Cholo

(26) Veintiséis, Part Two

The air was intense with secrecy that churned and circled around the brothers. For a split, second I felt like I could taste it, feel it's arms suffocating me. I wanted to ask who they spoke off, but dreaded the unknown. I wetted my lips; they felt dry and cracking. I glanced down at the swaddled baby and lightly, I traced his features; his cheeks were chubby, and his lips pursed. His dimple peeked.

I peered at Oscar from under my lashes. Mulling over the idea of what is to come. First, Cesar was jumped in. Secondly, the Prophet$. And now, I can't tell. Yet I had that unsettling feeling in my gut. It swirled and churned like the secret in that room.

I was so deep in my thoughts, that I didn't realize we were parked in front of my house, not until Mateo stirred in my arms. My house, I wanted to scoff at the irony of it. I used to hate living here and now I can't seem to leave.

We sat there silently. Both stuck in our own thoughts. I swallowed, finding the courage to ask the question that bothered me. "Is everything okay?"

My voice drew him back to reality. His lashes fluttered, eyebrows furrowed. He didn't turn to face me, but merely nodded his head.

I cocked an eyebrow. I wanted to scream at him, to shove Mateo into his arms and declare that it is time to quit, to slap him, to hurt him but I wouldn't - couldn't. "Be careful. Promise me that?" I sighed.

He craned his neck towards me, and nodded. Disbelievingly, I stared into his eyes. I know that he's hiding something. I wanted to say that. I wanted to argue with him, but I felt drained. I pursed my lips. I felt all choked up, I could feel the tears welling. And I know that he could see it. How hurt and drained I am.

I shook my head at him, and left.

The sound of his door opening and his heavy stomps as he carried our bags across the lawn, scrunched behind me. I didn't dare to look. I pulled the swaddle closer to my chest, as I twisted the door handle open.

Jada was already there. Her hair was dyed lime green and tied into a messy bun with a yellow scrunchie. She ginned a toothy grin at us. A pile of paint tins sat at her feet. I quirked an eyebrow, questioningly.

"New baby means new room." She remarked, shoving her hands into the pockets of her boiler jumpsuit.

Chuckling, I placed Mateo into his portable baby bed. "Let me see the colors you picked!" I gushed as I looked at the colors she picked; mossy green, deep grey, grey blue, muted teal, and taupe. Pointing at the white, "you got white too!"

"I liked them all, so I bought them," Jada smiled, "And their all gender neutral." She snapped her finger, grinning.

I giggled.

Oscar's cough interrupted our enthusiasm, and I was remained once again of the brooding secret. Straightening myself, I turned towards him with a hand on my hip. I didn't utter word, but only stared at him. The wooden floor creaked behind me as Jada mostly likely tried tiptoeing away. I almost smiled at her ludicrous escape.

He placed a bag at the foot of the stairs. And crossed the room towards me. He brushed a hand over his scalp, almost grimacing as he spoke. "Nothing's going to happen, bebé [baby]."

I shook my head, while taking a step back, scoffing.

"You don't know that, Diaz."

I didn't look back as I walked towards my room.

- C H O L O -

In our household, there has always been an extra room. It was once a home office, then that became a gym, and when dust began to settle on the dumbbells, it became a guest room - but no ever slept there. So, it became a storage room. Anything we owned that was cherished was tossed there. I never thought that I would ever turn into anything else. But now that I have a baby, it will need a room. More than the trinkets, the dumbbells and the office supplies, need a vacant room.

With my hair in ponytail and an over sized jumper, we emptied the room. Of course, there wasn't any furniture left except for a vintage leather tweed armchair. Jada and I shared a look, before squealing over our discovery. Once the hallway was cluttered and the room clear, I quickly checked on my sleeping prince - which by some miracle was still sleeping. Jada and I slumped on to the comfy sofa, and began planning the nursery. With Pinterest and online shopping as our guidelines, we were able to pick a color.

"Muted Teal." I pointed at the color.

"And white." Pitched, my cheerful friend.

"Oh my god, yes." Slurring the 's' as I quickly fumbled for my laptop.

"Jada, I made up my mind - I'm getting the Pottery Barn crib." At the tickling sensation of being watched, I added. "I know its expensive, but I love it."

Jada snorted.

"Picture the muted teal wall with the crib, and it's the perfect tan color." I typed my information to verify the order.

"What about the rest of the room, hmm?" Pressed Jada.

"He'll have a bed and I'll have an armchair." I shrugged, "the rest could be a gift." I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively at her.

"Ha!" Laughed the lime-head mockingly. "I gave you a gift, and it's me being supportive."

"Ha. Ha. Ha." I stuck my tongue out. "Let's finish painting the room, okay?"

- C H O L O -

It was probably dawn when I was startled awake by the creaking of my bed. I held in my breath and lay frozen on bed. My eyes were wide and staring at a wall. There was some light that filtered in, but it wasn't enough to lighten up the whole room. The bed dipped and creaked louder. I somehow found the courage to twist my body around. But, what I saw - or who I saw wasn't the monster that lived under the bed, but Oscar.

A mud covered, dirty Oscar.

"You can't sleep like that." My voice was barely a whisper.

I saw him smile in the dim lighting. An arm wrapped itself around my was it, and his hip nudged finely lightly. "You can't sleep like that, too."

Frowning in confusion, I glanced at my outfit. There were spots and splatters covering my jumper. I grimaced as I realized that I somehow managed to pass out in my paint splattered jumper. His chest rumbled as he stifled his laughter.

"But I don't smell." I pinched my nose.

His laughter ceased. He pulled me closer and placed his forehead onto mine.

"Te prometo que serás feliz [I promise you will be happy]."

"I'll be happy as long as your next to me," I stroked his arm, "y seguro [and safe]."

He kissed my forehead and held me closer to him.

We slept that night tangled in each others arms.

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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.