(Female pov.)

The streets were alive with lights, people, and absolutely music. It was an afternoon a breezy day, it was. You were known as one of the neighborhood kids; you grew up in this area of LA among lots of people. You sometimes knew faces, sometimes you didn’t. Everybody was divided up by the schools they attended, pretty much. A few people came together and decided to host a good ol’ house party or hey a block party, depending on who you ask. Everyone that came brought a little something. You, for instance, brought some of your world famous Biscoff cookies. They took ALL morning because you needed more than ten, that’s for sure, but you had no problem doing so especially since you had a helping hand from your sister. You attended the party with your best friend Christy and, of course, Jaliyah, your sister. Once you dropped off the goods on one of the tables, you headed out to the back where most people were at the moment, before the partying could truly get started. OF COURSE, you all had to get a shot or two up in you well, just you and Christy. Your sister knew she had to drive you guys home, so you personally offered to grab some cups. They stayed behind, and you headed off inside, squeezing through people and furniture. You ultimately made your way to the kitchen, where you stood in the little line waiting.

Alandra arrived a bit before you did. She pulled up alone but ultimately found and connected with her homegirls. Once she grabbed herself a little cup to drink, she slipped her way outside. She moved throughout the backyard, spoke to some people, volunteered to check and flip the meat on the grill whenever, laughed and talked with her homegirls, of course they caught up on lost time too. The music was vibrating through the ground, the air was warm but comfortable enough to stand, and the smell of food was persistent and bold. As she turned a bit listening to what one of her friends was saying, for a moment her eyes caught glimpse of someone that arrived a group of people from the looks of it. They noticeably had different personalities: one was pretty lit up and bubbly, another just seemed energetic and ready to party (well both of them did truly), and the last one she was 100% more laid back and chill. She guessed she was probably on the older side, maybe even more serious and stern side. She let her gaze linger just a little longer than usual out of pure curiosity and admiration—especially on the one that seemed so bubbly. They were pretty cute, she must add, a quiet question rising in her chest every so often, ‘Who are they?’ When the girl finally walked off inside, she finally stopped staring and snapped out of that trance. She hadn’t noticed her friends were asking her something. A few of them looked up and quickly guessed what was happening. OF COURSE, they were going to bring it up and basically tease her over it. She shooed them with her hat, annoyed.