The Block Is Hot | Oscar Diaz

10

I spent half of my day helping Olivia with her makeup, her hair, and her dress.

This is the first time since elementary school that I've worn makeup. I always went through my mom's whenever she wasn't paying attention. And her makeup never looked good on me. Makeup never really looked good on me unless it was eyeliner or mascara. But Olivia made it a goal today that I had on at most eyeshadow, lipstick, and blush.

Ugh, and fake lashes. How do people use these? It feels like spiders on my eyes.

Everyone thinks Cesar killed Latrelle, even Oscar. Cesar had to lie, it's not like he could tell the truth. Either lie or be called a fraud and shunned for the rest of your life.

Olivia, Jasmine and I were walking down the halls of the church. Jasmine was beyond sick, and she didn't even have the decency to cover her mouth while she sneezed or coughed.

"Getting some air will do you good." Olivia told Jasmine

"Yeah. Hopefully, it'll help the mocos go down easier, too." Jasmine replied

"But I'm telling you, this ain't nothing." She added. "I'm gonna be back to my fine-ass self in no time."

"Lover, can I borrow your pocket square?" She asked Ruby before coughing all over him

"Use your hand." Ruby said

"I think you need to go back inside." Monse suggested

"But away from me." Olivia told Jasmine, then she looked at me. "Me too, please."

"Then where should I go?" Jasmine asked

"The daycare center." Ruby answered

"Ruby." I said

"What? Babies are always sick." Ruby replied

Jasmine smiled and gagged before she walked away.

"Have you seen Cesar?" Olivia asked Monse and Ruby

"Not yet." Monse answered. "But you know Cesar. Dude takes forever to primp. Bet he's on his way."

Olivia smiled and then turned around and walked off.

""Bet he's on his way"? Why would you say that?" Ruby questioned

"So she wouldn't worry." Monse responded

"But he's not coming. We should've showed her the typo." Ruby replied

"What's that gonna do?" Monse asked

"Distraction. Some people like taking their names off what's big by sweating small stuff." Ruby said. "Jesus Christ!" He yelled as he looked at the pamphlet. "Amen." He said to the man who cleared his throat as he handed him one.

"They're the wrong font. They were supposed to be printed in Palatino, not Helvetica."

"Why does it matter?" I asked

"Because Palatino is much better. Seriously Mia, you're about to be a Duke University student." Ruby replied

What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

"Now I cannot unsee that." He added

"We gotta tell Olivia." Monse said

"I don't think she'll even notice."

"No! About Cesar." Monse replied. "She needs to know. He's not coming."

"But he's already here."

The three of us looked at where the voice was coming from.

"Oh. My. God." I said

Cesar was definitely here, yeah. Dodge the fact that he's bald! He was smiling at the three of us like he didn't have a care in the world. "Nice dress." He said as he winked at me.