So, the morning after the party, you ended going all over the barrio.

First, to the bodega, to see if Usnavi was there.

"Nope," Sonny said. "Hasn't come back since last night."

Well, that was great news.

Then, to go to Benny's house, to hang out and lament about your complicated romantic situations.

But, on your way there, you passed him walking with Nina hand in hand into the Rosario's.

You were happy for them, but shot up a quick prayer that Mr. Rosario wouldn't reject him.

After that, you made a pit stop at your apartment to pick up your dress, then went to the salon.

That's where you were now.

You open the door, and Daniela and Carla immediately turn to you.

"Y/N!", the exclaim.

"Here's your dress, Daniela." You hand it to her. "I ripped it, but then I sewed-"

"Oh, hush. We want to hear the juicy details of your night with Usnavi! Did you go to his house last night?", Daniela asks, wiggling her eyebrows.

You sigh. "No. When I was finally going to ask him on a date, he ran off."

They huff.

"Well how about that. After all that work, you don't even have a date." Daniela looks at you sympathetically. "I'm sorry. I know you really like him."

You give a small nod. "Yeah. But thanks for giving me a makeover. I really appreciate it."

They nod, silent, probably realising the hopelessness of the situation.

"Well, I'll see you later."

You walk out of the salon, feeling even more heavy than when you came in. If Daniella and Carla couldn't even help you feel positive about the situation, that must mean it really was hopeless.

You bite your lip. You aren't going to cry. At least Benny has Nina. And maybe Vanessa at least will have Usnavi? You could be happy for them. And who knows, maybe one day, you'll-

You stop short when you see Benny hurrying out of the Rosarios, without Nina, looking very upset.

At times like these, it was best to leave Benny alone to figure out what to do. He felt like you were trying to "fix" him by helping him, somehow. You learned that the hard way.

Besides, you needed to figure out what to do, too. But maybe not on your own.

After a short walk, you raise your fist to knock on Abuela's door. She was very wise, and would at least be able to offer some comfort.

Just as you're about to knock, the door swings open and hits you.

"Ow!"

You grab your nose.

"Y/N! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry."

Your eyes fly open. Usnavi. Usnavi went to Abuela's. Usnavi has been at Abuela's since last night. You feel a bit of weight lift from your shoulders.

You could immediately feel the uncomfortable tension between you.

"No, um, it's okay, I'm fine," you say.

"Hey, um, I'm really sorry for leaving you last night," Usnavi said sheepishly. "I just wanted to check on Abuela since she's... older." He looks at your hand, still clutching your throbbing nose. "And I'm sorry again for hitting you in the face."

You let out a small laugh. "It's okay."

He shakes his head. "Gosh, I can never seem to do anything right around you."

"And vice versa," you say.

Usnavi let out a breath. "No, you're fine. No, not fine, great, no, perfect," he stumbled over his words. "So, um, what were you going to talk to me about last night?"

You slowly remove your hand from your nose, you heart rate getting faster and faster. "Oh, um, I just wanted to ask you-"

"Carnaval de barrio! Carnaval de barrio!"

You and Usnavi look out onto the street and see a whole group of people singing and laughing, with Daniella at the center of it all.

"Let's go join them," Usanvi says, holding out his hand.

You know that he hadn't meant it as a romantic gesture, but you freaked out a little inside as you grabbed his hand. Tingles shot up your arm from your palm.

As you make your way over, someone shouts out, "Here comes Usnavi! And Y/N!"

Usnavi smiles, lets go of your hand, then hurries over and begins to address the crowd. "Now, now, everyone gather 'round, sit down, listen, I got an announcement. Wow, it involves large amounts, it's somewhere in the range of 96,000. Atencion, I'm closing shop. Sonny, grab everybody a soda pop! Yo, grab a bottle, kiss it up to God, Cuz Abuela Claudia just won the lotto! Abuela Claudia won the lotto! We're bookin a flight for D.R. tomorrow."

Your face pales. Usnavi was leaving? For good? Tomorrow?

You feel sick to your stomach. Dizzy. Angry at yourself that you never worked up the courage to ask him out. But hey, even if you did... he might not be leaving. He might've stayed, for you.

But he's not. He's leaving. And there's nothing you can do.

The cheering and yelling just become a dull roar in the back of your head as you think about what could've been. Why had Usnavi never asked you on a date? Why had you never asked him on a date? And now it was too late.

At some point, you hear Daniella and Carla exclaim, "Usnavi's on his way! Off to a better place! Look at Y/N/s face!"

Benny saunters over and puts his arm around you, snapping you out of your daze. "Everything changes today! Goodbye, Mr. Rosario!"

"Okay!", Usnavi says.

"I'm taking over the barrio!"

You finally smile and pat Benny on the back.

"We're getting out of the barrio!", Daniella, Carla, and Usnavi yell.

Daniella walks over to you and Benny. "Hey, Mr. Benny, have you seen any horses today?"

What?

"What do you mean?", Benny asks, equally as confused.

"I heard you and Nina went for a roll in the hay!"

You laugh and join in the chant that was starting. "Benny and Nina, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

You laugh hard, not only because of Nina and Benny, but because you wanted to drown out your angry and sad feelings.

After a minute, you decide to put yourself out of your misery and head home. It was only making you more upset to keep staring at Usnavi when you knew he was leaving soon.

You try and quietly and quickly slip away, but Benny grabs your arm. "Don't leave, Y/N! We're just getting started."

"But I really want to go."

"Please, just stay. It's good for you to have fun every once in a while."

"Benny..."

You stop when you hear Usnavi talking again.

"From Puerto Rico to Santo Domingo, wherever we go, we rep our people and the beat goes-"

"Esa bonita bandera! Contiene mi alma entera! Carnaval Del Barrio!", everyone sings.

Suddenly, you feel someone grab your hand, and you look up to see Usnavi.

"Y/N, for get about what coulda been. Dance with me, one last night, in the hood again," he says.

You smile wide and let him whisk you away.

"Wepa!", Daniella and Carla exclaim happily.

It was exhilarating to be dancing with Usnavi- something he had wanted to do. Something you had waited to do. And you were going to make the most of it.

You laugh as he twirls and dips you, each touch electric and keeps a wide smile on your face.

Neither of you talk. You just dance. You wanted to dance away the fact that Usnavi was leaving tomorrow, and had just told you today. Dance away the truth of what a coward you had been in the years you had known him. Dance away the fact that Usnavi might be starting to like you now, right before he's leaving for another I country. For now, you just wanted to dance.

"Alza la bandera!", everyone finishes, then laughs and cheers.

Both you and Usnavi laugh then go of each other, breathing hard but grinning.

Now. Now was the time. Before he left. You just had to get it out there. "Usnavi, I need to tell you something."

He looks at you expectantly.

"For a really long time, I've actually-"

"Yo, Usnavi!"

"I swear...", you say out loud. Were these things planned?

Benny walls over. "Need some help packing?" He sees you. "Oh! Oh my gosh, sorry. Crap. Y/N-"

"No, it's fine," you sigh.

"Um, thanks, Benny, but I'm good." He glances at a clock outside of one of the stores. "I should actually get to packing a little now." Usnavi holds up a hand. "Bye, guys," he says, then walks away.

You turn to Benny. "Benny, oh my gosh!"

"I know! I'm so sorry!", he exclaimed, both hands on his head. "I hadn't seen you when I was coming over."

"Well, obviously," you snap.

"Listen, I'm sorry I screwed up your moment, but it's not too late. Usnavi's not gone yet. You still have a chance."

"I don't know..."

"Why are you hesitating now? You've like for years now. You need to tell him."

You sigh. "Yeah."

"Just go to the bodega. Who knows, something good might happen."

"Not as long as luck exists," you mutter, then begin your walk towards the bodega.