{Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Diablo Family Lives Up to Its Namesake}
FLIPPING THROUGH A REVISION BOOKLET, Janice bites into her apple and tries to avoid staining her pages with the droplets of juice lingering on her chin.
Readjusting herself in the school library's uncomfortable chairs, she stretches the knotted muscles in her back due to sitting in the same position for so long.
"And this is why Albert Einstein's theory of..." Janice mumbles to herself, trying to engrave the laws into her memory.
Being just shy of a few days from April is enough to leave her cramming as much information in her head as she could before her impending midterms.
"Hey, Janice?"
Janice blinks, bookmarking her section of reading with a fingertip as she turns her head to the source of the voice.
A girl her age stares right back intensely, timidly shuffling her feet beside the wooden table Janice is currently sitting at.
"Uh, I'm in your Biology class," she says, "I'm Donna. I was actually wondering if I could study at this table with you?" She points dumbly to the empty chair beside Janice. "I mean, it's fine if you don't feel comfortable, but I've always done better when I've studied with someone else."
"Oh," Janice says. "Oh. Um, yeah, of course."
Janice laughs awkwardly, internally wincing at the awkward pauses. "Um, so what do you want to study first? I mean, I've been sitting in study hall for almost half this entire period and I still only cracked through thirty pages." She lifts the right flap of paper in her book as emphasis.
Donna nods. "Well, I was with a group of science helpers a while ago but they had to leave for another class. We were focusing on the study of cells, like biochemistry—diagrams and stuff. Just so you should know, I hate labelling things with a huge passion."
Janice lets out a whistle. "Trying to memorize the periodic table is trying to understand Russian for me. If anything, I'll probably start another Cold War."
Donna cracks a smile. "I can help you! I'm a huge science nerd, even if theories make me want to tear my hair out. Seriously, every time I think I have a formula down, I end up switching science subjects. Man, I put the equation for mass in my chemistry class once."
Janice gapes, giggling. "You think that's bad? I only took Biology because I might become a Phys. Ed teacher when I grow up, and I'm telling you, I once sang 'head and shoulders' during my exam."
"Damn," Donna says, letting out a low whistle. "I memorized that body-bone song on Hannah Montana once. Did it help?"
"Maybe. But I think my teacher reported me for suspicious behaviour."
"Nice," says Donna, "I guess we can work out some of the revision together. I haven't actually started the second section yet and two minds working together is better than one."
"I think the only reason I stay in school is because I know my dad's paying for me to go here," Janice teases.
Even though she'd been trying for a light attempt at bad humour, Janice catches Donna's eyes tightening at the sides, a strain around her lips. "Donna? Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Donna says, opening her book quietly. "It's just—well, I'm actually here on scholarship."
"Oh." Janice, sometimes I wonder why God had so many different particles in the universe, but ended up making the mess you are. "Well—I mean, that's amazing! You're, like, insanely smart, yeah? I wish I was like you."
Donna clucks her tongue, eyes glowing a little at the praise. "Thanks, but unfortunately, I came here for Visual Arts, not really interested in all the science jazz. The only thing I can probably do is draw a straight line."
"It's probably straighter than my friend James can attempt," Janice says, lips quirking. "But I didn't know we did a scholarship program here at our school. Parker hasn't ever mentioned it."
Realizing she's prying, Janice backtracks, fumbling over her words, "What I mean is, I think that it's amazing they, uh, do! Yeah! Hey, did you know that there are answers at the back of the textbook? Like—Oh, my god, what the hell did this person draw—"
Slamming the lid closed, Donna blinks rapidly, as if to erase the image seared into her mind (weren't the boys supposed to be the ones to draw—). "Science review looks pretty great. We should start it."
For once, Janice follows without question.
After forty minutes of social disquiet, silently working on their reviews and occasionally asking questions, Donna finally puts her pen down. "Janice?"
Janice looks up, biting her lip. "Yeah?"
Sighing deeply, chest heaving and contracting, Donna offers a tightlipped smile. "I know you're dying to ask. Please just get this over with."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You probably know more of what I'm talking than about whatever is on your paper."
"That's a losing battle because I literally have no idea what I'm studying. Stop giving me that look. Yes, I know we have a test, yes, I'm going to fail—no, I will not sacrifice my soul to the devil."
Even as her eyes twinkle with mirth, Donna speaks up again. "I got the scholarship because my adopted dad and Madame Parker are good friends. I did also take the test so it's not like I'm a slacker or anything, but yeah. I hope that clears things up. If you want to pity me or anything—"
"You're adopted?" Janice grasps onto the first sentence without even realizing anything else coming out of Donna's mouth. "I mean, wow! Uh."
Crossing her arms in front of her chest, foot tapping the floor unsteadily, Donna nods her head. "I am."
Picking at the lint on her school uniform, Donna continues. "Look, I know I'm new and everything. But the last thing I need is having everyone know the 'new freak' wasn't even wanted in her home. Besides, this isn't a big deal."
"No—yes—I mean—"
"Would you girls please quiet down?" a nearby student hisses, making Janice abruptly halt her stammering.
"Sorry!" Janice apologizes meekly, wanting the ground beneath her to form a black hole. (Albert Einstein said those things would just suck her in, right?). She makes a show of zipping her mouth with a finger and throwing away the key before going back to her companion. "Donna, I have nothing against you being adopted!"
"Against?" Donna replies sharply. "I'm not a court case."
"And I thought science revision was difficult..." Janice mumbles under her breath. "Look. It's cool that you're adopted! Because... I am, too."
Donna's posture changes drastically; from crossed arms and a deliberating frown to a now open, almost eager gape. "R-really? That's super awesome!"
Suddenly blanching, Donna stutters. "I just ranted about judging adoption to an adopted kid. Oh, my god, this is worse than checking the textbook cover—"
Unsure on how to console the girl, Janice hesitantly takes a page from her brothers attempt at comfort (not when Karlo dumps water on her head and tells her to 'woman up, you're my sister, don't do this to my reputation') and offers Donna one of the fruit loop snacks she'd embezzled into the study room.
"How about you calm down," Janice says, in what she hopes is less of a banshee trying to be quiet and more reassuring, "and try to chew on this? I'll give you bonus points if you don't choke on it before the end of the period."
"Adopted and a badass," Donna says wondrously, "there should be more of you out there."
They giggle quietly, chewing on the shared candy. "I..." Donna trails off, biting her lip. "I haven't met a lot of other kids who were adopted other than the agencies. F-for you, if you don't think I'm overstepping, what is it like?"
"Well, considering I don't know what it's like not to be adopted," Janice jibes, "but I guess it's more or less the same as being a part of my family. I had a closed adoption when I was really young."
Donna twirls the pencil in her hand between her fingers. "I was sent to the adoption straight away, but was eight when I first met my mom. Apparently, it was 'love at first sight', ha. My father said he would have been jealous if he hadn't found out my weakness was Marvel movies. We hit it off well, considering they didn't have any other kids. Do you have any siblings?"
Janice nods, glowing. "Yeah! I have three brothers and they're the weirdest, craziest, and dumbest beings to ever exist. But they also buy me food so I can't complain too much."
They return to reviewing their science, occasionally dropping off topic but steadily getting through the study period.
Janice packs her textbook into her book, Donna similarly compiling all her binders. "Hey, Janice?"
Janice pauses, looking at the new girl.
"Um," Donna swallows, trying to work up the nerve to get her words out. "Parker asked me to volunteer at the community adoption center, said something about character building. And, uh, I was just wondering if you would mind helping me out sometime? I c-could use another friend and—"
"Sure."
"—you don't have to do it, but I woul—what?"
Janice laughs, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "I wouldn't mind at all. Besides, I've never been to an adoption agency after I got adopted."
"Never?" asks Donna incredulously.
They walk out of the class as the period bell rings over their heads.
Janice shakes her head. "I didn't want to get infused into all of it, especially since it would make it harder for me. I think it's just a fear I'll start to doubt things I wouldn't otherwise."
"Then you don't have to come." Donna reassures. "I'll manage!"
Donna's compassionate nature steels her resolve. "We'll talk more about it later, okay? I have to get to work in" —Janice gasps as she catches the time on the clock— "I'm going to miss the bus! I'll see you later, Donna!"
With a small nod in Donna's direction, Janice races, arms clutching a textbook in her hand, giddy with headway on a project and butterflies with what it entailed.
Everything was finally falling into place.
•∞•
'NOTHING COULD GO WRONG' seemed to be some type of taboo for Janice in some very cliché-maybe-it-will-start-raining-too way. (She's checking the weather for a thunderstorm).
She'd come home from work, tired and rumpled, and walked by her father's study when she realized the buzzing noise wasn't just her head aching, but voices from inside the study. And, in an almost reminiscent way of when she last hid behind the corner, she couldn't stop herself from listening in.
"... Are you sure you're doing the right thing with this, Marcus?" Aunt Maria's distinctive drawl rang out from the edge.
"Of course I'm sure as heck not." Janice's eyebrows went up to her hairline. "I wouldn't have even accepted the damn thing if I didn't already know they were waiting to jump on me for declining."
"Marcus, while I hate to admit it, declining might be for the best. You haven't gone to one of these since a couple years ago..."
A dark sigh filled the air. "And for good reason, too. Christ, Maria, what am I supposed to tell them? Give them ground rules? Can I even ground them?"
Maria's snort broke the tension. "You trying to ground uncle Lucas is most likely going to end with a beer bottle thrown at your head."
Uncle Lucas? Janice frowned, not liking the mention of her often-drunk uncle, one she hadn't (thank small mercies) in more than a couple years.
Her thoughts came to standstill when her aunt's voice rang out again. "Petunia—and I have no idea why any respectable family would give their kid such a prissy name—and her kids will ruin every room in this house. And then consult you with a fee for not giving them better guest rooms!"
Janice's stomach dropped as she started to realize the direction of the conversation.
"Please don't talk about the Cross family," Marcus half-joked, half-pleaded. "The only thing they're good for is that rod jammed so far up their hide that they have to waddle everywhere."
(Thinking of Petunia Cross, that wasn't entirely wrong).
"Marcus," Maria said finally, teasing ebbing out of her tone. "Marcus."
"I know, Maria, I know," Marcus said. "I just—you know, I'd never have thought that you would stick around this long and actually come to defend all my children."
Janice could almost feel the glare Maria stuck on her brother with the subtle insinuation. "Oh, shut your mouth before I get Janice to bleach your milk or something."
"Janice and you actually working together to kill me is not something I would have thought would allow you both to rebuild your friendship. Family is everything."
"She's grown, you know." Janice strained to hear Maria's low tone, smiling a little to herself. "That job or her friends or whatever she's doing this past spring has been doing well for her. Even if she still wears trousers and runs around with all the guys in her neighbourhood."
"Three pigtails, Maria. Flamethrowers attached to your pants?"
"You little—You used to lowride until mama threatened to use your belt for other things, Marcus."
"... In my defence, I really didn't have longer jeans."
"Family is everything," Maria said, unsurprisingly sincere. "And that is why, with an effort that burns my entire soul to hell—"
"Didn't you refer to my house that a month ago?"
"—is that I take care of all of Gio's children." Marcus reply was silenced. "Our family is brutal and honest, Marcus. Gio's will always be a little kinder, but you know the Diablo's don't just get called the devil's for being angel's."
"Such an oxymoron conundrum, wouldn't you say?" Marcus said. "But I can't keep hiding from my family, Maria. I know you've been here because Shawn has been getting new work assignments, but you'll be leaving soon enough. And I don't know if I can handle another pair of toddlers after yours."
Janice startled. While she was had found it peculiar that her aunt remained at their abode for almost the entire month of March, she still found it particularly odd to know she would be leaving soon. Almost as if she'd cared. (Maria and Janice vehemently deny such a thing).
"Fine," Maria said, almost growling. "But this seems like such a terrible idea, Marcus. Diablo's do not hold back blows."
"I know all too well."
And Marcus's next words tumble everything that Janice had painstakingly tried to fit with puzzle pieces that had an assortment of edges she couldn't find a way to match; a foreshadowing of how family could mean in late nights and others with trying to fit the whole lot in a tiny house with too thin walls.
"So that settles it," Marcus said, finality tinting his words. "This Saturday, the Diablo families will be invited over. And if that doesn't sound like the apocalypse, that means everyone's already bloody dead."
•∞•
Enter conflict.
Donna and the adoption agency are key in the becoming of Janice's Woman's Project. Heads up!
ALSO, CHECK OUT (IF YOU LIKE HUMOUR AND SHAPESHIFTERS AND BADASS FEMALE LEADS WITH AWKWARD BRILLIANT GUYS) IN MY STORY, THE DRAGON KNIGHTS.
m
Anyone else excited for Halloween? What are you dressing up as?
{Someone do my makeup}.
Also, next chapter are the Diablo Trio dissing their family. I love them all.
Much, much love,
Sarena x