love replaces scars [c.d.] - discontinued

o n e

Alisa Finnie's Point of View

The beat of the music was pumping through my ears as I watched immature teenagers grind on each other. Well at least, I think some of them are teens..

Monse, Ruby, Jamal, and I scouted the party, for Cesar, from behind a wall. I smile as Ruby's arm hung around my waist.

"Do you see him? I don't see him." Monse, my sister, sighs.

"Something bad is happening. I can feel it. I knew this was a dumb idea." Jamal exaggerates nervously.

"Pop a zannie, J." I reply.

"We can't see him 'cause he's being stealth." Ruby's eyebrows raise.

"No doubt. He's got this. When has Cesar ever disappointed?" Monse asks.

"Mmm, fourth grade. Kickball tourney. We lost." Jamal answers into Monse's ear. Monse turns to face Jamal until we all hear a certain someone's voice behind us.

My best friend, Cesar. Yes, of course I'm dating Ruby. And yes, Monse, Ruby, Jamal, Cesar, and I are all best friends but Cesar and I have been through thick and thin. It has always been him and me until we met the other kids. He's always been there for me when Ruby or anyone else hasn't. I tell him everything, even more than I tell Monse.

"Only 'cause I picked the kid with no skills. And I'd pick you again." Cesar smiles. I love hearing his voice ring through my ears. It was warm, and very encouraging, might I say.

Cesar tosses a can to Jamal. Jamal struggles catching it, but comes through. I laugh at his "skills" as I release Ruby's grip on my waist. I run up to Cesar and jump on top of his back.

"Loyalty trumps victory, compa." Cesar says while handing the rest of the beer cans out to Monse, Ruby, and me. I jump off his back and pop open the tab of the beer. Cesar and I stand beside Ruby. Ruby's jealous, I can tell, he tries to hide it since he thinks Cesar and I are just friends.

"Take it in.  This is about to be us.  This is high school." Cesar smirks.

I sip the bitter liquid as everyone else squirms and tries not to cough it back up.

"Ruby, you think your brother's gonna marry Angelica?" Monse asks.

"No idea, Mario tells me jack."

Jamal chuckles as he adds onto the conversation, "What about that time he said Angelica has a dangler?" I snicker quietly while Ruby rolls his eyes. "But he said that."

"In private! Time and place, dude." I smile softly.

"Oh, guys, check out Huerita at nine o'clock." Ruby says. I nudge him. "Sorry, babe. But, Monse, if you were a girl-"

"I am a girl." Monse states.

"Yeah, but if you were a girl like that, would you wear underwear?" Ruby finishes his question. God, teenage hormones.

"Dios, ¿puedes decir algo que no tenga nada que ver con el sexo?" (God, can you say something that has nothing to do with sex?)" I ask my immature novio.

I feel a grip on my waist, it was Cesar's arm pulling me into his chest. I give a half-smile as I turn around and embrace him. If Ruby was playing this 'game', so will I. Being completely honest, I have always had a thing for Cesar, even when I started dating Ruby.

"Oh my god, I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die." Jamal's voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"Why are you gonna die?" Monse turns to Jamal.