𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 | 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐳

𝐭𝐰𝐨

warning: flashing lights in the video above

"I'm not answering that, Mr. Diaz," Cherry sighs. She lets her bookbag fall from her shoulders, a quiet sigh passing her lips. She rolls her shoulders back, feeling them pop and crack. It makes a sharp breath leave her, a sense of tranquillity filling her.

"Por favor." Her tranquillity ends when Mr. Diaz speaks again, prompting her to roll her eyes. Her attention is drawn to the takeout boxes on the coffee table, which she moves to throw away. "I just want to know who deserves this piece of delicious Chock-O-Crisp, Christina."

"No. Besides, I had bought Daniel candy last week," she states, giving the boy a look over her shoulder. He can only give a nervous grin, shrugging innocently. "Also, did you really have to call me by my government name, Mr. Diaz?" While she's picking up the leftover boxes, the back of her hand makes contact with a greasy substance on the table. Her first reaction is to gag slightly, which she does, before shaking her hand violently.

 "I wouldn't if you'd call me Esteban, Ms. Christina." She simply rolls her eyes at him.

"Hello," Daniel whines, gaining their attention. "I want this Chock-O-Crisp. Please, Cherry. I really want this one."

"And I want a boyfriend," she counters with a tight-lipped smile, wiping her hand on the side of her jeans. "We all can't get what we want, Dani. Sometimes you just need to be happy with what you have."

"Spoken like a true professional," Mr. Diaz compliments Cherry, responding with another eye roll. "So, where is my son?" he wonders aloud.

"Right here!" Daniel exclaims, violently waving his hand in the air. This causes a quiet chuckle to pass Cherry's lips, and she shakes her head at the boy's antics.

"My other son," he clarifies. Before she could answer, the door opened with a loud moan, and she already knew who it was before a word could leave the person's mouth.

"Make him choose, Mr. Diaz," she states, turning her attention once more to the mess on the coffee table.

"What am I doing?" Sean asks, looking over at Cherry.

"They both want a candy bar," she sighs.

"No! We want the last, most delicious piece of candy in the world!" Mr. Diaz emphasizes. He lets it become quiet for a moment, for the dramatics, before placing down the candy bar. "We need you to decide, Sean, who gets the Chock-O-Crisp."

"I-" Sean stutters, trying to come up with an excuse. "I have to go get ready for a party... and stuff."

"Well, if you want to attend 'a party and stuff,'" Mr. Diaz's antics get an amused smirk from Cherry, "you have to earn it, your Honor."

"Aw shit..."

"Hey! He swore," Daniel says, pointing a finger at his brother.

 "Yes, I heard tattletale." The two make faces at each other. Mr. Diaz and Cherry roll their eyes at them.

 "Please, Judge Diaz!" Mr. Diaz starts. "Be an example to the court and to society. Then you can go hook up-"

"With who?" she scoffs, gaining a scowl from Sean. "Just choose, Sean. Give it to your brother, who probably already has enough cavities from ice cream alone..." She watches as Daniel gives his brother a look. She can't describe it, but it's one that nearly makes her bust out in laughter. "Or," she starts, biting back a laugh, "your father who provides the roof over your head and the food I eat." She watches as Mr. Diaz gives a look similar to a puppy begging, and she's forced to bite back another bout of laughter. "Judge, the verdict."

Sean crosses his arms over his chest, his eyes squinted as if he's thinking long and hard on this decision before coming to a verdict. He grabs the bar violently before declaring Daniel to be innocent, allowing him the final Chock-O-Crisp.

"I win!" Daniel boasts, taking the candy bar from his brother's hand.

"Alright," Mr. Diaz chuckles. "I gotta get back to work. I hear an engine calling my name." He walks off towards the garage before halting. He turns and points to Cherry before stating, "Make sure they play nice."

"Always." She gives him a sweet smile just for good measure before he disappears.

"I have to go work in my room, too," Daniel giggles, walking away from the teenagers.

"Don't hurry back," Sean waves him off, receiving an eyeroll from his friend. "What?"

"Such a nice brother you are." It's his turn to roll his eyes. "What do we need for the party?" she asks. Sean walks over to her and places his hand out in front of her. She raises a brow before noticing the writing. She mumbles what she reads out loud, ignoring the awkward silence between them.

"Hey-um," Sean starts, gaining her attention, "I never thanked you for helping me out at that party, have I?"

 "Didn't think it mattered." She gives a shrug, skimming the list once more.

"What are you wearing to the party?" he tries again, hoping to spark a simple conversation. His arm shakes a little from holding it out for so long.

"I'm not going." She can feel his expression change, so she doesn't bother looking up when she responds with, "I didn't have the best time at my last party," she shrugs.

"Hey. I'm sorry I ruined the party last time. I didn't know-"

"It wasn't you, Sean. This was a different party, anyhow," she cuts him off. She turns towards him. He can see her whole body tense up, trying to find the right words before exhaling a large breath and opening her mouth to speak. "Just, Brett and I didn't meet on the best of terms." It takes a moment for the gears to turn before the light bulb goes off in his head and for the anger to begin forming in the pit of his gut.

"Did...Did he-"

"He didn't do anything. No," she clarifies. "I just think I should just sit out for a couple of parties. That's all." She can feel the frog in her throat but swallows it down, with the rest of the thick saliva forming in her mouth, leaving her tongue dry. "So," she claps her hands, forming a small smile, "You ask your dad for money, and I'll find us a blanket." She walks away before Sean can respond, leaving him to stand in the kitchen with his thoughts.

you guys

i just

i can't

i can't with this kid