WEST COAST 18+

17.

damn, another? yessirrr

there's a mini time jump during the chapter + a little lengthy chapter.

W E S T C O A S T

"Thank you for getting her home," Enrique spoke, Daniela nodding.

She inhales, failing to keep eye contact with him as he nears, Daniela looking at his chain, to his shirt, to the ground. "I'm just glad she's home safe. It would've killed me to know something happened to her and I didn't help her."

Enrique took his plate, reaching the step above her. "I owe you one."

"No, you don't." Daniela looked out for his sister when she could've let her animosity towards him leave Genevieve out to get hurt.

"I do," Enrique says, walking around her, "and I can start off by walking you home."

Daniela turns to him, "I'm fine. It's down the street."

Still walking off, "It's late."

"I'll be fine," Daniela promises, Enrique opening the door and waiting for her to make her way down. She did just that, heading out first with Enrique following after her.

There was this heat encircling her while Enrique put her on the inside, walking closer to the street. Daniela was second-guessing sending Paul on his way because he would've saved her from all these nerves striking her. She tried getting rid of that tight feeling in her throat by swallowing, wondering if he could hear it since the streets were so quiet.

Usually there were kids playing outside and adults blasting music, but she had nothing to distract her, rubbing up her arm with goosebumps, though it was still warm out.

"I'm really sorry about the other day," Daniela says, staring over at him. "I was so wrong. I had no idea your brother was trying to get Ashton to stop and that another student lied on him. I already talked to Georgie, but I owe you an apology, too."

Enrique nods lightly, "It's all good. You're just a sister tryna look out for her family."

"I am, but I didn't have to be disrespectful. I should've gotten the facts first instead of coming at you like that."

Enrique lets her know, "All is forgiven, but the next time you come at me like that, I ain't gonna be too nice." He was a hot-tempered man, and he thought twice when staring in her face. Same way she was defensive over family, so was he. Enrique ain't care how fine she was; it was uncalled for, but he liked that she apologized. He can let it go.

"I'm still not scared of you, Enrique," Daniela says with a faint smile.

Enrique brought his gaze over to her. "I don't need you to be, but don't let that shit happen again." Daniela relaxes in her shoes, understanding. "Where you coming from?"

"Work."

"Who dropped you off?" Because he caught the car before the driver pulled off.

"Paul," and Enrique rolls his eyes. Daniela smirks, "What?" He doesn't answer, bothered. Daniela stuffed her thumbs in the back pocket of her jeans, still walking. "I heard what you did for Ashton with the kids at the bus stop. Thank you."

"No worries," Enrique mumbles, looking both ways before crossing them across the street. It was then Daniela realized she wasn't paying attention to a damn thing but him.

"Ashton won't admit it to me or my mother, but I can't believe he was stealing out of stores and tried getting your brother to do the same." He was like a new person here. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I found out that day," Enrique answers. He was going to tell her, but...

Daniela sighs, "I wish I would've known sooner. I would've talked to him."