The Block Is Hot | Oscar Diaz

14

Alameda, California

Alameda was just like back home. Crowded, and had the strong scent of Newport cigarettes. And it was not just because of Oscar, or was it Marlboro?

I had the song Fall Away by Lund playing up to max volume in my headphones. I liked the lyrics. And after breaking up with Oscar, all I listened to was sad and relatable songs. Gosh, I am pathetic.

I felt a tug at my left headphone. "What?" I asked, as I pulled it out.

"Can you not have an attitude for five minutes?" Oscar questioned.

"You pretty much kidnapped me, dude." I replied.

I pulled out the other earbud and paused my music. "Good." Oscar said. "You and I can finally talk."

"About what?" I asked.

"If your mom does happen to be here, what does she look like?"

I sighed. "Well, I haven't seen her in a few years so I wouldn't know if she looked the same then as she did now. She likes to dye her hair... a lot." I explained. "But she's white, obviously since my dad was black. Short hair, either a dark red or black. She wears jeans all the time. And she always carries one of those clear bags. Like the ones little kids wear at school so you can see all of their shit."

"That's very detailed." Oscar said before taking a hit of his cigarette.

"You wanted to know." I responded.

"So how are your little friends doing?" Oscar asked. "Ruby, Monse. Jamal-"

"Cesar." I finished.

"I wasn't going to say that-"

"Yeah the hell you were." I interrupted.

"He didn't do what I asked him to do. He's weak. Not a Santo." Oscar said.

We stopped at a red light. "And you are?" I asked. "From what you told me you made a truce with the Prophets over a girl you love."

"Because I wanted to protect you." Oscar responded.

"Well, what if Cesar wanted to protect himself?" I asked.

The cars from other sides started moving. "If Cesar did shoot Latrelle, he would have been in even more shit. You would, too. Cesar is smart for what he did. The "consequences" of him not doing it are bullshit, and you know that."

Oscar put out his cigarette, looked at me, and smirked. "When did you get so real?"

I skipped through songs in my phone until I found a good one to play. "I've been this way, Santo." I said, as I put in my earbuds again.

"Mona Lisa?" I heard Oscar ask through my headphones.

"Why are you looking at my phone?" I asked.

"I wasn't. I know the beat." Oscar answered.

I rolled my eyes. Can this light turn green for fucks sake?

~~~~~~

I walked out of the car and slammed the door. "I told you that we weren't going to find her."