Esai Alvarez

-- wanted me close." Smiling, I kissed her temple and relaxed next to her. "I know you're in pain, but other than that how are you feeling?"

-- definitely checked on us more frequently than normal, but we ignored it mostly. "You don't ever have to thank me. I'll always stay close as long as you want me to. If you had asked me to give you some space while they were here, I would have, but I figured since you didn't say anything, you --

Things were definitely more relaxed once our visitors left. Lexi almost immediately cuddled into me, and I knew the main reason my mom wasn't saying anything about how close we'd been was because she knew that right now Lexi was at her most vulnerable, and she felt safe with me close by. She --

— I didn’t, though everyone seemed nice enough, and I finally got to meet the best friend Lexi kept telling me about. It was nice, I just hated that they had to see her when she wasn’t feeling her greatest.

Once we were settled inside, I stayed by Lexi’s side because I knew she wanted me to. I wasn’t sure anyone else did, but I knew she did and that’s all that mattered. I didn’t want to interrupt her time, so I stayed quiet, only really answering if I was addressed. My dad and Lexi knew these people —

— didn’t know if it was helping at all or not, but I didn’t hear her gasp as much when I did it either. I took that as a good sign.

“If that’s what you want to do mija then that’s what we’ll do.” My dad smiled, looked over his shoulder at us. I knew the drive was going to be a little rough for her work the stopping and going and the occasional pothole, so I tried to keep her distracted, running my fingers through her hair. I —

— and resting mija.” My dad said with a smile, carefully helping Lexi off the hospital bed and into the hospital wheel chair. “Esai, push her, I’m going down to pull the car around.”

— had two more days left in the school week anyway with the upcoming holiday. By the time we had all finished eating the nurse had finally come in with Lexi’s discharge papers and instructions for how to care for her, what to look for if we need to bring her back in. “Alright, let’s get you home —

Swiping a slice of pizza, I took a bite and then a second. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I actually had food in my mouth. “I’ll bring whatever school work home. It’s the week of a holiday though so hopefully they don’t send too much the next few days.” At least that was the hope. We —

— to the arrows for the bed adjustments.

— every day because otherwise this wouldn’t have happened.” I braced myself for my mom to slap the back of my head for saying bitches but she didn’t thankfully. “Here use this button and it will sit you up slowly so you can eat.” I placed the remote for the hospital bed in her hands and pointed —

I winced when I saw her trying to move. I wasn’t in pain, but it was almost like I could feel hers. “No one thinks you did anything wrong. Those girls… excuse me, ma, pero they’re bitches. They always do this just because they’re bored. I guess they just didn’t pay attention to who you were with —

-- in the room, but I still kept hold of her hand. "I know mija. Soon, we'll be able to go home soon, but you're going to need to take it easy for a while until you're all healed up."

"Hey..." I spoke quietly, leaning a little closer to her. "I'm not going anywhere, even if they wanted me to I wouldn't leave. I promise. You should be able to go home in a few hours. They just want to make sure your concussion is gone before they let you go." I sat back a little when my mom came --

— and laced my fingers with hers. I knew I should probably just let her rest, but I needed to know she was okay. “Lexi…” I whispered quietly, gently squeezing her fingers. “It’s me, E. Please, tell me you’re okay and then I’ll let you go back to sleep if you want.”

Worried would be an understatement when it came to Lexi and this whole situation. Especially when she passed out. I hadn’t left her hospital room since we’d arrived, even when my parents asked me to get something to eat, I refused. Standing up from my chair, I walked over to the side of the bed —

— won’t happen again. And I am gonna find out who it was that started it .. the one that hit you in the head. That shit won’t happen again if I have anything to do with it.” I wanted to hold her tighter, but I knew she was in pain so I resisted, instead comforting her as best I can.

“My mom’s already on her way here to pick us up like she always does. Just call my dad.” I was angry and frustrated. The fact they couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything even though she was clearly hurt was only pissing me off more. “I’m sorry, Lex. I’m so sorry this happened. Pero I promise you it —

— face, but I figured I would wait until the girls dispersed. “Get the fuck out of here! And if I ever see yall near her again, you’re gonna wish you’d never touched her!” I shouted, holding her protectively against my chest until Pedro showed up with the nurse.

— Running over, I pushed several of them out of my way, shouting for the rest to back up. Everyone seemed stunned when I was the one to run over. “Lexi? It’s me… it’s Esai. You’re safe. I’m here.” I sat down on the concrete, gently pulling her up and into my arms. I was trying to look at her —

“I don’t know man. Something doesn’t feel right though. She’s never late. She’s always here waiting….” There was a hint of panic in my own voice that mirrored Pedro’s. “Shit!” Was all I could muster when he pointed to where she was lying on the ground with girls surrounding her. These bitches. —

— another time with no interruptions hopefully.”

— “You didn’t eat it fast enough. He’s quick. I speak from experience.” I laughed shaking my head. “I can get you another piece if you want?” Standing up, I grabbed my plate and empty can of soda. “Or if you’re full we could go do something else since the movie is over. We ca watch it again —

“You did, mija, you just don’t remember it. And that’s probably for the best too. She’s always been the same.” My dad explained, rubbing her back. We all breathed a sigh of relief when Bishop and old us she was gone. “Good riddance.” I mumbled, laughing when Bishop snatched Lexi’s chicken. —

— the back yard. I put up that higher fence for a reason. And there are guys stationed at the back gate too. Now go try to have some fun.” My dad gave us the lowdown before sitting with my mom to finish his food finally.

— I could do but I wanted to do as much as I could. No more than twenty minutes later we heard the bikes rolling up to the house, and the movie was almost done. “Bishop and some of the guys are here, Maribel won’t be a problem anymore tonight, pero you three aren’t to go anywhere further than —

“We all do.” I mumbled, a low chuckle eliciting at the statement. It was true, none of us were fans of Maribel. “Ma… can we turn the tv up a little so we don’t have to hear her yelling?”
I asked quietly, squeezing Lexi’s hand. Pedro leaned into my mom more and I felt helpless. There wasn’t much —

— I was glad that my mom said Pedro was staying the night, but I felt for Lexi. I shook my head, squeezing her fingers gently. “You’re not a mistake. She’s the one missing out on an amazing daughter.”

“You know she’s going to be annoying, ma.” I sighed hearing Pedro and Lexi’s mom outside. I was not a fan of the woman myself. I’d seen her lose her cool more than once with Pedro. And it never made sense to me why she didn’t want Lexi too. Sighing, I finished my food and gently nudge my tray away.—