Mi Amor - Oscar 'Spooky' Diaz/On my block Story

9

I locked the doors just like Oscar said, but it still felt weird to be alone in the house. The quietness wrapped around me like an awkward hug, reminding me that Oscar was off dealing with some serious business.

He had explained that there was trouble brewing between the Santos and another gang. Apparently, a Santo had even gotten shot. You know, just another Tuesday in gangland. He didn't share all the details about what they were planning, but he hinted that things could get dicey. That's why he insisted I lock the doors and not let anyone in—just in case some rogue gang members decided to try something stupid.

"Don't worry, mi amor," he had said, his voice soothing but firm. "It's not as bad as it sounds. We won't be far away. Believe me, I wouldn't leave you here alone if it wasn't safe."

"How can you be so sure?" I had asked, trying to keep my tone light but feeling the weight of his concern.

"My guys are posted all around the block," he replied with a cocky grin. "If a Prophet wants to pass by, I'll know it immediately."

So there I was, sitting alone on the couch, trying to distract myself by watching silly shows on TV.

I began to think about Amelie. She had been acting strangely all day, which was odd for her. She just left me hanging. I was starting to get the feeling that she was upset with me for some reason. Texting her might shed some light on the situation.

"Hey Am. What's up?" I typed, pressing send and leaning back into the couch, waiting for an answer.

After a bit of silence that felt like an eternity, my phone finally lit up.

"Hey. Nothing much. We're watching TV," she replied.

"Me too. Is everything calm there?" I asked.

"Yes."

Ouch. Her response was colder than a winter's day.

"If you have a second, I'd like to talk to you about something," I typed, feeling the heaviness in my chest.

"Okay," came her short reply.

"I have the feeling you're mad at me for something, but I'm not sure what. I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me what's going on because I hate when you're distant like this."

Amelie fired back, "Me distant from you?! That's not at all what's going on. You've iced me out the last couple of days. All you care about is your oh-so-great boyfriend. Before him, I was the person closest to you. But now it's all about him. I have to accept that you always fall for the wrong guys. You shut out the people who really love you. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of being your second choice!"

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, and I needed to fix this.

I decided to call her. It felt awkward doing this over the phone, but it was better than texting, right?

She didn't pick up.

"Please don't call. I can't talk right now. If I hear your voice, I'll cry my eyes out and I don't want you to hear me like that," she texted, her vulnerability shining through the screen.

"Come on, Am. Pick up. I don't care if you're crying. I want to talk to you. I'm so sorry for making you feel that way."

I didn't hear anything from her. It was like she had vanished into thin air.

"I love Oscar. But being with him will never change our friendship. You are and always will be my best friend, I promise."

Then came her bombshell: "Don't you get it? I don't want to be just friends. I want to be with you, like Oscar is with you."