The Real American Idol

Ouch

It was now November 10th, and today was a half-day at school. Tomorrow, there would be no school because it was Veteran's Day, and that was convenient because tomorrow was also Mirabela's Quinceañera. A lot of students were really looking forward to it.

When school had finished, Mirabela, Miley, Lily, and the twins stayed in the school library to cover some homework.

"Tomorrow is the big day, Mira," Variel smiled. "Excited, are we?"

"Am I ever?" Mirabela asked. "To be honest, I wasn't so sure about having a Quince, but there's something about this party that really makes me look forward to it."

"Well, out with it, Mirabela," Lily urged. "What in the world is it about this party that just makes you so excited about it? Because it's obviously nothing compared to Nancy's Sweet 16 party, that's for sure."

"Thank you for the reminder, Lily," Mirabela huffed.

"Well, Mirabela, why are you looking forward to your party?" Lily asked.

"I don't know, Lily," Mirabela said. "I guess it's because the 15th is the most important birthday in a girl's life, at least in our culture."

"Claro que sí, and you should enjoy it while it lasts," Dulce smiled.

Nancy was nearby, and she couldn't resist butting in. "Maybe so, but the Sweet 16 is much more important in every other culture in the world, and mine is sure to be a hit," she boasted. "It's even going to be on that reality show My Super Sweet Sixteen."

Lily was shocked to hear that. "You're going to be on TV?" she gasped loudly, which resulted in her getting shushed by the librarian.

"Yes, Daddy got the producers to shoot my Sweet 16 party, and he even hired them to put it on live TV," Nancy boasted.

"Yippee," Variel sniffed.

"Wow, that's totally awesome," Lily gaped. "My dad would never get My Super Sweet Sixteen to shoot at my Sweet Sixteen party."

"Too bad," Nancy teased. "Oh, I'm so glad Mother and Daddy planned this party for me."

"You're lucky you have awesome parents, Nancy," Lily sighed.

"I know," Nancy boasted.

"My parents are so lame, especially my dad, who's planning my Sweet 16 party," Lily sighed. Then she turned to Mirabela and said, "You're lucky you don't have your dad to embarrass you, Mirabela, and he especially can't embarrass you at your party tomorrow."

That comment really hurt Mirabela's feelings. Dulce and Variel were shocked, too, and they looked at their cousin, who was trying to be strong.

"I have my dad, Lily," Mirabela said, trying to remain calm. "He's alive—I just don't live with him. He lives in Colombia, serving in the Air Force."

"That's what makes you so lucky," Lily said. "He can't be around to embarrass you, and he especially can't even come to your party tomorrow. You ought to be happy about that." But then she saw Mirabela fire a creepy glare at her. "What?" She was really freaking out because Mirabela just kept glaring. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? You're freaking me out, Mirabela. Mirabela, what's going on?"

"You know something?" Mirabela asked angrily. "You just reminded me." She started putting her stuff in her backpack.

"That you're lucky that the absence of your dad spares you the humiliation?" Lily asked.