❝ strike first. ❞

━━━━━━━☆

     "FEED ME that shit like now," Reina demanded, her brown skin glowing under the cafeteria lights as her braids framed her face in a half-up, half-down hairstyle. She wore a black and white crop top that accentuated her figure, paired with high-waisted jeans that highlighted her style. Her dark brown eyes locked on the perfectly cut square of Enyucado that Caridad had packed in a lunch container. The rich, dense cake, made with layers of coconut and corn, was topped with a glossy layer of caramel. The presentation was immaculate, promising a sweet indulgence that made Reina's mouth water.

    Reina knew Caridad loved baking; it was Caridad's escape. Her mom, an esthetician with an incredible eye for detail, had taught her the importance of beauty and presentation. That was why Caridad always had the flyest nail designs, each manicure a little piece of art. Reina often marveled at how she balanced her passion for baking with the pressures of home life.

    Her dad, on the other hand, was a constant shadow. He was always on that one red couch, lost in a bottle, his laughter a rare sound that barely broke the heavy silence in their home. Caridad had carried that weight for as long as Reina could remember, but somehow, she transformed it into something beautiful.

    "And that's a big ass piece too; you know you can share," Raegan chimed in, grinning as she leaned closer, eyeing the dessert hungrily. Her slightly darker skin caught the light as she leaned closer, her curly hair bouncing with enthusiasm. She wore a purple overall with a white crop top underneath that added to her lively presence, mirroring the excitement in her eyes.

    Raegan had a more stable upbringing than Reina and Caridad, growing up in a two-parent household with loving, supportive parents. Her father, a dedicated teacher, instilled a strong work ethic and a passion for learning in his children, while her mother, an accomplished artist, fostered creativity and encouraged self-expression. Raegan had an older brother, and a younger brother both of whom shared her close-knit family values.

    Reina was sitting on one side of Caridad, while Raegan occupied the other, effectively trapping her in a sweet tooth dilemma. Caridad, with her brown skin and jet-black straight hair cascading down her shoulders, wore a pretty floral blouse that flowed elegantly, paired with high-waisted jeans that accentuated her figure. The delicate patterns of her top complemented her style, giving her an air of effortless charm.

    The cafeteria buzzed with chatter from students, trays clattering as they shuffled by. At their table, trays filled with uneaten food lay forgotten, overshadowed by the tempting dulce frío that Caridad had so proudly presented. Both Reina and Raegan were oblivious to the mundane lunch before them, completely fixated on the treat.

    "Damn yo, can I get a 'please' at least?" Caridad chided her two best friends playfully, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile. She knew how they were when it came to sweets; it was an ongoing battle of willpower.

    "Pretty please, with a cherry on top?" Reina shot back, her voice dripping with mock sincerity as she batted her eyelashes dramatically. Raegan snorted, trying to suppress her laughter as she joined in the playful theatrics, clasping her hands together in exaggerated pleading.

    Caridad couldn't help but laugh, her resolve weakening as she looked at their eager faces. "Fine! Just promise to let me have a bite," she relented, raising an eyebrow in mock seriousness.

    "Deal!" they both exclaimed in unison, their eyes lighting up with mischief as Caridad prepared to divide the sweet treasure with a white plastic knife she had packed, the chaos of the cafeteria fading into the background.

    "Damn, Caridad, that looks mad good-" a random student started to say, eyes wide with envy.

    "Back the fuck away, please," Caridad sternly replied, spinning around to face the student, who had practically been begging for a piece. Her tone was serious, doing a whole 180 with playful intensity.

    The student held up their hands in mock surrender, chuckling as they stepped back.

    "You're so mean," Reina laughed, shaking her head in disbelief but unable to hide her grin.

    "Just protecting my dessert," Caridad shot back, a playful glint in her eye as she sliced the dulce frío and finally shared the sweetness with her friends.

    Reina, Caridad, and Raegan had become friends at a birthday party when they were younger, forming a bond that felt effortless despite Caridad being the extrovert, Reina the ambivert, and Raegan the introvert. While Caridad and Raegan already knew each other, Reina was the newcomer from Detroit.

    Reina often likened the beginning of their friendship to asking a random kid at the park if they wanted to play, and they immediately agreed, only to vanish afterward. But unlike that fleeting encounter, Reina, Caridad, and Raegan reconnected a month later when they discovered they were all attending the same school. They picked up right where they had left off, their friendship growing stronger with each passing day.

    "I don't care if Yasmine is the meanest girl at school. I'd kill both of you just to get her to spit in my face," Demetri said, at a parallel table to the girls while staring at the popular kids.

    "Yeah, well, if you don't make a move, you're never going to have a shot with her," Miguel said, sipping on his juice box.

    Demetri turned back to his new friend to say, "True, but I'll also never suffer a humiliating rejection. I'm at peace with my depression. The last thing I need to be is suicidal."

    Miguel didn't agree because the next thing he did was stand up from his seat. "What are you doing?" Demetri asked, looking up from his pudding cup to the rising boy.

   "Striking first," Miguel replied.

    "Oh, shit, I hope we don't get hit with the shrapnel," Demetri muttered. Miguel was making his way over to the rich girls' clique, but it ultimately failed when Brucks sat down at their table and subsequently Kyler.

  "See ya later 'Rhea,'" Brucks teased Miguel.

    Miguel tried not to let his disappointment show as Brucks and Kyler ruined his attempt to approach Yasmine's table. It was a long shot to begin with, but part of him still clung to the slight hope that he might get a word in with the brown-haired, blue-eyed girl at the table. As he retreated, his gaze shifted toward the table where Reina and her friends were sitting, enjoying the delicious-looking Dulce Frio. It would be a perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation with Reina.

    With a shrug, he decided to approach her table. Miguel walked over to Reina and her friends, still feeling a twinge of uncertainty. He paused awkwardly for a moment, mentally rehearsing what he was going to say next.

   Reina carefully picked up her fork, the pink braces on her teeth flashing as she took a delicate bite of the enyucado, savoring the rich layers of coconut and corn, the caramel topping almost melting in her mouth. She ate with the precision of someone who had grown accustomed to balancing a full mouth of braces with the need to enjoy her food without making a mess. Her movements were smooth, each bite almost ritualistic as she took her time, clearly relishing the treat Caridad had made with such care.

   As she chewed, her dark brown eyes flickered up to meet Miguel's gaze, a hint of curiosity in them. He stood a few feet away, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot, clearly unsure of how to approach the table. Reina paused for just a moment, her pink braces catching the light as she swallowed her bite, and she gave him a small, almost amused smile—one that was warm, welcoming, but also a bit cautious.

    Her gaze lingered on him, reading his body language, noticing the uncertainty in his posture. He hadn't expected her to look up at him with such an open, unbothered expression. There was a softness in her eyes that contrasted with the cool, confident aura she often projected.

   Miguel took another step forward, his voice a little uncertain when he spoke her name. "Uh, hey, Reina," he began, his words slightly hesitant, as if testing the waters.

    Reina, after another bite of the cake, chewed thoughtfully before setting her fork down slowly, never breaking eye contact. The way she ate, so carefully and deliberately, reflected something about her—an understanding of balance, of taking the time to appreciate the small things, even in the midst of chaos.

    "Hey, Miguel," she said after swallowing, her voice smooth, unaffected. She didn't immediately rush into conversation, but let the silence hang for a moment, her expression open. As she spoke, her lips parted slightly, revealing the soft gleam of her pink braces, a detail that somehow added to the warmth in her smile. Her calm demeanor made it feel like she was offering him space to find his words, rather than rushing him.

    She tilted her head slightly to the side, her dark brown eyes still locked on his, inviting him in with her gaze. The way she was eating, so unhurried and at ease, contrasted sharply with the awkwardness Miguel probably felt. Reina had this way of being both approachable and distant at the same time—cool but warm, a bit of an enigma.

    As she looked at him, there was no pressure. Just an unspoken understanding. She wasn't rushing him to speak or act—he could take his time, and that was something that, despite her usually confident and stylish exterior, Reina had mastered: the ability to be both completely comfortable in the moment and patient with others' discomfort. It was a rare quality, but one that made her stand out.

    Miguel, feeling her quiet attention on him, finally spoke again, his voice a bit more relaxed now. "I was just, uh... I wanted to talk to you. Maybe just... get to know you a bit, I guess?" he said, his words a little more confident now that he could tell she wasn't judging him for his hesitation.

    Reina's lips quirked up into a small smile, and her gaze softened as she took another careful bite of her dessert. "Get to know me, huh?" she repeated, letting the question hang in the air before continuing, "Well, you're talking to me now, so that's a start."

    As she spoke, her eyes stayed on his, and the pink of her braces seemed to shimmer faintly against the warm light of the cafeteria. Even with the braces and the slight awkwardness of the moment, she carried herself with a relaxed grace, making the whole interaction feel effortless, like a quiet invitation to connect.

    Reina's lips curled into a teasing smile as she took another bite of her dessert, her eyes glinting with amusement. "And I see you managed to wash off the Pepto Bismol," she said, her voice light but with an edge of playful sarcasm, clearly referring to the pale pink tint on Miguel's shirt from earlier in the day. Her gaze remained steady on him, her tone a mix of humor and observation.

    Miguel visibly relaxed a bit at Reina's teasing. He chuckled softly and nodded, still a bit embarrassed by the earlier incident with Kyler and his friends. "Yeah, it took a couple of showers, but I finally got all that Pepto Bismol off. I swear, I was starting to smell like bubblegum," he replied jokingly.

     "Espera, ¿es este el chico que conociste el otro día en el mini mercado?" Raegan asked Reina.

    Miguel's eyebrows raised in surprise that Raegan spoke Spanish, but his surprise quickly turned into a small smile. He replied to Raegan in Spanish, his words coming out in a fluent and natural tone. "Sí, soy yo," he confirmed, nodding slightly. "Nos conocimos ayer en el mercado. Fue... una situación un tanto peculiar, diré."

    "Wowww, adorable and he knows Spanish," Caridad boldly complimented.

    Miguel's cheeks heated up a little at Caridad's bold compliment. He scratched the back of his neck, a mix of surprise and embarrassment on his face. "Gracias, eh... es solo algo que aprendí cuando era un niño," he replied, a small shy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Y... gracias por el cumplido, supongo."

    "Oh where are my manners? I'm Caridad. She's Raegan. And you already know our Reina I see." Caridad introduced, while Raegan was scrolling through her phone.

    Miguel nodded as each girl was introduced, storing their names in his memory for future reference. He smiled politely at Caridad and then looked over at Raegan, who was still glued to her phone. "Yeah, Reina and I have met before," he confirmed, glancing at Reina with a small smile. He paused for a moment, looking back at Caridad. "It's nice to meet you both officially. I, uh, I didn't know you spoke Spanish," he added to Caridad.

    Caridad chuckled, her smile widening. "Yeah, I'm pretty fluent. My parents are from Panama, and they always spoke Spanish at home. So it was kinda a mandatory thing to learn."

    Raegan finally looked up from her phone, joining the conversation again. "And I'm trying to learn, but I'm still struggling with the grammar," she added with an exaggerated eye roll.

    Miguel chuckled softly, the lighthearted conversation putting him more at ease. "Ah, I understand. Spanish grammar can be a nightmare, even for native speakers like me."

    He glanced back at Raegan. "But don't worry, you're doing great. Just keep at it, and you'll get the hang of it in no time."

    Reina had been silently listening to the conversation, watching as Miguel effortlessly interacted with her friends. Seeing this side of him-comfortable and friendly-was a pleasant surprise to her. She smiled softly, enjoying the interaction. The girls chatted for a few more minutes, the conversation flowing easily. Caridad and Raegan's playful banter making Miguel smile more than once.

    _______________

    AS THE FINAL bell rang, Reina felt a wave of relief wash over her. The corridors of the school buzzed with students hastily gathering their things, eager to escape the confines of learning. She waved goodbye to Caridad and Raegan as they headed off to their respective rides, her heart feeling a mixture of warmth and lightness. But as she walked away from the school, heading toward the usual route she took home, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen to see a message from an unknown number.

  
- MESSAGES

###-###-#####
Hello Reina. I haven't heard from you in a while

    Her heart raced. An inexplicable chill crept over her as she stared at the message. Who is this? she texted back, her fingers shaking slightly. The reply came almost instantly: It's your mother.

    A wave of panic flooded over her, and Reina felt her breath catch in her throat, a familiar sense of dizziness beginning to swirl in her mind. Memories she tried hard to suppress bombarded her-late-night arguments, the smell of alcohol and smoke, the sound of her mother's desperate voice pleading for forgiveness, only to steal away anything of value from their home for her next fix.

    "Delores," she breathed shakily, her mind racing. What was she doing? Why now? Reina took a few deep breaths, trying to steady herself, but the combination of past trauma and the looming threat of reconnecting with her mother threatened to overwhelm her.

    Suddenly, a gentle tap on her shoulder startled her out of her thoughts. She jumped, spinning around to find Miguel standing there, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

    "Hey! I didn't mean to scare you," he laughed softly, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to walk home with me. My mom's running late; she has a shift at the hospital."

    Reina's heart slowed a beat, relieved to see a friendly face amidst her anxiety. "Uh, yeah, sure," she replied, forcing a smile even as her mind still raced.

    Miguel fell in step beside her as they began walking, the silence settling comfortably between them for a moment. Reina glanced sideways at him, taking in the warmth of his presence and the way his brown eyes seemed to glimmer in the afternoon sun. "You okay?" Miguel asked, tilting his head slightly and picking up on her unease.

    "Yeah, I just..." Reina hesitated. How could she explain? Could he understand the weight of her past? "I got a text from someone I wasn't expecting."

    "Oh," he nodded, his expression shifting to one of thoughtful concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"

    Reina bit her lip, unsure how to respond. She wasn't ready to divulge all of her history, not yet. But he was so earnest, so genuinely concerned. "It's just... my mom. I haven't heard from her in a long time," she confessed, swallowing hard. "She's... not in a good place."

    Miguel slowed his pace, glancing at her with empathy etched on his face. "I'm really sorry, Reina. That sounds really tough."

    "Yeah. It is," she sighed, looking down at the pavement for a moment. "We had to move to get away from her, away from... everything."

    "I can't even imagine," Miguel said softly. "But I've got your back if you ever need anything."

    Reina felt a surge of gratitude toward him at his words. "Thanks, Miguel. That means a lot," she said, her heart warming despite the heaviness of the conversation. As they continued to walk, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over their path. Reina felt a spark of hope flicker within her amidst the chaos of her thoughts. Maybe today would be a step toward reclaiming her peace, especially with someone like Miguel beside her, willing to walk alongside her on this journey.

    "So what do you like to do for fun besides dodge random texts?" Miguel asked, attempting to lighten the mood and pull a smile from her.

    Reina laughed lightly, grateful for his effort. "Well, I love to cook. Most kids growing up were watching PBS Kids. I was watching Hell's Kitchen that kind of sums up the person I am." 

    Miguel grinned, his expression brightening. "Hell's Kitchen, huh? That's a little intense for a kid." He chuckled, and Reina couldn't help but laugh too, the tension in her chest easing just a little.

    "Yeah, it kind of explains my taste in food," she said with a shrug. "I'm all about the drama and the perfectionism-everything has to be just right."

   "That's awesome. You must be a pretty good cook, then," Miguel remarked, glancing over at her with newfound admiration.

    Reina smiled, feeling a bit of pride. "I mean, I'm no Gordon Ramsay, but I can hold my own. I make a killer lasagna." Her words were light, but a part of her felt a strange comfort in talking about something that wasn't wrapped up in the emotional baggage of her past.

   "I'll take your word for it," Miguel said with a playful wink. "Maybe you can cook for me sometime. I could use a good meal that isn't from a microwave."

    Reina snorted at the image of him trying to cook. "I'm not sure you could handle my kitchen, Miguel. It's not exactly beginner-friendly."

    "Challenge accepted," he teased, nudging her lightly with his elbow. "I'll bring the ingredients, and you'll bring the skills."

   Reina shook her head, smiling. "Deal, but don't say I didn't warn you. But enough about me, tell me more about yourself. You said you moved from Riverside, right?"

    "Yeah, I did," Miguel replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It was a small town, but I played soccer all the time with my friends. We'd practically live on the field during the weekends."

    Reina's eyes lit up. "No way! I played soccer when I was younger too. What position did you play?"

    "I was a striker," he said, a proud smile on his face. "Always trying to score goals. How about you?"

    "I was a defender," she replied, grinning. "I loved it. It felt like I was the team's last line of defense."

    Miguel chuckled. "Sounds like we would've made a solid team. So, what else do you like?"

    "I'm really into superhero comics," Reina said, excitement bubbling in her voice. "I love the Marvel movies too! Spider-Man is my absolute favorite."

    "Same! Spider-Man is the best," Miguel agreed, his smile widening. "He's relatable, and the whole 'with great power comes great responsibility' thing? It's just... iconic."

    "Right? And the way he swings through the city is just epic. I love how he balances being a superhero with his everyday life," Reina said, her passion evident. As they walked, Reina felt more at ease sharing her thoughts. "By the way, I have to confess something. My favorite movie is Ten Things I Hate About You."

    Miguel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? I've never seen it. What's so great about it?"

    "Oh my god, where do I even start?" she exclaimed, her voice animated. "It's the best romance movie of all time! The way Kat stands up for herself and how Patrick serenades her with 'I Love You Baby'-in the middle of her soccer practice! It's just... everything!"

    Reina longed for her life to resemble a classic 90s movie, but love these days felt far more complicated. What many called love now often seemed like infatuation-more about self-interest than genuine connection. Where did the romance of asking someone out for dinner, walking them to their door to ensure they got home safely, enjoying picnics in the park, or passing handwritten notes go? What happened to love that runs deeper than the surface?

    Miguel laughed, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm. "That sounds wild! I can't believe I haven't seen it."

    "You have to!" she insisted. "And Cameron learning French for Bianca? It's so sweet. Plus, I have a total crush on 90s Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He was just... perfect." Reina's foot caught on a small pebble, sending her stumbling for a moment. She quickly regained her balance but shot Miguel a sharp look, her eyes narrowing as if to silently warn him not to make a joke about it. He simply raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile creeping onto his lips.

    "Isn't he the actor in that one movie?" Miguel asked, snapping his fingers as he tried to jog his memory. "One hundred Days of Winter?"

    "Five Hundred Days of Summer," Reina corrected, her grip tightening on the straps of her backpack, her annoyance momentarily forgotten.

    "Yeah! I heard it's a total horror movie," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "It is," Reina replied, stifling a laugh, the tension between them easing as she finally let the moment go.

    "Now I'm really curious," Miguel said, grinning. "You've sold me on it."

    "Good! I'll make sure you watch it," Reina promised, her smile brightening. "What about you? Any favorite movies?"

    "Honestly, I'm more into action and adventure films. But I'm open to romantic comedies," he admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly.

    Reina tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "So you've never seen a classic like Ten Things I Hate About You? You've been missing out!"

    "I guess I have," Miguel chuckled, a light teasing tone in his voice. "But I'll make it my mission to watch it soon."

    They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the sun setting in the distance, casting a warm glow around them. Reina felt a growing connection with Miguel, his easy-going nature and genuine interest in her making her feel lighter amidst her worries.

    "So, what's your favorite color?" she asked, changing the topic slightly.

    "Blue," he replied without hesitation. "It reminds me of the ocean and the sky-so calming. How about you?"

    "Mine's green," Reina said, her face lighting up. "It reminds me of nature and new beginnings."

    "Nice choice. Green is a powerful color," Miguel agreed, nodding. "Kind of like a fresh start."

    "Exactly," she said, feeling a sense of resonance with him. "It's like a reminder that there's always a chance for something new."

    "Exactly," Miguel echoed, his gaze steady and warm. "And speaking of new, I'm glad we're getting to know each other better."

    "Me too," Reina replied, her heart feeling a bit lighter. As they continued walking, she felt a newfound sense of hope blossoming between them. Maybe today really was the beginning of something good. 

- A/N ✰

reina mom is def a figure in this book
who important tho she looms large.