Safe | Oscar Diaz .

F o u r .

Araceli
Thursday.

3 DAYS LATER

They had finally released Maya from the hospital, and if I wasn't at home with her it was Mario. I was able to get back to school feeling better than ever. I had my friends back, my sister was okay, and my plan with Tio Rickey was in motion.

"Araceli, can I talk to you?" I stopped turning around seeing Trelle.

"You guys go. I got this." I looked back at Jamal, Ruby, and Monse.

They nodded walking away, and I looked back at Latrelle, "What's up?"

"How you been?" He asked.

"I've been fine." I rolled my eyes, "Mi familia is home. Is that all?"

"Yeah, sis been worried. You haven't been texting her." He shook his head.

"Let her know right now it's hot, and I can't be seen down with the Prophets." I told him, "They're watching me."

He nodded and stared at me, "Look what we had. I'm sorry."

"We didn't have nothing Latrelle. You were my best friends brother I felt safe with you." I sadly stated, "I can't be with a Prophet. It's not possible."

The low rumbles of a car came up to the side walk, and Latrelle smirked at me, "Or is he why?"

I looked back seeing Oscar and Cesar in the car, "Even if he was out of the picture I couldn't be with you. Adios."

I backed away slowly as Cesar got out the passenger seat getting in the back, and I sat up front.

"Before you say anything it was nothing." I turned to Oscar, "His sister sent him."

He nodded without a verbal response, "O-Kay." I got uncomfortable with his silence. "Just drop me here. I'll walk."

"No." He gritted through his teeth.

"Just drop me off. I can walk." I got irritated, and didn't want to be near him if he was gonna be silent.

He stopped the car which I wasn't expecting. Even if I asked he would still take me home no matter how mad I was.

He looked at me, "Salí."

My mouth fell open, and I rolled my eyes at him grabbing my things, "I didn't ask him to come up to me." I said as I closed the door.

I stood on the sidewalk making myself aware of my surroundings, a block away from home. I sighed starting to walk. I looked up at the setting sky, "I wish you were still here Papa." I whispered to myself.

I took a left turning down our street seeing that Oscar and Cesar of course already made it home. I crossed the street early to avoid any problems with Oscar.

I walked up the driveway to my house when I saw him on the porch, "Why are you here?" I asked quietly.

"Looking for you." He said looking up me.

"You dropped me off a block away, and I'm here." I said opening the door to walk inside when he gently pulled me back.

"You're doing it again." He said pulling me close, "Pushing me away."

"No... you did this one." I pulled away, "Salí, remember? Like I said nothing happened." I turned going into the house.

"Celi, is that you?" I heard Maya's voice down the hall.

"It's her baby." Mario yelled coming out the kitchen with food in his hands.

I laughed hoping he wouldn't drop it. I looked out the window by the door seeing Oscar still on our porch. I rolled my eyes.

I walked down the hall go Maya's room, "Hermana, I'll be in the porch."

"It's late Celi." She glared at me.

"Spooky's outside." I looked at her, and she dropped her fork.

"Oh..." she began still shocked, "okay."

I went back to the front door checking that he was still there before walking out. I sat next to him on the porch swing allowing the silence to take over.

"Jamal made it seem like something happened." He simply stated, "I should've trusted you had it handled, but they wouldn't let it go."

"I told you the truth Spooky." I relaxed next to him, "He likes me. He keeps coming back to try talking to me, but his sister had sent him this time. And I told him I couldn't be with him."

He scoffed, and I continued, "That's when you and Cesar got there. He asked if it was because of you. I told him even if you weren't in the picture he wouldn't stand a chance."

I heard a soft chuckle, and was happy to see the smile appear on his face, "I'm sorry hermosa."

"Stop apologizing. I now know why you act the way you act with me. It's never bothered me." I moved closer to him, "It's kinda cute."

"Whatever," He chuckled getting up, "Had to make sure we were okay."

I got up behind him walking to the door, "No goodnight kiss?" I called after him.

"Night princessa." He smiled at me still walking away.

"Night Spooky." The butterflies were still fluttering as I made my way to my room after locking the door.

"Mario, you staying?" I asked stepping into Maya's doorframe.

They both nodded as they were into the movie they were watching, "I'm getting in the shower." I told them walking away, and into my room finding my night clothes.

For once, I felt happiness again, but something kept telling me it wouldn't last long. Something bad was going to happen, and I could feel it.

I took my shower finishing my night routine, and walk into Maya's room. "Goodnight Mario. Night Maya, I love you."

"Love you too babygirl." She smiled at me.

I walked back to my room settling in my bed when my phone rang, Unknown flashing across the screen. My heart beat picked up as I answered, "Mija." I sighed relieved to hear my uncles voice, "Lay low tomorrow. I'll call the school for you. Tell your sister."

"Okay, but why...?" I asked.

"I'm coming to get you tomorrow, and you need to let Maya know to go to Mario's." Was all he said before he hung up.

I walked back across the hall, "Maya, Tío Rickey said to lay low tomorrow and go to Mario's."

"Okay, and what about you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"He's picking me up." I told her putting my head down.

"No, you're not doing it." She sat up quickly.

"I asked for it Maya. That's why I went to go talk to Tío." I explained, and went back to my room.

I packed a go bag for tomorrow knowing I'll need it. I wouldn't be back for a day or two. It always happened like this, but how would I let Oscar know?