West Side Story AU:
Prologue: Something's Coming Pt. 1 (Tony)
Tony laid on his bed, staring up through the grate above, knowing sleep wouldn't come. Like most nights, sleep was a luxury he hadn't experience since before prison… since before that horrible night. Shuddering at the memory, Tony rolled over trying to find even the tiniest bit of comfort. The only time Tony felt he could even breathe was when Valentina was here. Something about her presence made Tony feel grounded… like he mattered again.
Valentina always had that effect, especially when Doc was still alive. Tony could remember being a young kid, going into Doc's to swipe candy with Riff. Just as he was about to run, he saw Valentina staring down at him from the latter on the back wall. Tony was used to looks of disregard and anger. But Valentina had neither, she looked at him with disappointment… like she knew he was better than that. While Riff took off, Tony dropped the candy back and said two words he never said before, "I'm sorry". After that day, Valentina looked the boy with the smallest of smiles and an expression he could never name. She still had the expression even after being arrested and sent away for a year. When he came back, he had no idea what to say to her. Luckily, she beat him to it and said, "You start tomorrow, 9am. Put your stuff downstairs, and get some sleep. You've got inventory tomorrow."
Tony was never more grateful for having Valentina. If not for her, he wouldn't have a job, place to sleep, and especially a purpose. The day Valentina took him in was also the day he swore he would never again be who he was with the Jets. Even if it meant losing the only family he ever knew, he wouldn't lose himself in them and their hatred of everyone that wasn't them.
As Tony finally began to feel sleep coming, he looked up at the moon and suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. It was a sensation he never felt, nor knew why it came so suddenly. All Tony could do was hope this feeling wasn't an omen for trouble. As far as he was concerned, he was done with trouble. But was it done with him?
Prologue: Something's Coming Pt. 2 (Maria)
Maria sat upon her windowsill watching the clouds pass over the moon. She thought it was funny how the moon could still look the same in New York as it had in San Juan. After one month in America, nothing felt like it did back home. When Maria first stepped of the ship and was greeted by Bernardo and Anita, she thought this would be the beginning of her life as a young lady of America. Bernardo was quick to inform her that American, they were not; nor would they ever be.
Maria couldn't understand how the Land of Opportunity was filled with such hatred, as Bernardo described. Him and his friends, the Sharks, kept the neighborhood safe from the Gringos that always bothered them. But Maria couldn't see why Bernardo and the sharks must always fight. It was one thing if it was in the boxing ring; Bernardo was the best. But whenever he fought in the street, he would come home bloody and with more anger than before. If only he could see that it didn't have to be this way.
It didn't matter, though; he never listened to her. Even though she was 18 now, had a job, and her own money, he still treated her like the little kid who needed her hermano to protect her from the world. Not even taking care of Papa for five years without anyone could convince Bernardo to treat her like an adult. Regardless, Maria was determined to make her way in this new world. While other in the neighborhood hung on to Bernardo's every word as gold, she could not be bullied by him. She would think for herself, like the other ladies in America.
Before turning from the moon with thoughts of sleep, Maria's heart suddenly twitched; like it skipped. It felt strange, unsettling, and… strangely thrilling all at once. She didn't know why, but something told her it meant something. But what?
***This is my first story. Please forgive any errors and give your honest opinion. There will be more chapters, already written, to come.