The Innocent (Oscar Diaz Fanfic)
I just want to see if this is a good start lol I kinda just wrote this cuz it just came up in my mind
In middle school and freshman year of high school, Elizabeth Hernandez was a girl that had braces and acne all over her face. Before summer came she was accepted into the same writing camp that Monse got accepted in and didn’t have to pay a thing except for the transportation. The school year ended and the class of 2018 was having a party to celebrate the end of high school so the crew went to look at the party. The crew went to hide behind the wall to watch the party as it progressed into the night until everyone decided that they wanted to get a beer so Cesar snuck into the party to get everybody beer.
Ruby, Monse, Elizabeth, and Jamal stood watching the scene unfold. The girls were looking for Cesar, Ruby was looking at the girls, while Jamal was freaking out over the football players that stood by the house.
“Do you see him?” Monse asked, crossing her arms.
“I don’t see him,” Elizabeth went on the tips of her toes to see if she could get a better look.
“Something bad is gonna happen. I can feel it,” Jamal freaked out.
“Take a xanny, J,” Ruby glanced at Jamal, “We just can’t see him, ‘cause he’s being stealth,”
“Yeah,” Monse agreed, “besides, when has Cesar ever let us down?”
“Fourth grade. Kickball tourney,” Jamal looks at the group, “we lost,”
“That’s because I picked the kid with no skills,” the group turned, “and I would do it again. Loyalty trumps victory, compa,”
Elizabeth took the beer being offered to her, “got that right, salad,”
Cesar stood up behind the wall, “take it in, guys. This is about to be us. This is high school,”
The five took a sip of their beer and made a face of disgust, but continued drinking out of the can with the bitter-tasting liquid.
“Ruby,” Monse said, “you think Mario is gonna marry Angelica?”
Ruby shrugged, “No idea. Mario tells me jack,”
“What about that time he said Angelica had a dangler?” Jamal chuckled as Ruby tried to shut Jamal up, “what? He said that,”
“In private!” Ruby exclaimed, “time and place, dude. Oh, guys, check out Huerita at 9 o’clock. Monse, Eli, if you were a girl-”
“We are,” Monse interrupted.
“But if you were a girl like that, would you wear any underwear?” Ruby stared dreamily as Elizabeth turned to look at Ruby in disgust.
“Oh, my God. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die,” Jamal said.
“Why are you gonna die, J?” Elizabeth asked Jamal.
“See those guys over there?” Jamal pointed towards the guys in football jerseys, “they play for the ‘ridge. Did you know that last year alone a quorum of kids-”
“Died playing football?” Monse butt in, “you’re stuck on repeat,”
“So don’t play, sweets,” Elizabeth chuckled.
“No choice,” Jamal said, “Pops was a legend. It’s a family tradition. I’m dead,” Jamal jumped off the platform with Monse and Elizabeth.
“You’re not dead,” Monse said.
“Football spiral?” Cesar asked as he got down to help Jamal calm down, “Jamal, CTE is not in your future,”
“Guys, check out my game,” Ruby turned, “Heurita gave me the nod,”
A bald guy popped up and grabbed Ruby’s shoulder, “Eyeing my girl, cabron?”
“No, God, no. I’m not into blondes,” Ruby tried to get out.
“Easy,” Cesar said, “he does your mother’s taxes. Mrs. Guzamn, right?”
“Three thousand dollar refund. Schedule C, line 30. Home office deduction,” Ruby said.
“Seriously,” Monse looked at him in disbelief.
Another cholo came over the wall to see Cesar so he nudged the bald guy, “Yo, homes. What are you doing, ese? That’s Spooky’s lil bro, dawg,”
The guy let go of Ruby, “I didn’t realize it was you, homie. Hey, listen, man, tell Spooky Sad Eyes sends his respects,” Cesar nodded as the two cholos left the crew.
“Thank God for your brother,” Ruby rubbed his shoulder.
“Nah, thank God for better things,” Cesar shook his head as gunshots rang out and everybody crouched down.
“.357!” the crew yelled out after the 5th shot.
Soon they were in Ruby’s place, Jamal and Ruby were spying on Mario and Angelica arguing outside while Cesar, Monse, and Elizabeth were sitting on the couch. Elizabeth took out her phone to tell her mother she was fine and in Ruby’s house until Ruby and Jamal ran to the couch, “Mario’s coming!”
Elizabeth didn’t bother listening to Mario so she just put on her earbuds and looked at him as if she was listening, but when she thought he was done she took it out. Mario came back and said, “don’t bone Elizabeth and Monse,”
Everybody started laughing as Monse said, “Who would even wanna do that?”
The next day Monse and Elizabeth went to the coach station to catch their bus to the camp. Summer was spent writing in the middle of nowhere with activities and amenities provided for the students so Elizabeth was able to start working out, losing the acne, and lost the braces. A few months later, they were back and on their way to Ruby’s house.
Monse wore simple jeans and a shirt that showed a little cleavage while Elizabeth wore a blue destroyed with a burgundy bralette and ripped jeans that covered her legs. Smiles were on both faces, happy that they lost the metal prison that held their teeth captive. Both had grown breasts which attracted a lot of unwanted attention from the ice cream man as he was selling. They walked a little faster until a voice was heard that they recognized.
“Angelica, once I’m gone, I’m gone! There’s not gonna be a Christmas break hook-up! You know why? ‘Cause I’m gonna be hooking up with other chicks!” Mario took a pause, “white chicks!” another pause, “I don’t know why I’m saying that. It’s you! Talk to me, boo!”
“Maybe she’s not home!” Monse called out as Mario turned.
“Oh. Hey, guys,” the three met on the street, “how was camp?”
“Terrible. Mildly life-changing,” Monse shrugged.
“I can see that,” Mario looked down at their chests.
“Shut up, Mario,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes as a blush came on and tried to hide her newly found breasts.
“You can? How?” Monse asked confused.
“You just...look, I probably have to go before traffic hits,” Mario changed subjects.
“No prob. Good luck at Cal,” Elizabeth waved.
“Thanks,” Mario sighed, “and you two, keep an eye on Ruby? Don’t know what that kid’s gonna do without me,”
Monse and Elizabeth arrived at Ruby’s house and to his now own room, “we’re back!”
“Can you guys move that side table?” Ruby pointed at the table.
“No, seriously, don’t make such a fuss. We’ve only been gone all summer but really, it’s no big deal,” Monse glared at the boys.
“How was camp?” Ruby reluctantly asked.
“Camp was fine. Notice anything different?” Elizabeth and Monse smiled wide.
“Both of you got boobs,” The boys said.
“You can wait for Cesar to help,” Elizabeth glared.
Jamal stood up, “then we’ll be waiting a long time,”
“Why?” Monse asked.
“Where is Cesar?” Elizabeth asked.
“We’re not talking to him,” Ruby shrugged.
“Y’all in a fight?” Monse asked, crossing her arms.
“Well, it wasn’t really a fight. More like…” Jamal started but Ruby cut him off, “we’re not getting into it. Trust us, Cesar’s not cool,”
“Well, I’m not cool being not cool,” Monse crossed her arms, “and why aren’t you at football?” Monse asked Jamal.
“We should really get to orientation,” Jamal changed subjects as he stood up, “before those lines get too big,”
“Yeah, I don’t want to get too sweaty for my ID. Like Mario said ‘it’s all about the right first impression,’” Ruby said, straightening his clothes.
“And sticking together! You’re definitely deflecting this whole Cesar sitch,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes, “so stop being bitches and tell us,”
“Right!” Monse agreed.
Now they were on their way to school and Monse was continuing to pester the boys while Elizabeth gave up and let Monse deal with that. However, it was kind of a backfire for Monse because the boys’ gave her the silent treatment.
“What happened with Cesar?” Monse threw her hands up, “this silent treatment will only last so long. I will break you,” a pause went by, “come on! There is no way Cesar did anything on purpose to destroy our crew,”
“He’s the glue of our crew!” Elizabeth added.
“That was then, this is now,” Jamal shrugged.
“Yeah. Cesar ain’t shit,” Ruby agreed.
They turned the corner to see the Prophets so Elizabeth alerted the crew, “shit, Prophets!”
Everyone was searching their clothes to see if there were any colors that would set off the gang members. Ruby took off his hoodie but messed his hair up a little.
“Damn it. Did I just jack my do?” Ruby pulled out his phone to see how it looked until he saw Jasmine, “code dread, code dread, code dread. Approaching on your six,”
“Yo! You guys going to orientation?” Jasmine’s voice popped up, “hey, you know my cousin, Berto, the fine one? Hey. His daughter, Letty, said it ain’t nothing unless you can’t spell your name and then you hold up the line and people get mad,” Jasmine ranted, “hey, why you guys walking so fast? You know I got asthma,”
��Sorry, Jasmine! We’re having a private convo,” Monse called out, “real sensitive stuff,”
“That’s what you always say!” Jasmine yelled but took a deep breath from her inhaler and began running after the crew.
They finally lost her after a few minutes and they breathed out a breath of relief not seeing Jasmine behind them anymore.
“Man, she is relentless,” Ruby shook his head.
“Nice save,” Jamal appraised Ruby,
“Oh, you’re not safe,” Monse interrupted.
“You’re threats aren’t penetrating, ok?!” Jamal said, “I’m not telling you what Cesar said,”
“Aha!” Monse turned to them, “so he did say something!”
“Jamal!” Ruby yelled, “do you need a muzzle? Monse, no offense, but you’re a loose cannon. We’re not telling you for your own protection,”
“My protection?” Monse leaned closer to Ruby, “eat a dick,”
“Case in point,” Ruby said, “you don’t even know and you’re at Defcon Solange,”
They continued walking and as they were walking past an alley they saw a guy getting jumped into a gang. Monse and Elizabeth began staring at the actions happening, but Ruby and Jamal took each of their arms.
“Don’t look,” Ruby grunted, “keep walking,”
“Why would anyone wanna get jumped on 19th street?” Jamal asked, “I’d join First Street. Only one second of pain,”
“Agreed,” Ruby said, “besides, who would want a lifetime commitment at our age?”
“Apparently neither of you,” Elizabeth chuckled.
“Lack of commitment seems to be a noticeable trend in this friendship,” Monse shook her head, “as does lack of space,” Monse pushed the boys away.
“We can’t tell you what Cesar said,” Jamal said.
Rap music was being played from down the street from a red Impala, “fine then. I’ll ask myself. Eli, let’s go,”
Monse walked in front of the car as a head stuck out of the window, “Hey, you crazy?!”
Monse and Elizabeth walked over to the driver’s side and leaned down, “we just wanted to let Cesar know that we were back in town,”
“And looking like some fine ass hynas,” the mystery cholo smirked.
“Underaged hynas,” Monse snapped.
“Not for some,” the cholo stared at Elizabeth, “it’s all good. You just look a lil different. What is it?”
“My boobs,” Monse deadpanned.
“Nah, you got your braces off,” he laughed, “and who are you, hermosa?”
“Elizabeth,” she blushed.
“Cool. Spooky,” he drove away as the girls went back to the boys on the sidewalk.
“When did Oscar get out?” Monse looked confused.
“Six weeks ago,” Ruby answered as they covered the girls cleavages with their sweaters.
“Now it makes sense! Whatever Cesar said, he said to impress Oscar. Cesar’s terrified of his brother,” Monse smiled.
“Along with everyone else,” Ruby said.
“Then who cares what he says,” Elizabeth shrugged.
“Oh, just drop it!” Jamal raised his voice.
“Do we look like we can just drop it?” Monse asked.
“Actually you do. You just won’t,” Jamal shrugged then a body jumped out from behind them.
“Tax time, bitches!” Latrelle said, “hands up, money out,”
“How can we take out money out with our hands up?” Elizabeth asked.
“I know you bookheads got that back to school gwop,” Latrelle scowled.
Monse started talking, “actually, it’s orientation day. Technically, we’re neither in school nor out of school. We’re…”
Ruby covered Monse’s mouth, “we don’t have any money,”
Latrelle gave a look to Jamal, “what about that 20?” Ruby groaned and handed Latrelle his 20.
Elizabeth, Monse, and Jamal were walking from orientation and were now in front of Cesar’s place that was filled with Santos. Monse and Jamal were going back and forth on the situation, but Elizabeth was stuck on the sight of “Spooky” working out as his muscles constricted when he lifted the weights. Slowly, she came back to reality and the bickering between Jamal and Monse.
“...but he would never join the gang. He’s an outlier so whatever is going on it isn’t that,” Monse snapped at Jamal.
“He isn’t the same,” Jamal said, “he dumped us,”
“But we weren’t here so it’s not official,” Monse looked across the street.
“If someone breaks up with you over text, is it official?” Jamal asked,
“Yes,”
“Consider me the text,” Jamal clicked his tongue, “Ding! You’ve been dumped,” Elizabeth and Montse rolled their eyes and started going over there, “wait! Please don’t go. Please, you’re not… you’re not safe,”
“Why?” Elizabeth asked.
“Because…” Jamal looked at their newly developed chests, “both of you blossomed,”
“Blossomed?” Monse asked.
“Popped. Busted out. Puffed your party pillows. Whatever you wanna call your new cha-cha-bingos,” Jamla pointed towards the cholos, “these new homies he’s hanging with are thirsty,” Jamal threw his hoodie onto Monse, who tossed it back as Elizabeth and herself walked to the other side of the street, “Ok. don’t worry, girls! I got your back…”
The two approached the exiled friend as the other Santos turned to stare at the two walking up to the younger Diaz. Monse stopped in front of Cesar as Elizabeth, coincidentally, stood in front of Oscar, who was staring at her. The leader’s eyes felt like it was burning holes through Elizabeth’s face, but she didn’t make it look obvious even though there was a blush on her cheeks.
“I need to talk to you,” Monse said firmly.
“I’m listening,” Cesar stayed seated.
“Privately,” Elizabeth whispered as the Santos turned to stare at them longer.
“Yeah. We can go inside,” Cesar’s older brother cleared his throat, “but, uh, if you both wanna sit on my face, y’all gotta put those mouths on pause so I can concentrate,” Laughs were heard from the cholos so Monse quickly bailed and went back to Jamal; however, Elizabeth felt a wave of burning anger in her so she pulled her fist back and punched Cesar on the mouth. He groaned as Elizabeth leaned closer to whisper into his ear.
“Do not try to come back and get along with me until you make things right with Monse. I know what y’all did so I’m only doing this for her now,” Elizabeth said, “come near me and I will punch the shit out of you again,” Elizabeth left as Cesar looked at her with slight fear in his eyes and the cholos stared at her in lust after the action was taken by her. Her cheeks burned red at the attention especially from the certain leader that sat next to Cesar. Oohs were heard from the porch, but Elizabeth paid no mind to it as she went back to walking with Jamal and Monse.
“Cesar is dead to us!” Monse yelled.
“Told ya,” Jamal said as he ran to the back of the bushes.
“He doesn’t get to break up with us,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes, “we’re breaking up with him,”
“Sit on my face? Who says that?” Monse stuck her hands out.
“Chairs who can talk! And buttholes!” Jamal called out from the bushes.
“I wouldn’t put dumb crap like that past Oscar, but Cesar?” Monse asked in disbelief, “what happened to him?” Jamal was rolling around when Monse came into an idea, “Cesar’s gotta be hitting the pipe. Right? right!”
“Could be?” Elizabeth shrugged as Jamal jumped onto the next patch of grass. “That was totally out of character,” Monse shook her head, but realized what Jamal was doing, “what are you doing?”
“I’m getting into character,” Jamal sprayed water onto her armpits and clothes, “hey, pops. Say nothing and go with my flow,”
“Monse! Eli! Welcome back, babies. Ready for the new year?” Dwayne hugged both girls.
“Bound to be a lot of surprises,” Monse shrugged as she reciprocated the gift already.
“How was practice?” Dwayne asked his son.
“Yeah, how was practice?” Elizabeth smiled as Jamal threw his gym bag at her.
“I don’t know. Ask those D1 scouts who were all up on me,” Jamal pulled on his jersey.
Dwayne chuckled, “that’s my boy!” He pulled Jamal into a man hug then walked away with an extra pep to his step and back to his gardening.
“Did you quit the team and not tell your dad?” Monse asked.
“No,” Jamal looked at Monse, “yes. Look I suited up first day, and I just wasn’t feeling it,”
“Wasn’t feeling it?” Elizabeth threw the bag back at Jamal.
“Yeah. Wasn’t feeling like breaking my neck,” Jamal threw the bag down on the ground, “listen, everybody that knows me knows that I suck, except my pops. And he keeps thinking that I’m just gonna wake up one day and be him, and...I’m not him,” Jamal sighed, “I just need the right time to tell him,”
“How ironic that a guy that can’t keep a secret is keeping the biggest secret of his life,” Monse smirked, “I’m gonna rat you out to your dad,” her smirk fell, “unless you drop the 411 about Cesar. What did he say?”
“No!” Jamal denied.
“Yes!” Monse said, “Mr. Turn-”
Jamal covered Monse’s mouth, “Cesar said you let him hit it before you left for camp,” Jamal said in one breath.
The two girls were fuming and decided to do a group call later with Ruby to find out the context and how he said it, but Elizabeth had work that night so she couldn’t participate, settling on telling Monse to keep her updated. A long six hours of working, she got off at 10pm and checked her phone to see a text from Monse telling her to meet at Dwayne’s joint at five to chop it up.
The next day came around and Monse and Elizabeth were at the joint with Jamal as he and Elizabeth worked. Elizabeth sometimes worked for Dwayne to earn a little extra money to prevent herself from asking for money from her mother because her mother was already deep in debt and Elizabeth was doing anything in her power to help her out.
“That’s the eleventh text,” Monse sighed, “Ruby’s almost 2 hours late,”
“He said he’ll be here, so he’ll be here. Trust me,” Jamal gave the customer his order.
“Yeah, Mon. Chill,” Elizabeth smirked.
“Said the guy pretending to play football?” Monse stared at Jamal.
“Maybe my pops won’t notice,” Jamal hoped.
“I don’t think that’s possible, J,” Elizabeth motioned towards the countless photos of Jamal playing football.
“Where the hell is Ruby?” Jamal put his hand on his head.
After a few minutes, Monse and Elizabeth decided to go to Ruby’s house to see what was going on. The two rushed in through the door to see Ruby standing on top of a table, wearing a pink dress, and Abuelita was hemming it.
“What the hell is going on ?” Monse asked.
“I think it’s pretty obvious,” Ruby rolled his eyes.
“Great,” Monse rolled her eyes, “so, walk me through the moment Cesar said what he said,”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ruby looked at Monse.
“There you go again,” Monse crossed her arms.
“There you go again what?” Ruby looked confused.
“Keeping things from us,” Elizabeth stood by Monse’s side, “stop withholding things from us,”
Monse pulled Ruby outside onto the porch, “Monse, wait! Monse! We need to go back inside,”
Monse faced Ruby, “what did Cesar exactly say? And how did he say it? We need context, tone. We need to know, Ruby.”
“Y’all know what I know,” Ruby insisted, “what I don’t know is why he said it. But he said it. We tried to get him to take it back, but he wouldn’t. So what can we do? Drop it,”
“I can’t,” Monse looked down.
“Why not?” Ruby asked.
“‘Cause I’m still figuring out if I still hate him. You heard what your brother said. How are we gonna survive high school without Cesar?” Monse said.
“Mario’s not some sage. Don’t take his words to heart, it’s just words,” Ruby tried to persuade Monse, but she wouldn’t give up.
“If that’s true then why should we take Cesar’s words to heart?” Monse turned the tables, “they’re just words,”
“Sometimes, it’s not what you say, but how you say it. And Cesar said it like he meant it. But things could be worse,”
“What’s worse than losing a friend?” Elizabeth asked.
“Entering high school with a rep,” Ruby said, “you’re smart enough to know that a rumor could ruin your life,” Monse and Elizabeth nodded, “but it’s contained.”
“You’re right. No one knows,” Monse sighed.
Jasmine rode by Ruby’s house with her scooter, but she stopped to talk to the three, “hi! Damn, Ruby. I see you! I see you! And I’m down with it,” Jasmine winked at Ruby, “I like the freaky, just like Monse,”
“What are you talking about?” Elizabeth asked.
“Y’all ain’t gotta be shy with me,” Jasmine smiled, “I know Cesar and Monse be getting it in,” Jasmine humped the air.
“No one knows?! Really?” Monse scoffed, “I officially hate the traitor, and now I’m gonna kick his ass,”
“Girl, I’m coming with,” Elizabeth growled.
“Monse! Eli!” Ruby ran back inside to take the dress off as the two girls got closer to the Diaz residence.
The two girls arrived at the Diaz house to see Cesar riding his skateboard and Oscar chilling on the wall. When they saw the suspect, Monse marched her way to Cesar and pushed him off of his skateboard.
“You little bitch!” Monse yelled as she began hitting Cesar.
“Damn, that hyna’s wild. Must be a freak on all fours,” a cholo said.
“Shut the fuck up, cabron. Before you’re gonna be like little homie over there,” Elizabeth snapped at the nearest cholo.
“I fought for you. I had your back. For what? For you to impress your puto friends and humiliate me?” Monse continued hitting Cesar as he tried to shield his face from the enraged girl on top of him.
“Hermanito, you better back up before you get smacked up,” Oscar smirked.
Elizabeth turned to the leader, “Callate, puto. You aboutta be smacked up like tú hermanito,”
“Watch it now, nena,” Oscar winked at the spitfire sophomore.
“Monse! Eli!” Jamal yelled as Ruby and Jamal pulled Monse to the sidewalk.
Elizabeth glared at the leader of the Santos as she walked back to her group of friends to listen to what they had to say.
“This is why we didn’t want to tell you guys!” Ruby yelled.
“Y’all goin’ crazy!” Jamal added.
“Crazy? We’re crazy?!” Monse yelled.
“Calm down. Breath,” Ruby tried to calm Monse down.
“Don’t you patronize me!” Monse pushed Jamal, “I don’t need you! Any of you! I was just trying to keep our crew together, but since Eli and I are the only ones who cares, y’all are dead to me! I’ll survive on my own,” Monse walked off.
The three stood completely dumbfounded by the afrolatina’s rant, but began walking home until a certain voice stopped them.
“Elizabeth,” The three turned to see Oscar standing on the steps of the porch, “come here,”
Jamal and Ruby looked at Elizabeth, asking if they should stay with her, but she knew that they were scared to even stay another minute, “it’s alright. I’ll text y’all when I get home,”
The two boys nodded and rushed to get home and avoid the feared leader so Elizabeth turned to walk towards the now empty porch. Oscar stood on the porch with a strong pose that oozed power and a smirk showed proudly upon his lips.
“Y-y-yeah,” Elizabeth stuttered.
“Let’s go inside so we can talk,” Oscar turned to the door to open it for her.
“No, gracias. Podemos hablar aquí,” Elizabeth blushed.
“Por qué eres tímido ahora? You were just talking real big, bebita,” Oscar smirked at the sudden shy girl in front of him.
“I w-was just heated i-in that moment,” Elizabeth put her arms behind her back and looked down when she felt the leader’s stare on her face.
“Alright. Let me see tu teléfono,” Oscar held out his hand.
“Por qué,” Elizabeth looked at him confused.
“Let me just see it. I’m gonna give you my number,” Elizabeth handed him her phone, “you can text me whenever and call me. If you need anything then hit me up, hermosa,”
“Oh, o-ok. Gracias, Spooky. Call me Eli. I kind of don’t like my name,”
“Oscar. Call me Oscar and no problema, princesa,” Oscar winked, “let me walk you home. Where do you stay at?”
“A few houses that way,” she pointed to her right.
“Alright. Vamos, hermosa,” Oscar walked down the steps, holding his hand out to help Elizabeth down the stairs, “so why haven’t I met you yet?”
“estaba en la prisión when I started hanging out with the crew,” Elizabeth shrugged.
Oscar nodded, “well, I find you muy hermosa. Let me get to know you,”
They were in front of her house as she leaned on the gate with Oscar leaning his hand next to her body and the other hand in his pocket, “we’ll see, Oscar Diaz. Buenas noches,”
“Buenas noches, hermosa,” Oscar smirked at the girl that walked under his arm to go inside the gate.
She had to work the next day so she immediately did her nightly routine then fell asleep in her bed with dreams of the big bad leader that live a few houses down. Her dreams carried her away and into dreamland until 7 am and her alarm blaring and telling her to get up. Elizabeth groaned as she slammed her hand down on the alarm and got up to get ready for the day. Once she was dressed and ready to go, she started cooking breakfast for herself and her mother since her dad was at the hospital still so she settled for eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns so she wouldn’t be late to the bus.
Elizabeth closed the front door and made her way to the bus stop with her earphones pushed into her ears with music blasting to keep her distracted from her surroundings. After a short five minute walk to the bus stop, a red Impala pulled up in front of it, but Elizabeth didn’t pay any mind to it until the driver had honked his horn. She looked up fast and saw the familiar bald head and bicep tattoo.
“H-hey,” Elizabeth smiled.
“Where you headed?” Oscar raised an eyebrow.
“Some of us have to work and can’t lead a gang,” Elizabeth chuckled.
“Where is it at? I can drive you,” Oscar leaned over to open the door.
Elizabeth thought for a second before getting in, “it’s in San Bernardino. Amazon warehouse,”
“Why are you working there?” Oscar began driving the car, “don’t you gotta have your diploma for that?”
“Yup, but I have some connections and they let me work there. They pay well and I got enough saved for the future,” Elizabeth sighed.
“Whatchu savin’ up for in the future?” Oscar glanced at the young girl.
“That’s gotta be at a later time,” Elizabeth shrugged, “if y-you even s-stick around,”
Half an hour passed with small talk between the two until they finally arrived in front of the warehouse building. Elizabeth gathered her stuff and opened the door to get out until a hand touched her forearm,
“Mamita, what time you getting off?”
Elizabeth turned with her cheeks ablazed, “3. Bye, Oscar. Thanks for the ride,”
TIME SKIP
It was the end of Elizabeth’s shift and she made her way out after clocking out and as she opened the door, she saw the familiar Impala with a familiar body leaning against the front. She walked up to the body with red cheeks that seemed to always come when he was around.
“W-what are you doing here?” Elizabeth cleared her throat.
“What does it look like?” Oscar smirked, “picking you up, bebe,” Oscar opened the passenger door for her so she got inside and fiddled with her fingers as Oscar went around to get into the driver’s side. When he got inside, Elizabeth quietly thanked him for taking her to work and picking her up,
“Gracias, Oscar, for picking me up and dropping me off,”
“No problema,” Oscar looked straight ahead at the traffic and a comfortable silence followed. “You’re very shy pero you have a fire in your eyes that you won’t let out. Por que?” Oscar questioned her as they got closer to Freeridge.
They were getting closer as Elizabeth thought about her answer until they reached her place, “some things...are meant to be kept inside,” she opened the door and got out, “bye, Oscar,”
The two went separate ways as the days went by and it was the first day of school. Elizabeth’s alarm went off as she groaned and slammed the snooze button to rub her eyes. At that moment, her mother came in and sat on her bed with a small smile at the sight of her daughter waking up, reminding the mother of the past times her daughter woke up.
“Mi amor, time to get up. It’s time for school and I made breakfast before I have to leave for work,” Leticia Hernandez smoothed down Elizabeth’s hair.
“Gracias, ma,” Elizabeth smiled before it dropped, “how is papa?”
“Tu papa es bueno pero still the same,” Leticia teared up, “things will be ok, mija,”
“I know, mama,” Elizabeth kissed her mother’s cheek, “I paid the phone bill and the internet bill so don’t worry about that,”
“Mija, don’t do that,” Leticia slightly frowned, “you should keep that money for you. I got the bills,”
“I know, ma, pero it’s fine. I have enough for myself. I just wanna help relieve some stress from you,” Elizabeth pouted.
Leticia’s eyes began overwhelmed with tears as it began running down her cheeks, “I don’t deserve a daughter like you,”
“Yes you do, ma,” Elizabeth hugged her mom, “you deserve the world with how hard you’re working. Now get to work so you’re not late and so I can get ready for school,”
“Wait, before we do that. I got something for you in the mail,” Leticia pulled out a letter, “read it,”
Elizabeth took the envelope and saw “UCLA” on the corner, when she saw it, her heart pounded in her chest and she began to get nervous, “open it, mija,” her mother softly said, Elizabeth’s hand shook as she opened the envelope and took the paper out. Her eyes skimmed over the letter and stopped at the first few lines of the letter seeing the “congratulations.”
“I-i-i goT IN! MA, I GOT IN! FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP! I’M GOING TO UCLA WHEN I’M DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL!”
The two cheered and jumped around with tears going down their eyes, but soon embraced each other in a long hug. After a few minutes, they went their separate ways to continue with their day as Leticia left the house to go to the hospital for her shift as a registered nurse. Elizabeth went down to eat her breakfast, but was able to finish half of it so she packed it to put it in the fridge then did her morning routine. Once everything was done, she put on her denim shorts and a black v-neck t-shirt with checkered Vans slip-ons that adorned her feet. When she grabbed her backpack from next to her bed, she left her humble abode and to the Diaz house to meet with the gang.
“‘Sup, guys,” Elizabeth yawned, “we waiting for Diaz?”
The group nodded as the sound of a door opening caught their attention even more when Cesar walked out and to the group. Everyone looked at each other then began walking to school to start off the new year.
“I can’t do this,” Jamal said, “I can’t keep secrets! It’s gonna make me implode! I don’t know why anybody keeps secrets,”
“There is something I need to tell you guys,” Monse said before gunshots rang out.
“.44!” Everyone yelled with a smile for the feel of things going back.
However, that was when a car pulled up next to them, “Cesar,” Oscar called out as he got out and pulled the seat to allow enough space for Cesar to get through.
Cesar looked at the group then went into the car with his older brother and gang before Oscar pushed the seat back and got in himself, sparing a glance towards the crew. He drove away as the group followed to stand in the middle of the road looking at the back of the Impala.
“What were you going to say?” Ruby asked as he turned to Monse.
“Cesar,” Monse turned to the remaining group, “we need to save him,”
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