Thank you for beta'ing, MsSchneeheide!
"I feel pretty, so pretty…" Elena croons as she skips along the sidewalk. "So pretty, and witty, and gay...and I pity...any girl who isn't me today..."
Ceci laughs behind her energetic younger sister. "Oh no, if you're gonna break into song, you gotta come up with somethin' original! Cuidado, idiota."
Giggling, Elena twirls and strikes a pose, then holds onto the lamp post and spins around it. "I feel charming...oh, so charming...it's alarming how charming I feel...and so pretty...that I hardly can believe I'm real!"
Rolling her eyes, Ceci hits the street crossing button. "You'd be an excellent Maria if they ever do West Side Story! Pero, dios mío, calláte." She gestures to the signal for them to go. "¡Ándale!"
Come along!
"I took a shower this morning, I already got a makeover by Flaritza, and my nails are done!" Elena practically screams over the traffic as they both run to the other side of the road, Ceci struggling to keep up with her. "Ahora..." She pants heavily as she catches her breath again and Ceci steadies her so she doesn't trip on the crack in the pavement that she's not paying attention to. The sisters link arms as they continue to Karla and Ramón's apartment. "I need a cute new dress, stockings that don't have rips in them at all, flats, since I'm already tall, um...a sweater, jewelry, y mi cabello hecho. Todo antes de las ocho."
and my hair done. All before eight.
"Isn't the thing at eight? He's getting you at seven-thirty, right?"
"Sí..." Elena claps her hand over her forehead and her eyes nearly bug out of their sockets. "Ay..."
"It's cool if you're not really ready yet when he arrives, actually...then you can wow him with your grand entrance."
Pressing her lips together, Elena nods and pats Ceci's wrist. "Muchas gracias otra vez, mi hermana."
Thank you so much again, my sister.
"De nada." They beam at each other.
"So, whatcha gonna do with Katie?"
Ceci's cheeks heat up at the mention of her name. "We're gonna meet at the park to watch the sunset, then go back to our place via my car, using my Junior License, of course. It's a short drive, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll express my feelings for her tonight." She had come out to Elena before anyone else since not only does she consider her sister one of her best friends, Elena is extremely trustworthy and does well at keeping secrets. "If we get together, that's when I'll tell the rest of our familia y amigas that I'm a lesbian."
Elena appears to be pleasantly surprised. "Are you nervous?"
"A little, yeah, but knowing that Katie's bi like Flaritza, makes me feel better about the whole thing. It means I have a fifty-fifty chance."
"¡Buena suerte!"
Good luck!
"¡Gracias, y tu también, con Sergio!"
Thanks, and you, too, with Sergio!
"Hey, what's with that dreamy smile?" Gloria asks as Elena strolls across the room and slings her backpack on the sofa. Karla and Ceci are behind her. "Does it have somethin' to do with that boy you were chatting so amiably with at lunch today?"
Elena blushes and nods shyly. She squeaks and fans herself. "I got a date tonight!" she squeals.
"¡Aw, felicidades!" both women exclaim. "Who gave you that glittery gold eye shadow and red lip gloss?" Gloria asks, instantly happy for her little girl. "It's pretty on you."
"Gracias...Flaritza did my makeup." Elena sits down. "You look nice, too! I love your sparkly black dress paired with the red leather jacket! Also the pearl necklace and matching earrings...and light pink sequined scarf, too, wow! It matches the beanie you're wearing."
"Aw, mi niña, gracias." She enjoys her daughter bathing her in compliments, but she wonders if Elena wants something from her, too. "Tía Lourdes and I skipped opening my bodega to save time. I'm prepared for my outing with my new boyfriend, I got my hair done already in Brooklyn. Sophia did good!"
"¡Me encanta! Those layered waves with the ends flipped up are too cool and chic. ¿Quién te dio esos pendientes de oro?"
Who gave you those gold earrings?
"Fahri!" Gloria feels warm inside just thinking about how he'd surprised her with them at work. "He also got me a cute red headband that I'll put on later tonight!"
"Aw, that's sweet! I don't hear the boys..."
"They're at Bennett Park in Washington Heights with our new babysitters Shani, Brook, and Cindy, since we're all busy getting ready for a big night!" Karla clarifies. "Mi esposo drove 'em."
"Oh, good. I gotta make this quick, though."
"Brace yourselves," Ceci warns them dramatically.
Elena waves her off. "So...his name's Sergio...¡me recogerá para el baile de San Valentín de Sadie Hawkins esta noche a las siete y media y vamos con Daya, Adarsh, Claire y Paolo! Mami, I need your help pickin' out a beautiful vestido...I wanna seduce him!"
he's picking me up for the Valentine's Day Sadie Hawkins Dance tonight at seven-thirty and we're going with Daya, Adarsh, Claire, and Paolo!
Gloria smiles as she takes a spot next to Elena and hugs her daughter close. "Mija, te ayudaré, pero no necesitas seducirlo. Just be the beautiful, sweet girl we all know and love!"
I'll help you, but you don't need to seduce him.
"Yeah! He seemed to like you just fine with casual clothes y sin maquillaje," Ceci points out.
and without makeup
"I know you're a tomboy, sis, but I enjoy dressing up when the occasion calls for it! Plus, if I look older, we can make love...he might want me more. Flaca and Maritza have each done it before and they say it's wonderful!" She squeezes her folded hands in between her knees and leans forward, grinning blissfully. Ceci stands back with her arms folded across her chest, appearing to be concerned.
Gloria's heart just about skids to a stop and her blood runs cold. She and Karla exchange a look of horror. "No!" they shout in unison.
"Why not?" Elena whines. "I know about safe sex, I'm not stupid. I'll have him use a condom!"
Karla laughs out loud bitterly. "Like he'll listen to that. Chica, por favor. Most teenage boys are dumb as shit, okay? When things get hot and heavy, all sense goes...¡fuera la ventana!"
out the window!
"Sergio ain't like that! He's handsome and intelligent...and he respects me. He defended my honor...lashed out at these motherfuckers for calling us girls putas, even though they only said bros before hoes, which is a saying and it rhymes. He is amazing," Elena gushes. "I swear, he held my hand while he shook it. Only lasted a few seconds, but they were the best of my life. He's what I desire...he's only got two years on me, basically...and I want him to touch me in places I never imagined, get me screaming his name-"
"¡Basta!" Gloria snaps, feeling tears well up in her eyes.
Elena scowls. "Chill out, Mami. It's only a fucking fantasy. Literally."
"Is it, though?" Ceci asks, lifting a skeptic eyebrow. "You're such a horndog."
Gloria takes a few moments to relax before speaking again. "Sweetheart, that's great that he stuck up for y'all, but you don't even know him. Just 'cause a dude's a superhero one time, doesn't mean he'll be one again. Mira, in Blanca's situation, Dean, her abusive ex...he saved her from drowning! Well, of course no one would just let a stranger die! Especially since he was a lifeguard on the beach...he was doin' his job...but that's how he reeled her in."
"Dean's an asshole!" Elena states. "That pig was also nineteen when she was thirteen, gross! Sergio had our backs 'cause he wanted to, all right? Ugh, I should've never told you..."
"I'm glad you did," Karla says gently, but firmly. "Sex is a big deal and should only be done with someone you've been with for at least a year...and not when you're fourteen. More like...seventeen or eighteen."
"Really?" Elena squints at her Spanish teacher. "Tell that to Flaritza, their age gap is like mine and Sergio's, they're planning-"
"What they do is none of our business, they can't get each other pregnant, and they ain't my daughters. I'm not worried about 'em. They share a strong emotional bond, too...you don't have that with Sergio yet, and you got no clue whether you will or not," Gloria mutters.
"Ain't like my boy's dangerous..."
Gloria is growing tired of Elena's arguing with her; this usually doesn't happen. "Ay dios mío, now I'm fed up! He's not your novio, he's someone you barely know...he didn't even hang out with your group before today."
"Stop, he's Maria's primo, lo veo en sus fiestas, he's in band and karate class with Ceci, I got a big thing for him...I always look through his MySpace profile, but I've been so timid around him until Ceci got the ball rolling between us. You gonna help me look good tonight or not? I won't dress like a hoochie mama."
I see him at her parties
"Good! I'll be happy to assist you, as long as you promise me you'll be responsible. If he ditches you 'cause you won't put out or whatever, you don't need him."
"Okay," she murmurs reluctantly. "Fine."
"I'll hold you to it."
Gloria juts her baby finger out toward Elena, who closes her eyes and groans. "Not the pinkie!" She hooks hers with Gloria's anyway.
Meanwhile, Blanca and Diablo are still cuddling on their bed. "When I saw you come into that hospital room, I was lovestruck...and then you were at Friendly's sixteen years later…ay, that was fate, hermosa. It's like something en el cielo o las estrellas wanted us to find each other, even after walking down different roads. Not Dios, pero the cosmos."
in the sky or the stars
"I think it was more like destiny, like what led you to stroll into Friendly's?" Blanca asks as he delicately plays with her curls. He never pulls on them like Dean would, but she can't help randomly flinching from time to time when his hands massage her scalp. It's not very often, and his sweet assurances and apologies are unneeded.
"I was hungry," he says, and they both laugh.
"Sí, pero ¿por qué Friendly's? Out of all the restaurants in Nueva York? Why not eat at home?"
Yeah, but why Friendly's?
"I guess I had a craving for it...pero cuando te vi, I was like, wow! It's really her!" He pecks her cheek and she beams even more. "I had to do a double take. So, what made you wanna work at Friendly's? I know you moved to New York because it's where you grew up."
but when I saw you,
"Karla recommended me to Diane! Truth is, I was hoping to run into you again, isn't that crazy?"
"No, just shows we were always meant to be together!" Diablo insists. "Podría haberme mudado, pero nunca lo hice."
I could've moved, but I never did.
"That's 'cause you couldn't leave the state after being released."
"Unless I asked permission to from my parole officer, and I didn't. I had faith you'd come back, but I was also scared you wouldn't."
"Hmm, maybe we all just got lucky."
"Sí, definitely...but if you go all the way back to before we even looked into each other's eyes that first time, it was written in the stars that my mother's car was the one that asshole decided to ram into."
"Mm-hm, you didn't choose to get hit!" Blanca ponders. "Espera...todavía nos hubiéramos conocido...we were assigned to be partners in art class."
we still would have met...
"You see?" he asks teasingly, peering down at her with much adoration.
She chuckles to herself. "Yeah..."
He draws her in for a kiss and they smile into it. A soft knock at the door causes them to pull apart. "Mami, Diablo, it's me, can I come in, y'all good? Lo siento for the interruption!"
"It's fine, ¡adelante!" Blanca allows her teenage daughter. As soon as Maritza steps in, she gasps aloud. "Whoa, you're dressed to the nines!"
"Is it too much?" Maritza asks worriedly, touching her flat-ironed hair and smacking her red lips.
Blanca shakes her head no and walks over, hugging Maritza tightly. "No, sweetie, you look fantastic!"
"¡Sí!" Diablo nods in agreement, giving her a thumbs up.
Maritza curtsies."¡Gracias, Mami y Diablo, tú también!"
Thanks, Mom and Diablo, so do you!
"¡Aw, gracias!"
"Have fun with Flaca, Poussey, and Franziska, dance your hearts out!" Diablo tells her.
"Oh, we will! I'll let you have time to yourselves again! ¡Adiós!" Maritza and Blanca share an embrace and then kiss each other's cheeks.
"Te quiero, mija, diviértete esta noche!" Blanca calls out as Maritza heads for the door.
I love you, my girl, have fun tonight!
Maritza looks over her shoulder and waves. "¡Lo mismo para ti!"
The same for you!
"Do you want to exchange gifts now?" Diablo's question is spoken once a few seconds pass.
"¡Sí!"
So they get up and walk to his desk where their presents are. Blanca has already gotten pink and red roses from him and she wonders what else he could've bought for her. She gives Diablo a card from her and he reads it out loud. Drawn red hearts border the message, handwritten in black cursive. As she listens to him, she smiles giddily.
"Happy Valentine's Day, mi amor...first of all, I wanna say gracias por ser el hombre más amable que una mujer podría pedir. To my favorite dude, ¡salud! My life, my love, my everything...I'm so blessed to have you. My world is brighter with you in it. I'm happy we met and began a beautiful friendship that eventually blossomed into a relationship! You are my soulmate and my best friend forever! I can always count on you to make me smile and laugh and be there for me through good times and bad. ¡Te aprecio mucho! Estaba tan feliz de que nos encontraras a mí y a mis hijas en las calles y nos rescataras. Cuando nos volvimos a encontrar en noviembre y nos besamos el día de Acción de Gracias, ¡fue el paraíso! You're so special to me! De hecho, toda mi relación contigo, comenzando con mi primer año en la escuela secundaria, ha sido la mejor.
Thank you for being the kindest man a woman could ever ask for. I appreciate you so much! I was so happy you found me and my daughters on the streets and rescued us. When we met again back in November and kissed on Thanksgiving, it was heaven! In fact, my whole relationship with you, starting with my freshman year in high school, has been the best.
"Darling, it's been five amazing months with you, and cheers to many more to come, mi vida! Cinco meses of our love being celebrated, pero siento que ha sido mucho más. Como si te conociera desde siempre. I love spending time with you no matter what we're doing or where we are, my main man! I love you to the moon and back, mi cariño! Xoxo! May our candle always burn bright with passion and joy️! Cuando me enteré de que habían sido arrestados y que ese malvado Dean saqueó su casa, me sentí muy mal. ¡Me alegro mucho de que estemos juntos de nuevo! You're a great father figure to Maritza and Raiza, too.
but I feel like it's been so much more. Like I've known you forever. When I heard that you had been arrested and had your house ransacked by that evil Dean, I felt so bad. I'm so glad we're together again!
"I love the deep connection between us and the way we just click! You complete me. Being with you, no matter what we're doing, is a blast! Mi vida is hella special with you in it, ¡y estoy tan feliz de despertarme a tu lado todas las mañanas! I love being snuggled and I'm always cozy in your hoodie you let me keep. I'm also proud of you that you made your dream of becoming a drummer a reality! Your band is awesome! It's in your comforting hugs and sweet kisses, how you cause me to burst into giggles at any given moment, your reassuring and calm voice, whenever you hold me and give me the love I deserve...eres fuerte, eres tan guapo, todo de ti me llena de alegría, desde cómo me miras a los ojos con tanta devoción, hasta cómo tu sonrisa hipnotizante me deja desmayado, y mis entrañas son básicamente champán porque siempre me tratas ¡como una reina! It never ceases! Nunca. Our souls truly are bonded for eternity, my main man!
and I'm so happy to wake up next to you every morning! You're strong, you're so handsome, everything about you fills me with joy, from how you stare into my eyes with so much devotion, to how your mesmerizing smile leaves me swooning, and my insides are basically champagne because you always treat me like a queen!
"Te amo mucho, querido y mi corazón. ¡Besos y abrazos! Deseándote toda la felicidad del mundo. Con amor, always your lucky woman, your sweetheart, Blanca."
Kisses and hugs! Wishing you all the happiness in the world. With love
He's grinning the whole time and by the end, he embraces her and molds his mouth on hers. "Gracias, mi vida, such kind words! I love you, too!"
She opens the card she'd gotten from him. "¡De nada! ¡Ahora leeré la tuya!"
Now I'll read yours!
"Okay!"
She takes a deep breath before beginning. "Mi Blanca, mi futura esposa...Happy Valentine's Day to my true love! Baby girl, you're the best, you're my true soulmate! You are the love of my life who is with me in the goods and the bads and I honor our relationship so much! El tiempo vuela cuando nos divertimos mucho ya que ha sido una gran aventura, ¡y vendrán muchas más! Eres lo mejor que me ha pasado y I hope the best for many more years to come! Love you, babe.
my future wife...Time flies when we have lots of fun since it's been a great adventure, and many more will come! You are the best thing that's ever happened to me
"Let's keep the relationship garden growing, always and always! Tonight's date will be wonderful! I enjoy hanging out with you, whether it's here at home or outside! ¡Estoy bendecido de tenerte en mi vida! You make me feel special and you rock my world! Once again, te amo mucho, mi amor! I love you with all my heart, spirit, and mind! Things I love about you are that you're pretty, you're fun to hang out with, you're loyal, you're supportive, you're lovely, and I hope all of your wishes come true.
I'm blessed to have you in my life!
"Me encanta hacerte reír y sonreír con esa hermosa sonrisa que adoro, me encanta pasar mis manos por tu cabello, me encanta cuando estás en mis brazos, ¡tengo la chica de mis sueños! My heart is full with you and I look forward to our future! I hope you never have to feel pain again...the thought of you and your girls suffering or going through poverty makes me so sad, and I love to see you happy and smiling! I promise to always be by your side and I'll fight any bastard who dares to hurt you three! You're an excellent mother, es evidente, and your daughters are lucky to have you. ¡Estoy feliz de que estés ganando dinero por tu cuenta, estoy muy orgulloso de todo lo que has logrado y te deseo suerte con tu examen de manejo! You are a survivor, the strongest person I've ever known, and you inspire me, my dear. I'm proud to be your king, and you don't ever have to be afraid to ask for help when you need it."
I love to make you giggle and smile that beautiful smile I adore, I love running my hands through your hair, I love when you're in my arms, I've got my dream girl! it's plain to see. I'm happy that you're making money of your own, I'm so proud of all that you've accomplished, and I wish you luck with your driving test!
"Siempre estoy contigo. Amor, Diablo."
I'm always with you. Love, Diablo
Her eyes well up with joyful tears and his are glistening, too. She embraces him, squeezing him around his middle, and then leans up on her tiptoes so they can make out. "Muchas gracias, time sure does fly when I'm with you!"
"It was my pleasure! We are lucky to be together, ¡mi amada!"
my loved one!
Then, he reaches inside his gift bag and along with the tissue paper, he pulls out a pocket watch, a bottle of cologne, and a framed photo of the two of them at one of his concerts. "Lo siento it's not much, I got it at a thrift shop with cash I got from working at the bodega and Red's Russian Market..."
"Es perfecto, my lovely girl," he assures her, putting on the watch and gazing at the picture. "You didn't have to spend a lot on me..."
"I didn't, just what I could afford." Blanca shrugs. "I saved up. You're spoiling me a lot, the fact that you invited us to move in with you doesn't even cover how good you are, y es mi turno de consentirte."
and it's my turn to pamper you.
Diablo beams at her and cups her face in his hands as they press their lips together amorously. "Well, ¡gracias!"
"No problem!"
He reaches into his pocket and holds up a white jewelry box. It looks much too large for a ring. She gasps as she lifts the cover, revealing the very same necklace that Dean had ruined. "How...?"
"The exact rosa fuerte pendant exists, but in some special place in the Dominican Republic for a very high price. La cadena de caja de plata was easy to find, too, I just looked in Macy's. Compré el colgante en línea and I got a jeweler to put it together. Happy Valentine's Day, hon!"
hot pink…the silver box chain
…I bought the pendant online…
She touches it and smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek. He brushes it away, his thumb stroking her cheek. "I have the sweetest guy ever...I'm lucky to call you my man!"
"¡Y yo tengo suerte de llamarte a mi mujer!"
And I'm lucky to call you my woman!
After he helps her put it on, their mouths meet, the kiss becoming unbearable in its intensity, seeking, devouring, and desperate. They move to the bed, glued to each other, and continue making out.
"This is a cute vestido!" Gloria holds up a light pink dress with a blue and yellow flower pattern, puffy short sleeves, and a white lace collar. "Isn't it just darling?"
Elena scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, if I were eight and going to a tea party with my dolls, Mami. I'm lookin' for something much more elegant!"
Frowning, Gloria returns the item to the rack. They move through the aisles and sift through more pretty evening wear. "Well, it ain't the prom...or your quinces. You don't need a gown."
"Lo sé, pero es mi primer baile con un chico. We only got fifteen minutes left to look! Almost nothin's good here." Pursing her lips, Elena grabs a fancy dark red halter top with a lace neckline that's not too low-cut, but just enough, and she pairs it with a black ruffled skirt that has small white hearts all over it. "Oh, except this! It needs to show off my figure!" She puts it against herself and shows her mother.
I know, but it's my first dance with a boy
"All right, we'll see. Try it on, nena."
Elena gladly obliges and then admires herself in the mirror. She loves how it looks on her. When she emerges from the dressing room, she spins and lets her skirt fan out around her. Now facing her mom, she curtsies and does a pose. "¿Cómo te gusta esto?"
How do you like this?
Gloria smiles faintly. "You look like a muñeca...that's exquisite! I approve!"
"Yes!" Elena beams, raising her fist and bringing it back down.
Since it'll be cold, she decides on the tall, black boots with gold buckles she already owns instead of flats. They'll match with the necklace and earrings she's planning to wear.
It's now just Ceci and her crush sitting on the swings. They're wearing blue jeans, tall brown Ugg boots, and puffy jackets-Ceci's is red while Katie's is pink. They also have on gloves, scarves, and beanies that match their outfits. Of course, they've put on makeup and jewelry, too.
"You said you wanted to talk to me in private?"
Ceci lowers her gaze and moves herself back and forth on her swing, using her feet and holding on to the chains on either side. She inhales deeply and lets out a gust of air before looking up at Katie again. She feels clammy and anxious inside, but she puts on a brave smile. "Sí... you know how you said you liked girls as well as boys?"
Katie nods with a grin. "I'm still bi as shit, dude."
"Lo sé...I thought I liked guys because they're asthetically handsome, but when kissing a few on dates and feeling nothing, that's how I discovered I'm a lesbian."
"Really?" Katie's beautiful face softens even more.
"Mm-hm." Ceci wrings her hands and stares intently into space.
"Oh wow, that's cool! Is there anyone on your mind in particular?" Katie wants to know.
"Yeah," Ceci admits. "She's pretty special."
"Are you okay with telling me who she is?"
"I don't want to blurt it out, but you can try to guess."
"Let's walk around the park and we can play twenty questions."
"Sure." Ceci gets up.
Katie links arms with Ceci and they start their stroll. "Do you know her?"
"Mm-hm."
"Does she go to Martin Van Buren High?"
"Yes."
"Is she in any of your classes?"
"Sí."
"How many?"
"Three."
"Which ones?"
"Art, Spanish, and Physical Education."
"Do I or the other girls know her?"
You are her. "Uh-huh."
"How long have you been acquainted with her?"
"A couple años. I met her when I moved here from Puerto Rico...first day of freshman year, in fact."
"Can you describe her to me?"
"She's a bit taller than me and ridiculously cute, she has a knack for drawing, writing, and photography, her hair is black, and she has brown eyes." Ceci gazes off wistfully. They've now finished a full lap around the park and then the sun sets before them. "Such pretty colors..." she comments. "The way the orange, yellow, pink, blue all melts together...it's lovely."
"I agree!" Katie pulls her phone out of her pocket, opens the camera, and raises her mobile device above them. They pose, displaying the peace sign with their cold cheeks pressed together and their lips pursed. Katie snaps the photo and then they check it out.
"Perfect!" Ceci beams and Katie returns it while touching her arm. Ceci happily dies inside a little and she loves their physical closeness.
"How do we know her? Is she a friend of ours?"
Ceci giggles. "Hey, one question at a time, Katie!"
"Sorry...I'm just antsy to know! That is, if you want to tell me."
They're currently heading to the apartment Ceci shares with her abuela and Elena, where it's hopefully empty.
"I'm gonna make you keep guessing."
Katie groans. "So, we're aware of who she is. Did we get introduced to her?"
"Kind of. I mean...she was shy until everyone got to know her." Ceci unlocks her front door and they go inside her home. It's quiet and she's glad. "One sec, okay?"
"Mm-hm."
After heating up the place, Ceci changes into her favorite blue button-up blouse with millions of rainbow colors speckled all over it like splashes of paint. It matches well with her mint green shorts. She puts in small dangly silver earrings to dress up her outfit a little.
"Is she in our circle, you know, the Fab Ten?" Katie asks when Ceci rejoins her in the foyer. "Oh, that's a cute look!"
"Um...yes." Ceci's heart pounds in her chest as they get closer to her bedroom. "Gracias."
"Welcome. How long have you had feelings for her?"
"I'd say since a few weeks ago."
They sit on top of Ceci's bed and Katie closes the door marked Warning: No Stupid People Beyond This Point behind them. The short brunette gasps. "I'm on question fourteen, but I've just figured out that you're my secret admirer!"
Ceci wrinkles her nose. "I'm sorry if that freaks you out."
"It doesn't, honestly. A crush is just that, a crush, nothing more. You forgot my pink highlights and my Goth obsession, though," Katie adds playfully.
"I didn't want you to automatically know! You probably don't think of me that way, and that's fine."
"We can see how we like each other, okay?"
"That sounds perfect."
Ceci runs her fingers through Katie's hair and Katie leans her cheek into Ceci's hand as their faces come close together. Their lips touch a few times and Ceci pulls back. It just isn't enough for her. "Anything?"
"Put your whole body into it," Katie suggests.
Ceci wraps her arms around Katie and they sink into the pillows while making out. Sparks are flying and they're moaning softly. They can't seem to stop. After a while, they come up for air.
"How was that?" Ceci asks.
"Fantastic!"
"What'll it be tonight?" Sophia asks as Elena and Gloria both walk through the salon door which has a sign that reads Vanity Hair in red all caps and by Sophia in cursive white writing.
"I'll have mine in tight ringlets like Shirley Temple, por favor," Elena responds with a smile.
Gloria hugs the hairdresser and then she and Elena sit down by the door where the magazines full of various hairstyles are. "She's got a hot date at seven-thirty."
"Mom!" Elena giggles. "Es sólo un baile."
It's only a dance.
"Only a dance? That's not what you called it earlier," Gloria teases her. "¡Dijiste que era una cita!"
You said it was a date!
Sophia nods at them, beaming. She gestures to a chair and Elena sits in front of a mirror. "Honey, you're lucky, I don't like last minute appointments since we're usually packed as hell, but since I'm friends with your mother, I made sure to take you. I couldn't let Danita screw up again...you should've seen what she done to that poor little Tricia's braids! Makin' that kid look like Ursula for twenty-one whole days! Cindy tried to help, but not even she could get that mess fixed. Customers don't come after six too often anyway; all the girls and women you know have gotten their cuts or styles here today before you."
"Oh, well thanks!" Elena tells her pleasantly.
"No problem." Sophia lays a hair cloth over Elena, ties it behind her neck, fluffs out her waves and begins using a curling iron on it. "I should be done beautifying those gorgeous locks of yours in about a half hour!"
"Yay!"
"Elena!" She turns to see her mom with a camera. "¡Sonrisa!"
Smile!
She does, and Gloria snaps the photo. "I'll take one after, too!"
"Awesome!"
After coating her body with sweet-smelling lotion, Flaca puts on her new red and white polka dot dress with spaghetti straps and twirls in the mirror. She adds a fashionable black, lacy headband, gold hoop earrings that say bonita, and a black and red beaded necklace to her ensemble. As soon as she applies reddish-purple lipstick and touches up her eyeliner, the doorbell rings and she quickly answers it while throwing on her black suede backpack purse. She's relieved that she's home alone due to the fact that Theresa is already out with Yuri and her younger brothers are on a double date with Allie and Sara; they're going bowling. She's elated that Maritza has arrived at last, wearing a strapless black dress and a purse over her shoulder. She's carrying a heavy neon purple jacket. Her large silver hoops, chunky matching necklace, and completely straightened hair, complete her hot look.
"Hola, babe," Flaca murmurs, taking Maritza's hands in hers.
"Hey, perfect match!"
"How are ya?"
"I'm as happy as a clam! That is, until it turns into clam chowder..."
Flaca cackles at Maritza's answer; then the shorter girl joins in. "Oh, I can't get enough of you!"
"Me neither! You're beautiful, but no shocker there! It even says it on your earrings! Te ves bien en cualquier cosa," Maritza compliments her, and she beams proudly.
You look good in anything.
"You always look great, too." Flaca pecks Maritza on the lips, but soon, their tongues are tangling. She has Maritza pressed up against the wall as they make out. Then she lifts her pipsqueak of a girlfriend. Maritza giggles while she wraps her arms around Flaca's neck as they kiss.
Thank you for reviewing, Juliette45 and MsSchneeheide!