13: kinsey and sage

389 12 0
                                    

"Nova, this is Sage and Kinsey. Kinsey and Sage, meet Nova," Maxine introduced Nova to the girls dressed in typical chola outfits: high ponytails, big hoop earrings, black tops, and baggy pants held up with chunky black belts. Kinsey even had on a pair of black Air Forces.

After they were finished getting to know each other, Kinsey waved a hand to get their attention. She took a drag from her cigarette, then turned to them. "Okay. So you know that guy?" She pointed at one of the guys working out on the lawn. "His name is Matias and he's my dickhead ex who decided he wanted to cheat on me last night, except he doesn't know that I found out."

She headed towards him, and Maxine, Nova, and Sage followed suit, making sure to keep behind her so she was the main focus. 

"Hey, baby-" Matias started, smiling, but stopped when Kinsey's hand met his face. Hard.

"Don't even call me baby, puto! I know what you were doing last night. Actually, I know who you were doing!" 

"Shit," some of the Santos laughed to each other, watching the scene. "That chola is pissed."

"Aren't you going to say anything?!" She continued, shoving Matias back. "Huh?"

Someone spoke up, but it wasn't Matias, who was looking terrified of his now very angry, intimidating ex-girlfriend. "Get your hands off my man!" One of the other cholas yelled. 

"Excuse me?" Kinsey whipped around to face her in amazement. "Did you-did you just call that capullo your man?"

"Damn right I did, puta. Don't touch him again."

"No. You can't boss me around, you bitch."

"Watch your tongue, putana, or maybe I'll cut it out for you." The chola was dangerously close to Kinsey now, and both of their fists were curled.

Suddenly Kinsey was on top of the girl, straddling her as she pulled out a pocketknife from her pocket. "Want to threaten me now? Huh? Not so brave when you're not the one with a knife, huh? Want to talk shit about me? Come on, say something!" She taunted, holding the knife to the girl's throat.

"Okay, Kinsey, I think that's enough now," Maxine started, but shut up when Kinsey turned to her. "Never mind."

"Come on, puta. Say something about your man."

When the frightened girl didn't say anything, Kinsey snarled viciously and brought her fist down into the girl's face. "Say something!"

"Get off her, Kinsey!" Oscar yelled, hauling Kinsey off the girl, who scrambled to her feet.

Sage and Maxine took each of Kinsey's arms and pulled her back to them. When she was free, Kinsey shoved the knife back into her pocket angrily. 

Just at the worst time possible, a black Mercedes pulled up by the lawn. Oscar's face fell as the door to the passenger side swung open. Sofia, the devil herself, looking smug as always. "Oh, hey, Spooky!" She said in surprise, like she didn't know who lived at the Santos house.

"Hey, Sofia."

She climbed out of the car, wearing a baggy shirt half-tucked into sweatpants, and a pair of Air Jordans, though Maxine couldn't tell which. When she placed her hands on either side of Oscar's head to give him a kiss, Maxine observed a shiny watch on her wrist. 

Unfortunately for her, Maxine stared a second too long and Sofia's attention turned to her. "Oh no, it's you," she said, sounding disgusted, like she had just found mold on her sandwich, which was Maxine was hoping actually happened. "Didn't you get the hint? Spooky's not going to be your boyfriend. Ever."

"Actually, she has a boyfriend," Nova defended Maxine. "You don't even have a boyfriend. You're just a booty call and it's kind of sad that you think you're more than that."

"Damn," Sage laughed, turning to Kinsey. Nova's eyes narrowed at the comment and she looked like she wanted to say more, but she just couldn't. 

"Did you have something to say?" She turned to Sage. 

"I wouldn't be worried about me. It seems like you're the one with the bitchiest attitude, but the second someone calls it out, nothing comes out of your mouth."

Maxine looked to Nova. "I think we should go now. I don't feel comfortable being here." She turned to leave, but Sofia's hand grabbed her wrist before she could.

"Don't leave yet. I'm just getting started," she grinned into Maxine's face. Her breath smelled like cigarettes, and Maxine tried not to gag.

"Let go of me," Maxine told her, trying to pull her wrist from Sofia's tight grasp.

"Okay." Sofia let go of her unexpectedly and Maxine toppled to the ground. "I let go."

"You bitch," Nova snarled, coming forward. 

"Don't be calling me a bitch, you hoe." Sofia stepped closer to her. "You're the nasty lesbian. I've seen you and your crusty-ass girlfriend around. You're disgusting. Both you and that rat you call a friend. At least you're not into girls so I don't have to watch you trying to fuck a guy that's way hotter than you'll ever be."

That was it. Maxine hated it when people tried to shame Nova for who she was. She was punching and kicking Sofia before she even realized what she was doing. She didn't know how long she was there before she felt Oscar's arms around her, dragging her back. "Let me go!" She cried, swatting at his back.

xxx

"Nova's right. You did beat Sofia's ass," Sage agreed. They (Kinsey, Sage, Nova, and Maxine) were crowded into the couch, watching a horror movie. "I've never seen you like that, Maxie." 

She smiled, but looked away, out the window.

"What's wrong? Don't feel guilty," Nova teased her. "What's up?"

"Nothing."

"Today was awesome. Two fights in the span of one hour," Kinsey enthused, taking a swig from her wine glass. "But she's right. Don't feel guilty for beating that bitch up."

Maxine nodded. "I don't want to seem like that girl. Not to Spooky, at least. I beat his girlfriend up and I'm just scared he'll be angry with me."

"You're not over him," Nova told her. "It's obvious."

"It is?"

"You admit it!" 

"But-fine. I admit it, I'm not over Spooky," Maxine sighed into her hands. "Is it that bad? I'm dating Dom. I'll get over it eventually."

"Do you like Dom more than Spooky?" Sage asked her carefully.

"I-I don't know."

"Here. Let's play a game," Nova suggested, switching off the movie, despite Kinsey's complaints. "I'll ask you a series of questions. The only two rules-one, you can't lie, and two, you can't say 'I don't know.'"

"Okay," Maxine gave in cautiously.

"If they both asked you out at the same time, and you didn't have the history, who would you say yes to?"

"I don't-um...Spooky?" Upon seeing the girls give each other looks, she quickly tried to defend herself. "It's just that he's more forward. That's it."

Sweet Tooth: On My BlockWhere stories live. Discover now