8 Years Later

Chapter 7

The next day, Vanessa was at work sweeping hair off the ground.

She was out of it. She heard the main door open.

"Usnavi!" Carla squealed, running over to him and hugging him.

"Ah, Mister Usnavi." Daniela said.
"How may I help you today?"

Usnavi opened his mouth to speak but he was cut off by Daniela.

"Oh I know!" She said clapping. "You are finally going to let me get rid of that ridiculous facial hair!"

Usnavi self consciously ran a hand over his goatee. "Um...no."

He looked past them at Vanessa. "I'm actually here to see Vanessa."

Daniela and Carla both awed

"Now's not a good time Usnavi." Vanessa said looking at him.

"Please."

"No."

Usnavi sighed. "Fine uh...when you get the chance...come over to the bodega. Please." He turned and walked away

"Woah...what is that about?" Daniela asked.

"Its nothing!" Vanessa snapped

After Vanessa's shift, she was walking home. She hated that at this moment, she had to walk right past the bodega.

Vanessa tried not to look at the store. She didn't want Usnavi to come out

Unfortunately, right when she was passing the door, Usnavi came out.

"Vanessa." He said. "Can we talk?"

"No." Vanessa said trying to walk past.

Usnavi gently grabbed her wrist. She flinched.

He noticed a bruise under his hand.

"Oh my god Vanessa-"

She jerked his hand away from him. "You're going to get me in trouble!"

"Where did you get that bruise?"

"That is none of your concern!" Vanessa snapped.

"Now please... leave me alone." She before walking away.