Chapter Twelve

Flaca glanced at Maritza, her brow furrowed as she observed the way Maritza's fingers fidgeted, a slight tremor betraying the calm she tried to project. "You okay?" she asked, her voice gentle yet probing.

Maritza forced a smile, but her eyes darted away, unable to meet Flaca's gaze. "Yeah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. A moment of silence stretched between them before she added, "Do you wanna go for a walk to the park?"

Flaca's lips curled into a reassuring grin, her own eyes sparkling with warmth. "I'd go anywhere with you," she replied, stepping closer, ready to share the comfort of the open air and the promise of brighter moments ahead.

Later, Flaca and Maritza strolled through the park, fingers intertwined, the sun casting a warm glow over their playful banter. Flaca's brow furrowed slightly as she noticed the way Maritza's foot tapped against the ground, the nervous energy radiating from her like a hummingbird's wings. "What's with you? You're all fidgety."

Maritza's lips pressed together, and she glanced away, a hint of blush creeping up her cheeks. "Sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Flaca squeezed her hand tighter, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "You okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Maritza paused, her heart racing as she scanned the park around them—a world of laughter and blooming flowers, yet her focus narrowed on the moment she had envisioned countless times. "I was trying to find a perfect moment, but now is a good time as any," she declared, dropping to one knee, the grass cool beneath her.

"Oh my God," Flaca gasped, eyes wide with surprise, a hand flying to her mouth as she processed what was unfolding before her.

Maritza took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she reached for Flaca's hand, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions. "Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales," she began, her gaze locked onto Flaca's. "We've known each other since we were kids. You borrowed my shovel and stole my heart." A radiant smile spread across Flaca's face, her cheeks flushing with affection. "I never thought I would be lucky enough to be your girlfriend and now I hope you would make me the happiest woman alive and be my wife." With trembling fingers, Maritza revealed the modest engagement ring, its simplicity a testament to the love they had built over the years. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes, of course I will marry you!" Flaca exclaimed, a wave of joy washing over her. The corners of Maritza's mouth curled up into a beaming smile, brighter than the sun itself, as she slid the ring onto Flaca's left ring finger. Standing up, the world around them faded as they lost themselves in a passionate kiss, Flaca's fingers tangled in Maritza's hair, while Maritza playfully tugged at Flaca's bottom lip. Flaca pulled back slightly, breathless.

"The ring ain't much, but I'll get you a better one once I save more money, I swear," Maritza stammered, a hint of insecurity creeping into her tone.

"What are you talking about?" Flaca replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. "I love my engagement ring."

"Really?" Maritza asked, her brow furrowing, uncertainty flickering across her face.

"Yeah," Flaca reassured her, pulling Maritza into a tight embrace, savoring the sweetness of the moment. She kissed Maritza deeply, her heart swelling with happiness. "I gotta get you a ring."

"No, you don't," Maritza replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. With a playful flourish, she revealed a colorful gumball ring, its bright hues shining with childlike joy.

Flaca chuckled, her laughter ringing out like music in the park. "It's a gumball ring!" she mused, shaking her head with affection as they both burst into giggles, their hearts full and their future bright. "Who should we tell first?" Flaca asked, her voice bubbling with excitement as she draped her arm around Maritza's shoulders, pulling her close.

Maritza's eyes sparkled with delight, a wide grin spreading across her face. "I want to shout it from the rooftops," she confessed, her heart racing at the thought of sharing their news with the world.

Flaca's laughter rang like music in the air. "We could do that," she teased, planting a playful kiss on Maritza's hair, the warmth of her affection enveloping them both. "Or we could post it on Facebook and Instagram, and be that obnoxious couple everyone hates."

Maritza burst into laughter, her joy infectious. "I love the way you think," she beamed, feeling a rush of happiness at the shared moment.

Maritza burst through the ornate double doors of the engagement party, her heels clacking against the polished floor as she stormed into the night. The faint laughter from inside faded, replaced by the rustling leaves and distant hum of traffic. Flaca, her heart racing, rushed after her, calling out into the cool evening air. "Maritza!" Her voice cut through the silence, a plea laced with concern.

Maritza paused, her shoulders slumping, and threw a frustrated glance over her shoulder. "Why do you keep showing off that cheap ass ring to everyone?" Maritza sighed, her eyes narrowing at the glint of the ring on Flaca's finger.

Flaca's brow furrowed. "Maybe because it's my engagement ring, Mari," she replied, a defensive edge creeping into her tone.

Maritza shook her head, a storm brewing in her eyes. "People are gonna fucking think I can't get you a good ring!" Her gaze dropped to the ground, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.

Flaca moved closer, her fingers gently lifting Maritza's chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Fuck them," she said firmly, a warmth radiating from her voice. "What matters is that I really love this ring, okay?"

"W-why?" Maritza stammered, confusion flickering across her face. Flaca nudged her playfully, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "Maybe because you gave it to me, tonta," Flaca winked, and slowly, a smile broke through the clouds of Maritza's expression.

"I can't wait to spend my life with you, Flaca," Maritza said, brushing her fingers gently against Flaca's cheek, a soft glow enveloping them in that intimate moment.

Flaca leaned in, capturing Maritza's lips in a tender kiss. "You know, if we're being technical, we've spent most of our lives together," she teased, her smile brightening the atmosphere.

"Okay, but now we got a piece of paper," Maritza insisted, her tone half-serious, half-giddy.

Flaca chuckled lightly. "There's that."

Maritza's expression shifted to a playful pout. "I guess we gotta go back."

"Since when have we followed the rules?" Flaca retorted, a glint of rebellion sparkling in her eyes.

"Wanna go back to our place?" Maritza asked, her excitement bubbling to the surface.

"Yes," Flaca replied, her grin infectious.

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through their moment. "Maritza?" Mrs. Ramos appeared, her tone crisp and demanding.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Flaca's protective instincts flared as she pulled Maritza closer.

"I wanted to speak to my daughter alone," Mrs. Ramos replied coolly.

Maritza scoffed, her defiance rising. "So now I'm your daughter?" she challenged. "Whatever you gotta say, you can say in front of my fiancée."

Mrs. Ramos sighed, her expression unreadable. "Fine," she conceded, and as tension swirled in the air, Flaca instinctively placed her hand on the small of Maritza's back, grounding them both amidst the uncertainty.