Butterflies on the Block

Chapter two

The first couple of weeks of school were going well. I liked my classes and my teachers and this school year didn't seem like it was all going to be that bad. At lunch I was sitting with my friend Ana and a couple other girls we knew, when I saw my brother and his friends sit down at a table not far. Cesar was with them and they all seemed to be ok again. I was glad, no one should go through high school alone.

"So Mari, wanna come to mine after school today?" Ana asked me. I was about to respond when I got a text message from Monse.

Monse: Hey, did you still want to help us save Cesar?

Me: Of course.

Monse: Ok great. We're strategizing after school.

"Um... I'm helping my brother and his friends with something after school, but maybe tomorrow?" I answer Ana. Ana was probably my closet friend, but we weren't rally all that close. She was focused on getting out of Freeridge and I was pretty socially awkward. Never the less, we hung out every once in a while and kept in touch. Especially during school.

"Sure!" she responded and went back to whatever school work she was doing. I looked back down at my phone. I still wasn't sure about what Cesar needed saving from but I would assume it had something to do with the gang or his brother.

***

Everyone was in Rubys room, now mine and abuelitas, after school. Monse, Jamal and Ruby were all talking at the same time and very fast. I could tell Cesar was just as lost as I was as his eyes shifted from each of their faces trying to listen but fails to keep up.

"Yo! One at a time, I'm not following." Cesar yells at them, and I couldn't help but agree.

Ruby raised his hand, "Sorry, its the excitement. We've been chewing on this for two weeks and it finally time to go through with the plan." He explained. I was surprised. It seems like they already had formed a plan, so I wasn't sure how I could be much help. Cesar seemed confused too as he asked about what plan.

"Getting you out of the gang!" Monse answered. I couldn't help it when my eyes widened. Cesar saw and looked away almost ashamed. I felt terrible. I had no idea. Cesar started to laugh. And now I was more confused then when this meeting started.

"Your serious?" He questioned. The group nodded. "Oh my gosh no! No, no, no, there is no way out! You guys are being naive. Once your jumped in there's no way out. Unless you get jumped out and that's not... you know, and option." he tried to explain. This was terrible, absolutely awful and I had no idea how I could help. Cesar basically said he'd have to die to get out of the gang. How could Spooky let this happen to his little brother?

"Cesar, when were you jumped in?" I ask softly.

"Before school started." he answered.

"Does your brother know? Did he allow this? I don't understand." I ask more questions?

"He orchestrated it Mari." He answers. I don't know how to respond. But Monse is quick to change the subject.

"Death isn't the only option. Ruby?" She looks to ruby. Ruby starts talking about how he did research and that all good things come in threes such as Destiny's Child.

"D.C started with four members." Jamal adds in. But Ruby counters it saying they didn't get popular until there was three. He then starts to explain the three M's.

"Money, murder and manipulation." This in no way sounded like a good plan. We could never make enough money for the Santos to consider and in no way is anyone murdering someone. I suppose manipulation but who is going to manipulate who? Ruby hands out folders and we all open them to see a very neatly organized table of contents. Monse and Ruby explain why we count use murder or manipulation but Jamal starts talking about something called Rollerworld. Its apparently real and 50k is still out there. Unfortunately this happened in the 80's according to Ruby so that was probably out of the running. They start talking about the Gonnies as Abuelita comes in searching for something. I ask her what she's looking for, baby Jesus. Ruby looks at Jamal and I notice he has baby Jesus.