her know.
"Yeah, she's right," Alex joins in.
"Mm-hm," everyone else choruses.
Lorna relaxes slightly. "Okay. I'm gonna watch you two all night."
"Isn't that excessive?" Karla asks, and Lorna whirls around and raises an eyebrow at her. "You should trust your girlfriend. You're gonna have to go to the bathroom sometime."
Maritza presses her lips together to stop a giggle from coming out. She doesn't look at Flaca, since she knows she'll lose it if she does. However, Blanca starts cackling hysterically and hi-fives Karla. "Good one."
Lorna scoffs. "Whoever you are, mind your beeswax. Happy birthday, Blanca, but please shut the fuck up."
"I'm sorry, but Karla's probably just teasing you about the bathroom thing," Blanca mutters. "I understand the jealousy…I've been through it myself, but I felt dumb for being so doubtful. Also, unless you don't eat or drink anything, it's impossible to sit still for a long period of time, focusing your eyes on someone or something and not getting up to take care of business. Trust me, there is a lot to consume at my quinces." She points at the bowl of packaged Cheetos. "Tell me you won't take down like, five small bags of those, like I've seen you do before."
"Alright, fine." Lorna starts grinding on Nicky and Nicky places her hands on Lorna's hips as they move as one.
"Y'all wanna do the professional pics with me?" Blanca asks.
"Do we ever!" Flaca says enthusiastically.
"Oh, yes!" Maritza agrees.
"Mm-hm," the rest chorus altogether, and Blanca leads them to a place to take photos. Karla uses her crutches to stand on her good foot and starts moving along with the girls. Nicky and Lorna follow them all while holding hands and everyone walks to the beat except Karla, who's just singing along to the lyrics in Spanish. She still seems like she's having fun.
"I've posed for the camera by myself long enough, and I was just taking a break, but I'm ready to go back there again. Diablo should be here any minute now..." Blanca trails off when a woman and a boy who looks to be in his twenties, hug her. "Hola, Tía Mirna, Antoni...these are my friends! Girls, this is my tía and her son, my cousin."
"Hola!" everyone greets Mirna and Antoni and exchange handshakes with Blanca's relatives.
Suddenly, Michaela runs up to Blanca and wraps her little arms around Blanca's waist. "Hi, Blanca!" she says happily.
Blanca kneels to her level, puts her hands on either side of the little girl's face, and kisses her cheek. It's so cute. "Hey, nena! Wanna take photos with me and my family and friends?"
Michaela nods eagerly. "Yeah!"
"Awesome!"
After the pictures, everyone starts having Hot Cheetos, Takis, and party mix containing pretzels, Cheetos, Doritos, Fritos, potato chips, corn chips, chili cheese Fritos, and melba toast as snacks and different kinds of soda for beverages.
"Hola, my sunshine," Diablo greets Blanca and wraps his arms around her from behind, just as the song Come Away With Me by Norah Jones starts playing. He spins her so the skirt of her dress fans out around her and her hair flies through the air as it all lands over her shoulder and floats down to her chest. He's in a fancy black tuxedo that goes over a white suit, black slacks and matching dress shoes. His tie is the same color as Blanca's frilly dress. His hair is held back into a low pony.
Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song…
Diablo pulls her in close and Blanca melts at the feel of his soft lips brushing against hers. His thumbs stroke her cheeks as their mouths meet over and over, their tongues tangled with each other's, and his hands ride down her arms and cup her elbows while she holds onto his shoulders. They start slow dancing by their table, even though no one else is. She can see her smiling friends growing blurry in the background as she zeroes in on her boyfriend's handsome face. Blanca and Diablo are in their own little bubble for now. She bites her lower lip while staring at the smoldering look in his eyes that give her butterflies every time.
Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can't tempt us, with their lies…
"Hey, baby," she murmurs while grinning broadly. He keeps her in his strong arms and rubs her back. His touch sends excited shivers up her spine. It's exactly what she needs to feel grounded, connected. "Where you been all this time? You missed all the juicy drama happening between my chicas." She rolls her eyes and snickers. "It was insane. El triángulo amoroso de Nicky y Lorna tratando de pelear contra Shani por nada. Supongo que Nicky es algo, pero Lorna no tiene nada de qué preocuparse. Karla said it was nothing compared to what she'd endured, and she's correct. She's our mom friend now, by the way."
Nicky's love triangle and Lorna trying to fight Shani over nothing. I guess Nicky is something, but Lorna's got nada to worry about.
And I want to walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
So won't you try to come…
"Thank you for catching me up," Diablo tells her with a smile. "Honestly…I was in my car, preparing for my grand gesture. I figured I need to make you swoon. Leon, Fahri, and Charles were coaching me somewhat…I wasn't sure if I had it right, but it seems like those men know how to treat their women like queens and I wanted to be positive that I was doing the same thing with my girl. Quiero que ella tenga el mundo."
I want her to have the world.
"Mi amor, everything you do for me causes me to be a puddle on the floor, so…" Blanca beams at his sweet words. "You're so cute, though. It's one of the reasons why te quiero mucho." She winks at him. "You being cheesy equals me being horny."
I love you so much.
"Lo sé, pero podemos hacer más después de tu fiesta. You're the loveliest girl in this room, my beautiful dove. Yo también te quiero."
I know, but we can do more after your party. I love you, too.
Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you…
Blanca nestles further into his chest and wraps her arms around his waist. They share another passionate, steamy kiss. "Gracias. Everyone's probably got their eyes locked on us."
"Yeah, I don't mind."
"Yo tampoco. ¿Quién lo hubiera pensado, eh? ¿Tu y yo? En un millón de años, no imaginé que sería tan popular y que tendría el novio más maravilloso del mundo."
Me neither. Who would've thunk it, huh? You and me? In a million years, I didn't imagine I'd be this popular and have the most wonderful boyfriend on the earth.
"He ain't leaving, either," Diablo assures her while combing his fingers through her hair. "Que puedo prometerte."
That I can promise you.
"Did I ever tell you that you should be bottled and the label should read best boyfriend?" Blanca gushes while beaming.
"You may have said that while you were dreaming, my angel..."
Blanca's whole face heats up in humiliation. "Ay, ¿me escuchaste hablando mientras dormía? ¡Que embarazoso!"
Ay, you heard me talking in my sleep? How embarrassing!
"Pienso que es lindo. Especialmente cuando empiezas a darme una paja para despertarme."
I think it's cute. Especially when you start giving me a handjob to wake me up.
Blanca snickers and waggles her eyebrows at him suggestively.
And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I'm safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me…
"Excuse me, lovebirds!" Gloria interrupts them, and they separate, tearing their eyes away from each other reluctantly. She seems amused. "You're adorable, but it's time for the quinceañera entrance! The DJ just announced it, sweetie."
Blanca glances fondly at her aunt figure. Even though she wants to stay in Diablo's embrace forever, she has a high respect for Gloria and never wants to disappoint or disrespect her by ignoring her. She feels the same about her mother, but she hasn't been listening to anything around her. Gloria's voice must be louder than the DJ's. Gloria is wearing a knee-length purple dress with lace cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, silver high heels and her hair is curly and to her chin. A purple headband sits in her hair and she has on a silver necklace with stars adorning it and earrings to match. They twinkle whenever the disco ball lights land on her. Blanca quickly gives Gloria a hug and so do the other girls. Diablo politely salutes her.
"Sorry, Glo, I didn't say hi to you before…you look great!"
"It's okay, I was hanging out with my crew, too. Felíz cumpleaños, bonita chica." Gloria runs her hand down Blanca's hair and kisses her cheek. "You're gonna love Diablo's present, he's a keeper, that one!" she whispers into Blanca's ear.
Happy birthday, pretty girl.
"¡Gracias!" Blanca smiles and her heart lifts even higher than it was before. "Fahri told you?"
"Everyone knows, nena."
"Really?" Her gaze travels to her friends, who nod cheerfully. "Well, then!"
"Debería subir allí y obtener el micrófono del DJ...un poco alejado de la tradición." Diablo decides aloud.
I should get up there and get the microphone from the DJ...stray from tradition a bit.
"¿Cuándo hemos seguido la tradición?" Blanca asks figuratively with a knowing smug smile. She smacks his butt with the back of her hand as he starts to leave and he glances back at her and gives her a wink while smirking.
When have we ever followed tradition?
Diablo strolls up onto the stage where the DJ is. He says something inaudible to the guy and then the DJ nods while grinning. He pats Diablo's shoulder, gives him the microphone, and steps down off the short stage. "Love you, princess!" Diablo shouts at Blanca while blowing her kisses.
Blanca pretends to catch them against her heart and then she cups her hands around her mouth. "I love you too, my Prince Charming!" The girls and women whoop and wolf-whistle. Blanca waves her hands in the air and giggles while blushing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, now that I have your attention, I'd like to give my darling Blanca her present! Sweetie, why don't you come on up here!"
"Aww, you go, girl!" Karla exclaims happily and Flaca and Maritza push her ahead. She runs up to the stage and joins her boyfriend. He takes her hand and kisses it gently.
"Aww!" the crowd murmurs delightfully, and Blanca is all smiles.
"Blanca Raiza Flores," he begins.
"Uh oh, he used my full name," Blanca mumbles jokingly and everyone laughs. "I'm in huge trouble now!"
"Far from it," he tells her while pulling out a black box from his pocket and fiddling with it. Blanca gasps in surprise and her eyes widen as her jaw drops. It can't be a proposal, because they're not even in college yet. Even still, her heart expands and squeezes while pumping rapidly against her ribcage. The crowd, on the other hand, doesn't appear to be at all shocked.
"Oh my goodness, I'm gonna cry, this is so romantic!" Lorna comments while fanning her face.
"Come on, dude, get on with it!" Diablo's bandmate Weevil calls out.
Nicky puts an arm around Lorna while pressing her lips together, probably concealing a snicker. "I second that!"
Karla, Shani, and Allison share a grin and Diane, Aleida, and Red huddle close to their men as they smile. Gloria sits at a table with Fahri, her sons, Michaela, Tricia, Mercy, and Aleida's children. She props her chin up on her fist while beaming and clutching Fahri's hand. Maritza and Flaca hug each other and squeal. Alex and Michelle do the same, and Daya gives Blanca and Diablo an encouraging thumbs up. Blanca's mother appears to be thrilled, but her father looks clueless. That's just because he doesn't know Diablo. Taystee, Poussey, and Pennsatucky enter the space, carrying a pitcher of Pennsatucky's yellow drink and their gifts. They set the items down on a table and quickly take their seats with Blanca's other friends when Allison and Nicky make room for them. Adarsh pulls up a chair next to Daya while Hassan takes his spot beside Allison that she'd saved for him. All the girls' purses are seated on their laps or hung over their chairs.
"Blanca, my other half, the Bonnie to my Clyde, my partner in crime." He swings their hands between them as he gazes at her like she put the stars in the sky. "Since the day we met, I grew more and more madly enamored of you. It's amazing that you felt that way about me, too. I was shocked when you told me you loved me for the first time. We've been together since May, about six months, right?" Blanca nods in confirmation. "It feels like way longer than that...I found my perfect match." He looks down at the box and his eyes get misty. "I've wanted to do this ever since I serenaded you with my song Mi Hermosa Novia, or My Beautiful Sweetheart. I'm sixteen years old, you're fifteen...and I know that true and honest love is very rare in high school, but we're soulmates, you and I." His eyes trail up to hers. "I never wanna let you go. I don't wanna be with anyone but you, mi amor. We've been through so much together, the worst when we were almost choked to death in that pool...but we survived. Many things ran through my mind while thinking of you...mainly growing old together with kids and grandchildren, but I know we're too young for marriage. When the time is right, baby, maybe ten, fifteen years down the road, we can talk about that." Did he just say that? Blanca asks herself. She chuckles softly and takes a quick peek at everyone slightly below them. They're all beaming and her best friends and Gloria have tears swimming in their eyes, just like Blanca. "I will always be there for you and I'll always look after you. I will love you until the day I die. Right now, though, I'm asking you..." Diablo lifts the lid off the box and shows Blanca a sparkling gold ring inside with silver baubles around it. The inscription reads Blanca and Diablo por siempre enamorado. "Will you accept this commitment ring as my promise to stay by your side forever?"
forever in love
"Yes! Of course! I'm yours, always! I vow to remain loyal to you in return!" Blanca chokes out as everyone applauds and cheers in unison. "You didn't even need to ask, you could've just slipped that thing on one of my fingers while I was sleeping!" There are several sniggers amongst the crowd. "I loved your speech, though, it was beautiful!" He grins down at her and slides the promise ring over the third finger on her left hand. They kiss as she sobs in happiness, and he holds her close and massages the back of her head with one hand and the other on her back. They squeeze each other tight and she closes her eyes while in his embrace.
"Thank you, mi reina," he murmurs against her temple and the stubble on his chin tickles her cheeks. She's filled with pleasure and she completely melts at his grand gesture.
"I've graduated from princesa to reina, hm?"
"You sure did!" He faces the audience. "Let's get this party started with the quinceañera entrance!"
"Whoohoo!" the guests, including Blanca, call out, and then the DJ starts up the music again as the lights turn down low. Diablo jumps down off the stage and Blanca takes a leap into his loving arms. She can't wait for their future together.
Thank you for reading and reviewing, two guests (glad you love Shani, too, she's fantastic, huh?), VeraRose19, A Star In My Universe, and Johanna002! I'm so thankful for the support, can't believe I'm almost to four hundred reviews. Yes I made chapter 69 somewhat centered on Blanca and Diablo, lol ;)
How Lorna found Blanca at the beginning of this chapter will be explained in the next chapter!
