"Bad news. My parents changed their minds about the dance."

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Odessa stood in front of her vanity mirror, carefully adjusting the deep red dress that shimmered under the soft glow of the lights. The satin fabric hugged her figure perfectly, flowing down just past her knees, and the delicate lace trim along the sleeves made her feel elegant-like she had stepped straight out of a vintage film. She had spent over an hour perfecting every detail of her look, from the precise wing of her eyeliner to the soft curls cascading down her shoulders.

She smiled slightly, brushing a hand along the dress's hem as she thought about the night ahead. Miguel had been so excited when they planned their costumes together-he'd insisted on matching, something playful but still classy. Tonight was going to be perfect. The music, the dancing, just being with him...

A rare night to feel normal. To feel free.

But as she reached for the final touch-her earrings, small silver hoops her mom had let her borrow-she heard the familiar, heavy footsteps approaching her room. She froze, fingers grazing the jewelry box as the door creaked open behind her.

"Odessa."

Her father's voice was sharp, authoritative, cutting through the quiet. The way he said her name made her heart sink before she even turned around.

"Yeah?" she answered, forcing a lightness to her voice that didn't quite reach her eyes as she met his stern gaze in the mirror's reflection.

Kingston stood in the doorway, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His face was drawn, the usual warmth she sometimes glimpsed behind his strict demeanor completely absent now.

"You're not going."

Her stomach dropped. Odessa blinked, half-laughing in disbelief as she turned to face him fully. "What? Dad, what do you mean I'm not going? I'm already ready-"

"I don't care," he cut her off, voice harder now. "I've thought it over, and you're not going to that dance. I don't care what your mother told you."

She stepped forward, her pulse quickening. "Dad, please, this isn't fair! Miguel and I-"

"I don't want to hear about Miguel. You're not going to some dance, Odessa. And especially not with a boy."

His words stung, hot and final. She shook her head, confusion and frustration boiling over. "You met Miguel! You liked him-remember? He was polite, he even called you sir!"

Kingston's frown only deepened. "I met him once, Odessa. That doesn't mean I know him. And it doesn't mean I trust some teenage boy taking my daughter out on a night where kids dress like...like-"

"Like what, Dad?" she snapped, her voice rising. "It's a Halloween dance, not some rave. I'm literally wearing this-" She gestured sharply to her dress, eyes stinging. "I'm not doing anything wrong."

His expression softened for half a second, but then it hardened again just as quickly. "You're staying home. That's final."

Her throat tightened as the lump formed, but she refused to break in front of him. Not when she had been looking forward to this night for weeks.

"But why? What changed? Mom already said yes!"

"I don't care what your mother said," he snapped, voice final. "I make the rules in this house, and you're staying home tonight."

The words hit her like a slap, the sting of them leaving her speechless as he turned and walked out, shutting the door behind him with a quiet but firm click.

The silence that followed felt suffocating. The sound of her heartbeat pounded loud in her ears as she stared at her reflection again, but now all she could see was the tears beginning to blur her mascara.

She looked perfect. But it didn't matter. Not anymore.

Her hands shook as she reached for her phone, the disappointment settling in her chest like a heavy weight pressing down on her ribs. She scrolled to Miguel's contact, her thumb hesitating over the call button for just a second before pressing it.

It rang once.

Twice.

Then-

"Hey! I was just about to leave. You ready? I can't wait to see your costume, you're gonna look-"

"Miguel," she interrupted, her voice breaking slightly despite her best effort.

His excitement immediately faded. "What? What's wrong?"

Odessa inhaled shakily, clutching the phone tighter in her hand. "Bad news... my parents changed their minds. I'm not allowed to go to the dance anymore."

There was a pause, long enough that she could picture his face-brows furrowed, lips pressed together in disappointment.

"Are you serious? But...what happened? I thought your mom was cool with it?"

"She was," Odessa whispered, sitting down on the edge of her bed, eyes staring blankly at the floor. "It's my dad. He came in and just... shut it down. He thinks it's dangerous or something. Or that you're some kind of player, I don't even know."

Miguel exhaled, clearly frustrated but trying to stay calm for her sake. "That's ridiculous. Do you-do you want me to talk to him? I could explain, maybe-"

"No." She cut him off gently, her voice small but firm. "I don't want you to get in the middle of this. You're already risking enough. I don't want him thinking you're the problem."

"But you're upset-"

"Of course I'm upset!" The words burst out before she could stop them, voice cracking slightly. "I spent all day getting ready and I wanted to go. With you. But it doesn't matter, he won't listen."

Miguel stayed quiet for a moment, like he was carefully choosing his next words. "I'm really sorry, Odessa. This sucks. I wish you could be there. We had everything planned..."

She forced a small, weak laugh, swiping a tear away quickly. "Yeah, me too. It's fine. You should still go, though. Have fun. Tell Eli and Demetri I said hi."

"Are you sure? I don't-"

"I'm sure," she whispered, even though she wasn't. "Go. Dance. Win best costume. Make it fun."

The sadness in his voice mirrored her own. "Okay... I'll text you after. I'm really sorry, Odes."

The call ended with a soft click, leaving the room painfully quiet again. Odessa stared down at her dress, the one she had felt so beautiful in just minutes ago, and let the tears fall.

It wasn't fair.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Odessa sat cross-legged on her bed, the remnants of her makeup still visible, a faint smudge of eyeliner under her eyes from earlier in the day. She tugged the oversized hoodie she wore tighter around her body as if to hide from the ache in her chest. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of her lamp providing just enough light to cast long shadows across the walls. The quiet hum of her phone on the bedside table broke the stillness, and Odessa's gaze flicked to it before she let out a slow, deep breath.

She had sent Miguel a few texts earlier, hoping for some response-anything to tell her that he was having fun, that he didn't feel her absence as much as she felt his. But her phone stayed silent, the little bubble of hope that maybe he was still busy, that he was lost in the crowd at the dance, slowly deflating with each passing minute.

Odessa pulled the covers up, not ready to sleep but also not wanting to face the reality of the night. She reached for her phone once more, scrolling through the messages she had already sent, her thumb hovering over the screen.

Miguel:
Ready to see you at the dance :) Hope you're still coming!

She had never wanted to cancel on him, but her parents' arguments-especially with her dad-had made it impossible to sneak away. And now, here she was, alone. Her heart sank. Maybe Miguel had already forgotten about her, maybe she wasn't as important as she had thought. But before she could let the thought fester, her phone suddenly lit up with an incoming call.

She almost dropped it in her eagerness to answer, her heart skipping when she saw his name flash on the screen.

Miguel calling...

Odessa's breath caught in her throat. Relief rushed through her like a wave crashing on the shore. This was it, this was the moment she'd been waiting for. She smiled wide, answering the phone with a slight quiver of excitement in her voice. "Hey!" she said, her fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of her hoodie. "How was the dance? Did you guys win best costume or what?"

But instead of Miguel's familiar voice, a woman's voice answered her with an unsettling tone.

"Hi, is this Odessa?"

Odessa blinked in confusion, her heart instantly sinking. "Uh... yeah. Who is this?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"This is Carmen. Miguel's mom," the voice on the other end replied, a tightness creeping into her words that sent a chill down Odessa's spine.

"Mrs. Diaz? Is everything okay?" Odessa asked quickly, already feeling her pulse race.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and when Carmen spoke again, Odessa could hear the subtle tremor in her voice.

"There's been... an accident at the dance. Some stupid bullies-" Carmen's voice faltered slightly, but she steadied herself. "They hurt Miguel. He's asking for you, Odessa. He keeps asking for you."

Odessa's entire world seemed to tilt in that moment. She felt the color drain from her face as she struggled to process the words.

"What?" Her voice cracked with disbelief. "What do you mean they hurt him? Is he okay? Is he-how bad is it?"

Carmen's voice softened as she reassured Odessa. "He'll be okay. He's resting now, but he's shaken up, bruised. He keeps asking for you, mija. He won't stop. Please, can you come?"

Odessa's hand gripped the edge of her bed as she felt a tidal wave of guilt and panic roll over her. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but one loud, crushing truth seemed to weigh the most: she couldn't go.

"I-I can't. I can't go out late, Mrs. Diaz. I'm... I'm so sorry. My dad-he's strict, and I... I can't," Odessa muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. The guilt settled heavily in her stomach.

There was a silence on the other end of the line before Carmen spoke again, this time her voice softer, more understanding.

"I understand, sweetheart. It's okay," Carmen said gently. "Just... he's been asking for you nonstop. Maybe tomorrow morning? He really needs to see you."

Odessa nodded, even though Carmen couldn't see it. The lump in her throat made it hard to speak. She didn't want to let Miguel down, didn't want him to feel alone, but what could she do?

"Yes," Odessa finally whispered, her voice cracking. "Of course. I'll be there first thing in the morning. Please... just tell him I'm so sorry. Tell him I'll see him tomorrow."

"I will, Odessa. Thank you." Carmen's voice was full of relief, but Odessa could hear the quiet pain underneath.

When the call ended, Odessa didn't move. She just stared at her phone, her fingers still clutching it as if it might slip away. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, and her mind kept replaying the words Carmen had said. Miguel had been hurt-badly enough to be asking for her. He kept calling for her, and she hadn't been there when he needed her.

She felt like a coward, a failure.

Laying back on the bed, Odessa closed her eyes, but no sleep came. She thought about how Miguel must have felt, surrounded by people who hadn't cared, and how much he must have wanted her there. Tears slipped from her eyes, but she didn't wipe them away. All she could think about was how tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

The early morning light filtered through the blinds as Odessa stood outside Miguel's apartment, her heart pounding in her chest. It had been a restless night for her, full of worries about him, the image of his bruised face lingering in her mind. She couldn't believe what she had heard from Carmen-the idea that Miguel had been beaten up by Kyler and his friends. Odessa took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before she rang the doorbell.

Moments later, the door creaked open, and Carmen stood there with a warm, yet tired smile. Her eyes held an unspoken worry, but she opened the door wider. "Odessa, I'm glad you came," Carmen said softly, her voice filled with appreciation as she stepped aside to let her in. "He'll be happy to see you."

Odessa nodded, her throat tight as she stepped inside. She didn't need to be told. She knew. Miguel needed her. Carmen led her through the hallway and down toward Miguel's bedroom. Odessa's feet felt like they were moving in slow motion, the sound of her sneakers on the hardwood floor echoing too loudly in her ears. Every step brought her closer to him, and yet, her nerves began to tighten with each breath she took.

When they reached Miguel's door, Carmen knocked lightly before pushing it open.

The moment Odessa saw him, her breath caught. Miguel was sitting on the edge of the bed, and the sight of him made her stomach drop. His face was battered-his eye was swollen, the color of a bruise already darkening his skin. A bandage was wrapped around his forehead, the white cloth stark against his tan skin. His posture was slouched, and he didn't meet her gaze immediately. He looked tired, beaten down in a way she had never seen before.

Odessa stood frozen in the doorway, her heart breaking at the sight of him. "Miguel..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Miguel glanced up at her, and his lips curled into a small, strained smile. "I didn't want you to see me like this," he muttered, his voice hoarse, though he tried to appear strong for her.

Before she even realized what she was doing, Odessa rushed to him, kneeling beside the bed. She hugged him tightly, pressing her cheek against his bruised skin, careful not to hurt him. Miguel winced slightly at the pressure, but his arms wrapped around her, holding her close, almost as though he needed her just as much as she needed him.

"I'm so sorry," Odessa whispered against his shoulder, her hands gripping his shirt as she tried to hold it together. "I should have been here. I should've-"

"Miguel," Carmen's voice cut through the silence. She gave Odessa a kind smile, but there was a weariness in her eyes. "Thank you for coming, mija. It means a lot to him."

Odessa pulled away from Miguel, wiping the tear that had escaped down her cheek, her voice still thick with concern. "What happened? How did this... how did they do this to you?" she asked, her fingers brushing lightly against the bruises on his face. The sight of him like this made her stomach twist in pain.

Miguel sighed heavily, looking away as he exhaled sharply. He was clearly still trying to process everything that had happened. "I... I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, I overheard Kyler and his friends talking badly about Sam," he explained, his voice quieter now, like it was hard to relive the memory. "They were calling her all sorts of stuff, and I couldn't just let it slide. I told them to shut up, and... then they just started on me." He winced as he spoke, like it was still too fresh. "They jumped me. All four of them. I couldn't even fight back. It was too much."

Odessa's heart shattered at the raw vulnerability in his words. She reached up, her fingers brushing his swollen eye, and she felt her own tears welling up. "Miguel, that's terrible," she whispered. "You didn't deserve any of that."

"I don't care about that," Miguel muttered, looking up at her with an almost embarrassed smile. "I just... I didn't want them to say those things about Sam. You know I couldn't let them get away with it."

Odessa nodded, her heart swelling with affection for him. "You did the right thing," she said softly. "They're the ones who are wrong."

Miguel smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, but that doesn't make it easier to walk away from. I just wish I could have done more." He paused, and then, with a little more determination, he said, "But I'm glad you're here."

Odessa's chest tightened with relief. "I'm always going to be here for you, Miguel," she said, her voice steady now, as she held his hand in hers.

As they sat there, Carmen quietly excused herself, sensing the moment they shared was personal. She stepped out into the hallway, but not before giving a warm smile to Odessa. "You're a good friend to him," Carmen said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for being here."

Odessa nodded with a smile, but her attention was still on Miguel. She didn't want to leave his side, not with him looking so fragile.

A moment later, the door creaked open again, and an older woman, with soft eyes and an air of quiet strength, entered. This must have been Miguel's grandmother. She smiled warmly at Odessa before speaking in Spanish to Miguel and Carmen. "Una chica muy bonita. Miguel, ¿es ella tu novia?"

Miguel's face instantly turned bright red. He looked over at Odessa with wide eyes, his mouth opening and closing in a flustered way. "Yaya, no. She's not-she's just... we're not-" He stammered, his voice rising in panic.

Odessa looked at Miguel curiously. "What did she say?" she asked softly, unable to help the smile tugging at her lips at the sight of his embarrassed reaction.

Miguel quickly wiped his hands down his face, trying to cool the redness creeping up his neck. "She... she just said I had a really pretty girl here," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He shot Odessa a quick, sheepish glance before continuing. "But don't worry about it. It's nothing."

Odessa's cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she laughed nervously. "Oh, well, thank you, Yaya," she said, offering a shy smile.

Yaya, sensing the unease between the two, winked at Odessa and chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with good-natured teasing. "Es verdad, mijo," she said, her voice affectionate. "You should be proud."

Miguel, still blushing and trying to act like he wasn't embarrassed, shifted uncomfortably on the bed. He cleared his throat and looked at Odessa, his gaze soft. "Thanks," he said quietly. "She has a way of embarrassing me."

Odessa smiled, feeling a sense of warmth spread through her chest at the scene. Despite everything, it felt nice to be here with him, surrounded by his family, even in the midst of the chaos. She didn't know what the future held, but in this moment, she knew one thing for sure: she would always be there for him-no matter what.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

i love them so much🥹🥹

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:) PLEASE JUST STOP BEING A GHOST READER!! ITS ANNOYING!! PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE. ITS NOT THAT HARD!!! PLEASE! please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters

im so sorry for all the notifications but please stop being a ghost reader!!!! us writers work hard on these chapters. i know i ask this a lot, but i really don't like ghost readers because i work super hard on these chapters so when i see views going up bt votes not its hard for my motivation!