Happy Valentine's Day! Or Galentine's :)
"She's just someone to look up to!" Maritza insists as she opens a bag of Hot Cheetos and shoves some into her mouth.
"You gave her a nickname. That means you like her!" Daya points out, stealing a couple of the spicy cheese sticks and aiming them at Maritza. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, it's like Flaca's thing with Salmita!"
"Rosita ain't my celeb crush, 'cause that would be weird, she resembles my mom, ay, come on!" Maritza scoffs and waves off the crazy thought. "The ita is just there to show affection. I know it's your birthday, Daya, but bitch, your ass is weird."
"Yeah, that would be like you thinking Justina Machado is hot, ya know, 'cause she looks like your ma!" Flaca agrees. She tears apart a package of Takis and starts munching on them.
"Oh, god! Never!" Daya mutters. "I mean, she's pretty and all, but I wouldn't say sexy..."
"Yep! I just think of Rosario Dawson as like, a role model, or something. It's the same with JLo. I admire them, and that's all there is to it."
"True that, homes!" Flaca says. "So, shall the games commence?"
Daya looks out at all of her dancing guests and nestles into Adarsh on the brown leather couch. "I suppose so! Everyone's here now!" It's a wild party; couples are grinding against each other and everyone is shouting and cheering over the music. At least there isn't an upstairs for people to have unprotected sex or anything. Maritza is happy that Darius is just acting like a friend to her and nothing more. He'd been her first time, she has a special place in her heart for him, but she's not in love with him or anything, nor is he into her at all.
Flaca purses her lips and shakes her head in disappointment. "Of course Ian's the last one to arrive!" Maritza quickly hides her face and ducks into the kitchen before he can see her. She can't stay here. She's aware he won't say anything since he wouldn't expose himself, but she just can't stand his face.
"How you managed to fit thirty-six teens in this one tiny apartment is beyond me," she comments, kneeling down to the floor and giving little Eva a hug. Aleida's also on the ground, tickling baby Lucy, making her giggle cutely.
"Yeah, well, we don't got enough money to have Daya's party anyplace else. We used a lot of it for her quinces, and we'll try scrimpin' up some more when she turns eighteen. Hopefully by twenty-one, she can pay for a big fiesta herself," Aleida mutters. "Yo, Eva, where Barbies come from?"
"The store."
"Where can you find money?"
"Not on trees!"
"Good job!" Aleida turns to Maritza. "So, why the fuck you in here instead of shakin' your booty in the living room?"
Maritza rolls Eva's purple and blue ball to her and faces Aleida. "You know Flaca's novio, Ian?"
"Sí...¿por qué?"
"Nos hemos visto antes. No me conoce como Maritza, pero una vez, en este callejón, se aprovechó de mí. No me siento cómoda estando cerca de él."
We've seen each other before. He doesn't know me as Maritza, but one time, in this, like, back alley, he kinda took advantage of me. I'm not comfortable being around him.
"This motherfucker raped you?" Aleida hisses. She starts to get up. "Hold on, I'mma get Leon, he's building blocks with Christina and Emiliano-"
"No, no...it's how I was dressed, he thought I was a puta and gave me money," Maritza whispers. "I can't report him, he'll say I'm a whore..."
"Pero, you ain't..."
"Aleida, por favor, never mind. Telling the cops this kinda shit will do more harm than good. I'll be the one locked up, not him."
"That's what happened to me. Alright, I won't say nothin', but me and Leon are gonna watch him good. We'll take turns, 'cause one of us gotta make sure the kids don't get into shit like flushing scuba-diving Barbies down the toilet." She gives Eva a pointed stare.
"Gracias."
"De nada."
"Mari, come on, you're missing Spin the Bottle!"
She jumps slightly at Daisy's voice. "Oh, we're doing that?" she asks as she waves goodbye to Aleida and goes into the party room. "¿Con todas las parejas?"
with all the couples?
"Yeah, but couples don't include themselves in the actual game! It's just for singles. We can have our fun while the pairs are making out and also judging us, like which two have the best chemistry when matched up."
"Oh, cool!"
Many of the teenagers are sitting in a circle already with an empty Coke bottle in the center of it. Daya and Adarsh, Poussey and Franziska, Maria and Yadriel, and Flaca and Ian all are seated on the couch, watching while wolfing down Hot Cheetos and Takis and drinking soda. It's so awkward seeing those last two so close together and kissing. Maritza wants to gag. She wishes she could knock Ian's teeth out and get him the hell away from Flaca. When he's not smooching Flaca or looking at her at all, he's staring at Maritza with a disgusting hungry expression on his face. She takes a spot in the middle of Elena and Daisy and tries to ignore that asshole.
"Okay, me first, since I'm the birthday girl's best friend," Claire announces. She beams at Paolo, who everyone knows she likes, and gives the bottle a twirl. To her delight, it lands on Paolo and they both stand up to kiss. They're very good, and it goes on like that.
Janae and Three-D. She says he's better than her criminal ex, Donte.
Taystee and Clarence. He comments that Taystee is a nice change from old-ass Angie, who is twenty-something and racist.
Pidge and Little Frank. Alana and Richie. Ouija and Taystee's foster brother's friend Trance. Sirena and Maria's cousin Alonso. Baxter Bayley and Jessica. Daisy and Darius. Cat and Willy.
Ceci and Yusef Miremadi, who mentions he's glad to be cancer-free so he could finally participate in fun activities like this. Stephanie and Jason. Then, Katie gets Elena. They just laugh it off and insist they're both straight, but it was fun.
It's down to Maritza now, and she reaches for the bottle, about to spin it, but Flaca squeezes in between her and a giggling Elena.
"What you doin', girl, ain't you with...Ian?" Maritza chokes out his name.
"Yeah, but remember...a kiss is just that. It don't gotta be romantic! I'm goin' after you."
"Okay, sounds good!"
Maritza takes her turn and the bottle quickly goes round and round until it slows to a stop just a few inches to her left, in front of...Flaca. They giggle awkwardly as they face each other.
Taystee beams at them. "Y'all gotta practice anyway, right?"
"Yeah, so, um..." Flaca starts to say.
"Should we stand and do it, like everyone else did?" Maritza asks.
"Sure."
"Why are you even playing, you're my girlfriend!" Ian protests. Maritza cringes just hearing him.
"Ay, cállate, cabrón," Flaca mutters, and she and Maritza go to the middle of the group. They start off by holding each other's arms and then lean in for a quick peck. After their lips connect, they break apart and stare into one another's eyes.
"That was so not long enough," Maritza whispers.
Flaca snickers. "I agree, fuckin' cheap as hell." This time, she bends down and molds her mouth on Maritza's.
They're making out with tongue this time, trying to get in character for the play, but for some reason, Maritza doesn't want it to end and it seems like Flaca feels the same way. The crowd around them is hooting and hollering while clapping wildly. Slowly, the two girls stop and Flaca rests her forehead against Maritza's. They're both smiling and chuckling. A giddy feeling spreads through Maritza's whole body. It's something she's never felt for another chick before. Or anyone, in fact. She's so shocked that she's rendered speechless.
"Whoa..." Flaca mumbles, her eyes wide.
"Wow..." Maritza says breathlessly.
"Damn, eres una buena besadora," Flaca compliments her.
You're a good kisser
"¡Podría decir lo mismo de ti!" Maritza exclaims.
I could say the same for you!
"That was one good kiss!" Daya points out.
"Yeah!" the others chime in.
"Gracias!" Flaca and Maritza respond in unison.
Ian winks at them and Maritza shudders while turning away. "How about a threesome, ladies?"
Flaca gives him the finger. "Ew, when hell freezes over!"
"Y-yeah," Maritza stutters. "Maybe go die."
"You alright, chica?" Flaca wonders out loud, probably sensing Maritza's distress.
"Mm-hm, I'm fine." She quickly composes herself and they sit back down.
Soon after the game, everyone sings happy birthday to Daya as Aleida and Leon both set the chocolate cake with vanilla frosting down on the living room table. ¡Felíz Cumpleaños, Daya! is written in hot pink icing with blue and yellow roses surrounding it. It's a lovely design and looks much too pretty to eat, but after Daya blows out her seventeen candles, they all chow down. When they finish dessert, Daya begins to open her presents. There's a pretty necklace from her boyfriend, some cute clothes from a lot of the girls, including Flaca and Maritza of course, and she also received gift cards to various stores she likes to shop at. She'd gotten a coupon for the spa from her mom so they could both go, stuffed unicorns courtesy of her kid siblings-which she fondly named The Rarities, and Leon had given her comic books. She hugs all of the attendees and thanks them profusely. The night had gone by so fast and it was lots of fun. Maritza has almost forgotten about the creep being here, thanks to all of her friends being by her side.
Long after the huge party is over, Maritza can still feel Flaca's lips on hers and the wonderful sensation that vibrated through every part of her afterward. It was almost like Maritza had willed the bottle to point in Flaca's direction. She was staring at it so intensely that her eyes were burning. Daya is having them, Maria, Claire, Elena, Ceci, Taystee, Poussey, and Katie sleep over. The others had gone home around nine, and they're having somewhat of a Rosario Dawson movie marathon-watching Light it Up, and then Kids. The girls are all snuggled into each other on the couch, with Maritza laying on her side across Flaca's and Daya's laps. She hums and lets out a happy sigh. Flaca's absentmindedly stroking her hair. She's always been an affectionate kind of person with her friends, but it still makes Maritza smile. She's not sure if it's because she's never really experienced a girl her age doing this to her, or she just likes friendly touches in general. For some reason, it's different than her mom combing her fingers through her locks.
The credits for their last movie scroll up the screen and then Daya turns it off. "Okay, girls, gossip time! So, I didn't invite Tamika because she's a bitch. She attacked me once! Sorry, Taystee, but your girl's gotta chill. Just because her mom dated Cesar once and I got him in jail, don't mean she gotta take a strike at me. Also, she is horrible at her job. She gets high!"
"I do, too, and it's after work, like late at night with no customers." Daya rolls her eyes at Taystee's statement. "Hey, Josie was heartbroken by him. She still loves him, and she told Tamika that, and Tamika feels like you ruined her chance at having a real father. Now the motherfucker's in jail, and even though it was just for one night, Tamika's mama don't date criminals," Taystee informs Daya.
"Oh, but she can't blame me," Daya snaps. "Cesar rams himself into any female ass he comes across!" Her voice drops to a whisper. "He got Margarita pregnant when Ma got arrested. Leon got her off, of course..." Maritza and Flaca hit each other lightly while snickering. "I mean, he hired a damn good lawyer, I don't talk dirty!" Daya protests. "Get y'all's minds outta the gutter." She turns back to Taystee. "The only reason I got him behind bars was 'cause he was sellin' heroin in the kitchen with kids around!"
"So does my foster mom Vee, she was a connect when I met her. I was eleven and I thought she was an awful person, but it turns out, she's actually a nice lady." Maritza resists rolling her eyes at this, and she suddenly freezes, hoping Taystee has never noticed her around Vee.
Daya ignores Taystee. "He was damn crazy, he had a gun in the drawer, too...never really used it on us, but he threatened to blow my brains out if I didn't eat cold fries. He was supposed to stay in there for ten years, but of course, his attorney was as good as my mom's."
The girls' eyes widen with fright. "Ain't you afraid he'll retaliate?" Maritza asks, suddenly feeling sorry for Daya.
Daya shakes her head. "Nah, we got Leon to protect us...and security cameras all around."
"That's still scary as fuck that he's out there. Can't you get him deported like my uncle was?" Flaca wants to know.
"Nah. He's Puerto Rican like us, so a United States citizen."
"Damn," Claire mutters, folding her arms across her chest.
"It's okay, though. Um, I know how to use a gun safely." They stare at Daya in bewilderment, but Maria looks unsurprised. "Seriously, I do! Ever since those girls went missing...Maria, Ouija, Pidge, Zirconia, and I practice shooting at a range. We gotta protect ourselves, ya know?"
"That's true. My man Yadriel also taught us with targets in an open field one time," Maria puts in. "Don't tell Sirena, it'd freak her out big time."
"So, you guys are like gang members, but the nice kind?" Elena asks.
"Pretty much," Daya responds. "We protect each other and our loved ones."
"Too bad y'all only got Blanca and Red to spike the racists' food with hot sauce this week, you could've used real sharp knives or a Glock on 'em!" Ceci states.
"Dark," Poussey comments.
"Nah, but they'd so deserve it!" Maritza exclaims. "They bullied my girl, they tried to physically assault me. Come on...tell me there isn't anybody in this room who would love to see a villain get taken out." She only wishes she could've used a lethal weapon on Dean.
"Yeah, by me punching and kicking them, but I can't imagine myself actually killing somebody," Katie murmurs. "My sister did once...she choked him to death with her bare hands, she was defending herself against this violent asshole Aydin...and she had help, this woman named Lolly from a nearby mental hospital broke free, kicked Aydin off of her, and he was knocked out cold."
Flaca gasps happily and claps her hands. "Wow, badass!"
"Mm-hm, for sure," Maritza agrees. "Do your mom and dad know?"
Katie nods. "She told 'em out of guilt, like she was confessing to some heinous crime...which it is, but this scumbag got what was comin' to him."
"I would've been dancing for joy," Daya mutters.
"Me, too," Maria chimes in.
Ceci chuckles. "It was fun when the bigots were all shrieking about their comida being too spicy, though. It wasn't illegal neither!"
"Of course, but they'll keep being nasty," Elena points out.
"They should get suspended," Claire grumbles.
"Damn right," Katie concurs.
"Yo, but let's talk a lighter subject! Like...Franzi and I were hella good as Maureen and Joanne. Berdie said so!" Poussey reports.
"No shocker there!" Taystee says. "You both got pipes, girl."
Poussey beams at her. "Thanks, so do you."
"We do as well!" Flaca tells them while gesturing to herself and Maritza.
"Yeah, and we made our case to Berdie, ya know, about letting us both be in the play, and she was hella cool with it! She's honestly the best director since...ever," Maritza puts in.
"Well, she's the drama teacher, she's gotta be," Claire points out.
"Nah, she doesn't allow everything like you'd think. I heard that six years ago, she once stopped this wacky girl from writing space porn." Taystee cackles. "They called her Crazy Eyes, but her real name is Suzanne! I cannot believe she's older than us...she's twenty-four, but acts like a child. She just loves Vee, who's her mentor. I feel for her sometimes, but her story was horrible!"
"That shit was honestly so erotic!" Poussey admits. "She read it to us at Super Emporium where she works. She doesn't handle being rejected well, but she's apparently Employee of the Month at her job. She's probably autistic and they pity her."
"Yeah, that makes sense, Ma said she used to hit her own head and be obsessed with Piper," Daya mumbles. "She was a laughingstock and got stage fright easily."
What kind of idiot would love Vee? She's a maniac, Maritza thinks to herself. "That's too bad. So, anyway, when we talked to Berdie, she asked us what we'll call Roger if he's gonna be non-binary instead."
Flaca scoffs. "She also mentioned character erasure, like we're getting rid of this fictional person. I was like, who cares, he, they, whatever, is not even real, Mari and I just wanna be in the play together and sing..."
Katie smirks. "A very romantic song, I might add, lesbi-honest."
"We're not lesbians!" Maritza and Flaca shout in unison.
"Bitches, please, y'all act mad gay with each other quite often," Poussey retorts.
Maritza sits up more. "We do not!" She's aware she's blushing and she does her best to hide it.
"Yeah, we're just besties," Flaca insists.
"There's a rainbow in the sky, all the time...don't be blind," Taystee sings and everyone's giggling except Flaca and Maritza, who are rolling their eyes.
"Shut up!" they exclaim at the same time and then hook pinky fingers. "Jinx!"
"So, what did Berdie decide?" Elena asks after they all calm down from their hysterical laughter.
"She said we had 'til Monday to think of a unisex name that starts with an R-O, and she would consider it, which probably means yes!" Maritza squeals. Her face falls. "Pero...we got nada."
"You could go with Ronnie," Ceci suggests.
"Too Ronald McDonald or Veronica from the Archie Comics," Flaca complains.
"I'm with you there," Maritza agrees.
"Rory?" Daya offers.
"Too Gilmore Girls, I don't wanna feel like I'm ripping it off," Flaca says, and Maritza nods in agreement.
"How about...Robyn?" Elena asks.
"Robin Hood?" Maritza wrinkles her nose. "Nah, pero gracias. I know he gave to the poor, but it's spelled two different ways, and the I means a dude, while the Y is reserved for chicks in most cases. Too bad we can't use Nicky."
"Or Alex," Katie mumbles.
Flaca purses her lips and points at them. "You're right."
"I know! Rosario!" Maritza exclaims. "That would be hilarious, yo...me always calling you Rosario..."
"She's a real person, Mari, we can't just...steal her name!"
Maritza deflates. "I'm out of ideas...and I'm a huge fan of her. We'll think on it."
"That's fine with me."
"So, ladies, guess what?" Maritza doesn't give them a chance to respond. "I was spying on my mami and Diablo makin' out in the kitchen since I wanted to see if he was good to her during a moment of passion!"
"Ooh, la, la, I bet he is!" Flaca says cheerfully. "Blanciablo's like, the cutest new adult couple I've seen...I thought they were together at Thanksgiving, to be perfectly honest with you."
"Yeah, he's great with her." Maritza smiles. "You combined their names, though, really?"
"Yep!"
"Genius! Up top, girlfriend," Maritza says, holding up her hand with her palm facing forward. Flaca slaps it.
"Hooray for them!" Elena comments and the others murmur in concurrence.
"What movie did y'all watch as a fam-bam?" Daya asks. "Us Diazes and Leon saw It Takes Two last night."
"Oh, what a cute film! Legend of Zorro, that's the film we played," Maritza replies.
"I love that one! Especially 'cause my mom is practically a spitting image of Catherine Z-J," Katie says, and they all share grins.
On Sunday evening, Maritza still can't get her mind off her kiss with Flaca. She's been in a dreamy state the whole day and sluggishly makes her way through the Indigo Club with Vee as they pretend to dance. The black woman seems to notice her being a little out of it, too.
"What's with you?" she asks gruffly.
"Oh...I was just wondering if I could have lady johns, too. I wanna know how it is to fuck a chick."
"Some women come here, yes...but you'd have to talk to Humps about your desires. This is a job, girlie. You don't always get what...or who...you want."
Maritza nods. "Yeah, I know. It's just...I think they maybe could be a lot more gentle, if you get what I'm sayin'?"
Vee guffaws and grabs her chin roughly. "Listen, you little whore. It doesn't always work that way."
Her shoulders sag. "Okay."
After getting dressed, she meets up with Nicky, Shani, Michelle, and Brook in the large room with the piano. Brook and Michelle are playing it this time with Nicky and Shani swaying together from side to side, their arms wrapped around each other in a loving embrace. It would be so romantic if it wasn't in such a sleazy establishment. All the courtesans are dressed in cocktail party attire with makeup, jewelry, and strappy high heels on their feet and much of their cleavage and lots of leg showing. Their nails are done and their hair is down and straight. Maritza is wearing a strapless magenta evening gown with a slit down the side of it. She doesn't have a bra or underwear on, so even though she's covered pretty much, she still feels exposed.
"At least they let me wear my favorite color...dark blue," Nicky mutters. She and Shani embrace Maritza while Michelle and Brook politely wave hello to her. Maritza returns their friendly gestures.
"Well, you do look nice," Maritza compliments her. "So do you, Shani, and you too, Brook and Michelle," she adds in a whisper.
Nicky grins. "Thanks, Yess. Does white suit my lady or what?"
Shani poses as if someone is taking her photo and blows the ceiling a kiss. "I think of this as only wearing it for my sweetheart."
"It's totally your color," Maritza assures her.
"Thank you!"
"They always have me in the schoolgirl plaid outfits, it's highly annoying," Brook complains. "At least I got to skip the pigtails, the blouse with puffy sleeves, white tights, and Mary Janes this time."
Maritza purses her lips and shakes her head. "Sorry. You must feel like a cartoon character or somethin'."
"I do."
"They let me use someone's old yellow prom dress that they found in a used clothes store. It's the first time I've felt elegant in a while," Michelle says.
"Same," the others agree.
Maritza frowns. "I wonder why they're not making me be a maid. Is there a catch?"
"It's dinner party night," Nicky informs her. "Speaking of which, how was your Thanksgiving?"
"Oh...they gave food at the homeless shelter I was staying in," Maritza lies. It's not a complete fib though, but she probably had more fun on the holiday than they did and she wants to downplay it to make them feel better.
"That's kind of them...though I didn't know you and your family lost your house, I'm sorry." Shani puts her hand to her heart and gazes at Maritza in compassion.
"Yeah...but hopefully, it won't be for too long, 'cause Mami and I are rakin' in serious dough. I'm doin' this and she's a waitress, a cook at a high school, and a home nurse for a white vieja."
"Neat! What's that?" Brook asks.
"Old lady in Spanish. Problem is, the bitch is cranky...but Mami needs the money. Also...she constantly flirts with the gardener, so it's not too lousy, I guess. She takes full advantage of public showers and all that." Maritza sighs. "What'd y'all do on turkey day?"
"Vee had some of her people cook us up a special meal. By that, I mean her foster kids, or whatever. The bitch got a whole gang of 'em, but she's the biggest druggie out of them all. I can tell," Michelle informs her in a hushed voice. "She acts like their mama, but she ain't. Not really."
"Do y'all know them? Seen 'em around someplace?"
They shake their heads no. "They go out in the public, why would Vee expose herself like that?" Shani mutters.
"Who do they think they're making food for, if not prostitutes?"
"Poverty-stricken people and the homeless," Brook says.
"Oh, jeez, okay."
"Well, we skipped part of the dinner," Nicky murmurs, gesturing between herself and Shani. "We almost went to some big mansion where Red was eating at."
"Who?" Maritza glances around frantically. "You what?" she asks in shock. She wishes they'd come inside, but then again, she would've had to hide herself or quickly pretend that she had a twin out there named Yessica who she didn't know about and then explain things to the two slightly older women later.
"My mother figure, I call her Red 'cause of her hair and lipstick and nails...you get it."
"Yeah, and we wanted to go in, but nobody in there remembers me from when I was little and Nicky felt like Red would be too ashamed to even look at her and she slipped away from everyone else's memories, so we chickened out," Shani explains further.
"Ohhh...that's so sad. That's even more depressing than The Smiths' music," Maritza tells them. Her heart shatters for the couple. "How do you know nobody missed you chicas?"
Nicky gives her a firm stare and folds her arms across her chest. "We just do. I've gotten good at kicking people out of my life who don't care about me or gave up on me. Now can we please change the subject?"
"Sure. I know Daddy's a female john, but have any of you...ever had a lady client? Or do they make you only fuck creepy men?"
"Good question. Yeah, there's been sugar mamas. These rich lesbians or bi women come in here for a good time...most of 'em are quite lovely, too," Michelle reports. "I don't mind at all. In fact, I just had one last night." She smirks, bites her bottom lip, and chews on it. "Tall glass of water, gigantic soft breasts, tattooed, thin, black hair with blue highlights and glasses...god damn, she was hot. Best sex I ever had. She gave me enough money to buy a house, bust outta here, and find her, but I doubt I'll ever see her again. I think her name was Alex Vause, since she said dirty stuff like, 'I'm Alex Vause, I'm your boss, and I'm gonna smear your lip gloss'." Michelle giggles while blushing and fanning herself. "It was kind of a mad gay Pretty Woman situation. She wouldn't stop running her hands over my curves...mmm-mmm-mmm. She said she was thirty-three, as in eight years older than me, but I didn't buy it, not for a second! We had also met before that, at Hot Topic where she had a small job. Our eyes met and we clicked right away! We chatted a bit about rock bands we were both into, and then exchanged numbers. Later, we went out on a date to get to know each other even more! She seemed so cool, and I told her about my job, and she said she'd come and see me here. She did come...in more ways than one! She's amazing."
Maritza's jaw drops. She's lucky she hadn't been there when Alex was. "Yo, for real?"
"I don't joke about voluptuous ladies who give me hella good orgasms along with a heavy sum of cash." Michelle winks at her. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason, I'm just stunned that someone here actually had a good time and didn't feel raped."
"Oh, thank fuck Alex didn't see me or Shani!" Nicky exclaims. "We had a one night stand before Shani came in the picture. That wasn't when I worked as a slut, though."
"Yeah, Nicky and I stick to men so we don't feel like we're cheating, even if it is just a career," Shani murmurs. "Although, we have had this lady cop named CO Enders, we just do her together. Our pimps love it."
"Sometimes, though, it's not always that great to bang women. This fucking huge butch with a million tattoos and cropped hair to her ears...she sauntered in and demanded to have her way with me," Brook grumbles. "She completely squashed me! I could barely breathe. She called herself Big Boo."
"Well, she sounds terrible, I'm sorry," Maritza says sympathetically. "I've totally been in your position, but with a dude. Pero, wow, Michelle, I'm happy for you."
Michelle grins. "Gracias."
"So, how come you were wondering about this? Did you want to bone a chick who pays for this service?" Nicky asks. "Or someone on the outside...?" She trails off, her expression smug. Maritza stares down at her feet as her cheeks flush. "What is it, Yessie? I can smell sapphic vibes from miles away, so don't shy away from the truth. You're a baby dyke, I knew it!"
"Okay, I'm questioning my sexuality!" Maritza admits. "I wanted to experience...being with a woman...in a...a sexual way. I'm not too sure what I am yet...and I don't wanna mess up a good friendship. So, the only way to tell...is to try it out in here. Like, with someone I don't know."
"What happened?" Shani wonders aloud. "You have feelings for a girl you're close to at the shelter or...?"
"I don't know." Maritza sighs. "It's like this, okay...see, these homeless men spent a few nights there and a bunch of us played Spin the Bottle, right? She and I got each other and then we kissed and made out, and suddenly, sparks flew like I ain't never experienced before. Not even with a guy!"
"Oh, wow!" Brook exclaims, smiling lightly. Michelle wolf-whistles. Nicky and Shani exchange sly glances. "Maybe you could propose a friends with benefits thing and play it off as a joke if she thinks it's dumb?"
"Sí, pero I don't feel comfortable sayin' nothin' 'til she does. I like sitting in her lap, too, and when she calls me M-" Maritza stops herself short and clears her throat. "Yessie...and when she strokes my hair or my face, it's like she's caressing me or somethin'. Like you two do all the time." She points at Nicky and Shani, waving her finger between them. "She's also kinda touchy-feely, so I got no idea. You know that movie and play Rent?" Her fellow sex workers nod. "We're acting it out at the place, like, just for fun...and we sang 'Light My Candle' and folks there said we got chemistry...even though we ain't even a couple. She said I really did have the best ass out of our group and that I should win a booty-shaking contest! It was like, one of the most awesome things she could've told me, 'cause I been down about my looks lately, bein' homeless and all. Y'all ain't never seen me without makeup, but she has. She says I'm still pretty."
"Well, my tiny friend, after hearing your rant, sounds to me like you're in love with this chick," Shani murmurs.
"Oh yeah, for sure!" Nicky agrees, and so do the others. "Just make sure she's anything but straight...because those kinds of girls can screw you, but not in the way you'd like. Trust me. I know all about that species."
"Yeah, like some bitches can just be gay for the stay if you're in a women's shelter," Michelle comments.
"We're not in prison! I know she has a boyfriend, but they don't seem that happy." Maritza shrugs. "Pero...what the hell do I know, right? She could be having dreams about me every night...or just into some other hombre since he cheats on her."
Shani pats her shoulder fondly. "I wish you lots of luck with this."
"Mm-hm," Nicky, Brook, and Michelle concur. "I hope it works out," Nicky adds.
Maritza smiles brightly, although she's still unsure of her emotions when it comes to Flaca. "Thanks, girls!"
"Hey, it's awesome that you're singing. My gals here can, too, but not me," Michelle states.
Maritza grins and looks at the others. "Okay, go ahead, chicas!"
Nicky takes a deep breath. "My mom and dad think I'm an eyesooooore, that's probably why I became a whooooore...and I'm addicted to smack, I ain't lookin' back...annnnnyyyymoooooooore!"
"Baby, you'll always be the one that I adoooooore..." Shani joins in.
"I hope I find real love before I'm twenty-foooooour!" Brook belts out.
"Yay, y'all have such perfect pitch!" Maritza squeals, clapping.
"Thanks!"
"Okay, my turn to show off my vocal talents!" She recites some lyrics from 'MacArthur Park' and they applaud her softly.
"You've got a great voice, too, chickadee," Nicky compliments her.
"Yeah," the rest of them agree in unison.
Maritza curtsies and grins proudly. "Thank you."
Thank you for reading and reviewing, MsSchneehiede, A Star In My Universe, Juliette45, and VeraRose19!