❝ ace degenerate. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

   REINA LISTENED to Caridad's rapid Spanish as she walked to the mini-mart, chatting on FaceTime. With her father out working, she was excited to stock up on candy, soda, and junk food for a movie night with her sister. Summer had just wrapped up, and the friends were eager to catch up on each other's lives. Caridad had just returned from Panama, but Raegan wasn't on the call-she was still sleeping after a long summer of adventures in Equatorial Guinea. Meanwhile, Reina had spent her summer visiting family in Honduras and Detroit.

    "Chica, tengo que contarles sobre este chico que conocí en Panama," Caridad exclaimed, her long black hair falling elegantly over her shoulders with her silk pink head scarf covering only the top of her head as she lounged in her cozy room, the soft glow of fairy lights illuminating her brown skin. She wore a comfortable oversized sweater that contrasted with her vibrant personality. "Era tan lindo, pero... ¡ay! Solo quería estar conmigo por la visa!"

    Reina and her friends loved talking to each other in Spanish, not only to remind themselves of their roots but also because in school, it was like they were in their own little world and could talk about anything without anyone else understanding.

    Reina chuckled to herself as she walked outside toward the mini-mart, her brown skin glowing under the streetlights. Her large knotless braids were styled in a half-up, half-down look, bouncing with each step. "¿En serio? ¿Y tú qué le dijiste?" she asked, eager to hear more, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Dressed in a comfortable graphic tee and basketball shorts, she felt ready for a night of junk food and movies with her little sister.

    "He me dijo que yo era la chica de sus sueños, pero al final solo hablaba de cómo quería mudarse a los Estados Unidos!" Caridad's voice rose with annoyance. "So I dumped his ass."

    Reina shook her head, a smile on her face. "Buena decisión. ¡Eso no es amor!" As she entered the mini-mart, the familiar jingle of the door greeted her, and the smell of snacks filled the air. She spotted a blonde guy at the counter, his blue eyes glued to the worker as he handed over a pizza with his bare hands. She quickly flipped over the camera to show Caridad the scene.

    Reina stifled a laugh when she overheard Caridad's disdain. "Ese tipo parece que no sabe nada de modales," she murmured to herself, watching the greasy handoff.

    As she moved to the snack aisle, the blonde guy glanced her way, and Reina quickly turned her head, a mischievous grin breaking through her annoyance. "Okay, lemme get some snacks before I see more of that," she said, clearly ready to move on from the pizza drama.

    Moving to the snack aisle, Reina could hear Caridad's voice still buzzing through the phone. Suddenly, a boy around her age walked in, looking frazzled. He had olive skin and wore a grey and red sweater with white strings paired with grey pants and white Converse. He approached the counter and asked in Spanish, "¿Dónde está el Pepto Bismol?"

    Reina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Looks like someone had a rough night," she thought, shaking her head. As the worker pointed to the back, Reina wondered what could have happened. "Maybe he ate something he shouldn't have," she speculated aloud. Or maybe he was trying to impress a girl, she mused.

    Grabbing her favorite chocolate aka KitKats (the best chocolate bar or candy or whatever in Reina's opinion), she chuckled at the boy's predicament. Just then, she heard him say from the next aisle, "It's for my grandma," his tone slightly defensive. Reina gave a surprised look, not expecting him to hear her. "Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to assume," she called back, trying to sound sincere.

    The boy stepped into view, looking a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, she's been feeling off lately. I just wanted to make sure she's okay," he explained, his expression softening.

    She smiled, revealing her pink braces to him that glinted in the soft light. "Aw, that's sweet," Reina said, genuinely impressed. "Grandma's need the best care."

    The boy smiled, a hint of pride showing through but revealing his own adorable braces as well. "Thanks. She always takes care of me, so I want to return the favor."

    "Good for you," she added. "You're a good grandson."

    The boy shifted his weight, looking curious. "You go to West Valley High?" he asked, a hint of hope in his voice.

    "Yeah, I do!" Reina replied, feeling comfortable enough to share. He looked and seemed harmless. "Are you new?"

    "Yeah, I just moved here from Riverside to Reseda," he said, running a hand through his hair. "It's a bit overwhelming, to be honest."

    "Welcome to the neighborhood!" Reina said, smiling. "It can be a lot at first, but you'll get used to it."

    She added in, "What's your name?"

    "Miguel," he said. "Yours?"

    "Reina." She replied, with a small smile.

    "Queen..." he murmured, glancing at her with a small smile. "That's what Reina means."

    "Yeah." She smiled, a soft warmth in her eyes. "You speak Spanish pretty good."

    "My family's from Ecuador."

    "I'm Afro-Honduran on my mom's side," Reina said, nodding in agreement.

    "Nice! So we're kind of connected, huh?" Miguel grinned, clearly pleased to find common ground.

    "Definitely," Reina said, her eyes sparkling. She let the conversation drop as Miguel grabbed his Pepto Bismol and got in line. By the time she looked back down at her phone, she saw Caridad with a shit-eating grin. Any time Reina was interacting with any boy, she thought there was something there. "Callaté," Reina muttered before hanging up the call and grabbing the snacks she needed before standing in line, being the third one.

    As she waited, Miguel turned to the blond guy, who was waiting for the worker who was still struggling to find a paper plate in the messy cabinet underneath. "My grandma's not feeling well," he said, trying to make small talk.

    "Didn't ask. C'mon, what's Spanish for just give me my damn slice?" the blond guy snapped, looking at Miguel and Reina with irritation. The worker finally stood up, smirking. "Pinche pendejo. Tiene una polla pequeña," he said, directing the insult toward the blonde guy while looking at Miguel and Reina. They both stifled their laughter, finding the exchange amusing.

    "What did you just say?" the blond guy asked, confusion mingling with annoyance. "You don't wanna know," Reina replied, a teasing smile on her face. "I know it's something bad. Just tell me," he insisted, clearly not backing down. "Uh, he said you have a tiny..." Miguel finally said, nodding to the man's lower body.

    "He said I have a tiny wang?" The blond-haired man repeated, "Tell him HE has a tiny wang."

    "I speak English, asshole," the worker deadpanned. "Oh really?" The blond-haired man threw the money rudely before snatching the pizza out of the worker's hand. Reina let out a snort as he walked out of the store.

    Miguel stepped up to pay for the Pepto Bismol. As the bell jingled, four boys Reina recognized from school-Kyler, Brucks, and two others-entered the store. They were known for bullying. The boys headed straight for the cooler and grabbed a six-pack of beer. Kyler spotted Reina and swaggered over, a cocky grin on his face.

    "Well, well, if it isn't the lovely lady," he said, leaning casually against the shelf. "What are you doing in a place like this?"

    Reina rolled her eyes. "Just buying some snacks, Kyler. Not that it's any of your business."

    "Snacks, huh? Sounds boring. You should come hang out with us instead. We're having a party later," he replied, his tone dripping with insincerity.

    "Pass," Reina shot back. "I know what your 'parties' are like."

    Kyler shrugged, unfazed. "Suit yourself. But you're missing out."

    Just as Miguel finished paying, he turned to Kyler and asked, "So, do you go to West Valley High too?" unaware of the implications. Miguel's question hung in the air, causing the store worker to notice the boys heading toward the checkout with the beer.

    "Hey, you four! You can't buy that," he called out, stepping forward with a frown.

   Kyler straightened, trying to act nonchalant. "Why not? We're just picking up a few drinks."

    The worker crossed his arms. "Now that he mentioned it, you look a little young for that. I need to see some IDs."

    Brucks shifted uncomfortably. "We're old enough. Just a couple of drinks for a party."

    "Not without ID, you're not," the worker replied firmly. "I'm not selling alcohol to anyone who can't prove they're of age."

    Tension mounted as the boys exchanged anxious glances. Kyler's bravado faltered. "Come on, man. Just this once?"

    "Not happening," the worker said, shaking his head. "I'll call the cops if you don't leave."

    The boys quickly backed away from the counter, their earlier confidence evaporating. As they turned to leave, Kyler shot a dark look at Miguel. The boys followed him out, their expressions menacing.

    Reina, ever curious, quickly paid for her items before heading out of the store, shifting her bag of candies from the tips of her fingers to her shoulder. "Oh shit," she said, pulling out her phone to record the fight for her friends-and maybe for some clout too. Reina, from the corner of her eye, saw the blonde-haired man sitting at the curb eating his pizza. He glanced over his shoulder and turned back around, minding his business.

    "What the hell are you doing? Why'd you have to blow up my spot?" Kyler shouted as soon as they stepped outside.

    "Dude, I-"

    "Man, he thought we were in college, dumbass," one of his friends chimed in.

    "I didn't know you were trying to buy beer. I'm sorry!" Miguel replied, feeling the weight of their anger. In a swift motion, Kyler shoved Miguel, causing him to stumble into a nearby bush. Kyler's friends erupted in laughter at the sight.

    "Hey!" Reina yelled, stopping her recording. She felt compelled to help Miguel. "He didn't know. Now leave him the hell alone."

    "Stay out of this, Reina," Kyler shot back. He picked up the fallen bottle of medicine from Miguel's bag and examined it. "Ooh, what do we got here? Pepto. Oh, shit, someone has frickin' diarrhea."

    "Oh no," Reina realized what was about to happen. She fished a ten-dollar bill from her back pocket before rushing back into the store. She spotted the Pepto Bismol on the shelf and hurried to the cashier. As he bagged it, she glanced outside just in time to see Kyler smirking as he uncapped the bottle and drenched Miguel's head in the pink liquid.

    Predictable.

   "¿Tienes una bounty aquí?" she asked the cashier, knowing she'd need a lot of tissues. 

    "Sí, en la parte de atrás," he directed.

    Reina dashed to the back of the store, her heart racing. She could hear the muffled laughter from outside, and her stomach churned at the thought of what Kyler was doing. Grabbing a pack of tissues, she dashed back to the cashier, barely waiting for him to finish scanning her items.

    "Keep the change!" she called out, sprinting out the door just as a chorus of laughter erupted from the group outside.

    When she emerged, the scene was chaotic. A cop car had pulled up with blue and red lights flashing. "Hey, get off the kid!" The cop shouted at the blonde-haired man who was strangling Kyler.

    Miguel stood off to the side, pink drips cascading down his face, while Bruck and his two friends were all on the ground hurt while Kyler was kneeling, looking like he could barely breathe. "It wasn't his fault!" Miguel yelled, but it was no use. The cop pepper-sprayed the blonde-haired man and knocked him out. He was pulled into the car.

    As they walked away from the mini-mart, Reina could still hear the distant sounds of the police radio crackling and the murmurs of bystanders discussing what had just happened. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, and she felt an uneasy knot in her stomach.

    "Miguel, you good?" she asked, glancing at him. He was still wiping pink remnants from his hair and face, looking a bit dazed but managing a weak smile. "Here, I got you some bounty," she said, taking it out of her bag and opening it for him. "Also, I bought you a new Pepto Bismol. Your grandma shouldn't suffer because Kyler decided to be a jerk."

    Miguel nodded a bit, still looking dazed as he wiped off the pink liquid from his hair and face, trying to regain his bearings. "Thanks, Reina," he said weakly, accepting the tissues. "You really didn't have to do that." He looked down at the ground, feeling a pang of guilt. He had inadvertently caused the whole mess with his innocent question. "I'm sorry. I should have realized Kyler was up to something. I didn't mean to cause all this trouble."

    Reina shook her head, her expression sympathetic. She could see the weight of his guilt on his shoulders. "Miguel, it's not your fault," she said gently. "You didn't know what Kyler was up to. That's on him, not you." She handed him the new Pepto Bismol, her hand brushing against his for a brief moment. "Seriously, don't beat yourself up over this. Kyler and his friends are just bullies. They would have found another reason to cause trouble anyway."

    Miguel took the Pepto Bismol, his fingers momentarily lingering against hers. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. "You really think so?" he asked quietly, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing. "It's just... I don't know. I feel responsible, you know? Like I somehow could have stopped it if I had just thought more before I spoke. Now my neighbor's arrested for defending me." He ran a hand through his hair, still damp with the pink liquid. "God, I look ridiculous."

    "You could look worse," Reina joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, so that's how you know him." She added, now realizing that the blonde-haired man was his neighbor.

    Miguel couldn't help but chuckle softly at her attempt to lighten the mood. He shook his head, still feeling a little ridiculous with the Pepto Bismol still in his hair and all over his shirt. "Yeah, that's my neighbor. I feel terrible. He was just standing up for me." He looked down at his pink-stained shirt and sighed. "As if this day couldn't get any worse. I'm gonna smell like bubblegum for weeks."

    Reina tried to hold back a laugh at the image of Miguel smelling like bubblegum, but a small smile crept onto her face. She quickly regained her composure. "It's not that bad," she teased. "At least you'll smell like candy." She looked at his messy appearance, still covered in the pink liquid, and rolled her eyes playfully. "Seriously though, you should go home and get cleaned up before you start attracting bees or something."

    Miguel let out a resigned chuckle, knowing she was right. He knew he looked ridiculous with the Pepto Bismol still all over him and that going home was the only way to fix it. "Yeah, you're probably right," he said, looking down at his stained shirt and pants. "Looks like I'm gonna have to take a few showers to get the smell and color out." He looked up at her, a small grateful smile on his face. "Thanks again for everything, by the way. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there."

    Reina smiled warmly, her expression softening. She couldn't help but feel a little protective of him, despite barely knowing him. "No problem," she said gently. "I couldn't just watch them bully you like that. It wasn't fair. And I figured your grandma probably needed that Pepto." She gestured to the bag she was holding, where the Pepto Bismol had been. "You should really go home and clean up though. You're a sight to see right now. And in a bad way."

    Miguel couldn't help but laugh softly at her last comment, knowing full well that he looked ridiculous. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure bees will mistake me for a flower with how pink I look right now."

    He ran a hand back through his hair, feeling the sticky liquid still clinging in strands. "I better get going. My grandma's probably worried about me anyway."

    He looked at her, a mix of gratitude and shyness in his expression. "Thanks again, really. I owe you."

    Reina chuckled, shaking her head. "You don't owe me anything. Just take care of yourself, alright?"

    She couldn't help but admire his sweetness and vulnerability. "And don't let Kyler and his buddies bother you anymore. They're just a bunch of punks who get off on causing trouble. They're not worth your time or energy."

    She reached out and playfully ruffled his hair, making the Pepto Bismol even more prominent. "Also, remember me when you smell like bubblegum."

    Miguel chuckled at the playful hair ruffling, though it only made the Pepto Bismol situation worse. "Uhm," he began to stammer, as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. "Do you think I could get your number?" Miguel stuttered, causing Reina to giggle.

    She grabbed his phone from his grasp and began to put her number in. When she was done, she placed it back in his hand. "Bye, Miguel." Reina winked, walking away with the bag of candies in her hand.

    "S-see you, Reina!" Miguel blushed, smiling as she walked away. He watched as she walked away, a mixture of gratitude and mild confusion on his face. He glanced down at his stained shirt and hair, feeling ridiculous, but also... a little lighter?

    Shaking his head, he began the walk home, now more determined than ever to get cleaned up before his grandma saw him looking like a bubblegum popsicle.

    _______________

    THE SOFT glow of the TV flickered in the dimly lit living room, the end credits of StarStruck rolling as Reina stretched her arms, stifling a yawn. Her little sister, Estrella, was curled up on the couch, her cheek pressed against the cushion, fast asleep after their late-night movie marathon. Their three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment felt both cozy and cramped, especially with the remnants of their late-night movie marathon-a mix of popcorn, gummy bears, and half-empty soda cans-scattered around the living room.

    They moved into the South Seas Apartments four years ago, relocating from Detroit after their father Charlie, impulsively decided they needed a fresh start. Reina still remembered the whirlwind of packing boxes and hurried goodbyes. Charlie discovered that Delores, their mother, had been contacting Reina every other month to get back into the house-each time to retrieve items she would sell for drug money. She manipulated Reina with false claims of love and stole money from them, leaving her heartbroken. Not wanting that toxic environment for his daughters, Charlie chose to move them to sunny California.

    Sometimes, Reina wrestled with resentment about that decision. It felt as if her father had acted without considering the impact on his daughters. They had left behind friends, familiar streets, and a life that had been stable-only to land in this unfamiliar place. The South Seas Apartments were nice enough, with a central pool that Reina had taken a swim in here and there, but it wasn't home.

    The living room was painted a warm beige, adorned with mismatched furniture that told stories of their past. The couch, slightly worn but comfortable, held the scent of popcorn and laughter. Reina often found solace in the shared space, especially during nights when their mother was at work. The walls were decorated with a mix of family photos and Estrella's colorful artwork.

    Their small kitchen, though functional, was cluttered with groceries their father had stocked up on before leaving for a few weeks. He knew Reina didn't want a babysitter for her and Estrella.

    Reina smiled fondly at her sister. Estrella looked peaceful, her chocolate-smooth skin glowing softly in the dim light, the dimpled curve of her face accentuating her serene expression. It always amazed Reina how gorgeous Estrella was, with features that mirrored her own-those same bright, expressive eyes and the delicate arch of her brows. Reina liked to joke that Estrella was her clone, a younger version of herself, embodying the same playful spirit and spark.

    Estrella's hair was styled in two playful pigtails, the little spirals bouncing slightly as she slept. Reina had taken extra time to lay down Estrella's baby hairs earlier, creating a polished look that made her sister's round face even more adorable. Those tiny wisps framed her forehead perfectly, enhancing the innocence in her expression.

    Reina's heart swelled with affection as she knelt beside Estrella, brushing a stray hair from her forehead. When there was no response, she took a moment to enjoy the quiet, appreciating the bond they shared.

    With a soft grunt, she slid her arms under Estrella's light frame, lifting her effortlessly. As she cradled her sister against her chest, she felt the warmth of Estrella's body, the way her small head nestled into the crook of Reina's neck. It felt nice to be needed, to take on this little act of care.

    As she carried Estrella down the hallway, Reina's mind drifted back to their time watching the movie. They had laughed at the goofy moments, gushed over the romantic scenes, and made silly faces during the corny lines. Those evenings were special, the kind of simple joy that seemed to stitch them closer together, especially on nights like these.

    Reaching Estrella's room, Reina carefully pushed the door open with her foot, the familiar creak echoing in the stillness. She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the cheerful room filled with posters of pop stars and a collection of stuffed animals piled high on the bed. Reina walked over and gently laid Estrella down on the colorful comforter.

    Estrella stirred slightly but didn't wake. Reina couldn't help but chuckle as she reached for the cheetah bonnet perched on the bedside table. It was one of Estrella's favorites, the soft fabric dotted with playful spots and little ears sticking up on top. Reina pulled it over Estrella's head, adjusting it so it sat snugly without waking her.

    "You look ridiculous," Reina whispered teasingly, smiling at her sister's adorable sleeping face. She tucked the blanket around Estrella, making sure she was cozy and warm. Reina took a moment to watch her sister sleep, feeling a swell of love and protectiveness. It was these little moments that reminded her of the bond they shared.

    As she turned to leave, Reina paused at the doorway, glancing back one last time. The sight of Estrella, the cheetah bonnet slightly askew, brought warmth to her heart. "Goodnight, Estrella," she whispered softly, closing the door with a gentle click.

    With a sense of accomplishment, Reina returned to the living room, cleaning up the remnants of their late-night feast. The quiet house enveloped her, but she felt less alone. Despite the late hour and the responsibilities that came with being the older sister, nights like this were what made it all worthwhile.

    Reina returned to the living room, glancing at the chaos of snack wrappers and empty soda cans. With a sigh, she grabbed a trash bag and began to tidy up, the sound of crinkling plastic filling the silence. She tossed in the remnants of their movie night. Moments later, her phone rang. She already knew who it was calling her-he did it like clockwork every night since he'd been on the road two days ago. She put the phone on between her shoulder and ear.

    "Hey, Dad," Reina greeted, forcing a smile as she continued cleaning. "How was work?"

    "Long," her father replied, his voice flat. "What did you two get up to tonight?"

    "We watched a movie and had some snacks," Reina answered, tossing the last of the trash into the bag. "Estrella fell asleep on the couch."

    Her father let out a small laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That girl could sleep through anything."

    "For real," Reina laughed, glancing around the cluttered living room, the faint glow of the TV casting soft shadows on the walls. "Just checking-there are still groceries in the fridge, right?" her dad asked, his tone a blend of concern and fatigue.

    "Dad, stop worrying so much," she replied, leaning against the kitchen counter, the scent of leftover popcorn lingering in the air. "It's my responsibility to worry, especially since this is the first time I'm leaving you on your own for an extended amount of time to take care of yourself and your sister," he said, a hint of unease in his voice.

    "I promise, I'm fine. Not hiring Ms. Chavez will really help us save money," she insisted, trying to sound confident, even though a nagging weight settled in her chest. Ms. Chavez, the woman who lived downstairs, was a domineering Colombian figure known for keeping Reina and Estrella on their toes with her relentless Spanish lessons. "¡No olvides de dónde eres!" she would bark, to which Reina would always retort with a playful smirk, "Detroit."

    It was Ms. Chavez who had pushed Terry to take them to Honduras that summer, nagging him about reconnecting with their roots despite their mother-who was Estrella and Reina only true link to that heritage-not being in the picture. The trip felt like a half-hearted attempt at cultural connection, but Ms. Chavez's influence loomed large, reminding them of the complexities of their identity.

    "Just don't let it stress you out," he replied. The last thing Charlie wanted was for Reina to feel like a second parent; he wanted her to enjoy being a kid.

    "I have to think about it. Saving money means you won't need to take long hauls as often, which means you can be home more. No more Ms. Chavez," she explained, running a hand through her braids as the reality settled in.

    "Okay, okay. Remind me not to argue with you. You always have the last word," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

    "I'm safe inside. The door is locked, double-chained," she reassured him, glancing at the security measures they'd put in place. "Get some rest, and I'll call you when I wake up, alright?"

    "Alright. Love you, kiddo," he said softly, warmth evident in his voice.

    "Love you too."

    With that, Reina turned back to the mess in the living room. Just then, her phone buzzed on the cushion, causing her to reach for it.

- MESSAGES

###-###-#####
hi reina!

###-###-#####
it's me miguel from the mini mart :)

𝙍𝙀𝙄𝙉𝘼
hi miguel :)

- A/N ✰

first thoughts??

to be honest this book has been long in the making, i started making they book back in OCTOBER, as of right now, i'm already writing for season 4!

oh and for those who need translation, highlight the words, press the arrow button then press the three dots and "translate" will pop up.