Amara POV...
I listen to Jasmine as she tries to get Monse to stop texting Cesar.
Monse:sorry, I'm trying to make sure he's good on the home front.
Me:Did you call him?
She gives me a look and I just hold my hands up and lean back against my bag.
Jasmine:Okay, he has daddy issues, you have mommy issues if you don't distance yourself your gonna have baby issues! Girl don't you remember he betrayed you?
Monse:Yes I remember... You're right Cesar wasn't there for me when I dealing with my mom but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be there for him that's hypocritical.
Me:So why do you care?
Monse:Isn't that your brother in law? Shouldn't you be on his side?
Me:And? Doesn't mean I agree with everything he does. But if you care for him don't try to hide it by being angry. Invite him the guys are here.
Monse:I'm glad you said that, because I already did. Has he spoken about me?
Me:All the time, he really loves you Monse. Got his nose wide open girly. *laughs*
Jasmine:I know why you're doing this! It's to shove it in his face to show you're the bigger person!
Monse:No, I'm being a friend thats what friends do.
Jasmine:That actually sounds like girlfriend territory.
Me:*laughs* Aye Jasmine when you gone shoot yo shot with Ruby?
Jasmine:Huh?
Me:When are you going to ask ruby out? I seen him checking you out, no cap.
Monse:Your Chicago is showing.
Me: I seen him honestly checking you out, yall would look like together. You balance each other out.
Jasmine:Girl he is not worried about me.
Me:Then why is he looking at you now?
She turns around and I laugh before getting and walking towards them.
Jasmine:Don't say anything Amara!
I wave my hand at her and walk over to the con man and company.
Me:Who cooked that shit?
Ruby:Jamal did.
I look at them like their crazy. They're gonna kill people.
Me:Jamal can't even butter toast how can he cook chicken?
Ruby:I need the money for my family.
I sigh and put my hand on my hip.
Me:Just don't make nobody sick with that underground pigeon meat. Give me two.
Jamal:I thought it was piegon meat?
Me:*scoffs* You thought I was going to eat this shit? Boy no I'm promoting my friends business.
I hand him a ten and he hands me two I walk to the garbage can and throw them out before going to the concession stand and getting water. I get back to the girls and Jasmine starts to talk to me about what colors she wants to see me in that I never wear.
Me:Purple ain't my color, it brings out the red in my skin.
Jasmine:Girl please a nice purple velvet mini dress would look amazing on you!
Me:We'll see. He's staring again, probably having a weird fantasy about rubbing sunscreen on your back.
She looks over and I grin before putting my shades on and leaning back.
Monse:Hey can you put some on me?
Cesar:I got it.
Manny:Girl get yo ass up!
I groan and lift my shades and see both my best friends.
Me:I thought you were with my dad?
Manny:And I thought you were going to the library?
Me:I said I was going passed the library. I did. Hey Cesar.
Cesar:Hey Mara, did you get my text?
Me:Yeah I'll look into it or have my dad look into it.
Cesar:Thanks.
Soon manny is next to me taking up my space and I see Oscar walking up, Monse's smile drops and I roll my eyes, I get up and meet him, he smiles and kisses my lips and he walk up to the others. Monse gives him a look and he looks at Cesar and shakes his head and hands me his tank top and shades.
Oscar:I'm hittin the pool.
Jasmine:Oh do a cannon ball!
I laugh and he gives her a look. What's with everyone and the evil looks?!
Jasmine:Or don't, No, don't do that it's dumb.
He walks off and Jasmine fixes her goggles and claps her hands. I sit next to manny again who puts his head on my lap.
Jasmine:Time to deep-dick-dive! You know because the shorts...
Once she's gone manny speaks.
Manny:She mannish as hell.
I laugh, Monse and Cesar joining.
Me:But it's funny with her.
Manny:You are too that's why.
Me:Im cute with it.
Manny:Whatever.
Monse:Why didn't you tell me he was coming?
What's her beef with him? I roll my eyes and put my shades on and lean back.
Cesar:Did I need to?
Monse:No I guess not, I mean it is a community pool so I guess whatever trash flows in I can't say nothing about it.
This is my problem with her, deep breath don't cause a scene infront of kids. You can drown her in the pool, too many witnesses.
Manny:Aye watch yo mouth talking about my homie like that.
Cesar:*sighs* Oscar has alot on his plate right now. I'm not the only one dealing with out dad.
Monse:How's that going?
Cesar:Not great. They can't even be in the same room together, which puts me in a weird position because I want to get to know my dad. But I also feel like I'm betraying Oscar.
Monse:Did he say that?
Cesar:No... He didn't have to.
Monse:That's so selfish, if your dad sucks he sucks. My dad despite what he believed about my mom he still let me get to know her.
Me: And you see where that got you? It's a reason why parents and care givers distance themselves from people, sure you have the right to learn yourself but you better give them some credit. Your mom and dad aren't in a gang Monse, Cesar's dad and brother are, you don't know what Ray did to make Oscar despise him so much, can't be that selfish if he's letting him there for Cesar's sake. I'm getting in the pool.
Manny:You just keep putting your foot in your mouth with her don't you?*chuckles*
I walk over to the five feet and sit down putting my feet in, manny sits next to me.
Manny:Why is that girl so hostile?
Me:I don't know, but I hope she doesn't make cesar hateful like her.
Manny:Do you believe that you're being biased?
I look at him and shake my head.
Me:Nah, because back in Chicago I am Cesar, just my mom is raising me and not my brother. My mom and dad didn't want me around my uncle but knew that I had to get to know him to see for myself who he really is. My mom or dad didn't down him to me you guys didn't either, what Monse is doing is wrong, especially to talk about him like that to his brother, with his girlfriend next to her. She's a idiot.
Manny:When I met her I didn't like her.
Me:*laughs* I know.
I suddenly hear Jasmine screaming Marco and I see Oscar pop up a few feet down and yell polo, he puts his head in his hand and huffs, I smack manny's arm and point, he laughs and then whistles, Oscar turns and sees us. He falls back into the water and swims towards us. He puts his arms on my waist and I rub his head.
Me:Having fun?
Oscar:No...
Manny:Damn man I didn't know Mexicans can swim. *laughs*
Oscar:*laughs* I'm shocked you put your feet in the water, I know how Y'all feel about water.
Manny:*scoffs* man I was on the swim team, Chi you better tell him.
Me:Both of yall dirty so I'm shocked either of you came near the water.
Oscar:Nice words to say when you're on the edge of the water.
Before I can threaten them Oscar yanks me and Manny pushes me, jumping in behind me. I try my hardest to not get my hair wet.
Me:I'm gonna kill you big bastards! I just flat ironed my hair!
Manny:Shut up punk!
He splashes me and I cry for my hair and dive under water and yank his trunks down and swim with them I hear him yelling under the water and I pop up a few feet away from them both and hold them up.
Me:Looking for these bitch?
Manny:You play to much! I'mma drown yo ass!
Me:Gotta catch me first!
I drop them and swim to the other side of the pool and pull myself out. I pray that my hair will atleast do some pretty curls since it's braided instead of kinking back up into a afro, because I'm gonna reflat iron it.
I'm picked up and I scream until I realize it's Oscar he laughs and puts me down. I turn around and smack his chest.
Me:Yall got my hair wet!
Oscar:You'll be fine.
Me:*mocking * you'll be fine my ass! You saw how long it took for me to flat iron this shit!
Oscar:I can help.
I look at him then turn around. He laughs and soon manny catches up with us and we walk back to the towels, I watch as a lady throws up I gag and step a little closer to Oscar.
Manny:Our mommas always said to never drink that pool water.
Me:She a grown ass woman I hope she's not drinking that water.
We sit down on our towels Oscar lays down with his knees propped up and I lean on his legs and Manny sits next to me showing me some messages from some chick he's entertaining.
Cesar:I was thinking about going to summer night lights.
Monse:If you go then I'll go, we can make a non plan plan to go.
Cesar:Sounds like a non plan.
Jasmine:Or a date.
Me:Or a set up.
Manny:To get in em cheeks!
I smack his head and he frowns.
Me:Shut up!
Manny:You gone stop putting your hands on me.
Me:Fuck up.
I close my eyes soon I hear vomit really close and I jump up everyone following. The little just threw up on Jasmine's back! Eww!
Me:Time to go, I don't have time for this!
Time Skip....
As we walk Oscar keeps cracking jokes on Jasmine me and Manny arguing about if this place is better than Chicago's carnival pop ups.
Me:It was a decent trend but I never got on the rides who wants to get on something you pulled from a suitcase!
Manny:Ain't shit never happen to me!
Me:You a little slow babes of course nothing happens to the slow folks.
Manny:One more time Amara!
Jasmine:I'm gonna go get us some drinks!
Oscar:I'll take a Corona, without the lime I'll get get one out of your hair!
I smack his arm and he pulls me under it as we laugh. Monse scoffs.
Monse:It's really not that funny.
Me:Excuse me?
Manny:Can you ever shut the fuck up?
Cesar:Monse-
Oscar:*chuckles* Nah it's cool. Hey let's go get some cotton candy.
Manny:My shorty here I'll see yall later!
Me and Oscar start to walk away until he sees three lil kids in purple.
Oscar: I'll be back.
Cesar holds him and looks at him
Cesar:You sure?
Oscar:19th street ain't gonna cause trouble here too public.
I sigh and look around to the different stalls around.
Monse:So how long is Oscar gonna hang around? Not that I mind. I just... Okay I do mind I don't want to.
Me:Damn hop off his dick! He ain't worried about you! Dude ain't say shit to you all day and you've constantly swallowed his shit. You sound like a pressed ex, ain't Cesar the one you with? Talk to him. Yo ass wanna hold grudges that ain't yours to hold, grow the fuck up.
Cesar:Amara-
Me:Nah, I don't even see why you so pressed with Oscar when you dating his lil brother, like you realize that for as long as your stuck with Cesar your stuck with him right? Damn saying my man name more than me how you look talking about his brother to him? A fucking goofy. I'm going to go get a funnel cake. Tell Oscar where I am when he comes back.
I walk off and go. As soon as I make it to stall I see manny and some girl. I pretend like I don't know him so his girl won't get any ideas and order. I take the drink and start to walk off. Then I get a call from ruby.
Me:Yoo
Ruby:Amara I need legal advice?
Me:Don't tell...
Ruby:...
Me:Ruby!
Ruby:Remember how you said Jamal couldn't cook?
Me:Oh my God Ruby that better not have been why people were throwing up at the pool!
Ruby:We didn't know until people asked for money back!
Me:I don't see how I can help but I'll send my prelaw text book.
Suddenly Cesar comes up to me and tells me that my uncle needs us at the restaurant and that he already told the girls to tell Oscar. I order a Uber and we head to the joint.
Time Skip...
As me and Cesar clean the tables he rants about everything.
Cesar: Then Monse! I don't even know why I'm trying with her! She's always complaining about something! Like okay I get it my brother can be a dick at times but he's still my brother and he's still looked out for me, then Oscar! He's impossible to understand one moment he's a caring, cool brother next he's this close to beating my ass! I can't win for losing with those two!
I laugh and he groans and throws a towel at me.
Cesar:Amara I'm serious! Why can't everyone just get along!
Me:Because they all believe they know what's best for you or want the best for you. Monse is on the outside looking in and Oscar is trying his best to piece it all together. Gotta give em both props. Monse is gonna get these fists if she don't watch her mouth though.
Cesar:Yeah, i talked to her about that once you left. I don't know why she hates him so much.
Me:I have my theories but I may be wrong. But she's just looking out for you.
Cesar:And what if I follow in his footsteps? Is she gonna hate me too?
Me:It's different when the ones you love do it. She may see no problem with it, or get used to it. But seeing him do it? She hates it.
Cesar:How come you aren't like that?
Me:Same reason you aren't. I grew up in that shit, I respect the Soilder and the Survivor in Oscar. Same way I respect it in you, and Manny and sad eyes, in Ray, my dad and my uncle and cousin. The same way they respect it in me. I respect the love my mother has for my dad and the love I have for Oscar and the love Monse has for you. I respect everything that makes up any relationship because that's why genuinely made that relationship.
Cesar:Like seeing the glass half full.
Me:I mean sure but I say half empty. It's a reason you're with Monse, it's a reason you are still cool with Oscar , and it's a reason you want to get to know your dad, because I know so many people who's dad wasn't in there life and decided to keep them out whether they were doing better or not. Even if Monse doesn't want to admit it? Oscar raised you well, that's why I'm not scared to have his child, because he's been raising a child while he was one himself.
He nods and suddenly he's crying, I sigh and pull him into a hug. I don't even know why he's crying maybe he's a big softy like his brother, can't see a animal hurt without shedding a tear. Once he pulls away I smile at him.
Me:You are such a big softy, all this muscle but such a marshmallow.
He chuckles and looks at me, his smile sorta disappears and he leans down and kisses me. I widen my eyes and step back, Cesar looks at me and I close my eyes and take a deep breath so I won't over react.
Me:No...
Cesar:Amara I'm so-
Me:Cesar it's okay to cry, men can cry.
I shake my head and blink, he nods and I turn around to finish cleaning up. After we finish up we start home, and once we make it to my house I turn to him and lowly speak.
Me:That ever happened, okay? If Oscar or Monse found out we'd both be dead.
Cesar:You didn't kiss back tho-
Me:Cesar! It doesn't matter! Nothing happened alright? We're still cool nothing is weird alright? Just forget it. Now go home text me when you get inside.
Cesar:Okay goodnight Amara.
Me:Nighty night.
I walk into the house and sigh. What the fuck!
Should I tell Oscar?