One of a Kind

Ramiro's Ruffled Feathers

It was Thursday, and school was already over. Milagra had just gotten her stuff from her locker, and she was ready to meet up with her mother.

"Hasta mañana, Ramiro," Milagra said.

"Igualmente, Mila," Ramiro smiled.

Milagra went off to meet up with her mother, and Ramiro was on his way to meet up with Guillermo when Bunty and Zooey went up to him.

"Hi, Ramiro," the girls chorused.

"Hola, muchachas," Ramiro huffed. These girls have been on his back since Saturday, and their unwanted affection didn't feel any better than when they bullied him.

"So, I have an important question for you," Bunty said.

"Well, I have a more important question for you," Zooey insisted.

"Okay, make it quick," Ramiro said.

"Will you be my date to Homecoming next week?" Bunty asked.

"Actually, Bunty, he should be my date to Homecoming next week," Zooey insisted.

Ramiro's feathers were seriously ruffled. "No way," he frowned.

Bunty and Zooey were a little confused because they didn't know who Ramiro was talking to.

"No to me or Bunty?" Zooey asked.

"Both of you," Ramiro glared. "I don't want to go to Homecoming with either of you."

The girls were shocked to hear that.

"But you've never even gone to a high school dance before," Bunty said.

"Well, I am going to Homecoming, but I don't want either of you to be my date," Ramiro frowned.

"But, Ramiro," Zooey tried to protest.

"I said no," Ramiro snapped. "Look, I have a lot to do this evening, and here I am, wasting my time with you Karens. I'll see you tomorrow." Then he went off to meet up with his brother, to Bunty and Zooey's dismay. He finally reached his brother's car and climbed in. "Hola, Guillermo," he sighed.

"¿Qué te pasa, hermano?" Guillermo asked. "Had a bad day?"

"This week has been horrible," Ramiro sighed. "It's good to have my cleft finally fixed, but I liked it better when I was less than 4 feet tall."

"Why?" Guillermo asked. "What happened?"

"Bunty and Zooey won't stop hounding me for my affection," Ramiro huffed. "They only like me for the way I look—well, a lot of the girls do, but they have it the worst."

"Aw, I'm sorry that's happening to you, mijo," Guillermo apologized. "But look at the bright side: Milagra likes you for who you are."

"And that's why I like her so much," Ramiro said. "She didn't flinch at my cleft, and she didn't care if I wasn't any taller than her—she was there for me when I needed support. Too bad Bunty and Zooey don't want to accept that I want a girl who's so good inside."

"The hard truth is that not every jerk in the world will ever understand the point in kindness," Guillermo said.

"Well, I hope Bunty and Zooey find boys they think are prettier than me," Ramiro said. "That should get them off my back."

Meanwhile, Milagra and Violeta made it home, and Milagra was about to continue her book report when she saw something on the table. It was a postcard with a bouquet of orchids on the front. Milagra turned the postcard over and read the message.

Querida Milagra,

How are you? I really owe you my gratitude for supporting me, not to mention paying for my surgery and helping save my life. I talked to your parents, and I was hoping for a little favor. I'm sending you this postcard not because I'm scared to ask you in person but because I want this to be special. Will you be my date at the Homecoming dance? Respond to me when you get this, please and thank you!

Con mucho amor,

Ramiro

Milagra was touched that Ramiro wanted her to be his Homecoming date, and he asked her this question, using a postcard with a picture of a flower bouquet. Since she knew that Ramiro would be busy right now, she decided to wait until tomorrow to give him her answer.