Chapter Two

Flaca pushed the door of the coffee shop open, the familiar jingle of the bell announcing her arrival. The warm aroma of roasted beans enveloped her as she scanned the bustling room, and then her gaze landed on him—Ian. Her breath caught, a flutter igniting in her chest. His hair was shorter than in the last Instagram post she had admired late at night, but his boyish charm still radiated from across the room. With each step toward him, her heart raced, and the chatter around her faded into a soft hum. She reached out, her fingertips brushing against his shoulder. "Hey," she said, her voice bright, a smile dancing on her lips.

"Hi," Ian replied, his brows knitting in mild confusion as he turned away to face her, processing her presence as if she were a puzzle piece he couldn't quite place.

Flaca's heart sank, the warmth of his smile cooling as she whispered, "You don't remember me?"

"I'm sorry," he said, the sincerity in his tone tinged with bewilderment. "Am I supposed to?"

A heavy sigh echoed in her mind, a reminder of Maritza's words that had clung to her all week. Her shoulders slumped slightly. "We went to East High," she replied, her voice steadying. "Marisol Gonzales. We were in the same homeroom."

"Oh. I was only there for a semester, so I don't recall," he admitted, his eyes drifting away, searching the room for something familiar.

Flaca bit down on her trembling bottom lip, a wave of disappointment washing over her. "Sorry to have bothered you," she said softly, her words almost lost in the café's noise.

But just as she turned to leave, she felt a gentle touch on her arm. "Wait," Ian said, his voice laced with urgency. "Do you want to have dinner sometime?"

Her heart skipped again, a mix of surprise and hope flooding through her. "You're asking me out even though you have no idea who I am," she replied, a teasing lilt in her tone.

"Yes," he nodded earnestly. "You could give me a refresher course on East High."

A smile unfurled on Flaca's lips, warmth spreading through her. "I'd like that."

"Here's my number," Ian said, his hand reaching into his pocket with a casual confidence that made her pulse quicken. "Give me a call later after 6." Flaca nodded, her heart now racing not from anxiety but from excitement, the once-quiet café now buzzing with potential. "Talk to you later, Marisol." Flaca waved, her fingers dancing in the air as she stepped out of the coffeehouse, a spring in her step. The rich aroma of roasted beans lingered behind her, but her mind was already racing ahead. With each stride down the bustling sidewalk, a grin crept across her face, and her heart fluttered with excitement.

Flaca's heart raced as she leaned closer to Maritza, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Guess what!" she exclaimed, barely able to contain herself. "He had no idea who I was, but I still managed to snag a date!"

Maritza's eyebrows shot up, her lips parting in surprise. "Wait, seriously? You got a date without him even knowing you?"

"Yep!" Flaca grinned, punctuating her joy by popping an imaginary piece of gum. "Isn't it great?"

Maritza crossed her arms, a flicker of skepticism crossing her face. "But what about that magical moment you always talk about?"

Flaca waved her hand dismissively, her smile unwavering. "It's not like we can't recreate magical moments, right?"

Maritza forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, masking her true feelings. "Whatever makes you happy, Flaca," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation.

Flaca paced the room, her footsteps quick and restless against the hardwood floor. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting long shadows as Maritza leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed, watching her friend's anxious dance. "Oh God!" Flaca's voice shot up, slicing through the tension. "It's 6:30. What if he thinks I forgot or that I'm not interested?" Her eyes darted around the room, landing on the clock as if willing the hands to move backward.

"Flaca, he said to call after 6," Maritza replied, a calmness in her tone that clashed with Flaca's rising panic. "I don't know why you want me here."

"I need you here," Flaca admitted, biting her lip, her fingers twitching at her sides. A warmth spread through Maritza's chest; it was a mix of affection and something deeper that she dared not name. "Go for it," Maritza encouraged, her heart racing for her best friend's sake. Flaca's hand shook as it hovered over the keyboard, the weight of the moment palpable in the air. Maritza reached out, gently resting her palm on Flaca's trembling fingers in a silent show of support.

"It's ringing," Flaca murmured, her breath hitching in her throat.

Maritza suppressed a playful eye roll, smirking instead. "I know," she teased, her tone light, even as she felt the tension coiling between them.

Once on speaker, the phone connected, and Ian's voice crackled through. "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Marisol from the coffee shop," Flaca replied, her voice unexpectedly steady, though her heart raced.

"I'm so glad you called. I almost thought you weren't going to," Ian responded, and Flaca's earlier worries began to fade.

"Sorry the time got away from me," Flaca said, glancing at Maritza, who offered an encouraging nod. "I was hanging out with my best friend, Maritza."

"No worries," Ian replied, his tone warm. "So how about dinner tomorrow night at 6? Do you like Italian?"

"That's perfect," Flaca said, relief flooding her voice. She shot a thumbs up to Maritza, who forced a smile, masking emotions brewing just beneath the surface. "I'll have to let you go. I'm going to have dinner," Flaca said, trying to sound casual.

"Have a good night, Marisol."

"You, too," Flaca whispered, the call ending with a click that echoed in the stillness of the room.

"See you did just fine," Maritza said, her voice soothing. "Just one question."

"Yeah?" Flaca replied, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Why didn't you correct him when he called you Marisol?" Maritza asked, curiosity piquing.

"I'll tell him on our date tomorrow," Flaca shrugged, her mind already racing ahead, fixating on the evening to come. "There's lots to do. I don't know what to wear."

"You've got plenty of time," Maritza reassured her, a bittersweet smile crossing her lips. "The date is tomorrow night."

"Will you help me?" Flaca asked, her eyes bright with hope and a hint of vulnerability. Maritza nodded, her heart swelling as she longed to be near the woman she cherished, ready to help Flaca prepare for a night that could change everything.