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

18

Elly: "Come on, it's only 20 bucks!"

Mother: "I said no, Elly."

Elly: "Pleeeaaassseee."

Mother: "Elly, no! Do you think money grows on trees?"

Elly: "Technically, it kinda does... I mean, paper, trees—"

Father: "Elly, listen to your mother. Don't you get paid today anyway? Isn't your first two weeks at Dwayne's over?"

Elly: "Oh yeah, true! Today's payday!"
A few days after the dance, I started working at Dwayne's Joint BBQ, and today was the day—my first paycheck. I was buzzing with excitement.

Elly: "I just wanted to buy something for Ruby to cheer him up. He's been so down ever since the dance. It's like he's moping 24/7."

Father: "Well, you can do that. After your shift. With your own money."

Elly: "Ugh, fine, fine. I gotta go anyway, or I'll be late. Bye!"
I grabbed my stuff and headed off to work. At Dwayne's, it was business as usual—clearing tables, taking orders, running back and forth. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Until Jamal got a phone call. He looked stressed. It was Mario, Ruby's brother, asking for help. Apparently, Ruby wasn't doing well.

Jamal: "I'd go, but... you know. My dad will flip if I leave work again."

Elly: "Well, then I guess you can't go?"

Jamal: "Nah, you should go!"

Elly: "Me?! I'm working!"

Jamal: "Yeah, but my dad loves you. He won't get mad at you."

Elly: "Maybe that's because I actually work and don't complain all the time?"

Jamal: "Or maybe it's because you're white."

I stared at him. "That doesn't even make sense."

Jamal, grinning: "Aha, classic white privilege."

Elly: "Oh my God, stop." I rolled my eyes. "I'll go check on Ruby, but cut it out with this white privilege nonsense."

Jamal's smug grin only grew. He knew he'd won.

Elly: "But, I'm telling your dad you made me go. And I couldn't refuse, since you're, you know, the acting boss and all."

Jamal: "Fine!"

Elly: "Fine!"
I grabbed my stuff and headed off, a part of me grumbling about how easily Jamal had played me.

A few minutes later, I stepped into Ruby's house. It was eerily quiet, except for the low murmur of voices coming from his room. So, that's where I headed.

When I walked in, I saw Ruby sitting on his bed, and Oscar—of all people—leaning against the wall next to him. I was not prepared for that.

Elly: "Oh no..."
The surprise hit both of us. Oscar's eyes widened, but he quickly masked it with his usual scowl.

Oscar: "You..."
His tone was dripping with annoyance.

I sighed dramatically, rolling my eyes. "Apologies, your highness, for daring to exist in your presence. How terribly rude of me."

Oscar shot me an equally exaggerated eye roll.
Ruby, caught in the middle, just blinked. "What are you even doing here?"

Elly: "Jamal sent me to check on you. But I see I'm not needed anymore." I gestured toward Oscar, trying to hide my irritation at his sudden reappearance.