BAD REPUTATION [SCOTT REED]

NINE

"HOLY SHIT, MAN, YOU'RE FUCKING JEALOUS!"
——

Alona was in the middle of her breakfast when her phone rang from her pocket. Joaquin nosily tries to peek at the caller ID and Alona glares at him, keeping it out of his sight.

"What did I say about phones?! No phones at the table!" Isabel reprimanded, not looking up from the onions she was dicing.

"Si, mama." Alona replies. "It's Tony."

Isabel perks up at the mention of her favorite nephew and she nodded as a way of allowing Alona to take the call.

"Clay and I are gonna ditch first half of school to find Justin, you up for it?" Tony greeted and Alona sends a discreet look at her Mom and lowered down her voice into a whisper.

"I'm out, Tony, I can't be a part of this anymore. I can't go back there, the guys I fought with will certainly be there and who knows how many guys they have for backup. Plus, I'm in no position to fight right now, my hand's messed up." Alona muttered and Joaquin watches her suspiciously, straining his ear to listen. Her brother could be so nosy whenever he wanted.

Tony nods at the other side of the line even though she wouldn't be able to see. "I know, Lonnie, I understand. I'll just help Clay with this one and I'll tell him I'm out too. I can't have Justin messing up with my probation."

"So, you wouldn't be able to give me a ride?"

"Yeah." Tony sighed. "Tell Tia Isabel I can't right now, not today."

Alona bids her goodbye at Tony and ended the call, Isabel immediately pouncing with curiosity. "What did Tony say?"

"He says he can't give Joaquin and I a ride today, he's... staying in because he feels sick." Alona lied. "I'll just get Zach to pick us up."

Isabel narrows her eyes at Alona, "Tienes novio y aún no puedes hacer las tareas de la casa"

"I cook and clean the dishes! Joaquin only watches." Alona scrunched up her face and shook her head. "Zach's not my novio, mama, I've told you many times before. He's a... special friend"

"Hija de la chingada, you better not get yourself pregnant at this age! You estupida! Arrancaré tus trompas de Falopio de la ira!" Isabel cussed and before she knew it, her mother was hurling a pair of sandal at her direction and it hits her arm. Joaquin barked with laughter, choking with his champurrado.

"She likes a different chico, mama. Remember the Scotty boy I was telling you about? He told me he was close to being her novio!" Joaquin broadcasted and Isabel looks over with raised eyebrows.