Cholo

(21) Veintiuno, Part 2

I stood frozen as a brick of ice. Tempted to crane the door open and halt their quarrel. But I remained standing there with a hand clutching a shirt and another wrapped around the doorknob. I could barely make out the words exchanged, but from the aggravated voices, I could hinder a guess as of the level of the argument. If I stumble out there, I would definitely interrupt them - and cause their issues to remain unsolved. Surely, it's better to be leaning against the door than doubling their issues? I wetted my lips while my fingers tapped the doorknob as if by any chance it would burn me. Maybe, I just need to catch a glimpse of Cesar - make sure he's okay, no? 

At that thought, I carefully craned the door open; barely, ajar. I sighed as their words no longer sounded like the shuffling of feet on a carpeted floor, but audible and clear. I stood there eavesdropping on their conversation; concealed by the door and the shadows. 

"Everyone you care about is in jeopardy if you stay, so leave. And don't come back." I grimaced at Oscars words of warning. Doesn't this Pendejo [asshole] have a soul? 

Unconsciously, I opened the door wider and was standing there and watching Cesar's back. My finger grasped the cool metal of the doorknob tighter, the shirt pressed to my lips. Por favor dios no lo dejas ir. [Please god don't let him go]. I sent a silent prayer. I wanted to shout after him; to call out Oscar and tell him to bring him back - but my words swallowed themselves when Cesar came back. "You know what, Oscar? You should've handled this for me. You're not just my big brother. You're my big homie!" His voice hitched and cracked with emotions. Tears stung my eyes, and my heart drooped. My fingers slipped away from the doorknob. I stepped further into the backyard. 

"Shut the hell up." Hissed Oscar.

Cesar's words overlapped Oscar's hiss. "You should've taken out Latrelle," as his words began to heat up, I opened the door further until I was standing outside. I wetted my lips as my feet halted their steps. "but instead you sent me! You sent me to do it!" Cesar pushed Oscar on the chest causing him to fall a step back. But Oscar's reaction was faster as he grasped a handful of Cesar's shirt, and pulled him closer. I could make out his tense muscles, and the twitch of his lips as he leered. "Hey! Do you know what the hell you did?" He shook his younger brother with each word. "How badly you messed up?" As his brother's head dipped, he shook him harder. "Hey. You put me in an impossible situation with Cuchillos." 

"Oscar, please." Sobbed Cesar, pleadingly. He threw himself against his brother, arms flying around Oscar's waist, as he hugged him close. "I don't know what to do." His words were muffled against Oscar's hard chest. 

Oscar's hand hovered over his brother's head; torn between pushing him away or cradling him closer. I took a step forward, wanting to scream at him to hold him and never let go but no words came out as I watched his hand pat Cesar's head. "Hey. Hey."  His voice was raspy as he pulled back Cesar's head and slowly leaned his forehead against his brothers. The teenager sobbed as his eyes scanned his brothers. I quietly made my way closer, my palm tracing the cool metal of the impala. His words were barely audible. "I love you, mano." Oscar pulled away, shaking his head but his hands gripped his brother in place. "But you're done." 

Cesar's face contorted into a pained expression, and I felt the wetness of my cheeks as I cried. He harshly tugged his brother's shirt then straightened his jacket.

 "Happy Birthday." Oscar's voice was void of emotions, as he uttered a birthday wish - the irony of the word 'happy' echoing about. How can he be happy?The younger brother's face was hopeless and pained as he stepped away. My knuckles turned white as I clutched the shirt tighter. My throat felt dry as I opened my mouth to call out for him, I shouted his name. 

"Cesar!"

 I walked into the light with tears streaming down my face. I wasn't aware of the sorrow that etched itself onto Oscar's face; all I saw was Cesar's figure as it walked away. And I couldn't help but wonder: what if this is the last I see of him - alive? "Cesar!" I lunged forward, screaming louder. His head turned, but he didn't come back. He stood there watching. 

"Maria?" Oscar's voice was hoarse as he stuffed away his gun. I snapped my eyes to his looming figure. 

My body turning to him and digging my pointed finger into his chest. "Fuck you." I hissed. My body shook with suppressed emotions, the shirt in my grasp twisting; a snap of fabric as the material twisted tighter. My eyes set into a glare snapped at the clothing at hand before slapping him across the chest with it. The smack caused me to wince, yet I was so enraged that I couldn't find it in me to be sympathetic. I huffed, throwing the shirt at him, as hard as I could. Making sure to hit him in the face. My hands balling into fists as I plunged them at his chest. With every word, my body shook was it because of anger or the sobs that had me hiccuping? I wasn't sure - I only wanted him to be hurt. 

"You bring him back, or I swear to God, I will kill you!" I smacked my palms onto his chest; pushing him away but all he did is have his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into him. My body broke down into sobs. "Oscar, please." I pleaded as I shook in his embrace. 

A warm hand patted my shoulder. I tilted my head to see Cesar standing there with a tight-lipped smile. I pulled him into me, as my hands brushed his back, and my tears soaked into his shirt. 

"I'm sorry, Mi Cielito [my heaven/darling]." 

Oscar's arm guided us back into the house; both of us clutching each other as if we feared to let go and never reuniting again. Once inside, Oscar tore us away. His arms wrapping around me. "I'll take care of him, I promise mi amor [my love]." His breath tickled my neck. 

And I clutched onto him, as I clung to the hopeful promise. 

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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.