SATIVA ✞ ON MY BLOCK [OSCAR DIAZ]

TWENTY FOUR

"Who you texting?"

"Jamal."

iMessage
Sunday, January 14. 6:18 P.M

why arent you answering
im trying to look busy
so i can avoid talking to oscar
and it would be more
believable if you actually
texted me back
i hate you
now im forced to talk to him

She put her phone down with a sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. They sat in complete silence, looking at the ground as the time went by.

Ruby began screaming from outside as he looked theough the window, "I don't see talking, pendejos!"

"You look pretty," Oscar said, quietly, looking up at her. He meant it, she looked absolutely stunning.

"Thank you," Ximena replied, stubbornly. She realized how bitchy that came out a couple of seconds later and looked up at him, "You look good too."

"You're still mad at me."

"I'm not mad," she stated, shaking her head, "I'm disappointed."

"So, we're never going to get past this? You're never going to forgive me?"

"What you made Cesar do, he's going to have to live with that the rest of his life. So, sorry if I'm not in a forgiving mood."

"Would you rather Ceaser be dead?" Oscar questioned, raising an eyebrow, "Cause he probably wouldn't even be here for your sister right now if he didn't do what he did."

"I'm not saying that," Ximena snapped.

"Then what are you saying? There was no other way around this, Ximena, he had to protect himself."

"He wouldn't have been in this situation if you didn't force him into this gang shit!"

"No," Oscar shook his head, "he wouldn't have bern in this situation if he ain't have mouthed off and got a gun pulled on him. But he's a teenager, so I can't blame him for that. If we're being honest, we both know a gun would've eventually been pulled on him, gang or not, living in this neighborhood." Ximena didn't say anything, knowing deep down that he was probably right.

Soon, Ruby and Monse came back in along with Olivia and Cesar. Oscar stood up at the sight of his brother.

Cesar smiled as Oscar brought him in for a hug, "You look good, man."

"Okay, we're 20 minutes and counting from the presentation, and after a little second-hand high, I'm starting to chill," Ruby sighed, making Ximena laugh, "We're gonna do a little improvising so we can give Olivia and Cesar a proper entrance without the carriage."

"I'm not dancing with Cesar," Olivia shook her head.

"What?" Ximena questioned, "Why?"

"We just broke up."

Ruby groaned, throwing his arms up in defeat, "Are you kidding me? This whole day is falling apart! Cesar, your timing is terrible."

"She dumped me," Cesar defended, pointing at Olivia.

"We dumped each other," Olivia corrected.

Ximena put her hands on her hips, "So, if you're not gonna dance with Cesar, who are you gonna dance with?"

"Ruby."