It’s getting hot down here. I have my big bag with me and I can’t bring it in the stadium. I leave Isa another message, telling her my plan. I get on the train. I run from the station to the house and back. I make it to the Barclays Center, sweat coming through all my clothes. The show starts at seven. But the main act probably won’t come on until nine.
I text Isa again. And again. I wish I had Chrissy’s number. I’d call her too. Something must have happened. Isa wouldn’t leave me hanging like this. She knows how hard it was to get these tickets. I didn’t tell her I spent three weeks of my BI paycheck on them, but she must know they’re expensive. I flip through my old texts, all the way back to the end of December. Isa used my phone to contact her mom. I find the number. I press call. It goes to a voice mail that hasn’t been set up.
By eight thirty the sun is almost gone. It’s cooler at least. The crowds are gone too. Almost everyone’s inside catching the opening act. I’m trying to stay calm. I’m telling myself nothing bad happened to Isa. I haven’t moved from the top of the steps, where she’ll see me. I take out my phone and try Isa again.
“¿Ále?”
I turn around. Kiara lifts and taps the heel of her sandal. She’s got a hand on her hip.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
I show her my two tickets. My eyes feel full. I blink to clear them.
Kiara looks me up and down. “Well you’re not here because you want to see Leo.” She takes off the small purse draped across one shoulder. “Me and that blondie must have the same taste in music, huh?” She smacks her gum. She looks me over again, slower this time. “Don’t know why I’m surprised. We have the same taste in men.” She steps closer. “And you don’t care you’re missing the first band?”
“I don’t know who’s playing.”
“Lena Adeyemi? Leo’s former classmate who became famous after she starred in his music video? Yeah, she’s cool. But I got stuck on a train. So that’s why I’m late.” She does a little bow.
I look to the doors of the station.
“Yeah, maybe she got stuck on my train too. What time were you and blondie supposed to meet?”
I don’t want to tell her we were supposed to meet at five. “Seven.”
Kiara’s gaze shifts to the large digital clock above the entrance. “Damn. She late. You sure she’s coming?”
I look at the clock. Mostly so I don’t have to look at her anymore.
“Was this a big night or something?” She blows a bubble with her gum and pops it. “Were you gonna bring her back to your place? Have her meet your papi and Yaritza?”
I look away as another pink bubble forms.
“For real?” Kiara taps her foot. “You think she stood you up because of that? Because she didn’t want to meet ’em?”
I look at her quick. I mean it to be a warning. My coño eyes well up.
I show her my back.
“You called her, right? You left her messages?” Kiara’s voice is quieter. I nod. I don’t turn around.
“So there’s nothing more you can do.” Her high heels click against the sidewalk. I smell her spicy perfume. Like rum and gingerbread. “Come on, let’s go in together.”
I don’t say anything. What if Isa’s sick? What if something really bad happened?
Kiara sighs. “Fine. But don’t stay out here by yourself all night. Because you know what? If she ghosted you, you shouldn’t let her ruin your night and waste the money you spent on those tickets. And if she didn’t? If she just can’t make it? She wouldn’t want you to miss the concert. She’d want you to at least go.”
Kiara walks around me. I think she’s going to stop and give me that look of hers. But she keeps walking, up toward the propped glass doors of the main entrance.
My phone buzzes. It’s Isa. My heart rams into my throat.
So sorry. Can’t make it. Something came up.
That’s it? That’s all she writes? No details? No explanation?
I text back.
Are you OK?
I need to know. I can’t breathe not knowing.
Yes. I’m fine. So sorry again.
My heart jerks, like I’m still on that brake-tapping train. Like I’m the fish with a hook jammed through my mouth.
Kiara’s on the top step when I call out to her to wait.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
9:03 AM @ARos0133: Aren’t you going to ask me about the concert?
9:26 AM @ARos0133: Hello?
9:40 AM @ARos0133: You OK?
10:08 AM @ARos0133: You’re making me worried.
11:10 AM @ARos0133: Papi’s yelling at me. I’m not pitching right. Because I’m thinking about you. I’m UPSET. Please tell me what’s going on with you.
11:24 AM @ARos0133: Isa?
•••
1:45 PM @BalletBelleIsa: Sorry. Didn’t have my phone. Sorry again about last night. How was the concert?
1:46 PM @ARos0133: The concert sucked. Because you weren’t there. Because I spent the whole time imagining what could have happened to make you miss it. Are you gonna tell me???
1:50 PM @ARos0133: Can you please pick up the phone?
2:10PM @ARos0133: Why won’t you talk to me?
2:23PM @ARos0133: Did I do something?
2:27 PM @ARos0133: Are you angry with me?
2:38 PM @ARos0133: Are you sure you’re OK?
3:14 PM @ARos0133: You didn’t miss your period or anything, did you?
3:15 PM @ARos0133: If you did, I’ll come find you right now. We’ll figure it out. Just tell me where you are.
•••
4:48 PM @BalletBelleIsa: Sorry. I’m not allowed to use my phone where I am. I’m fine. Really. (And just finished my period 2 days ago, so no worries there.) You don’t need to come.
4:49 PM @ARos0133: Where are you?
5:03 PM @ARos0133: You’re not at the Academy because I know you can use your phone there.
5:10 PM @ARos0133: Seriously. Where the hell are you?
5:35 PM @ARos0133: Please. Just tell me where you are. I’m dying here.
6:14 PM @ARos0133: I’m staring at a plate of Yaritza’s tacos I can’t eat because I feel sick. You’re making me feel sick. Just tell me what’s going on. Please.
•••
9:06 PM @BalletBelleIsa: Sorry. Just got home. Please don’t be worried. Everything’s fine. I hate that I’m making you feel sick. It’s just there’s a lot going on right now with my family.
9:08 PM @ARos0133: Is everyone OK? Would you please pick up the phone? Why don’t you answer when I call?
9:15 PM @BalletBelleIsa: Sorry. My mom’s home. I can’t talk.
9:16 PM @ARos0133: You mean you don’t want her to know you’re talking to me.
9:19 PM @ARos0133: Why don’t you go into the bathroom like you usually do when we talk?
9:21 PM @ARos0133: I didn’t mean what I wrote about you and your mom. Just please let me talk to you.
9:46 PM @BalletBelleIsa: I’m sorry. I’m really tired.
9:47 PM @ARos0133: I’m really tired too. Of you not telling me what’s really going on.
9:48 PM @ARos0133: I didn’t mean that either. Just get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow. I love you.
SUNDAY, JUNE 11
1:43 AM @BalletBelleIsa: I love you too.