Tattoo Artist | o. diaz

cuarenta y dos: high school

Venus stared at Jamal, then busted out laughing. "You're playing in the football game? J, you couldn't even catch the football I threw at you." Venus laughed, making Luis look up at her in confusion while she continued to laugh at her cousin's "joke".

Jamal kept his face straight and glared. "I'm serious! Kinda. Ruby convinced the coach to let me sit on the bench because I may or may not have never told my parents that I quit the team in summer." Jamal explained. Venus let out a few giggles as she tried to calm herself down and let Luis climbed into her lap.

"Seriously? I told you that you could tell them because you being in a sport or not is the least of their worries for you." Venus explained. "Look, I'd rather have Luis alive and happy, than miserable because he's being forced to do something. Huh, papito?"

Luis nodded his head and pulled his box of chicken nuggets into his lap. "He's just nodding because he wants you to shut up so he can eat." Jamal deadpanned. "But seriously, I'm playing in the game today, so I'm leaving before I get kicked off the sidelines. And because your boyfriend scares me." Jamal said quietly.

"Adiós!" Luis waved, a chicken nugget flying out and making him gasp and run after it. "Mamá, es sucio." Luis pouted.

Before Venus could help him, she heard a gasp and the front door slam. "Why you slamming doors in my face, in my house?" Venus heard Oscar's deep voice ask. When she turned around, she saw him getting in Jamal's face and the teenager nearly pissed his pants.

"Jamal, ignore him. Get to your game before your parents find out." Jamal nodded, squeegeeing pass Oscar before running out. He may not know how to play football, but he sure as hell knew how to run.

"What's up with him?"

"He told his parents he made varsity, so he's sitting at the bench today."

Oscar nodded and sat down beside Venus on the couch as she threw a leg over his knee. "Cesar's going, so you're coming with me."

Venus smacked her lips and groaned, throwing her head back in annoyance. "Do we have to? I want to stay here and do things."

Oscar looked at her smirking. "What kinds of things?"

"Not those things, dumbass."

"Yeah, dumbass." Luis repeated with a smile.

Both Venus and Oscar looked to Luis, and while Venus was shocked, Oscar was laughing. "Papito, don't say that."

"But I want to."

"If you stop saying it, I'll give you ice cream." Luis gasped and nodded his head excitedly before dipping his nuggets.

"Most kids ask for toys, and you're here bribing him with food?" Oscar asked.

Venus shrugged, completely forgetting about the conversation that they were having. "He's happy, isn't he?"

× × ×

"Wow, I did not miss this school." Venus mumbled, holding Luis' legs and back since he insisted to be on her shoulders the second they got out of the car.

From in the parking lot, Venus, Luis and a few of the Santos heard the band and loud crowd in the stadium. "Papá, look!" Luis exclaimed. With his pointer finger, he pointed to the concession stand where people were walking away with all kinds of food. Luis had seemed to be pointing to the cotton candy a girl was walking by with.

"You want some?" Luis nodded, holding onto Venus' head when he felt himself falling. "Come on." Luis stuck his hands out and Oscar grabbed him, carefully to not pull Venus' curls. "We'll be back." Venus nodded, letting Oscar take Luis and kiss her before walking off to stand in the line.