Cholo

(16) Dieciséis

Oscar has not been around for a few days. She doubted that he was dodging her after that night where he portrayed a moment of weakness. He wouldn't do that. She shook her head. No, he wouldn't do that. The more she pondered, the more negative thoughts overlapped the positive. She groaned in annoyance, flipping through the papers. If there's one thing she's good at- its overthinking. She shrugged away the negative thoughts with an excuse: something might have come up, he's probably busy.

Although every bone in her body told her it wasn't - she fed herself some false hope. Her eyes analyzed the unconscious patient, then averting back to the clip note. She signed her name and left; repeating that to every patient on that floor.

Her life was like a calm river, never rippling, nor splashing but eerily calm. That calmness has now transformed to a raging ocean. On minute she would the happiest person alive, the next the most lonesome person there is.

She hated how he made her feel. The way her heart would jump at the sight of him. She became like clay in his hands, easily molded to his desire. Could also be a puppet; every time he needs here, he would pull the strings and she would be there.

She gulped in attempt to stop herself from sobbing. Her phone beeped but it was never him, yet her heart still jumped. The brunette clicked her tongue in annoyance. Jamal has been texting repeatedly, and María wasn't in the mood to check his messages; her guess was that it was his usual ramblings about his issues. But the constant beeping in her pockets and her irritation level led her to read his messages.

She was right about his rambling, but bit her lip at the topic of the rambling. It started of with him trying to coax her into helping him out with the coach; apparently he had gotten himself into trouble and his punishment is to be a lookout for any hormonal teens on the dance floor. A giggle slipped through her bitten lip. She imagined him nagging couples, or flashing a bright lit flashlight on their faces. The kid was smart but hilarious with his scrawny figure and blabbering mouth.

Her eyes skimmed through the texts.Her heart jolted at the mere mention of Cesar needing her:

Jamal 🤥
iMessage
Today 9:40 PM

I don't know what to do?!
Cesar needs u.
They broke it off.
Mia!!!

She read the text over and over again. Fingers hovering over the keyboard; a debate if she should answer or head there without a word. What if he leaves? Upon that thought her fingers quickly texted a reply back as she jogged towards Penelope's office:

OMW!

Her mind racing with an excuse, she skidded to a halt. Knocked twice before entering.Penelope looked up from the paper she was holding. The corner of he lips lifting to a smile; warm and welcoming. However, before she could utter a greeting, Mia blurted out that she had to leave. The head nurse's eyebrows quirked in question.

"Something came up that needs my attention." Maria made sure her excuse was as brief and vague as possible; allowing her to make up a story for the next day.

Penelope sighed, nodding her head. "You have to make up for lost time, though." She waggled a finger in her face. Mia smiled grateful at the elder woman, and with a thank you and goodbye she sped towards her car.

-    C     H    O    L    O     -

Her hands clutched the steering wheel, honking or repeatedly flashing her cars headlight. Maria drove in a frenzy trying to get there as fast as she can. All thoughts  Oscar gone. She was left with worry eating her guts. Her heart pounded. She felt obligated to take care of Cesar; their relationship was somewhat of maternal one. Maria raised him. He had no one but Oscar; their mother was physically present but not mentally - she couldn't careless about any of her children. And their father left them. Cesar has no one but her. She has no one but them left.

If anything they're a family.

How can I make him feel better? How can you tell someone its okay, or comfort them when their heart had been wretched. All those clichés about having a bucket of ice cream and friends were helpful to an extent; but when you're left alone - the pain creeps back in. You're left in darkness with no one to cling too.  Her mind rushed with memories. She remembered crying alone over Oscar. Jada was always there but it did not make the pain disappear, if anything it choked her up; left her struggling with intense emotions.

Her car swerved from one lane to another. Her speed exceeding the speed limit. Her eyes darted about the highway in search of any cop car parked - she would slow down near it and accelerate her speed once passing it. When at last, her car came to a halt. Throwing the gear into park and yanking at the side breaks; Mia hastily left the car.

Her knuckles knocked on the door softly, tapping her feet impatiently as she waited for Jamal or his parents to come to the door.

The door cracked open  by Jamal's dad; he smiled, pulling the door wider open. A wavering smile traced the girls face as she entered the cozy home. They did not exchange any words as he nodded his head towards the stairs. She nodded back. Maria pushed by him as she climbed the stairs, two steps at a time.

The hallway was dark and the only source of light was the door to her left. It was left ajar and the echoing of wrecked sobs met her ears. Her heart drooped. The floor creaked under her feet, she played her palm onto the door as she gently pushed it open.

Jamal looked up and their eyes met. Cesar's head was resting on his shoulder as his body shook from the heart wrenching sobs. His eyes were bloodshot, veins on his neck pulsating vividly as he screamed with sorrow.

She wasn't aware that tears had streamed down her face until she could taste their salty taste in her mouth. Her hands rubbed her eyes, brushing the tears away. She kneeled in front of the teenager. Mia did not utter a word, but stared intently into his eyes. Their eyes interlocked. He threw his arms around her neck as he his body shook more vigorously  than before.

"She's gone." Cesar's voice was hoarse and broken. His hands grasped a fistful of her shirt, as if he yearned to be closer to her, to have her erase the pain he felt. Mia brushed her hands through his hair, cooing into his ears comforting words. She wasn't sure what she was saying, but kept on going as it seemed to bring him to ease.

"I love her." He whispered lightly, urgently.

"I know baby," her hand patted and rubbed his back, soothingly, "Todo va a estar bien [everything will be alright]."

*

At some point Cesar calmed down and was a bit drowsy. Maria suggested that Cesar should sleep at her house for the night. She glanced at Jamal: "you wanna come to?" The scrawny boy smiled and shook his head 'no'. "You sure, there's plenty of room for everyone."

"No, it's fine. You two need some time." He waved them off from the porch.

She glanced back at Cesar who sat staring at dashboard of her car. Turning back to Jamal she mouthed 'thank you' before climbing into the car and driving away.

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*Spanish is not one of the languages I speak, I know some phrases and such; but I was mainly using the internet and google translate- please notify me of any errors.*
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This is purely a fan fiction.

I do not own "On My Block" or any of it's characters all rights are reserved/belong to Netflix. The plot and story of the series belong to Jeremy Haft, Eddie Gonzalez, and Lauren Lungerich. Directed by Lauren Lungerich. As such all claims are reserved to Netflix, and those listed prior to this sentence.

I only own characters that do not appear on/part of the series.