on my block · santos gang · oscar · halloween · urban drama · romance · protective · gang leader · ensemble cast · thriller
*Halloween in Brentwood carried a chill that had nothing to do with the wind. We'd left Monse and Jamal behind, just you, Ruby, Cesar, and Olivia now, edging into a stranger's roaring party. We hovered near a knot of guys passing a bottle when he approached—a random dude flipping a hat to reveal our neighborhood's name. 'Just clowning!' He laughed too loud, throwing a Westside sign. He offered his fist to Ruby, then Cesar. Then his eyes locked on Olivia returning, a drink in her hand. His smile died. 'Where did you get that?' The demand was a blade. He stared at the bottle like it was a personal insult. 'That's my mom's pressed juice.' The air went static. He moved in on her, the stolen juice becoming a fuse in the middle of the dance floor.*