Mi Salvador

Bronx Babies

Ascella's POV
I sat in the coffee shop, reading through the law books I got from the library. This summer has been a bit slow and I'm still not over my parent's separation, so I've been secluding myself from everyone still. I huffed writing down notes and rereading everything.
"You know, you're not gonna need most of those notes." A voice came from next to me. I laughed, not looking up from my paper, "I'm honestly not surprised."
I looked up and found a man with piercing green eyes. He smirked and held a coffee cup in one hand and held out his other, "Rafael."
"Ascella" I shook his hand. He looked over my book, "Where are you studying?"
"I'm taking some night classes at Fordham but I'll be going to Harvard in the fall..." I pushed some hair back and smiled weakly. I could feel a blush over my face and a chill run up my spine as he moved a bit closer. His cologne was strong and intoxicating. Must be someone important with such a nice suit and tie and expensive fragrance.
"Is criminal law your major?"
"Yeah. I've always been interested. Grew up around it my entire life."
"If I were you, I'd probably get tired of it." He smiled, looking at me. I realized I was staring and cleared my throat, looking back at my book.
"So, you're a lawyer."
"Assistant District Attorney. Previously in Virginia but I started in New York a few months ago. Feels good to be home."
Home? So he's from here...I looked him up and down and bit my lip, "Bronx?"
"What?"
"You're from the Bronx?"
"How did you..."
"Bronx babies can spot other Bronx babies." I instigated, "Upper east?"
"Nope. El Barrio."
"Wow, me too." He looked at me again, his eyes trailing up and down. I felt hot under his stare. He looked at his watch and sighed, "I'm sorry. I should get going..."
I shook my head, slightly disappointed, "I understand."
He got up and gathered his stuff, but before he headed off, he grabbed my pen and wrote on the back of my notebook, "Text me anytime...about law or...anything else." He smirked, walking off. I felt my heart beat faster in my chest.
"God...I hope he knows I'm 18..."

Rafael and I didn't see each other after that. I didn't frequent that coffee shop much and he was a lawyer, he wouldn't have time for me. A few weeks later, I was with Opal and Shireen. They walked down the street and squeezed my shoulders as we walked into our destination. The person at the counter smiled, "A group?"
"Nope!" Opal grinned.
Shireen replies, "Just her." They urged me forward. I smiled and shook my head, showing my ID and pulling out a piece of paper. Liv's letter...
"There's a word I want tattooed on my back...this one."
Survivor
The artist smiled, "Follow me." We all did so, "Not afraid of needles or pain right?"
"Her? No way." Opal sat in an empty chair as Shireen stood by. I took off my sweater and sat on the chair.
"Show me where and we'll start."
I nodded and looked in the mirror, "On my shoulder blade...yeah, right there." I confirmed as she pointed to the spot. She nodded and laid the letter down.

Nearly an hour later, she covered my tattoo so it wouldn't get infected.
"Okay, dont put your jacket on for a bit. It's gonna sting and the bleeding will stop soon." I nodded and went up front to pay.
"It's free." She put her stuff away, "Read a bit of that letter, you deserve it." She smirked, "Hope to see you again."
I smiled and nodded, putting the letter in my bag and walking out with Shireen and Opal.
"It looks so nice!!!"
"Does your dad know?"
I laughed, "Not a clue."
"Do you think he'll get mad?"
"No, it's not something stupid. If it were, then he'd be mad." I got in the drivers seat and started the car, "Where to?"
"I'm hungry." Opal whined. I nodded and drove to the diner. We sat together in a booth and ate. My mind trailed to Rafael...he was so charming and—Woah! I sound like when I met Olly! Stop it, Ascella!
"Earth to Ella! Hey!" Opal threw a fry at me, "What's up?"
"Huh? No—yes, I am. I-Yeah. I'm good."
"You sure? Is it your fam-"
"I met a guy."
They looked at each other before smiling, "What?"
"He's not really a guy. A man? I dunno what to call him..."
"What's his name?"
I looked around to improvise, multiple things caught my eye. A sign: This diner was started in-
"Nevada."
"Nevada? Nevada What?"
"Ramirez." I lied. Shireen raised her brow, "Nevada Ramirez? Where'd you two meet?"
"Um...Fordham, but he's transferring to a different school soon."
"Awww, do you talk often?"
"No, we met a few weeks ago..."
Opal cooed, "Awww."
I laughed weakly before looking out the window, "I don't think it'll work out though."