On my block: Monse and Cesar

Chapter 4

Ruby's explaining his plans and Cesar comes in and "ruins" the p to v ratio. "Shut it!" He says as he comes in. It pretty obvious Ruby isn't too happy. Cesar sits next to Monse and smiles. "Happy Halloween." He wraps his arm around her shoulder and smiles. "So Brentwood has full sized candy bars? Who's interested?" Jamal throws himself on the couch next to Cesar and Monse. "Free full sized candy bars sounds like a good deal." Olivia says as she walks out of her room. "But I planned it all out." Ruby complains. "Come one Ruby, please? This is my first Halloween in California." Olivia put her hand on his shoulder and right away he says, "Ok sounds good." They all laugh. "How are we gonna get there?" Ruby asks. "All good. I got us a hookup. Abuelita, let's go!" Jamal yells. "My Abuelita?" Ruby asks. "No the one who lives under your couch. Yes your abuelita!" Jamal says. "Ok vámonos!" She says as she grabs her keys. "No, Jamal sits in front." Abuelita says, stopping Ruby from sitting up front. Monse sits by the window with Cesar next to her. Cesar puts his hand on her thigh. Monse gives him a dirty look. "What there's no space in here?" He tries to act dumb and Monse rolls her eyes. They arrive at Brentwood and decide to break into groups. "I'll go with Olivia and you three can go together." Ruby says. "Or me and Monse can go together and you three can be in a group." Cesar says as he pulls Monse to one side. "Oh please don't fight over me." Jamal says with a straight face. "Sorry Jamal." Monse says as Cesar drags her away. "What was that about?" Monse asks. "We're in a neighborhood where nobody knows us." He grabs her hand and they walk towards a house. "I didn't even think of it that way." She smiles. "We just can't run into them." Cesar points out. "So are we actually going trick-or-treating or are we just going to walk around Brentwood?" Monse asks. "Why don't we go to a party?" Cesar suggests. They walk a few blocks and get to a party. He kisses her once they get inside and out of instinct she leans back. "No one knows us here, we don't have to hide." Cesar says. Monse leans in and kisses him. "What are you guys doing?" They hear Olivia ask. "What? Oh nothing!" Monse pushes Cesar away. "Yeah ok. I'm going to grab a drink." She nods. "Oh my god she saw us." Monse freaks out. "Hey look at me Monse. If she asks us tomorrow we can just say we were drunk tons of people kiss at parties on accident." He tries to calm her down. "We can't keep doing this." She walks away. She left Cesar upset and confused he walked outside to breathe and Olivia follows him out. "So you and Monse are together?" She asks. "No, we just had too much to drink or something." He's not even trying to make his lie believable. "I saw you close Monse's room door the night she threw a party. I don't think you'd bring another girl into your best friends room." Olivia states. "We just talked." Olivia knows he's lying. "Good." She leans into kiss him and he doesn't pull away fast enough. "I'm not with Monse but I can't." He shakes his head and walks away. "Hey you guys ready to go?" Cesar asks. He looks around. "Where's Monse?" He asks. "We thought she was with you." Jamal says. Olivia walks inside and sits next to Cesar so he puts a pillow between them. "I'm going to check the bathroom." Olivia walks away. "Monse?" She says as she knocks on the door and some random girl opens it. "Sorry." Olivia says awkwardly. She starts checking rooms but all she finds is a lot of horny teenagers. She finds Monse sitting on the stares and using her phone. "Hey Cesar's looking for you." She says. "Ok." Monse says without looking up. "What's going on with you guys?" Olivia asks. "I don't know. I mean nothing." She answers. "I know there's something between you two. Why don't you just tell me, I won't say anything." Olivia's not going to budge. "We had a thing for each other over summer but it's over. We just kiss sometimes but it's only physical." Monse admits. "Are you sure?" "Yeah I couldn't be with him. He never really like me." Monse lies. "Let's go before they leave us in Brentwood." Olivia smiles and they both get up and walk outside. "Where were you?" Cesar asks. "I just needed a minute." Monse says. "I need to tell you something later... alone." Monse looks at Cesar with concern. They get in the car and ride in silence. Monse falls asleep on Cesar's shoulder and a wave of guilt runs through him. "I'm gonna tell her." He whispers to Olivia. "Why? You two aren't together." Olivia smiles at him. Cesar wakes up Monse and they walk to her door. "I'll walk home from here thanks guys." Cesar says. "What did you want to talk to me about?" Monse asks as she unlocks the door. "Yeah Olivia-" Monse doesn't let him finish his sentence. "Can we please not talk about her right now. I told her you didn't like me and I feel so bad. I probably just made it worse." Monse sighs. "I doubt it." Cesar mumbles. "Whatever you did can't be that bad but I was wrong earlier, we shouldn't stop doing this. After I had a chance to breathe I realized how happy it made me to be in public with you instead of just hiding." Monse smiles. "Does that mean you're ready to tell them?" Cesar asks. "Soon, maybe." Monse laughs. Cesar realizes he can't tell her now. He doesn't want to stop any chance they have of being a real couple.