I laid down on Gina's bed and she laid down next to me. She cradled my head to her chest and I snuggled into her.

"Parker likes my boobs," she sang horribly. "My boobs like Parker." She smushed my face into her.

"Oh, G!" I laughed for the first time in almost two weeks.

"Aw." She smoothed my hair back. "My baby laughed. Do you feel any better?"

I shrugged. "Not really."

The past week had been horrible actually. I felt empty. I felt scared. Florencio said he'd keep me safe and that made me think he was always around. I sat outside a lot now, waiting.

"So... why'd you break up?" Gina asked. "You never gave me a reason. It's fine if you don't want to talk about." She started to braid my hair.

"Stop it. You're bad at hair. I'll just be left with knots."

She tugged my hair and I gasped. "Then start talking."

"We weren't good together. He also lied to me and I'm not... not enough for his life." I hadn't talked about this with anyone and I found it hard to open up.

"Do you really care what he lied about or were you just angry? Because I'll go psycho on Peter but I was just upset about something else."

"Yes, I care, but I guess it's over with now." He lied to me. Okay. Now what? He did something to me that I never wanted. I was furious with him.

But it still hurt and I still shamelessly wanted him back. It felt like I was being pulled in two different directions.

Even with the threat of Tyler and Rudy, I knew he'd keep his promise. I felt horrible though, knowing he was doing more than necessary just for my safety. Or... maybe he just told me that. Would Florencio do that to me? What'd he owe me? I broke up with him and still expected his gratitude.

No, he did this to you. You deserve the protection.

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Gina pinched my arm.

"Ow!" I snapped her hand. "What? Why'd you do that?"

She pushed me away from her so we were both sitting up. "Why do you think you're not enough for him? If anything, he's the one who's not sufficient enough."

I shook my head. "No, it's me." I played with her red hair. "Mom told me something about being insecure, and I think she's right. Florencio is really strong, emotionally. We leant on each other heavily, but he really did pick up the slack. I just don't understand how he could have been through so much and still take care of me." I sniffled, trying not to blink to dry my eyes. "He hurt me, we hurt each other sometimes, and I'm too weak so I gave up. I'm tired, Gina." The lies, the danger— why, why was I doing that to myself? I wished Florencio wasn't doing what he did. We could've just been together like normal people.

She grabbed my hands in her soft ones. "You can't just give up. You know how much that feeling fucking sucks?" She took a deep breath. "When me and Peter broke up for the first time, I was so heartbroken. I thought he forgot about me. Like, how could you work on something for so long and just drop it?"

"Do you think he's sad?" I asked quietly. I knew I'd fall, but Florencio would be okay. I doubted I really left an impression on him.

"He probably feels like shit, you heartbreaker!" She lightly slapped my face. "Are you gonna get him back?"

"No. He's over it by now I'm sure." I was the only one suffering. I was somewhat confident Florencio would keep me safe, but he was just doing that out of pity, perhaps.

I wished Florencio felt more for me.

Lies, danger, and he didn't even care.

I tried to defend him, but who was I kidding?

Gina frowned at me. Then her face lit up. "Hey! Sofia gets off work early today. We could go dancing. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

I shrugged and offered a smile. "I guess."

"You can barrow a dress of mine."

-

Gina gave me a tight black dress that ended mid thigh. The long sleeves hugged my arms and the bust made my boobs look huge.

"Damn, you fill that dress out better than me."

"I am one size bigger. I think verging on two actually."

"Shut up you look great."

"You're lucky this dress slips on because the zipper would've broke by now."

Sofia knocked on the door before walking in. She looked pretty in her dancing dress. She twirled. "Like?"

Gina rolled her eyes. "We get it, you're hot. Let's go."

At the club me and Gina had to wear bracelets that showed we weren't twenty one.

"Alright, losers," Sofia yelled over the loud music. "I'll be back with my drink and your cokes!" She danced her way through the crowed.

"That bitch," Gina mumbled.

"Oh my God, she's your sister!"

She smiled lopsidedly. "Exactly."

I scowled and looked around the tightly packed club. The crazy lights bounced off the walls and you could see the dj sweating from even our far view.

When Sofia returned with our drinks I took small sips from the Coke. The sugary taste left a bad taste in my mouth. Florencio would like this. His teeth were going to fall out one day from all his sugar consumption.

After a few more drinks, Sofia and Gina glanced at each other, grimacing. I was about to ask what was wrong but they pulled me onto the dance floor.

The feeling of being pushed around reminded me of Esmerelda's bachelorette party. I totally embarrassed myself that night and Florencio didn't care, tending to me.

Sofia got asked to dance and Gina followed her.

"That lightweight! I'm gonna make sure she doesn't get kidnapped!" Gina yelled, trying to keep up with her sister.

I nodded and continued my swaying. I didn't like the song that was playing. The reason was stupid. It was in Spanish. I closed my eyes, imagining Florencio's deep voice telling me dirty things in Spanish.

"Excuse me!"

I opened my eyes and a guy was in front of me. I moved to the side a little. "Sorry!"

He smiled, dimples cut into his cheeks. He touched his blonde hair awkwardly. "No, um, I wanted to ask if you would dance with me."

No.

"Oh, I guess." My lack of enthusiasm seemed to catch his attention.

"Is this fine?" He placed his hands on my hips, bringing us closer together.

"Good." I put my hands on his shoulders, moving to the beat with him.

He leaned in closer so I could hear him. "What's a pretty girl like

you doing here alone?" His lips brushed against my ear. I shivered, displeased.

I smiled flirtatiously, trying not to let it drop. "Oh, you know."

He grinned. "Tell me about yourself."

I gulped. Ugly butterflies erupted in me. I didn't want to tell him anything. Beside me and Gina practically being sisters, Florencio knew everything about me too. It was more personal with him though. I didn't want to share information I gave to him and for only him.

"My name is Riley. I'm a waitress." Instead of the thrill of being someone else, I felt sick.

He chuckled. "Well, I'm Ethan. I'm a receptionist at a dental office."

"Interesting."

We danced for a while before Ethan took me to a tall, small, round table. "Tell me more, Riley. Got a boyfriend?"

My eyes widened. "I—no. I wouldn't be talking to you if I did." I wouldn't be here at all if I had one.

He smiled. "Thanks for that."

"You have a girlfriend?"

"Nah. Broke up a few months ago."

"Why?"

"You're nosy," he teased. I blushed and looked away. "I'm joking. She moved and we couldn't do the distance thing."

"Sorry."

He shook his head. "Why'd you and your boyfriend break up?" When I didn't answer he continued, "I'm assuming you've..."

"Yeah. Um, weren't right for each other." My heart ached.

Maybe if I squinted or closed my eyes completely, he'd look like Florencio.

He shrugged. "Happens."

"Do you know any Spanish?"

He roared with laughter. "Does a white boy like me know any Spanish? You're a funny one, Riley."

I laughed too. Did it sound like I was having a good time? Hope so. I searched the crowd for Gina and Sofa. I didn't notice Ethan grab my hands.

"Look, uh, I know we just met, but, wanna get out of here?"

His kind face held a trace of desperation.

I tried to pry my hands away but he didn't let me. "No. I can't. Sorry."

He pouted and unlike Florencio, it annoyed me. "Why?"

"I just can't." I managed to snatch my hands away. I crossed my arms.

"Boyfriend would get jealous?" His tone held anger.

"I said I didn't have one. Sorry you can't take no for an answer."

His boyish face curled into a sneer. "Fuck you." As he walked past me, he bumped aggressively into me. My ankle rolled in the five inch heels and I fell on my bottom.

My eyes burned. I got up as quickly as I could. I wasn't sure what was more embarrassing, the fact everyone was looking at me, or that I flashed my underwear to everyone. I limped to the dirty bathrooms.

Girls buzzed in and out.

I fixed the mascara that was smudging due to my wet eyes. The pain in my ankle shot up my leg and I swore I could just feel it swell.

A girl approached me and patted my shoulder. I flinched.

She smiled and dug around in her purse. She pulled out a small packet of makeup wipes and handed me one.

"You're cute, don't let your makeup make you look crappy."

A laugh bubbled in my throat. "Thanks." I wiped under my eyes, getting rid of the mascara flakes.

"Ouch," she hissed, looking down. "Did you fall?"

I nodded. "Saying no apparently means sprained ankles."

Her black eyebrows scrunched. "Guys are such assholes. I'm leaving right now, want me to walk you to your car?"

I swallowed hard, trying not to cry. "No. I came with friends. Thank you though."

She patted my arm. "Anytime."

When I found Gina and Sofia and they asked what happened, I lied and said I fell. Well, I did, just on my own.

It was one am when we decided to go home.

"Parker, can you please drive home?" I gotta make sure Sofia doesn't throw up."

The quiet parking lot added to the sudden anger I was feeling. "Yeah."

I took off my heels with much frustration. Stupid tight dress for not letting me lift my leg up, stupid Gina for being short and having her seat up all the way. Once I got my shoes off I threw them in the passenger seat. I bit my lip as I moaned in pain when I put my leg down too harshly. Oh, and stupid Ethan for giving me a sprained ankle. My right ankle. The foot I needed to drive with.

I tried to adjust the seat to my liking. When it wouldn't give, I pulled harder. That only caused me to have a broken nail and the seat to go flying backwards.

"Ow! What the fuck, Parker? You've driven my car before you know the seats a little difficult." I looked back and Gina was rubbing her legs. "Are you gonna move the seat?"

"Yes." My lip quivered and my voice shook. "I'm sorry." I pulled the lever more gently and the seat moved forward with ease.

Gina sighed and adjusted Sofia's tipping over head. "No, I'm sorry. Was this too much?"

I wiped away my pathetic tears. "I don't know when I'll get over this."

Gina smiled sympathetically. "Parker, it's okay to feel."

I shrugged and started driving. I bit my tongue to keep from whimpering when my ankle pulsed and spurts of pain would come and go.

-

✨