The Path of Roses 🥀

Chapter 6: The Fourth of July (PT 1)

Word Count: 2,577

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Sunday, July 4th, 2004

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CHAPTER SEVEN

"Damn." I say, staring at my long, naturally straight hair from the bathroom mirror. 

I ruffle up the sides of my hair to make it look as if I did not spend the last half hour thoroughly combing out what used to be my incredibly wild, frizzy hair.

As I'm buttoning up Jonathan's black flannel, the telephone in the kitchen rings. I run like the wind to answer it, because I think I know who's calling.

"Who's this?" I ask, teasingly.

"What's up bitch?" Mal and David shriek into the telephone.

"Oh my God!" I laugh, recognizing the voices of my best friends. "Hey guys!"

"How's BP so far?" Mal asks.

"It's going alright. I'm actually gonna head out soon 'cause I'm spending my Fourth at the park. They're having some big festival with rides and stuff." I say.

"Just don't start trouble again V." David says. "'Cause I know you get in trouble a lot." He teases.

"Big talk coming from a guy who got suspended for ditching a week of school so he could go to Vegas with his stupid gang." I scoff.

"Ha! She got you there David!" Mal chortles.

"Whatever." David mumbles, probably rolling his eyes.

"So have you made any friends in BP yet?" Mal asks.

"Just this guy I saw at Hopefield." I answer. "I'll probably see him at the festival."

"Ooh?" Mal says, making this sound that I know she's gonna be begging for details, or as David would call it chisme. 

"What's his name?"

"Um, Jordan. Jordan Walker."

"What's he like?" David questions.

I gulp. I want David to approve of Jordan, but I don't want him to become jealous. 

So I give him the safest answer possible, "Jordan's literally the guy version of Mal."

David groans in agony. "Jesus Christ, your only friend is a geek? Sucks to be you Vic!"

"Shut up, you fake cholo!" Mal declares, probably punching David's shoulders.

"Yeah." I say, managing a chuckle. 

I suddenly feel embarrassed. "B-But he seems pretty nice, so at least I'll see a familiar face when school starts in the fall."

"Good. The last thing I wanted to hear is that your friend is turning you into a chola." David says.

"Ladron, if I wanted to be a wannabe chola, I'd go with Los Hombres de Satanás." I tease.

David starts to laugh as a loud series of honking comes from the driveway.

"Oh shit. I gotta head out now." I say, rushing out my room. "I forgot that Nicole's been waiting for me for a while."

"Mal! Vic's gonna head out! Come say goodbye to your only friend!" David yells.

"Shut up David!" Mal says as I hear her approaching on the other line.

"Bye V!" Mal says. "Have fun! Call me later if something happens." She says with a mischievous voice.

"Simmer down Mal!" I tell her. "I'm not interested in dating anybody here!"