Chapter Text
MJ
MJ was looking at the fifth outfit she'd tried on so far in the floor-length mirror. All morning she'd been experiencing an inexplicable nervous energy. MJ loved parties well in theory she did. She hadn't been to many, but there was no reason for her to be nervous yet…
She just had to get her head straight and everything would be okay.
"Did you finally decide?" Andi asked her as she came out of the bathroom already dressed and ready to go while MJ still had to do the finishing touches to her makeup.
"Well, what do you think of this one?"
"I love it, just like I liked all of the other ones. Are you really that worried about impressing Dixon? Because you have nothing to worry about with him. He worships the ground you walk on." MJ knew Andi was trying to be reassuring, but for some reason, her words left her feeling uneasy.
"It's not that. I'm just not used to parties." She settled on that being the reason. MJ finished applying her makeup as they talked. Her rescheduled date with Dixon ended up being hijacked by Jana’s party, so now they had agreed to go together.
"Right, nun MJ is still getting used to her freedom. Just take it easy with the drinks this time, okay."
Memories of the last party she attended invaded her mind. Flashes of a sharp smile and a lean muscled torso inflamed her cheeks. Thankfully, someone else entered the room and distracted her from those unwanted memories.
"Are you two ready yet?" Jana was perfection in her mini dress.
"Yes," MJ twirled for her. "What do you think?"
"Adorable!" She squealed but adorable wasn't the look she was going for.
She inspected her outfit once more. It was a black mini-dress with cutouts at the sides of her stomach. It showed off her curves perfectly. MJ wouldn't describe it as adorable. Was Jana trying to get in her head?
"Actually, Jana I wanted to talk to you about something." Jana raised one perfect eyebrow. Before she could back out MJ hurriedly blurted, "I invited your ex."
Jana's mouth hung open, "you what!" MJ had expected some resistance. "After everything he's done! Why would you invite him to my party and since when are you two on talking terms?"
Andi hung back. A sour expression scrunched her features.
"I thought it would be good for you to talk things through. You know, get closure," and be on good terms with him so she can be a part of Rebelde and collaborate with him without losing her friends. She didn't tell Jana that though.
"No, no, no. He's not allowed anywhere near my party." Jana was the most stubborn person she'd ever met.
"Jana,” Andi cut in. “I think MJ has a point. Closure after a relationship ends is good for you.”
MJ shot her a grateful smile. She hadn’t expected her to come to her defense, but she was glad for it. It gave her hope that if Andi could give him a chance, then maybe the rest of them would too. “Look, Jana can’t you at least consider it?”
Jana’s face was stone. Her arms were crossed and her eyes narrowed as she stared MJ down. “I’ve thought about it. I said no, so un-invite him.”
That was when she knew she’d lost the battle. Jana was dead set on avoidance rather than forgiveness and moving on. MJ took out her phone and walked into the bathroom for privacy as it was the only way to get it at the school. Andi’s muffled voice floated in, but she couldn’t hear what she was saying. MJ scrolled through her messages until she found the smiling Sebas. Her finger hovered over his name.
She huffed and put the phone down on the sink counter. In the mirror, her frustration was reflected at her. She was tired of Jana’s stubbornness. Jana was always dictating everything they did with the band. Any suggestion MJ had was swiftly dismissed and she hardly listened to Luka who was more willing to challenge her. The biggest problem was that her friends were willing to go along with whatever Jana said. Especially, Esteban.
Well, MJ was tired of being bullied. She was going to patch things up between her friends and Sebastian and then when she told them about her side gig with him, they wouldn't care. To do that though she needed occasions to show them that Sebas had changed. She put her phone away.
All she had to do was keep him from Jana for the duration of the party to avoid a disaster.
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The Rebelde members arrived at the warehouse together. The warehouse needed a paint job, its walls peeling, and its windows caked with dirt. MJ became doubtful of Jana’s decision to throw a party here. What if it wasn’t stable and it came crashing down on them?
“Are you guys ready?” Jana’s bubbliness was back.
“To die from tetanus when we step on a loose nail?” Luka retorted.
Jana’s eyes went to the sky. Dixon thumped him on the back, “Just wait till you see the inside.” Dixon had been the one to help Jana set up the place. It had actually been him who had found it and when he’d told Jana she’d suggested the party.
It was pitch dark and then Dixon hit the light switch. Hundreds of small lights illuminated the large space. They were woven throughout the place. Some wrapped around the staircase that led to a loft area where she spotted Dixon’s DJ equipment. There was a small stage where they had set up a microphone. A table with cups and a large bowl of liquid and snacks was set up against a wall.
MJ was impressed. They had done a great job. The inside did not match the outside. Andi whistled in appreciation and walked over to the stage. All of them broke up to explore the space. MJ found several rooms and another entrance. If she monitored the main entrance and made sure Jana was not close to it she’d be able to catch Sebas before Jana spotted him.
It wasn’t long before the room started to fill with students. MJ had been drinking with Dixon at the DJ station as he had set up. He had talked to her about his favorite DJs the whole time. MJ found it endearing. Their date was off to a great start. She also had the perfect view of the entrance. If Sebas arrived she wouldn’t miss it. Jana was busy with Esteban on the dance floor.
MJ swayed to the music. A part of her couldn’t fully relax as she scanned the crowd for Sebas' light brown hair.
After a few hours and several drinks, a girl came over and took over Dixion’s role. Dixon flashed her a smile and leaned in close to her so she could hear him. “It's time for my break. Want to dance?”
A thrill ran down her spine. She looked around again. Still, no sign of Sebas. Maybe, he’d decided to bail? He had been unsure of coming. MJ wanted to dance with Dixon and not ruin her date by worrying about another boy. She took his hand and walked down the stairs with him.
They joined the sweaty mass of students as Becky G. sang about getting some. The wave of women in reggaeton was a welcomed development in the genre in her opinion. MJ threw her hands up and let go. The only thing she felt was the beat.
They danced for a while and then MJ excused herself. She ran up the steps to one of the rooms she’d found on the second floor. She was tired and in need of a break from all the people.
As she was about to enter a room she heard tense voices. She paused at the ajar door when one of them was the familiar silk of Sebas’ voice.
“Trust me I don’t want to be here.”
“Then why are you here!” Jana’s unhappy shrill voice answered.
“Someone told me it’s good to get closure and for some damn reason, I listened to them. I’m starting to regret that.”
MJ clutched her purse. She should leave, not listen to their private conversation, but she was rooted to the spot.
“Oh, the great Sebastian Langarica is finally regretting something. Where was that regret when you and the Logia went after my friends?”
“I do regret that,” his voice had gone soft and quiet.
“Really? Because you didn’t care when we were together and you were cojiendo other people.”
Anger and resentment were coming from both parties now.
“Oh, please Jana. it wasn’t like you hadn’t checked out of the relationship years ago. You kept me around for the same reason I did. Our parents and I know you had several affairs while we were together. Not to mention Esteban. I know you were pining after him while pretending to be invested in our relationship so you could dig dirt on me.”
MJ’s eyes had gone wide. Their history was a lot more fucked up than she’d thought. Had they really only been together because of their parents?
“I hate you.” She spat.
From the sliver of the opened door, MJ saw Jana’s shaking shoulders. Sebas moved closer to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“I regret the way our relationship went. I did love you…, in the beginning.” there was a genuine feeling behind his words.
It stirred something in MJ. Someone had never loved her. She wasn’t allowed to date and her first kiss had barely happened.
“I did too,” Jana whispered back. She turned so abruptly and exited the door that MJ had no time to react.
Jana’s red-rimmed eyes bore holes into her. She huffed. When MJ tried to explain she held a hand up, “save it. I don’t want to hear it,” and stormed away.