SATIVA ✞ ON MY BLOCK [OSCAR DIAZ]

TWENTY THREE

As the music started, Abuela began singing loudly, clapping her hands together, "Suavemente! Bésame! Que yo quiero sentir tus labios! Besándome otra vez!"

She grabbed Ximena's hands as the music picked up, spinning the girl around the room.

"Besándome otra vez, suave! Besa, besa, suave!"

The two began dancing in sync, moving their feet and hips as Ximena joined in.

"Bésame un poquito, suave! Besa, besa, besa."

Ruby came in, hand and hand with Olivia as they watched the two continue their dance. Ruby had his suit already on, a headset on top of his head and a clipboard in his left hand. Olivia was quince ready with her dress, makeup and hair done.

"Can we please finish getting ready?" Ruby ordered, putting the clipboard down. He turned out the music, going over to Ximena, "You haven't even started getting ready, te ves como un desastre!"

Ximena slightly offended, put her hands on her hips, "I'm gonna take the pressure of today as an excuse to not punch you in the face right now."

Ruby handed the girl her dress, waving her away, "Go, go."

For the next two hours while Ruby and Monse handed out the pamphlets, Olivia, Abuela and Mrs. Martinez helped Ximena get dressed.

Monse and Jasmine wore purple dresses, the top was a lace material with matching sparkles but Ruby ordered Ximena to wear a pale pink. Her dress was strapless and long, almost covering her toes. It was the same shade as the lace of Olivia's dress, with a crisscrossing back.

Her hair was straightened for the first time in her life. Extensions, that reached below her breast, were added since Ruby made a comment that her hair looked lifeless on it's own.

"Do I have to wear these for the whole night?" Ximena asked, holding up the pair of heels in her hands.

Mrs. Martinez shook her head, fixing Ximena's hair, "No, just for pictures and the dances. Then you can change into whatever, mija." She nodded as she straightened out her dress.

"That is the first time since my fifth grade graduation that I've seen you in a dress," Olivia chuckled.

"And it will be the last."

Ximena grabbed her sister's hands, smiling as she looked at her. She tilted her head, "I'm so proud of you, you know that."

"Oh, stop it," Olivia fake blushed.

"I'm serious, you look beautiful, hermana. Mom and dad would be proud too."

They hugged for a while, quickly being interrupted by Ruby.

"Living room people!"

As the women entered the living room, Ximena made direct eye contact with Cesar, getting a cold feeling from the sight of him. His head was shaved, signifying that he was officially a Santo. He broke eye contact with her, beginning to talk to Monse.

Jasmine began leaning all over Ruby, her arm limply draping over his neck, "I think I need to go home."

Ruby pushed her off, "What's wrong with you?"