Safe | Oscar Diaz .

T h i r t e e n .

Oscar
Friday
1:45 PM

"Where you at?" I was on the phone with Maya as Monse helped Ceasar with the decorations I let Ruby pick out. Which I know she's gonna be mad, but oh well.

"We're on our way now Oscar. Calmaté everything's gonna be perfect." She stated.

"I hope so." I replied feeling the sweat in my palms. "But, hurry up you know she can't stand Jasmine for that long."

"Whatever, we're 10 minutes away see you soon." She said before hanging up the phone.

I let out a deep sigh before I heard Monse talking, "Spooky, you okay? I don't think I've ever seen you this nervous."

"I'm fine." I gritted through my teeth.

I walked to the kitchen grabbing a beer before I headed out back. I hope this goes as I planned for her.

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Araceli
1:59 PM

"Come on Jasmine. You're not supposed to look better than me on my birthday." I rolled my eyes as she stood in the mirror.

"Girl, you're right. Subtle it is." She said before going back to her closet to pick another outfit. "Oooo, I forgot about this present for you! Now you gotta go change."

She threw a box at me shooing me to go to the bathroom. I opened the box to see a white crop top tank with a mesh black crop top long sleeve, and some skinny jeans with some holes. I changed out of my sweatsuit, and into the outfit.

"I knew you'd look fine as hell!" Jasmine screamed, "Can I apply some finishing touches if you don't mind?"

She grabbed my hand sitting me back on her bed, and began to do my makeup, "Not too much please." I smiled remembering the nights I would do Maya's makeup before she snuck out.

After about 15 extra minutes she had done my makeup just how I like it as well as crimping my hair, and putting it into a half ponytail.

"Birthday girl is definitely ready to party." She smiled at me, and gave me a hug.

As we gathered our things to leave my phone started ringing flashing 'Spooky😍'.

"Sí?" I answered the phone.

"Are y'all on the way or what?" He sounded nervous.

"Now we are. Was waiting on Jasmine." I giggled to myself.

"Well, everyone's here and your surprise is too. Can y'all hurry?" He stated still nervous.

"Okay." Was all I said before hanging up as we headed out the door.

The walk was silent which was nerve wracking because Jasmine is usually so loud and upbeat, "Hey, I wanna say thank you for the present I love it, and for the extra you did." I motioned towards my hair and makeup, "You didn't have to."

"Girl, what's family for." She gave me another big hug as we rounded the corner to my block, and I saw Maya's car.

We continued walking until we got to Ceasar and Spooky's yard, "Is it bad that I'm nervous and don't really want the party?" I looked at Jasmine.

"You'll be okay. Tú papa y mama is here in spirit." She gave me a small smile, and pointed to my necklace. "They're probably around back."

We started walking towards the back, and we could hear people talking. "Oh shit." Sad Eyez stated when he saw us, "They're here!"

"Hi to you too." I smiled at him.

"Feliz cumpleaños hermana." He smiled back at me.

We continued walking until we were in the backyard, and I saw all the Santos, then the gang, then Spooky, then Maya and Mario. As I stepped further into the backyard I couldn't believe who I saw.

"Ay no, no, no. This isn't real." I stepped back to the side of the house.

"Give her a minute." I heard Jasmine say to everyone.

I walked back to the backyard, and saw that I wasn't dreaming. "Junior!" I ran up to him tears in my eyes, and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Ay, Junior." I began to cry harder as he hugged me tight.

I had always had a closer bond with Junior than Maya when he was out and when we were little. There was never anything that could tear me from his side except for my dad which is why it took a big toll on me when Maya said we couldn't visit.

He put me back on my feet, and I looked up at him "Ay 'mano." I cupped his face in my hands like I would do when I was little, "Oh, 'mano I missed you!" I smiled at him and then punched him in his chest.

"What the fuck was that for?" He screamed at me.

"For being fucking stupid! For leaving me to deal with Maya! For leaving me alone all these fucking years! For not writing me or nothing." I screamed in his face, and he looked shocked.

Then I looked at Maya and Spooky, "This was the surprise?" They both nodded as I pointed at Junior. "Worst fucking surprise ever. I'm fucking over it."

"But, you was just giving me a hug and crying." Junior spoke up.

"Yeah, just like I've been hugging the picture of us all and crying when I needed help, but nobody understands." I rolled my eyes storming off a little.

"You're so fucking ungrateful!" I heard Maya scoff under her breath.

"Maya, come on now." I heard Spooky.

"I'm ungrateful? All I got now is fucking memories of mom and dad because of you! I didn't ask you to come or bring him." I turned around yelling.

"What is going on..." Junior asked out loud looking around.

"Because of me? Are you serious right now?" She looked stunned.

"If it wasn't for you and your stupid ex they would be here. That's what would make this...." I was cut off by Sad Eyez coming to the backyard.

"Hey," he said as he held Latrelle by his shirt, "he said he got something to say to you."

"They know it was you Celi." He said in between breaths. "They plotting on when to get you, and are starting to set people up to watch you."

"What's going on?" Junior asked as i lost all oxygen i had in my lungs.

"No, you're kidding right?" I looked at Latrelle, "P-please tell me you're joking Trelle."

"Araceli, you know how dangerous it is for me to come over here into Santos territory. Why would I come all the way over here to lie to you?" He looked me in my eyes.

"Araceli, ahora." Junior gritted through his teeth.

Latrelle threw his hands up, "Just needed to tell you to be safe and watch out." He shrugged and started walking off.

I quickly turned around looking at Spooky in panic, "Tell Junior first."