post # 5 Squabbling

post # 5

Squabbling

Meanwhile, Layla and Alberto just got joined up by Soo-lang and her carry-ons. They were squabbling about balls - who had more, if any.

“Take the Honey Bunches!”

“I’ll take the Honey Bunches if you take the Frosted Flakes!”

“Then take it!”

“But you got to take it first though!”

Layla took the Frosted Flakes and marched towards the end of the aisle. She held the cereal box with both hands to mockingly frame it for Alberto. In slow motion, Alberto puckered his lips to the sky, and while still watching Layla he took the Honey Bunches. He swaggered over closer to where Layla was with the cereal box held in a firm grasp.

Mickey sprang up laughing so hard that it lured the others to come see what was going on. Alberto and Layla’s quarrels were the most adored attraction in their group.

“Bet that you can’t leave with it,” threatened Layla.

“I’m not going to steal a box of cereal. What the hell, that’s dumb!” He put the box on some shelf and seeing that everyone seemed ready to go, he headed towards the exit.

Where now at this moment, Layla felt the need to prove her point - that she had more balls than anyone else (especially Alberto). So she not only held onto the Frosted Flakes, but she also snatched the Honey Bunches, before proudly stepping out of the Ortiz Market.

Q#1: Why do you suppose that Layla and Alberto have thsi type of relationship?

Q#2: And what do you expect from them as the story goes on?

post # 4 The Ortiz Market

post # 4

The Ortiz Market

They entered in twos and then scattered all over the room like drifting marbles. There were some who knew what they wanted, like Layla and Alberto who headed straight toward the drinks section to fight over the last watermelon flavored Arizona. Meanwhile the others drifted around searching for something to catch their eye, and then their stomachs. Chichi took two bags of chips and a Snickers, while Santi chose a beef patty for himself and two Sprite bottles that he chose for him and his sister. Lucas asked for some juice to go with a beef patty and a ham and cheese pastelito. Soo-Lang took three bags of chips, a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup, and a bottle of apple juice.

"Are those good?" She pointed at Lucas's bagged pastelito.

"Which one? The beef patty or the pastelito?"

"Both," she said. Lucas looked at her face to be polite, but recalled the brittle figure that held that head up. Her appetite did not reflect her appearance. In fact, it was identical to Alberto's.

"There some things we notice and then forget. As a result we get left behind."

Soo-Lang sniffled softly before quietly requesting one of each as well. Lucas walked off to find Chichi. She was with Santi by the drinks section. Lucas said,

"Get me a juice lil bro," and Santi knew exactly which one he meant. Mickey suddenly appeared on Santi’s right. With the most exasperated facial expression, he slipped his hand over and around the lifted glass lever to grab hold of a coke. Santi and the others watched him pull the coke out ever so sheepishly. Their eyes intently followed Mickey as he hopped back into the hole he came out of. Mickey has always been a very sketchy individual.

Q#1: What may the quote, "There some things we notice and then forget. As a result we get left behind." refer to?

Q#2: Do you get this quote? If you do, the how do you identify with it?

Q#3: Do you not?

Q#4: Do you have another question?

post # 3 Deliberation

post # 3

Deliberation

“Where are we going?” asked Lucas.

“Why don't we go to McDonald's?” suggested Layla.

“No,” chirped Alberto. Mickey looked his way and laughed.

“NO!” groaned Chichi, “Their food is full of chemicals! They use GM ingredients, and its just disgusting. No.” Chichi eyed Layla and Layla eyed Alberto, and Alberto looked Layla in the eyes and then unspokenly judged her from her toes up. Mickey thought that this was funny.

There was an awkward silence.

Layla rolled her eyes, and with her arms folded she leaned on one side, “So then where we going?”

“Let’s get some pizza,” purposed Lucas.

“NOOOO,” said Layla, “I hate cheese”

What followed was an eruption of opinions, positions and rejections about all the different foods and the different places to eat the foods and then also the varying prices. They were all just being really loud.

“OH my gosh!” began Chichi. She directed her attention towards the only person who was known to listen, “Soo-lang you pick!” A sudden silence blanketed the group as they awaited her thought. She assessed everyone staring at her and then looked down grinning sheepishly.

“Aye. Chi? Does she speak English?” asked Alberto.  

“Yeah...of course!” Chichi stepped toward Soo-lang, “Right? You do Soo-lang, right? Are you okay?”

“Yes,” she peeped.

“I’m hungry,” groaned Layla.

“Me too,” said Lucas. They had just reached the Ortiz Market, which was at the corner of Happy and Healthiness. The store had blaring lights that announced the readiness of cheap merchandise... and cheap foods.

“Why don’t we just go to the corner store?” purposed Santi. Everyone agreed and so they all went in.

Q#1: Does anything here sound familiar?

Q#2: Do you have a question?

post # 2 The Beginning

post # 2

The Beginning

“This is so stupid!”

“You’re stupid, Layla.”

The very quick, and notoriously aggressive Layla shot back some thorough comments on Alberto’s physical appearance. Meanwhile, Mickey was cracking up behind a sofa chair.

“Damn Layla, why you got to be so rude? Alberto’s all about to cry now, look at him sniffling over there,” said Lucas.

“Yeah, really Layla, Chill,” Trayvon calmly added.

“I ain’t crying!” Alberto shot back defensively. Once again, Mickey was pounding his fist on the chair, clearly this was very funny to him. Mickey literally laughed at everything, even at things that really shouldnt ever be funny at all.

“Yeah you are, bro,” Lucas jokingly retorted. Mickey laughed with him.

Trayvon, Mickey, Soo-Lang, Chichi, and Chichi’s brother Santiago were all lounging in the living room, enjoying the comical back-and-forth. Chichi took a sip of her juice and then looked at her brother,

“Do you want to go home? It’s getting kind of late you know.”

“Nah, I’m okay. I’m just a little hungry, can we eat something please?” Santiago went by Santi and he was about to turn thirteen in a couple of days, so Chichi had decided to dedicate a week to him, by bringing him everywhere she went.

“Yeah sure - Hey, hey! Hey!” It took a minute to grab the room’s attention, “Are you guys hungry? Santi wants to eat.”

“Hell yeah we’re hungry!” cried Alberto. Layla gave him a stank look before rolling her eyes. Mickey laughed.

“Okay then let’s go,” said Lucas. Everyone slowly sprung up the way nature programs fast-forward the blooming of flowers - slowly, but eventually. They casually stretched, and then united in front of the door.

“Actually guys, it’s seven. I have to go home,” said Trayvon, “Bye!” The others waved Trayvon off. And then there were seven........

Q#1: How many characters are there, and what do you know about them so far?

Q#2: What happens next?

Q#3: Any more questions?