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October

October settled in as students adjusted to their school schedules and early mornings, while by this point, Monse kept on track with Homeschool.

She couldn't believe she was 5 months pregnant already, shit was happening at a level 10 speed. Her and Cesar has already cleaned out her room and placed certain items for the baby, such as a small crib and blankets.

Ruby and Jamal chipped in and even gifted them with cute little outfits and baby shoes

"Aw they are so tiny" Monse cried as she opened the gift that Jamal handed her

"Yeah I saw them at the store and I had a feeling you'd like them" he laughed

"I love it, thank you!" She hugged him

"Ok ok, open mine" ruby spoke

Monse picked up his gift, opening it
"Oh my god! This is so cute!" She smiled

"You love Disney, so I figured you'd probably put Natalia in something like this at some point" he laughed

"Thank you ruby!" Monse said
"Wait until Cesar gets back from his brothers, he'll love this stuff" she finished

Cesar still was having trouble with his brother, but like Always, the Santos are the Santos, wether you like each other or not you were expected to do what you needed.

It was a Thursday afternoon and Monse was folding some of her clothes, continuing to clean her room up.

"Hey" a familiar voice said as he walked in from her window
"Cesar you do know you don't have to keep going through my window, you live with me now" she laughed

"It's what I'm known for though" he joked, sitting at her desk
"What you doing?" He asked

"Oh just cleaning up a bit more, I finally cleaned out my closet which it desperately needed" she spoke, "how was school?" She asked

Cesar rolled his eyes "for me, fine, but for Marco Ramirez, suspended!"
Monse turned around shocked "he's like the best student ever, what happened?"

"Fight, with Danny Goldstein!" He shook his head

"Are you kidding me?" She laughed "hes like twice the size of him!! What was he thinking?"
"Eh high school makes you do some pretty weird shit"

Monse kinda missed drama to laugh at like this, home was boring

They were both quiet
"Oh hey look what Jamal and ruby got us" she said, walking over to her closet
"Those are cute!" Cesar said, taking the items from her hands
"Yah I had them come over today for a little hang out" she spoke
"Oh right, Sorry I missed that"
Monse smiled "it's ok, don't worry about it" she said "what did Spooky have you do?"
Cesar shook his head "just the same old same old shit" he sighed
Monse grabbed his hand and lifted his chin up "hey...what's wrong?"
"I'm just sick of it...I feel like I'm throwing my life away...I'm so busy with school and The Santos" he responded
Monse squeezed his hand "I'm sorry..i must not be helping with having you constantly here" She spoke
"No no..I rather be here. I just wish I could get my priorities straightened out"
"Listen Cesar...life WILL get easier. When I found out I was pregnant. I expected to get kicked out, you to break up with me, and everything to just end" she smiled "but it didn't. Things got better, and they will for you too"
She got up and hugged him, as he hugged back, she heard something she hasn't heard in years...he was crying.

The last time Cesar cried was when he was 12, it was when his father died. Monse and Cesar were hanging out in her treehouse her dad built, they sat there for hours, he cried and she listened.  That's one of Monse favorite memories with Cesar, yes it was sad...but he would only talk about his feelings with her. Not even his brother, explains why they've always been so close.

Monse didn't say anything, she just sat in the hug, squeezing him tighter. She knew that all the stress on him has been piling up and it was bound to fall at some point.
She pulled away, wiping a stray tear on his cheek, as he looked down at his feet. 

She didn't even have to say anything for him to know she loved him

-ruby-

Ruby had just got back home from the costume store with his abuelita
"Mijo dint you think your too old to dress up for Halloween?" She laughed
"Listen Abuelita, Halloween is in a few days and I need to dress up and show up to impress, this is high school! Dances are important"
Abuelita looked confused "dances?"
Ruby rolled his eyes "school dances? There's one tomorrow, and everyone has to wear a costume. I know with this, I'll sexify them ladies on the dance floor" he nods
"As Dracula?" She laughs
"It seems odd but it works" he says confidently

-Jamal walks in-
"Ruby, you ready to go Halloween shopping?" He asked, excited

"Actually I already went, there was a sale at party city and it was limited!" He defends

Jamal scoffs "I see Im being left out, again"

"The only thing you were left out on was a good deal, get 2 costumes for the price of $10!" Ruby responded

"2?" Jamal Asked

Ruby held up a matching vampire costume "I gotchu ese" he smiled
"Aww you didn't forget" he pouted
"Nope. Now we can BOTH flex on freeridge's finest females." He laughed

Jamal took the costume
"Is Cesar gonna match?" He said, viewing the outfit
"If He is, hes gonna have to get his own costume" ruby said, grabbing chips

"Is he still at spookies? He went there right after school, we should have a movie night tonight" Jamal spoke, taking some of Ruby's chips

"I saw him walk over to Monses so I guess he's back" ruby rolled his eyes
"I care about them but damn they are always cutting us off" he finished

"We haven't hung out all together in weeks!" Jamal protested

"I'm calling them!" Ruby said, picking up his phone

-phone call-
Ruby- hey, Mon is Cesar with you?
Monse- Yeah...why?
Ruby- good, Jamal and I were wondering if you wanted to come over to my place tonight and watch a movie?
Monse- oh sure, let me ask my dad
Ruby - ok

-few mins later-
Monse- yah we will be over soon
Ruby- great!
-end of phone call-

-Monse-
Monse and Cesar made their way to Ruby's house, they entered to see snacks, hear music, and smell alcohol

"What's the occasion?" Cesar Asked, sifting down on the couch
"we haven't all hung out in so long, it was long needed" ruby responed, giving Cesar and Monse a beer
She handed him back the drink
"Are you dumb?" Jamal laughed "mamacita can't drink" he continued
"Oh right sorry" ruby said

They all sat down on the couches
Monse laid in Cesar's arms
"So...what are we watching?" She asked

"Halloween!" Jamal said excited
"Tis the season of fear" ruby added
They all grabbed some snacks

This is exactly what they did last year. Although there were a few changes

For starters, Monse wasn't 5 months pregnant, plus, her and Cesar weren't dating. Although they both secretly liked each other, neither were brave enough to make the first move.
Ruby wasn't as confident, and Jamal wasn't as social.
A lot has happened over the past year and it was only going to continue to change.