D/L Pre FATF. Don't own them, don't sue. Lots of swearing, not much down and dirty.
After that night we didn't talk about what happened. I didn't tell Mia and Dom didn't tell Vince. If either of them noticed anything, they didn't talk to us about it. Dom went back to dating nameless skanks. I pretty much went back to being alone. Slowly things fell into a rhythm. I'd ignore Dom. Dom would ignore me. Some bitch ass girl would call or show up at the house, garage or store and I'd make some comment at her expense. Dom would fire back with some bullshit like "at least she's legal" or "jealous 'cause she's a real woman" type of thing. I'd turn red, get super pissed and storm off or give him the finger and not talk to him again till the next girl showed up.
We spent two months doing this shit to each other on an almost daily basis. Dom graduated in June and I got dragged to the ceremony. Before all our bull shit I wouldn't have thought of ditching, but now things were different. Watching girls throw themselves at him every day at school was one thing. Going to a "family" event like graduation and not being allowed to give him a hug was another. Worse yet my tia was in town and she made me get all dressed up for it. Even though I know I looked damn good in the outfit she picked out for me, I threw a bitch fest trying to get out of wearing it. The last thing that vato needed was an even bigger ego. Shit, we both knew in the end I'd be wearing that black and white halter dress with that flowing hemline just for him.
Of course my aunt won. On the day of graduation she did my hair and make up and everything. Nothing too fancy, I still looked like me, but shit I looked good. My grandma even let me wear this hat she had from when she was younger. I dunno much about fashion and shit, that's Mia's department, but I know that hat made the outfit. Without it, I looked hot. With it, I looked classy. And I liked that.
When I walked up to the Torretto's the sun was behind me and I could see Mia and her dad waiting for me on their porch. Dom and Vince were throwing a football on the lawn. I waved at Mia, but I could tell she couldn't recognize me in my new outfit. A few seconds later when I got a little closer I heard her shriek of recognition. In that instant Dom turned to see what the fuss was about and got smacked hard in the face by the perfect spiral Vince had launched at his head. The whole thing was so funny I couldn't help but laugh.
"Fuck Vince, you almost took my fucking head off!" Dom shouted.
"Holly shit, Letty looks like a girl! Daaaaamn girl, you look good." Vince crowed, jogging up to me with Mia right behind him.
Mia slapped him in the back of the head and gave me a big hug. "Letty you look amazing," she said softly. "Just like your mom."
I smiled at that, and gave her a squeeze. "Thanks Mi." I looked over her shoulder and saw Dom and Anthony fighting quietly about something and felt a chill go thru me. Yeah I wanted to mess with Dom's head a little, but I didn't want to piss off Anthony. I slid out from under Mia, raised my eyebrows at Vince and walked up the driveway.
Dom cleared his throat and slowly nodded at me. "You look nice today chica."
I blushed a little, but managed not to fidget too much under his hooded gaze. "Thanks Dom. You do too. Except for that black eye."
Rubbing his cheek bone, Dom winced. "Yeah well, I bet it makes me look dangerous. Ruggedly handsome and all that shit."
"So what, you're not going to kick Vince's ass for that?" I teased, giving Anthony a hug.
"My boy knows better than that. Don't you Dom?" To Vince and Mia, I'm sure the conversation seemed like old times. But us three, we knew it meant something different. Dom gave a curt nod, never tearing his eyes from mine. "Good. I'm glad to see I raised you right. It makes a father proud, to see how well his kids are growing up." Planting a kiss on my forehead, he winked at me. "All of them."
"So what Dad, you saying Letty's all grown up?" Dom's voice was tight. I could see him flexing his hands around the football.
Anthony shrugged. "Sure looks like it. At least for today. You coming to Dom's graduation party tonight mija?"
My mouth went dry. What? Did he mean that- I mean was he saying what I thought he was? It didn't really matter I guess, cause for one of the first times since that night, I had plans. I looked at Dom and shook my head no. "I ah, I can't."
Dom's eyes harden and he begins to slap the football from one hand to the other. "Why not? This isn't like every other party Let. You heard my dad, tonight we all get to play grown ups."
Naïve little Mia slips her arm thru mine and giggles. "She can't come because she has a date with Adrian Suarez. He's going to cook for her at his father's restaurant and then take her to-"
I squeeze Mia's hand tightly and cut her off. "It's not a big deal. But I ah, kinda promised him I'd go."
Anthony scratched his head and looked back and forth between us. "So this Adrian kid, is he your boyfriend?"
I shrugged lightly. "I'm dating him if that's what you mean."
"How come I didn't hear about him before?" Anthony asked, crossing his arms slowly and raising an eyebrow.
"We just started dating a couple of weeks ago." I smiled shyly.
"You like him?" Dom asked softly. "He plays soccer right?"
"Varsity. He's… sweet." I shrug again, feeling like I'm being questioned by the 5-0. Like I said, after that night I went back to pretty mucht being alone.
"Is he in one of your classes or something?" Dom asked.
"We're both in A.P. Spanish and we have shop and history together." I watch as Mia, Vince and Anthony walk back up to the house.
"Isn't he a junior? He's too old for you." Dom glowered.
"He skipped a grade and he's late born too, so he was young for his grade to begin with. Like Mia. He's only like a year older than me. Shit Dom, why you gotta give me crap for this? He's a nice guy, you know that."
"He's a fucking over achieving jock Letty. Since when did you care about school spirit shit?" Dom growled.
"I didn't say anything when you-"
"Bull shit. You gave me crap for each and every one of the girls I-"
"That's right Dom every one. Adrian is the only one I've dated since-"
"Keep your voice down! Fuck Letty, Mia or Vince might hear," Dom wouldn't look at me as he spoke slowly, staring at the house.
"So what, you're ashamed of me now? I thought you said I was special," I choked.
"Letty, I'm a man. I'm can't wait around for a year for you to grow up." Dom sighed.
"Maybe you're the one who should fucking grow up Dom. I'm going out with Adrian tonight after graduation and I'm going to keep going out with him because I like him. I didn't ask you to keep it in your pants, and you have no right to ask me to sit at home waiting for you while you stick it in any where or any one who'll take it. Now shut the fuck up and smile, they're coming back." I walked away from him with a plastic grin on my face for Mia's sake.
We rode to the graduation ceremony in Mr. Torretto's Charger. Dom drove and Vince sat in the front while me, Mia and their dad squished in the back. Mia and Vince made small talk while Dom glared at me in the rear view mirror. I tried not to look back at him, but I couldn't help it. Tony squeezed my hand once when he saw Dom shake his head at me, but it didn't help much. Even though I knew I hadn't really done anything wrong I felt like a tramp.
When we pulled into the parking lot Vince let the Torretto's out on his side and Dom let me out on his. I was about to start walking toward the stadium when Dom grabbed my hand and stopped me.
Looking into my eyes, Dom stroked my cheek. "Don't go out with him tonight Letty." Dom whispered in my ear.
I stood absolutely still for a moment, soaking up Dom's touch. God, he only touched me like this once before and already I'm an addict. "Look Dom… We can't do this dawg. You know that. Your father's going to flip his shit if he sees. I saw him bitching you out earlier. I don't want to ruin today for either of you."
Dom stepped closer to me, pinning me between his hard body and the Charger. Why did it feel like I was being trapped every time Dom and I started something? "Tonight's different." He forced a soft laugh. "It's… like a graduation present or something."
"And what do I get out of it?" I asked, my voice almost cracking. "If I go to the party tonight, what happens to me tomorrow? What am I supposed to do when that Tran bitch calls the garage for you? I can't do this Dom. I won't."
"So what, you're just going to go fuck that vatjo Suarez tonight? Shit Letty, you know I can't touch you again till your birthday," Dom spat.
Shocked, I pushed him off me and slapped him hard. "What the fuck Dom? Watch yourself. I don't care if it is your fucking big day, I'm not like that and you know that. Are you trying to hurt me?" I crossed my arms and looked away. In the distance I could see Mia waiting for me by the entrance, which only made me swear again.
Sensing that something other than his thick head was stressing me out, Dom looked around and stroked my arm. "What? What's wrong?"
"Mia's watching." I shook my head in defeat. "Look, I have to go. Happy fucking graduation Dom. Like I said, maybe now you'll grow up."
"Letty…." Dom called out after me as I walked away as quickly as I could without looking like a freak. "Baby don't do this. Please."
My chest almost exploded when I heard him beg, but somehow I kept walking and pulled out that plastic smile again for Mia. "Hey girl, how you livin?" I asked, trying to play it cool.
"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Mia asked, arching her eyebrow at me.
"What do you mean?" I asked, handing my ticket to the guy standing at the entrance.
"You and Dom." Mia kept her voice light, but I wasn't fooled. The girl knew something was up.
"Nothing. He wanted me to go to the party tonight, that's all." I shrugged and scanned the crowd for her dad.
"And that's why he practically kissed you?" Mia asked, boring holes into my skull with her eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I don't think my denial was particularly effective as I was beet red.
"Bull shit Letty." Mia grabbed my arm, making me look at her.
I sighed and shrugged. "Look, Mia… whatever you think is happening between me and Dom can't happen right now, okay? He's 19. I'm 15. It just can't happen. So drop it."
"Since when did you give up on what you wanted chica?" Mia's voice was soft and sorrowful.
I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to tell her that I hadn't wanted it until Dom had shown me what it could be like. That I'd had to give up on it since when her father basically said he'd beat the shit out of the us if he caught us together. But I didn't. "Mia, I'm with Adrian. Dom's with… who the fuck knows who he's with today, but I'm sure he's with somebody. Please, just drop it okay?"
"Do you love him?" Mia asked.
"Who, Adrian? No, not yet. But he's a good guy Mia. Maybe I will fall in love with him." I wonder if Mia could hear the hope in my voice. If she could, she probably didn't realize it was there because I knew my life would be that much easier with Adrian. And maybe easier would be better.
"I meant Dom."
I give her a quick half hug. "Of course I love Dom Mia. I've known him forever. It's like he's always been there. I love all of you Torrettos. You know that. Look, there's your father. Lets just go watch the ceremony, okay?" I knew Mia had more to say, but I took her hand and ran up to the empty seats her father was holding for us and sat down.
Somehow I managed to sit thru the two hour ceremony even though all three of the Torretto's kept looking at me like they wanted to dissect my brain and see what I was thinking. Afterwards the three of us walked down to meet Dom and Vince on the track. All around us there were all these happy people. I wanted to be happy for Vince and Dom too. This was a big day for them- they were free. But me, I still felt trapped.
Seeing us, Vince grabbed both Mia and I and twirled us around in the air. I was laughing so hard I didn't notice when my hat flew off and my hair came loose. When he set us down I was so dizzy I had to take a step back. Instantaneously Dom was behind me, his hands on my hips to steady me. Without thinking I leaned into him and sighed, letting him wrap his arms around me. I closed my eyes and breathed in his sent, almost missing the metallic car smells that usually accompanied him.
It was the flash from Mia's camera that brought me back into the moment. She looked at me with that arched eyebrow of hers and then turned to take a picture of her dad and Vince. I took a step away from Dom and cleared my throat. Feeling my hair on my neck I looked around for my grandmother's hat, only then realizing that Mia was wearing it. I guess that moment in Dom's arms was a little longer than I thought.
"Don't I get a graduation hug Let?" Dom asked softly against the back of my neck.
"Dominic…" I turned around slowly and stared up at him. I scanned his face, trying to memorize how he looked at this moment. I wanted to remember the day when he wanted me more than any of the others. He gave me this huge goofy smile and I laughed and gave him a big hug. No matter what else happened, this was Dom, my hero from before I knew what a hero was. He squeezed me tight, like it was our last hug ever. I couldn't breathe because my face was smashed up against his chest. I didn't mind though, because that meant no one could see the tears in my eyes either.
When he finally let go, I looked back up at him and saw that his face was grim. He cracked his neck slowly, first to the left, then to the right. Turning around I saw what had ticked him off. Adrian was standing there with a rose for me, smiling because he was totally clueless.
I put my hand on Dom's arm to try to calm him down. "Dominic, I have to go now, but I'll see you later okay?" My voice was soft and gentle, like I was talking to a small child or an injured animal.
For some reason I wasn't surprised when Dom's eyes softened when he looked at me and nodded. He kissed my forehead and tried to smile. "I know." He paused for a moment before continuing almost hesitantly. "If you still want to, you can come tonight. After I mean. We could just talk. I promise. I miss you Letty."
I swallowed and nodded, glancing over at Adrian. Thankfully Mia had pulled him into some conversation and he had his back to us. I let Dom touch his forehead to mine and stroked his cheek. "I miss you too Dom."
Seeing that it was okay to let Adrian turn around, Mia brought him back toward us. I know Dom and Tony want her to be a doctor, but damn the girl could be an actress. Trying to copy her, I smiled at Adrian and nodded. "Nice hat Mi."
Mia winked and laughed. "What, you mean this old thing? It's been around forever, but for some reason I just realized how perfectly it goes with everything today." She patted it affectionately. She looked over at Dom and slipped her arm thru his. "Don't you agree Dom?"
"You're right Mia, it's perfect," Dom said, staring at me.
Blushing, I took Adrian's hand and smiled. "Shall we go?" Adrian nodded and waved at the Torretto's.
We were about fifty feet away when Dom shouted out my name, causing us both to turn around. "Don't forget about tonight, okay? Stop by whenever." He said, like it was no big deal.
I nodded and turned back toward the exit.
"What's he talking about?" Adrian asked, still totally clueless.
"His dad is letting him and Vince have a few people over. They asked if I wanted to go, but I said I couldn't because I already had plans." I smiled as Adrian opened the car door for me.
"Thank you for my rose Adrian. You didn't have to do that."
Adrian smiled from ear to ear. "You like it? I didn't know if it was too mushy or whatever. I just want tonight to be special."
My heart melts a little because I can tell he genuinely means it and isn't running game on me. "I like it." Without thinking, I lean over and give him a soft kiss on the lips. He kisses me back eagerly. It's nice, but nothing like Dom's kisses. Adrian is nothing like Dom period. I don't know whether to love him or hate him for it.
We drove from school to his father's restaurant, which conveniently is closed on Sundays. As we walk in I see what seems like the light from a thousand candles filling the room. "Oh my god Age, this is amazing. You left all these lit?"
He nodded and bit his lip. "But I made sure the sprinkler system was working before I did. Don't ask. My dad sure as hell didn't last night when he walked in after closing to find me soaking wet and moping the floor at 3 in the morning."
Despite all the shit between me and Dom right now, I had to laugh. I loved hanging out with Adrian because he always made me forget whatever was bothering me. Even before Mia's birthday Adrian had been one of the few guys at school who'd done it for me.
It was almost ironic. Adrian and I only began to hang out after Mia's birthday. Not being able to be alone with Dom made it hard to just hang around the house chilling with Mia. One day in Spanish Adrian figured out that I was feeling down and spent the rest as a Mexican soap opera actor trying to figure out my "unbearable secret." If it had been anyone else, I'd have ended up in detention for kicking the shit out of them. But somehow, it was just hilarious when Adrian did it. I didn't even object when he asked Senora Guzman if we could be partners on our final project.
Since then things have sort of evolved into this. I never did tell him that the reason I was down that day was because of Dom. Even though he's pissed now, Dom should be thankful that Adrian and I were dating because now I understand why Dom always has a new girl on his arm. It's easier to be with someone. If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with, right?
The evening with Adrian went pretty well. We spoke in Spanish the whole night, which was sort of comforting. He made me sopón de pollo con arróz y pastels. We talked about school and family. He told me about the scouts who'd come to watch his games and how he wasn't sure where he wanted to apply next year.
"Where do you want to go to college?" he asked, setting the food on the table.
I laughed and brushed the hair out of my face. "You're kidding, right?"
He made a face and frowned. "What do you mean? Haven't you thought about it already? I know you're only a freshman, but I mean you've already got one A.P. class under your belt."
"Adrian, Spanish doesn't count. Shit my Spanish is still better than my English, you know that." I rubbed my shoulder self consciously.
"So go to college in Puerto Rico. You still have family there, right?"
"I'm not going." I said softly, staring at my plate.
"What? Why not?" Adrian's shock was evident.
"My family can't afford it. My grandmother's diabetes is starting to act up and I never see my mom as it is because she's always working. Besides, what do I need college for when all I want to do is work with cars? That's the only thing I'm any good at anyways." I shrugged, trying to make light of it.
"Letty, what are you talking about? You're really smart. Hell, I bet all that stuff you know about cars will translate well into science or something." Adrian took my hand from across the table and kissed it.
I blushed. "School and I aren't friends. You know that."
Adrian wiggled his eyebrows and leaned forward. "There was a time when you and I weren't friends."
I laughed and rolled my eyes. "I just don't think it's going to happen, okay? Can we just drop it for now?"
Adrian shook his head, but shrugged in defeat. "I'll let it go, but I still think you should at least think about going to college. You can do anything you want Letty. You're smart, you're beautiful, you're-"
I leaned forward and kissed him gently across the table. He believed in me. He thought I was pretty. Maybe he's not Dom, but maybe that was a good thing. Wasn't it?