Chapter Eleven: Baila Mi Corazón
Pairing: Riff x Latina!Reader (West Side Story 2021)
After my encounter with Graziella in the bathroom, I quickly clean up my smudged makeup to the best of my ability, brush out my hair with my fingers, and straighten out my dress. Once I’m as presentable as possible, I make my way back into the lively gym.
Everything seems to be as it was when I rushed out earlier. People are still dancing, the Jets and the Sharks are still giving each other judgmental looks. However, as soon as I walk further in, Anita rushes to me, "Y/N, ¿donde estabas? Bernardo, Manuel, and I were looking everywhere for you! You can't just walk off like that without telling anyone where you're going!" She scolds.
I nod quickly, "I know, lo siento mucho, Anita! I should've told you where I was going, I was just in the bathroom." I wince, hoping she'll quickly forgive me and forget the whole thing. But of course, she doesn't.
She eyes me up and down suspiciously, then grasps my hair softly, "What happened to the bow I put in your hair? It's gone."
My heart drops at this. I have no idea. I didn't even realize it was gone to be completely honest. It must've fallen off while I was with Riff, but obviously I can't tell Anita that. I know I have to come up with a lie now, and fast. I smile and just shrug, trying to appear calm, "It probably fell off somewhere. I didn't even notice."
She huffs softly, crossing her arms over her chest, "If you say so... now, go apologize to Manuel for running off like that and leaving him alone."
I scoff, this seems completely unfair, "You want me to apologize to him? He's the one who's been boring all night and won't even try to dance with me!" Anita gives me a piercing look and I know I have to listen to her, "Fine... I'll apologize." With a heavy sigh, I trudge over to Manuel, who was standing on the other side of the gym with his friends. I stand before him and give a meek smile, "¿Puedo hablar contigo?" Manuel nods gruffly and follows after me as I lead him to the hallway outside the gym. With a sigh, I turn to face him, "I'm sorry for running off without telling you. I just needed some air."
Manuel narrows his eyes at me, and I feel my stomach turn, "Where did you go anyway?"
I laugh nervously, "Eh... fui al baño. I already told Anita-"
"You were gone pretty long for just using the bathroom." He hums, his eyes cold. "¿Te fuiste con alguien?"
My heart jumps. Did Manuel somehow know about Riff and I? Did someone else possibly see us together and tell him? No. I remind myself to calm down and ignore my pestering paranoia. I quickly force a smile, though my cheeks are still very much flushed, "Claro que no. I was just fixing up my makeup and hair-"
"This is fixed hair and makeup?" He huffs, gesturing to my flustered state. I scoff at his comment. I thought I had done pretty well at composing myself, but apparently not.
"It's hot, Manuel. Excuse me if I don't look as fresh as when we arrived." I shoot back, crossing my arms defensively. "¡Tal vez si hubieras bailado conmigo al menos una vez en lugar de estar sentado toda la noche como un cabrón, no habría sentido la necesidad de esconderme en el baño!" I add, my voice raising a bit. I don't even notice our argument has now caught the attention of Sharks and Jets alike.
Manuel rolls his eyes and groans in frustration, "Ya sabes que no sé bailar! No seas dramática, Y/N."
Before I can even stop myself, I slap Manuel and storm out of the gym. My blood feels like it's on fire as I walk outside into the night, the cool summer breeze hitting my hot skin. I'm glad to see no one has rushed out after me, not even Bernardo or Anita. I rush home, wanting this night to be over with already. To think I was in such a good mood after my time with Riff before it was quickly soured.
When I finally get back to the apartment, I am absolutely exhausted. I'm drenched in sweat and my feet are blistered from walking 17 blocks in heels. I limp into my bedroom, kick off my heels, and flop onto my bed face first. I feel myself slowly drifting off to sleep before I hear someone calling my name.
"Y/N! Y/N?" I hear faintly, the voice sounding almost melodious as it calls my name over and over. "Y/N!!" It calls again.
With a soft groan, I push myself up and climb out of my soft, warm bed. I waddle out into the kitchen, thinking it must be Anita and Bernardo home from the dance, but find the place empty. My brows knit together in confusion. Who could be calling me?
"Y/N!?" I hear the voice call again, and this time I know it's coming from outside my bedroom window. I rush back into my room, close the door behind me, put on my flats, and climb out onto the fire escape.
"¿Quien es?" I call out nervously, my hands gripping the railing tightly as I gaze over the edge. I hear footsteps quickly approaching my building and a face is suddenly illuminated in the moonlight. I immediately recognize Riff's blue eyes, crinkling at the corners as he grins up at me. My own eyes widen in surprise, "It's you."
He nods, still smiling up at me, "It's me." He looks me up and down from below and smirks, "Can I come up?"
My cheeks flush, "Riff, Anita and Bernardo could be home any-"
"They won't be." He laughs, "Trust me, Y/N. When I left, they were still spinning around on the dance floor and having a grand old time. I'm pretty sure they're also blitzed." He hums thoughtfully.
I quirk a brow at his funny slang, "Blitzed?"
He chuckles again, "Yeah, blitzed. Bombed, blotto, plotzed, skunky. You know, like, drunk?"
Now, I laugh with him, "Oh, I see. In that case... yes. You can come up." I smile, feeling a bit shy now. Although, I've had Riff up on the fire escape before, it feels different tonight. Much more intimate and even certain.
I watch as his strong hands grip the metal railing, my heart fluttering at the sight. He begins pulling himself up, level by level, until he finally reaches my balcony. He stays hanging onto the edge, making me very uneasy, all while an infectious grin rests on his porcelain face, "Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?" He murmurs.
I smile sheepishly and nod, "Yes, you have... Now hurry up and climb over! You're making me nervous."
He quirks a brow at me, a smug smirk replacing his smile, "Oh, am I?" When I nod, he laughs. "Don't worry about me, doll. I'm like a cat, always land on my- Woah!" He nearly slips off the balcony and I yelp, instinctively grabbing his arm. He begins laughing again and quickly hops over the railing, now standing before me, "I'm just messing with you, girly girl."
I swat his arm and huff, "That's not funny."
"That's not funny." He mocks me, standing closer now, "You only didn't laugh 'cause you didn't see the look on your face."
I roll my eyes, my arms crossed defensively, "Well, excuse me for being worried about your safety."
Riff chuckles softly and pulls me in by my hips until my body is pressed against his, "It's sweet that you are." I start feeling shy again and I just know my cheeks are a bright red. "So, why'd you run off from the dance?" He asks quietly. My mood is quickly deflated as he brings up that fiasco. When I pull away, he tsks, "That bad, huh? What happened, doll?" He sits us down on the rusty stairs, settling me onto his lap.
I sigh, "I got into a fight with Manuel. All night he wouldn't dance with me! I mean, he didn't even try! How is any of that my fault?!"
Riff rubs my hip softly, "Slow down, slow down... why exactly did you two argue?"
"Because I ran off with you." I mutter.
His eyes widen comically, "He knows?!"
Despite my slight anger, I can't help but laugh, "No, no, he doesn't. I told him I was in the bathroom. He didn't fully believe me, but he also definitely doesn't know about us. Nobody does."
Riff sighs in relief, "Alright, good. What'd you slap him for then?"
I cringe, "You saw that?"
He chuckles, "You bet I did. Me and everyone in that gym saw. I wasn't too shocked though, I already knew you had a mean right hook."
Remembering the day I had nearly punched Riff after he followed me out of Doc's makes me laugh with him, "I never got to tell you sorry for that."
"Don't be sorry." He smiles, playing with my hair gently, "It's a good memory of us."
My cheeks warm up at how close he is to me, "I'm glad you came after me, Riff." I whisper.
He grins, leaning in even more, "You mean that day or tonight?"
I roll my eyes playfully and brush a strand of hair out of his face, "Both times."
His eyes flicker down to my lips, "I'm glad I did, too."
The space between us is closed as Riff presses his lips to mine. I can feel the desperation in his body as his hands grip my hips tightly, turning my body in his lap so I'm straddling him. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me, if that's even possible. He smiles against my lips and murmurs, "Someone's impatient."
I nearly pull away and scold him before his lips begin trailing down to my throat, making me shiver. He's very good at this.
Riff's hands move from my hips up to my ribs and I feel my chest pounding, nervous that they'll go even higher. He seems to pick up on my nerves as he pulls back from my throat slightly and whispers, "Can I... uh, grab these?"
I open my eyes and see him staring down at my chest, making me blush, "Yes."
He quirks a brow at me, "Y' sure?"
I sigh heavily and nod, "Yes, I'm sure. Just do it!"
His brows raise in surprise, a delighted grin spreading across his face, "Alright, alright, no need to shout." He kisses me again, his tongue slipping into my mouth at the same time that his hands grab my breasts, making me gasp.
He pulls back again, which frustrates me a bit, before asking, "Could we, uh, move this inside? Might be more comfortable on a bed."
I've never had a boy in my room before, besides my own brother, obviously. I glance at my bedroom window, contemplating whether to accept or not. When I look up at Riff's face again, I feel my heart jump in excitement, "Yes."
I climb off his lap and quickly grab his hand, leading him through the open window. He struggles a bit with his long legs, but ultimately makes it inside, closing the window behind him. Riff looks around my bedroom curiously and I feel a little embarrassed that I hadn't cleaned it today. He smiles softly as he walks over to my dresser, finding a photograph of me, Bernardo, and our parents when we were younger, "This is you? How old were you?"
I walk over and quickly place the picture frame face down, "I was five. Can we... get back to it?"
Riff chuckles, "I was just joking earlier when I said you were being a bit impatient, but I guess I was right-" He yelps in surprise as I pull him down onto my bed, but quickly laughs as he nestles himself between my legs, "Jeez, doll, all you had to do was ask nicely." We both squirm slightly on the pink floral quilt draped over my bed, Riff staring down at me and me staring back up at him. Neither us makes the first move for at least two minutes.
Finally, Riff leans down and presses his lips to mine again, one hand entangling itself in my hair while the other grips my waist. I help him push off his suit jacket, wanting to feel his bare arms.
I'm so lost in his kiss before I remember what I had learned earlier today. I pull away from him, my eyes narrowing, "Did you and your friends destroy the mural in the park today?"
Riff's eyes shoot open, guilt riddling his features, "So you heard about that?"
I scoff softly, propping myself up on my elbows, "Of course I did. Did you think I wouldn't?"
He sighs, running a hand through his ruffled hair, "I was going to tell you... I'm real sorry. It wasn't exactly my idea though. I prefer to fight these things out." He huffs.
I roll my eyes at that, "Fighting isn't any better."
As his cheeks flush pink, his fingers begin tracing the lace pattern on the skirt of my dress nervously, "I-I know that... I just mean, I wasn't a big fan of that scheme. I tried to talk the guys out of it, but they're stubborn. They were getting pretty suspicious of me too, so I had to drop it."
My brows pinch, "You really hurt me with that. It makes me wonder if you really..." I sigh softly and stop myself.
Riff moves closer to me, lifting my chin up, "If I really what?" He whispers, concern on his face.
"If you really like me or not." I whisper back.
He reaches his hand up to stroke my hair, "Hey, I know what me and my boys did was really messed up, but I promise you, I do like you. I like you more than I probably should." He kisses my forehead tenderly, "Do you believe me?"
When I look up into his sad eyes, I feel every bit of resentment fade away. Though I know I should be cautious, I can't seem to keep my guard up around Riff, "I do."
He smiles softly and kisses me again and again, "And do you forgive me?"
I pull back, my lips pursed, "I don't know about that yet."
"I'll make it up to you, then." He hums, twirling a strand of my hair around his index and middle fingers.
I laugh softly, "How will you do that?"
"You'll see." He leans in and we kiss again, my lips are starting to feel a little numb. He lays me back down gently on the mattress, his hands moving from my hair down to my thighs.
My body feels tingly and warm beneath Riff's touch, making me want even more. His tongue dances in my mouth as his hands move under the hem of my dress.
"Y/N, we're home!" I hear Bernardo call from the kitchen.
My eyes shoot open in shock, but Riff doesn't seem to mind Nardo and Anita's sudden appearance. I quickly push him off of me and drag him off my bed to the window.
"You have to go now!" I whisper urgently to him.
He chuckles, whispering, "Could I at least have my jacket first, girly girl?" I quickly grab his suit jacket off my bedroom floor, shove it in his arms, and help him out my window, "Jeez, you really know how to make a guy feel special, huh, Y/N?"
"Please, Riff! I'll talk to you tomorrow, I swear!" I say as we stand out on the balcony.
Riff grins down at me, stroking my hair, "Tomorrow? Deal."
I smile back at him and step onto my tiptoes, planting a kiss on his cheek, "Buenas noches."
He quirks a brow at me, "What's that mean?"
I laugh softly at him, "Goodnight."
"Oh. Goodnight, Y/N." He whispers with a sheepish laugh. Before climbing down the fire escape, Riff quickly presses a kiss to my lips, making me beam.
"Wait!" I whisper as he begins to climb down. He quickly comes back up, "What time?"
He hums, "Two o'clock work for you?"
I smile brightly and nod, feeling incredibly grateful that tomorrow is my day off from work. Riff grins back at me, "Alrighty. See ya tomorrow, girly girl. Oh! And by the way, you dropped this.” He hands me back the red ribbon I had in my hair, making my cheeks flush.
“Thank you.” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. He just smiles at me.
I watch as Riff climbs down the fire escape back onto the pavement and walks away from my apartment building. I go back inside my bedroom when he's gone, stripping off my dress and changing into a nightgown.
I tiptoe over to my bedroom door and creak it open ever so slightly, making sure the coast is clear. Hearing Anita and Nardo in their bedroom, I scurry into the bathroom to get ready for bed. I do my usual routine of brushing my teeth, washing my face, and brushing my hair, but this time, Riff is all I can think about.
After I'm finished, I traipse back into my bedroom, shut the door behind me gently, and climb into my bed. Riff was just here with me moments ago and I already wish he wouldn't have gone. Of course, I had made him go, but that didn't mean I couldn't miss him.
I snuggle beneath my quilt and knitted blanket, Riff's scent still lingering on them, which helps me fall asleep almost instantly.
The next morning, I awaken to the sound of busy chatter in the kitchen. Rubbing my tired eyes, I toss my blankets off my body and climb out of bed. I put on my slippers and robe before shuffling out into the kitchen, finding Nardo, Anita, Rosalía, Sebas, Braulio, and Francisca chatting fervently over coffee.
"Ah, ¡buenos días, Y/N!" Francisca cheers as she spots me trying to rush into the bathroom, making everyone else look at me.
I smile meekly, "Buenos días..."
“Buenos días, Y/N.” Everyone replies back, almost in complete unison.
"Come sit with us, pollita." Nardo motions, getting up from his chair, so I can sit down. I join Anita, Rosalía, and Francisca at the table while Bernardo, Sebas, and Braulio start making breakfast for all of us.
Rosalía leans in close to me and whispers, "¿Qué pasó anoche, amiga? Parecías bien enojada con Manuel."
My cheeks flush in embarrassment at the mention of my fight with Manuel from last night, flashes of me slapping him play in my head, but Anita quickly diffuses the conversation for me.
"Y/N was just tired last night. She always gets cranky like that when she needs sleep. Isn't that right, pollita?" She hums, giving me a look that only I can understand, which translates to: I’m clearly suspicious of you too, but I’ll deal with you later when it's just us.
I nod quickly, "Sí, eso es. Estaba bien cansada anoche." I murmur. Francisca and Rosalía hum in understanding, seemingly convinced by my and Anita's phony explanation.
Braulio, Sebas, and Nardo finish cooking up breakfast, serving Francisca, Rosalía, Anita, and I fresh, hot plates of arroz con gandules, with a fried egg and maduros on the side. The boys sit their girls on their laps and we all begin eating at the dining table. Everyone hums in delight as the rich flavors of the meal burst in our mouths. I especially love meals like these since there's hardly any time to cook anything besides eggs on the weekdays with work and all.
Nardo eyes me from across the table as we eat, the same suspicion in his features that Anita had. It makes me nervous, panicking that somehow the two of them know about Riff and I, but I don't let it show. As far as they’re concerned, my only boy troubles are with Manuel.
Once we all finish eating breakfast, everyone washes their dish and helps clean up the kitchen, chatting all the while, of course. Afterwards, Sebas, Rosalía, Francisca, and Braulio say their goodbyes and leave our apartment, leaving me alone with Anita and Bernardo. They turn to face me at the same time.
Anita speaks first, hands on her hips, "¿Qué pasó anoche, Y/N? I told you to apologize to Manuel, not to slap him in front of everyone!" She sighs.
"Well, I did apologize, but then he went and called me dramatic for being upset because he wouldn't even try to dance with me!" I scoff defensively, my arms crossed.
Nardo grabs my shoulders and sits me down at the dining table, clearly trying to calm me down, "Pollita, no te pongas de malas. Just bake up something nice for Manuel, go down to his family's bakery, and apologize. Again."
My brows pinch. I was not going to apologize to him again. If anything, he should be apologizing to me! I know it's immature, but I'm not letting this slide. I had been excited about the dance for weeks and Bernardo decided to pick his only friend that doesn't dance. Both Nardo and Manuel owe me an apology.
I cross my arms and pout my lips, making both Anita and Bernardo sigh, "Pollita, don't start with that face. Ya no eres una bebé." Nardo scolds, making me laugh in disbelief.
"Oh! How convenient that now you want to treat me like an adult when you were the one who wouldn't even let me pick my own date for the dance!" I shoot back, making his cheeks flush.
"That's different and you know it!" He argues and I can tell he's trying to act more mature than he is.
Anita rolls her eyes, "Would the two of you please stop fighting? You're both in the wrong, how about that?" She hums.
I huff softly, "Fine." I get up from the table and push in my chair, "I'm going out today."
With that, I hurry off into the bathroom, not even giving them a chance to question me. I'm not going to let this argument ruin my plans with Riff today. I brush my teeth, wash my face, brush my hair, then rush back into my bedroom to get dressed. I browse through my dress rack, picking a pale yellow one that was good for hot weather. I take off my nightgown, slide the dress on over my slip, then focus on fixing up my hair and even doing some makeup. I grab all of my hair to the side and begin braiding it, remembering my mother's voice as I do so.
"Así va, muñequita. Primero, está parte va en el medio, luego está parte va encima y está parte por el ultimo. Luego repite."
Once I'm done, I tie up the braid with a green ribbon, then rush to my vanity. I dab on some lipstick, a bit of blush, mascara, and even a little eyeliner. I want to look nice after all. I put on my purse and my flats, then head out to the kitchen again.
Nardo must have gone into the bathroom because Anita is alone in the living room, sewing up a linen napkin. She looks up from her work, then eyed me up and down, "Where are you going dressed up so nice?"
"Sólo voy al mercado." I murmur, toying with my purse strap nervously.
Anita narrows her eyes suspiciously at me, "¿Para qué? We don't need anything."
I nod, forcing a smile, "I know, I'm just going to look around. Maybe buy some fruit or something."
She hums, working on her napkin again, "And you're going alone?"
"Yes..." I say softly, Riff's face flashing in my mind.
"You really need to make friends, nena." She tsks, "It's not good for you to always be going off on your own. There are plenty of nice girls your age that work at the dress shop."
I roll my eyes, holding back the exaggerated sigh that desperately wants to slip past my lips, "Ya lo sé. I'll be back in a few hours."
She nods, her voice eerily smooth and calm, "Ok... don't get into any trouble, Y/N."
I open the front door, my cheeks burning at her seemingly pointed comment, "I won't."
I quickly head out and close the door behind me. Even now that she can't see me, I can still feel Anita's eyes on me.
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