"Is it true? youre in the santos?"

I looked at Ruby with my sadness. I didn't know what to say.

Yeah." Just those 4 letters, 1 word came out.

"Its it true Cesar?" Monse told him.

"Yeah." He softly said.

"You know they boning, right?" I shook my head at Jasmin.

"Wait. Is he the guy?"

"This isn't about me. It's about Ruby. He's in love with Valeria." Ruby looked at me and shook his head.

"What!" Ruby and I said at the same time. He keep shaking his head. I bit my lip. He doesnt like me. My heart broke into million of pieces.

"Can we just all take a moment to appreciate the fact that, for once, I was able to keep a secret." Jamal announced.

"You knew?" Everyone yelled and turned to him.

"Why would you not tell me?" Ruby told me. Everyone was getting into arguments.

"What do you mean, "Sell you out?" And you? What type of friend are you?" Monse told Olivia.

"Valeria, how could you?" Ruby nearly broke.

"It's all about his trifling ass." Jasmin jumped in.

"I couldn't say it! Its was to help my brother!" I told him.

"Bitch, I got a brick in this bag." Jasmin said to me as she defends Ruby.

"You weren't even invited."

"Y'all messed up!" We all stopped as Spooky spoke. He walked to Cesar and to the front door. "We got business."

"What about the lockdown?" Cesar asked.

"It's done." Spooky and Cesar then left. The house was left silent.

"And y'all wanted to kill me. Shame." Jasmin said out of nowhere. Me and Ruby looked at each other with tears. Monse storms out. "Bitch, that's my cue!" I ran out the house with tears in my eyes. I went to my house and cried my room. Its my fault, i didnt say anything and i ruined my friendship with everyone.

Next Morning

I stepped outside and helped Jacky wobble down the stairs to take me to school since im avoiding the fam. I forgot to tell you, Jacky's pregnant with Willys baby. Imma be a aunt.

"Isnt that the boy you like?" Jacky asked as she stepped in the car. I looked up and I saw Ruby standing there.

"Lets go." I walked away and into the car. Jacky drive off. I plugged in my music into the aux cord.

"What happened?" She asked me.

"Nothing happened." I told her.

"Valeria, you always drool over that boy and blush when you see him, now you just ignore him?" I sighed.

"Monse and Ruby found out about me being in the Santos. And then Olivia kissed Cesar and Monse got mad, its just a mess." I looked at her. "Now we're all mad."

"Mija, of course they would be mad. No offense but, you decided to not say anything. The truth always comes out." She holds my hand. "You guys have been friends since day one! You guys are gonna have ups and downs, its part of life. Its part of high school."

"Im scared that i lost them."

"If you lost them, they aren't your real friends. Friends dont leave friends for something stupid. Trust me."

"I was just so embarrassed about them finding it out. They didnt even knew about mi papa."

"Oh Valeria." We pulled up from the school. Just about I stepped out Jacky stopped me. "Dont be embarrassed of who you are. You're a Santo, your father was a santos, willys a santo, you have to express yourself, be who you are. Dont let anyone change you."

"Thanks Jacky." I waved goodbye and i walked into school. I saw Monse and Ruby and i made some new routes to get to class so i can avoid them. Lunch time comes around. I went to get my lunch and i saw the crew sitting at the table. Ruby looks at me and I just walked away.

"Hey! Valeria!" Carlos calls out. Ruby's eyes went soft and looked the other direction. I sat with the seniors and talked about our relationships which made me feel bad since I still have feelings for Ruby. The bell rang I went to soccer practice. I tied my shoes and Monse stopped me.

"What?" I said.

"Why didn't you say anything about you in the Santos?" She said.

"Why didnt you tell me about Cesar?" She stood there in shock. "I told you about Ruby, why didnt you tell me about Cesar? I would've been 100% okay with it."

"It's because I never wanted anyone to know." She crossed her arms. "Why are you in the Santos?"

"Because, thats my family, i didnt want to saying anything to you guys is because i knew you guys were gonna do the same thing that you are doing to Cesar, i dont need your help." I licked my lips. "Willy was supposed to do 8 years for murder, I asked the Santos for help and without even noticing, i was in." Monse looked at me.

"Im sorry."

"Yeah me too. Monse, next time, tell me."

"We good?"

"We good." We hugged. I heard a whistle. "Now excuse me, im late for practice." After practice i took a shower and met the crew to go watch the football game.

"Told you Jamal's on the field." Ruby said. 

"How and why is this happening?" I asked.

"Me. Me is why this is happening.
Ruben made a special appearance in the coach's office - and got Jamal on the team."

"For what reason?"

"Isn't this exciting? Aren't you excited?" Jamals parents came up to us with painted faces with the number 22 written.

"Yeah! Excited." Monse chuckles.

"Stunned." I said.

"Surprised."

"It's been a long time coming after that record-breaking run of injuries." Cesar told them.

"I know.
I thought we'd have to put that boy in a bubble." We all laughed until they left. We watched the game, everyone was so quiet.

"So petty." Ruby was arguing with Cesar while sat with Olivia and Monse. Olivia was getting worried.

"Hey, you guys want soda, candy? It's on me."

"Nope."

"Nope. Come on, Ruby. Can we not do this?" Cesar told him.

"Not do what? Cat got your tongue? Or was it Olivia?" The whistle blew and called.

"That call was bullshit!"

"Boo! - Boo! - Come on! - Shame on you!" Everyone on the crowd yelled.

"The ref is clearly biased. That call was bullshit." Ruby called out. Cesar which Olivia with Ruby, making him stand next to me. I haven't said anything since last night. "Nice.
Nice work, amigo. You got me." We all sat down and i moved a bit. "Excuse you.
Why are you scooching? I'm the injured party here."

"I was just trying to protect you." I told him.

"Really? Is that what that was? 'Cause I wasn't aware throwing your friend under the bus was protection."

"Trust me. It was for your benefit."

"Or yours."

"Oh stop it." I argue with him.

"That bus was meant for you and you pushed me in front of it."

"What bus?"

"The bus of truth. Cause I'm starting to question why would you lie about everything! Willy! Your father! You!"

"You dont even know why, so dont say anything Ruby."

"I have it on good authority that you wanted to join the Santos because Cesar is in it."

"Why would you think that! I joined because I wanted willy out of jail! I used all my quince money and I asked for the Santos for help! I didnt even realize i was slowly getting into the santos!"

"I cant believe you lied to me!  You're a liar and a puta." that hurt me so much. My anger came out and I couldn't believe this.

"Screw you, Ruby!" I yelled at him.

"The game is almost over. Let's talk this out after." Olivia told us as she out her arms out.

"I can't wait that long." Monse said as she was fighting with Cesar.

"Okay, maybe figure this out now."

"There's nothing to figure out."

"Valeria, Monse and Cesar are backstabbing liars." Ruby said aloud.

"Dude, drop it!" Cesar warned him.

"Look! They're putting Jamal in the game!" Olivia said making us stop.

"If I don't? What're you gonna do, homes? Put a green light out on me?"

"No, but I'll put you on pause."