. ⋆ ⭑✧*:･ﾟ

"We really should get going," Cora watched Andres shift the pillow behind Violeta's neck, patting it harshly in an attempt to help his ever so pregnant sister.  Cora could tell Violeta was close to losing her mind, staring down her little brother aggressively even if she didn't mean to.  "Cesar says the dance got shut down so everyone went to Monse's."

"Yes, please, go," the swollen girl demanded.

"Monse's," Andres said to himself as he shook his head, still patting his sisters pillow around as if he didn't hear what she just said.

Cora chuckled, resting her hand on her hip as she slid her phone into her back pocket with her other hand.  "Yeah, Monse.  You got a problem with Monse now?"

"She's just so..."

"Yeah, we know.  But that's just who she is, and she is that way with you because you slept with another girl while you were gone," Cora said.

Violeta laughed while Andres stopped patting.   "You did what?"

Andres winced.  "We didn't really! Just some kinda... oral stuff," Andres said as he took a seat next to his sister, both of the girls looking disgusted.  "Not like it's any of your business—"

"Oh, it is," Cora and Violeta replied at the same time.

"And keep it PG, it's not like I tell you all about my sex stuff," Violeta added.

"You don't need to," Andres said, his eyes flickering to her belly bump barely being concealed by a thin sweater she was wearing.

Violeta didn't have to say anything, she just glared.

Andres patted his bare knees with his hands, turning his attention back to Cora.  The chain on his neck swung back and forth as he moved, bouncing off his light green tee-shirt.  Cora hated how he always paired cargo shorts with everything, but this outfit actually made sense for him.  "All I'm saying is we only talked!"

"Yeah, but then you locked lips with another girl," Cora said softly, remembering the night she witnessed it.  Silently, she was glad it was the last time she ever saw the blonde girl accompanying Andres, though she didn't really get good look at her, with her tongue down her best friends throat and all.

"What was I supposed to do, pause my entire dating life just because she went away?  Which, by the way, when she did, ceased all contact.  For three months," Andres held up his middle, ring and pinkie finger for emphasis while his eyebrows raised high.

"Look, lil bro, we're not saying it was wrong or right," Violeta placed a hand on her brothers forearm as she spoke.  "You should just know she's probably a little upset because she'll never have the chance to go out with you."

Cora tilted her head.  "Not necessarily."

"What are you saying?  Are you saying she'll want me back?"

"Only if you try," Cora said truthfully.  "I think that if you try, and really prove to her that you're serious, she might take you seriously.  But enough about that," Cora rose from her seat.  "Let's go.  The faster we go, the faster we can come back."

"Tell your little boyfriend he can wait a minute," Andres rolled his eyes as he rose from his seat, kissing his older sister on the forehead as he quickly said his goodbyes.  Cora grabbed the shoulder bag she had placed on the coffee table, also blowing Violetta a kiss as they walked out the front door.  "How's everything going with you and Cesar?" Andres finally asked once they were well on their way.

Cora hummed.  "Well, it could be better.  I think I screwed up.  Like really.  He thinks I didn't want to dance with him tonight."

"What was all that you just told me about proving yourself serious, hm?" Andres asked, swinging his arm over his old pal's shoulder as they walked in sync.  "Just be honest with him, guys don't like it when girls send mixed signals."

"I can tell," Cora groaned.  "It's just really scary.  I mean, I'm being brought up in a gang — a gang of which Cesar is a part of — and I don't want to jump to define what we have and put a label on it.  Sometimes I'm just sick of all the pressure.  What we have is very special to me and I don't want to ruin it."

"I think you should just tell him that," Andres said after a minute of silence.

⋆ ⋅ ☆

Cora felt out of place wearing a bright orange and purple two-piece dress set when she stepped foot into Monse's home, seeing various kids from school but not too many standing around.  She always had a knack for dressing up.  Instantly, her eyes scanned the crowd for Cesar.

"You face your demons and I'll face mine?" Andres asked.

Cora nodded, knowing she couldn't run from having the talk forever.  Besides, Cesar was super understanding and they would resolve whatever issue came their way.  "Yup."

"I'm going to go talk to Matt real quick, so text me if you need anything," Andres said before heading off to talk to the guy he was currently paired up in class with.

Ironically, Cora turned the corner to find Monse and Olivia sitting at the countertop, drinking beers together.  "Hey y'all," Cora smiled.

"Cora, you made it," Monse smiled back.  Before Cora could say anything else, Olivia spoke up.

"Should we throw him a bone?" she asked sympathetically, her eyes glued to Ruby, — scratch that, Ruben — stuck underneath Jasmine, who was very clearly under the influence.  Jasmine was ranting on about her shaving techniques while Ruben was gasping for air.

"And get stuck in Jasmine's quicksand?  We'll never get out," Monse said, turning her back to them as she took a swing of her drink.

Cora frowned at her words, but said nothing.  How could you explain to someone what they say can be so hurtful, even if the other person didn't hear it?  Jasmine was a lot to deal with, but she just had a big personality.  And that meant more to Cora than being a watered down version of yourself, so she respected her.

"Do you want another drink?" Olivia asked Monse, who nodded.  Olivia shook her beer at Cora, who shook her head, before getting up and going for two more.

"So, you seen Andres around lately?" Cora asked.

"Smooth," Monse said in a monotone voice.

Cora cracked a small smile.  "Thanks, I really tried with that one," after a moment of silence, she kept going.  "He thinks about you all the time."

"I think Cesar's in my room counting money or something if you want to join him," was all Monse had to say in return.

Cora nodded.  "I can take a hint," she stated before walking around the curly-haired girl and making her way to her room.  She peeked her head in, seeing Cesar standing with his back to the door, indeed counting a wad of cash.  "So... where'd you get all that from?" she asked, startling him.

"Hey babydoll, I missed you today," Cesar quickly shoved it all into his back pocket as he approached her.

Instead of swinging her arms around him, she sat them on her hips.  "You're crazy for carrying all of that on you."

"Don't worry so much baby," he said calmly, almost chuckling at her words.  Cora let out a deep sigh as Cesar took hold of her hands in his.  She worried he would do this.  Deep down, she loved the affection, but she always got so giddy and nervous like a schoolgirl when he was around her.  To her, that was dangerous.  "I'm sensing there's something you want to talk about?" he raised his eyebrows, searching her eyes for intention.

Cora nodded, a small smile on her face.  "I just wanted to start by saying that I'm sorry."

⋆ ⋅ ☆

[ JFC i'm back! for realz this time. i absolutely hate this format but i'm too lazy to go back and edit it, and if i change the format mid-book my OCD will literally kill me — plus i don't want to lose my inline comments so hopefully the sequel will look cuter. and yes, my goal is to cover all four seasons with Cora, Lola, Adam, Violetta, and Andres 🥰🥰 ]

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
1,391 words

PUBLISHED september 22, 2021