Ese.

Thirty-One.

Isamariá

It was December first, and I was currently at a restaurant in the Bronx. Surprisingly, George decided to take us out because he felt like he was being 'Useless' to the family lately. I scoffed when he said it.

Anyway, Momma was planning my party, too.

"I was going to rent a place out, but I don't know yet." Momma sighed.

"Why are you making a big deal out of this?" I asked. "Why don't we just have it in the neighborhood, like you suggested."

"Don't you want this to be special?" George asked, acting like he cared.

"I guess, but all that is expensive." I shrugged.

"Well, if you want it in the neighborhood, then we can." Momma smiled.

"Cool!" Kaylani exclaimed.

I still didn't really care for this party. I didn't really get the point of it. Momma said that her Momma, and her Momma's Momma, and so on, had this big ole party with they turned fifteen years old. Momma also said that when I have a daughter, she has to carry out the same tradition.

That's not going to happen.

"Are y'all ready to go?" George asked.

"Yeah, honey, let's go." Momma said.

We left the restaurant after George paid for the food, and we walked around the block back home.

Once we got back inside, everyone went back to their regular routine. George stuck his face into the television, Momma went OCD, and Kaylani started coloring.

I walked into my bedroom, and closed the door. When I turned around, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw Jada sitting on my bed.

"My lord, Jada!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Man, Isa," She exclaimed. "How come you won't talk to me?"

"You already know why." I said in a low tone.

"Okay, well I'm really sorry, Isa." She said. "You're my best friend!"

".....Is it cause you're jealous?"

"Jealous of what?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Jealous because you like Andreson!" I frowned.

"I'm dating Joshua." She said in a low tone.

My eyes widened.

"You're dating Joshua?"

"Yeah... For a while now." She shrugged.

"Joshua Dominguez?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yep."

"It's about time!" I laughed. "He liked you forever."

She laughed, "We're going to prom together, too. What about you?"

"I'm going with the jocks." I shrugged.

"That's cool." She smiled. "So, what are you doing today? Maybe me, you and Joshua can go to Manhattan.."

"Why aren't you at school?" I smiled.

"I didn't feel like going." She shrugged. "Let's go."

___________________

Rebecca

"Man, where is Isa at?" Ace asked.

Emma rolled her eyes and I rolled my eyes at her. I didn't like Isa either, but damn. Emma was such a hater. Plus I didn't like Emma because she still kept trying to get with Andree.

"Who the hell you rolling your eyes at?" Emma snarled.

"Hop off, Emma." Rosa warned her. "Stop being mad, get your own."

I nodded my head in agreement.

"Who was talking to you, though?" She asked.

"I don't care!" Rosa shouted. "You mess with Rebecca, you mess with me! I'm a crazy ass Rican I will fuck you up, try me!"

She rolled her eyes and walked off. Petty girls.

"I wonder what's been up with Her lately." Mary sighed.

"She's a hater," Rosa said as she popped her gum. "I say we kick her out the group."

"Just give her some time." Tony shrugged. "If she doesn't get it together soon, we'll kick her out."

"Yeah." Justin laughed.

"Who's coming with me after school?" Mary asked.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I'm going to get Isa's jacket made." She said. "Remember? We were going to give it to her on her birthday."

"Oh, yeah." Ace nodded.

The bell rang, indicating we only had ten more minutes of our period. Right now, we were in free period, so we've been outside for most of the hour.

"I'll catch up with you guys later." Justin said.

He walked off with Tony and Ace by his side.

"You coming?" Mary asked.

I was going to tag along, but then I saw someone who I never thought I would see.

"I'll come by after school." I said.

"Alright." Rosa said as she and Mary skipped away to catch up with the rest of the crew.

I looked around and saw that nobody was paying attention to me. I walked all the way across the street to the black limo that was sitting there. I knew it was Robert Valdez.

I knocked on the back window, and it slowly rolled down.

"Mr. Valdez?" I asked.

"You're that girl that my son kissed." He said.

"Don't remind me." I rolled my eyes as I shoved my hands into my pants pockets.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"Why are you here?" I asked. "If you're looking for your son, he's probably in class."

"No I'm not looking for him." He scoffed.

"Well, if you're just here stalking kids, it's not cool." I frowned. "You need to go home."

"It's none of your business what I'm doing." He stated. "Now, go to class and stay away from my son."

The second bell rang, and that meant that It was time for our next class. Not wanting to go, an idea popped up in my head.

"I can help you out if you're looking for somebody." I offered. "I know everyone here."

He sighed, "This is between you and I, little girl." He said. "Isamariá Milian. Do you know where she could be?"

"Yes, I do." I nodded. "Why?"

"What do you know about her?"

"A lot, she's my best friend." I smirked. "But...."

"But what?"

"If you're willing to pay, I'll help you put with whatever you need done."

"You would?"

"Yep."

He looked around and shook his head. "Get in the car."

I smirked and got inside of the limo. I didn't care how much work this plan was going to be. As long as he payed me, then I'm down.