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*ੈ✩‧₊˚กѻՇ คɭɭѻฝﻉɗ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 —

TW: Homophobia and Racism

I hope everything in Spanish is accurate!! I used Spanishdict like someone told me too !! Hopefully it's correct :)) but thank you to that person (I forgot their username, my bad)
PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
VOTE AND COMMENT!!! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

           JOSEFINA WAS EXCITED. It was Halloween, Josie's excitement bubbled within as she sprinted down the creaky stairs, relishing the sensation of her hands sliding along the worn handle. Unaccustomed to celebrating Halloween, this year was different. With each step, anticipation built, and as she reached the bottom, she locked eyes with her mom. A mischievous grin adorned her lips as she exclaimed, "¡es Halloween!" Josie's joy erupted, her fists pumping in the air, and she twirled on her tippy toes, reveling in the newfound thrill of the spooky celebration.

TRANSLATION; It's Halloween!

Estefina, Josie's mother, found a moment of tranquility leaning against the kitchen counter, a steaming mug of coffee warming her hands. Her gaze softened with a proud and affectionate smile as she witnessed Josie's infectious excitement. "Puedo ver que estás emocionada, sweetpea," she observed, a soft laugh escaping her lips. With careful grace, Estefina raised the mug to her lips, savoring the warmth of the beverage while relishing in the joyous scene her daughter painted in their cozy kitchen on Halloween night.

TRANSLATION; I can see you're excited, sweetpea.

Josefina nodded, her grin unwavering. "¡Muy emocionada! Pero, no tengo un disfraz... ¡Así que espero que Max y yo después de la escuela podamos ir a buscar uno juntas!" Her voice radiated excitement as she twirled around the counter, planting a quick kiss on her mother's forehead. "De todos modos, ¡tengo que ir! Encuentro con los chicos afuera." With that, she hurriedly left, off to join her friends in the Halloween festivities.

TRANSLATION; Very excited! But, I don't have a costume. . . so i'm hoping me and Max after school can go get one together!
Anyways, gotta go! Meeting the boys outside.

With a swift motion, Josefina tossed her backpack over her shoulders, the door swinging open and echoing a resounding slam as it shut behind her. Estefina couldn't help but smile, appreciating her daughter's newfound enthusiasm for the festive season. However, as Josefina approached the waiting car, where Will sat, her elation seemed to dissipate, replaced by a furrowed brow.

Walking towards the car, she was met by Joyce, who rolled down the window. "Hey, Josie! Will wanted me to come get you. Is that fine with you?" Joyce inquired, a sweet and gentle smile playing on her lips, awaiting Josefina's response.

Josefina had always liked Joyce. The two women got along well, and Joyce's kindness had made a positive impression. Shrugging her shoulders, Josefina softly replied, "It's okay, Ms. Byers," before opening the car door and settling into the back seat. As she closed the door, Joyce turned to her, concern evident in her gaze.

"Are you okay, dear? You seem sad now. You seemed very excited when you walked outside," Joyce questioned, her voice filled with worry, accompanied by a slight panicked look. "Also, call me Joyce, please," she encouraged, trying to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Josefina nodded. "Sure, I... I like you, Ms. By— Joyce... I was expecting everyone else," she explained, doing her best with the limited vocabulary she knew. Joyce let out a small hum. "Oh, it's okay! Will told me that others were running late, and we were on the way and passed here," she reassured Josefina, trying to alleviate any worries.

Forming a perfect 'o' with her lips, Josefina responded, "Okie!" Her excitement was palpable, accompanied by a gentle giggle as Joyce navigated the car forward. Will, turning to face her, couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "Are you excited?!" he inquired with genuine excitement, his eyes reflecting the anticipation he harbored for the upcoming Halloween festivities.

Josie nodded quickly. "Yes! I want to ask Max to go co-costume... shopping after school. I need a costume," she stated, her eagerness evident. Joyce raised an eyebrow, glancing at Josie through the rearview mirror. She had been expecting this; Will had been keeping her informed about Josie's crush on Max.

"Tell me about this Max," Joyce prompted, trying to hold back her smile, though she couldn't ignore the small blush rising to Josie's cheeks. "Oh, mom! Josie likes her!" Will blurted out, earning a sharp glare from Josie and a small 'hmph' escaping her lips. "She only a friend!" Josie shot back, earning a skeptical eyebrow raise from Will. "Sure... Josie," he responded with a teasing tone, a playful exchange unfolding in the car.

Josie bit her tongue, refraining from saying another word. While it was tempting to reveal Will's secret crush on Mike, she respected his privacy, knowing he wasn't out. Josie herself was out to certain people, and she chose to remain silent. Joyce glanced back at her for a split second before focusing on the road again.

"You know, Josie, it's okay if you like girls. You can love anyone you want," Joyce reassured her. Josie didn't say anything, offering a toothy smile before letting it fade away, gazing out the window as her thoughts took over.

           WHEN THEY ARRIVED TO SCHOOL, WILL AND JOSIE STOOD OUTSIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES IN SILENCE. Josie's irritation towards Will simmered beneath the surface, but she had a knack for letting go of grudges quickly. Tomorrow, their usual camaraderie would likely resume. The three boys rode up on their bikes, creating a lively entrance with the Ghostbusters song echoing in the air. They skillfully parked their bikes at the rack, and as they dismounted, a harmonized question filled the air, "Who you gonna call?"

Josie and Will exchanged glances before turning back to the boys. "Ghostbusters!" they declared in unison, erupting into laughter. The boys began to exchange greetings, identifying themselves as different Ghostbusters characters. Mike directed his attention to Josie. "I thought you were gonna be... the ghost?"

Josie shrugged. "No fun. Want fun," she said simply, raising an eyebrow. Mike nodded reluctantly, redirecting his attention to Lucas when he spotted his tag name. "Woah, woah..." he intervened, putting his arm out as Lucas gave him a confused look. "What?"

"Why are you Venkman?"

Lucas retorted. "Because I'm Venkman?"

Mike nodded relentlessly. "No... I'm Venkman!" he argued. Will intervened, attempting to diffuse the situation, "Why can't there just be two Venkman?" The argument persisted, with Mike asserting, "Because there's only one Venkman in real life. We planned this months ago!" Lucas blinked and rolled his eyes, chiming in, "I'm Venkman, Dustin's Stantz, you're Egon, Josie was supposed to be the Ghost, you're Winston..." Mike trailed off, pointing at each of them and reciting their planned Ghostbusters roles.

Josie dismissed the ongoing debate with a shake of her head. "I'm going inside. You guys are annoying," she declared with a playful grin, turning on her heels and skipping into the school. Her attire, a Kiss t-shirt paired with a flannel and ripped jeans, contributed to her effortlessly cool aura, making her seem more like a high school student than a middle schooler. Despite being a year older than her friends, Josie found herself in eighth grade due to her language learning journey.

            THE SCHOOL DAY WENT BY SLOW. As the day neared its end, Josie exited a classroom, knowing she'd be riding home with Max. Turning the corner toward Max's locker, she spotted Dustin and Lucas talking to Max. They enthusiastically urged her to join them for Halloween, but Josie's name remained unmentioned. A sudden weight settled in Josie's chest, her heart pounding rapidly. The absence of her inclusion triggered a mix of stress and anger. Max turned towards Josie, noticing her clutching her chest and sliding down the wall, a silent reaction to the emotions swirling within her.

Ignoring the boys, Max sprinted towards Josie, a concerned expression etched on her face. Kneeling in front of Josie, she gently took her hand into hers. "Hey, what's wrong, darling?" Max's voice was filled with genuine worry as she looked into Josie's eyes. Josie, still catching her breath, stared back at Max, the world around her momentarily hazy.

"I'm f-fine," she stammered, attempting to reassure Max. Her eyebrows knitted together in a mix of confusion and discomfort. Max, however, wasn't convinced. She gave Josie a worried look, expressing genuine concern. "Are you sure? You looked like you had an anxiety attack," Max probed, her caring eyes searching for an honest answer.

Josie cleared her throat, using her hands to push herself back onto her feet. Max mirrored her, still at her side, feeling a genuine worry for her friend. "Anxiety?" Josie questioned, her eyes widening as she tilted her head to the side. The term seemed unfamiliar to her, and her curiosity was evident in the way she gazed at Max.

Max pursed her lips into a thin line. "It's like... when your body and mind react to stress or anger in an intense way that can make it difficult to function normally. It can feel like you're having a heart attack or can't breathe, and you might feel like you're losing control," she explained, her words a gentle attempt to convey the complexity of anxiety to Josie. Josie blinked at her. "Oh..." she trailed off, flickering her eyes down to her feet. The explanation seemed to strike a chord, and Josie absorbed the new information.

Max's concern lingered as she looked at Josie. "Are you okay? I'm worried," she inquired, her eyebrows furrowing. Josie, hands tucked into her flannel pockets, took a moment before responding. Her nostrils flared as she contemplated the source of her unease.

"I jealous. Never went trick or treating! They ask. . . You!
But not me. . . They like you." Josie admitted, the words carrying a hint of jealousy. The revelation painted a raw and honest picture of her feelings, laying bare the cultural and personal nuances that had stirred emotions within her.

Max cracked a grin. "Well then... Why not just go trick or treating together? Not with them. We could go shopping for a costume tonight, and if we see them, we jump scare them," she suggested, offering a lighthearted solution to Josie's feelings of jealousy.

Josie couldn't help but smile, a genuine expression playing on her lips. "Come on, my stepbrother is waiting outside for us, and... and it might not be a pleasant ride. He's probably mad," she reminded Max. Josie nodded slightly, and Max took her hand, tugging on her arm and leading her outside of the school.

They reached the entrance of the school, and Max dropped her board onto the ground. Aware of their tardiness to meet Billy in the school parking lot, Max knew walking wouldn't cut it. "Hop on," she held out her hand to Josie.

Josie looked at Max's skateboard, hesitating for a moment before taking Max's hand and stepping onto the board. Max guided her onto the back of the skateboard, making sure she was holding on tightly before stepping on herself. The makeshift ride promised a swift journey to their destination.

As they started to ride, Max skillfully maintained her balance to ensure Josie wouldn't fall off. Josie's body pressed up against hers, creating a connection that was hard to describe. Max couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach as they rode the skateboard together, the shared journey adding an unexpected layer to their friendship.

They skated swiftly through the school parking lot, Max expertly maneuvering around parked cars and deftly dodging students. The wind whizzed past them, tousling their hair as they sped towards their destination. In the distance, Billy stood waiting, a recognizable figure amid the bustling surroundings. Max could sense they were nearing their rendezvous point, the thrill of the skateboard ride enhancing the excitement for the Halloween escapade ahead.

As they approached Billy, Max skillfully slowed down and came to a stop. Josie hopped off the skateboard with a lightness to her step, and Max turned to face her. "That was fun," Max said, a genuine smile lighting up her face as she looked at Josie. Josie returned the smile, and Max felt a warm surge of happiness within her. It wasn't lost on Max that she had deeper feelings for Josie, but the ambiguity of Josie's sentiments left a lingering question in her mind.

Max chuckled quietly to herself, a soft flush tinting her cheeks. In that moment, she found joy in the simple pleasure of spending time with Josie. The uncharted territory of their friendship held promise, and Max eagerly anticipated the adventures yet to come.

"You're late again," Billy stated, avoiding eye contact with Max, taking the cigarette out of his mouth. Max squeezed Josie's hand tightly, starting to explain, "I had to catch up on homework, and Josie needed to use the bathroom—" but Billy cut her off.

"Jesus. I don't care. You're late again, and you're skating home, and I won't drive your Mexican friend home anymore. Do you hear me?" Billy declared with a threatening tone, putting the cigarette back into his mouth. Max rolled her eyes in response as he dropped the cigarette onto the ground, stomping on it. The tension in the air hung thick as the siblings confronted each other once more.

Josie's eyes widened, parting her lips as if preparing to address Billy about littering and its harm to animals. Max, sensing Josie's intention, gently nudged her in the side. Taking the cue, Max opened the passenger seat door, shaking her head. Josie, understanding without words, closed her lips and obediently slid into the back seat. The silent exchange between Max and Josie spoke volumes, a shared understanding that this wasn't the time for confrontation.

         JOSIE SAT IN THE BACK SEAT. With her headphones on and music blaring through her ears, Josie leaned her head against the window, lost in her own world. Billy's reluctance to drop them off at the costume store nearby their house lingered in the air. As the car gained speed, Josie lifted her head, a look of alarm contorting her face. Despite the loud music enveloping her, she sensed the escalating tension between Max and Billy.

The muffled argument in the front seats hinted at a deeper conflict. Josie found herself caught in the middle, the vibrations of discontent reverberating through the car. The normally short ride home had transformed into an uncomfortable journey, leaving Josie to navigate the unspoken tension between Max and Billy.

Josie sat up straight, her eyebrows knitted together, her heart pounding fast. As she looked up ahead, she spotted Lucas, Dustin, and Mike biking. Suddenly, everything became clear. "Billy! No! My friends," Josie yelled, hastily taking her headphones off.

Billy glanced back at her with a menacing look. "Oh! I see! Maxine, these aren't your friends, but these are your Mexican friend's friends," he chuckled evilly. Josie shot Billy a glare, clenching her jaw tightly in frustration and anger. The tension in the car escalated as Josie confronted Billy's prejudiced remarks.

"Billy, come on, stop it!" Max pleaded, casting a glance back at Josie, seeking support. Josie, angered by Billy's remarks, couldn't stay silent. "It's not funny! Stop it, idiota!" she shouted, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and defiance.

TRANSLATION; idiot

Billy's laughter echoed through the car as he tapped his steering wheel, accelerating dangerously and closing in on Josie's friends. "Billy, stop it, please!" Max pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears, her face flushed with anger. Josie, sensing the escalating danger, panicked. She shut her eyes tightly, focusing on the energy around the car.

In that intense moment, the boys on bikes looked back, startled to witness swirling black shadows lifting from the ground. The supernatural force Josie summoned caused the car to swerve unexpectedly, creating a chaotic scene that temporarily disrupted Billy's menacing pursuit. The car occupants and the boys on bikes were left in a stunned silence, the air heavy with the unexpected turn of events.

The boys exchanged looks, jumping off the road as the car zoomed past them. "MadMax and FierceJosie," they said in unison, breathing heavily in shock. Witnessing Josie's supernatural intervention left them stunned; it was the first time they had seen her unleash her powers in such a manner.

Josie shot her eyes open as Billy laughed menacingly. "Yeah! That was a close one, huh?" Billy shouted, reveling in the chaos. Max looked back at the boys, still uncertain about what had just happened. The car had swerved when she put her hands on the wheel, even though she hadn't turned it.

Max's eyes flickered over to a very pale Josie, blood trickling down from her nose, her eyebrows furrowed together in exhaustion. "What the..." Max mumbled to herself, staring at Josie in disbelief. Josie sighed, her mental voice reaching Max's thoughts, "I will explain everything soon. Wait until the store." Josie leaned back, visibly drained and in need of sustenance.

Max, still processing the supernatural occurrence, didn't comprehend how Josie had superpowers, but a sense of awe overcame her. Her lips parted into a grin as she turned back into her seat. "Badass," Max thought to herself, a newfound appreciation for the mysterious abilities Josie possessed.

—

ash speaks!

HEHEHEHE WAHT DO WE THINK??