MISFIT ❁ ALEX ALVAREZ

Quinces ✰

"What's wrong with it?" Lydia asked, despite the teen girl's smile

"Nothing. I'm happy, I'm smiling." Elena insisted

"Exactly. You are not sobbing with joy. I have failed you. I have failed my family. I have failed Cuba." Lydia declared dramatically.

"And I thought you were dramatic." I whispered to Alex, who flared in response

_______

The whole family, plus Schneider and I, joined everyone for the final run through of the venue. Alex and I trailed behind the rest of the group

"Everything is all set for tomorrow. And I just want to say, you have chosen the perfect ballroom." The venue lady said

We walked around admiring the ballroom as Penelope and Lydia talked to Dr. B, who had randomly showed up

"Excuse me. Where is the dance floor?" Lydia asked suddenly

"Um, you're standing on it." The lady said

"Are you kidding me? I have relative who escaped from Cuba on a raft bigger than this." Lydia complained

"Let me translate, she's wants a bigger dance floor." Penelope sighed

"Give the lady a bigger floor." Victor joked, walking into the venue

"Papi!" Alex cheered, rushing to hug him.

"Need me to beat him up?" I asked Penelope, quietly

She laughed, patting my shoulder gently, "No, I think we'll be okay."

We all went to help Penelope sneak in the booze they bought from Costco, while Victor and Elena practiced their dance.

___________

Later that night, when all the Cubans were gathered in the living room, Alex and I began recording everyone for future memories.

We saw Penelope yelling at someone so we ran to get her.

"Mami, a word?" Alex asked

"When was the last time you slept?" I asked, pausing my current recording

"Two days ago. Yeah, but don't worry. I take little power naps when I pee." She explained

"Maybe you should lie down." Alex suggested

"Maybe you should lie down." She mocked

"What's happening?" I asked

"Sorry. There's just a lot to do. And people say they want to help and friggin Tina's over there doing her own thing, like she always does. Keep your eye on her." Penelope said walking away to join the large family, again

Alex sighed and dragged me to watch the rest of his family members.

The next morning, Schneider and I walked over to the Alvarez apartment to pick up Penelope for the quinces.

Schneider was dressed in a nice suit and was not wearing his glasses. I opted for a light blue dress with the gold necklace my parents had gotten me, which I layered with a couple more, and my white converse.

"Open up, it's Schneider." Schneider said knocking

"And Aria." I added with a small laugh

Penelope opened the door and stared at us, still dressed in her pajamas

"I got one last pickup. You." He said, pointing at the older woman

"What is going on? The Cubans are missing, my seating chart is gone, Aria looks like a grown woman, and I'm kind of attracted to you? Nothing makes sense." Penelope groaned