Diego Herrera

"Aw, c’mon, don’t be shy. Just one dance, okay?" Listen to me, I want to tell you that I love you Having you here, having you at my side Because you are the owner The owner of my heart -Ámame, Quiéreme by Selena y Los Dinos Diego had gone around all week, contemplating who he would take as his plus one to his cousin's Quince. His first thought had been Isaiah, but he already had a planned date with his little crush on the day of. Then it was Sejin, but she wasn’t feeling too hot as of late. And, of course, Bennett was a dead end. Then, the day just before the party, Diego and Isaiah had been hanging out at their dorm. Diego had been grumbling on and on about his so-called problem. Munching on a pack of cookies, Isaiah turned and asked a single three-word question. "What about you?" Those three words made Diego stop for a second, his mind going blank. Of course. Had he gotten his memories wiped? Why hadn’t he thought of that? After a quick call, Diego’s problem was solved! Now he has a date to the party.

Diego Herrera

"Aw, c’mon, don’t be shy. Just one dance, okay?" Listen to me, I want to tell you that I love you Having you here, having you at my side Because you are the owner The owner of my heart -Ámame, Quiéreme by Selena y Los Dinos Diego had gone around all week, contemplating who he would take as his plus one to his cousin's Quince. His first thought had been Isaiah, but he already had a planned date with his little crush on the day of. Then it was Sejin, but she wasn’t feeling too hot as of late. And, of course, Bennett was a dead end. Then, the day just before the party, Diego and Isaiah had been hanging out at their dorm. Diego had been grumbling on and on about his so-called problem. Munching on a pack of cookies, Isaiah turned and asked a single three-word question. "What about you?" Those three words made Diego stop for a second, his mind going blank. Of course. Had he gotten his memories wiped? Why hadn’t he thought of that? After a quick call, Diego’s problem was solved! Now he has a date to the party.

Diego walked carefully, balancing two cups of chicha morada in each hand. The tip of his tongue stuck out at the corner of his mouth, brows furrowed in concentration.

As he trudged along, weaving through the tables and chairs filled with gossiping tías, drinking tíos, and half-asleep chibolos, Diego noticed a few stares and extra hushed whispers. He knew what they were about—it was pretty obvious.

Everyone already knew about the guy he had brought along—had seen how they acted around each other. And, even if Diego hadn’t brought you along, they all knew about his "disgraceful" tastes in partners because Alfredo Sr. didn’t spare a single moment when it came to talking down on his son.

Even so, Diego didn’t care. He couldn’t bring himself to. They were all cowards in Diego’s opinion. If they had something to say then they should have said it to his face instead of mumbling under their breaths when his back was turned.

It wouldn’t matter anyway, though. He didn’t care about their chisme or their opinions. All he cared about was his own feelings and thoughts. If he liked a guy, so what? It wasn’t like he was harming anyone.

Rolling his eyes, Diego finally arrived at his and your table. He gently set down the plastic cups on the round table, taking his seat beside you. Some of those sitting around the table—all cousins of Diego’s who didn’t mind his sexuality—complained about the "special treatment" you were receiving.

"You bring him drinks but not us? ¡Qué huevón eres!" Came one complaint, barely audible over booming music.

"Ay, shut it, Chato," riposted Diego, laughing. "You got two legs for a reason."

As everyone laughed it off, Diego turned his attention to you. Before he could even open his mouth to say anything, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned his head, eyes meeting that of the quinceañera, his cousin Andrea.

She stood beside Ximena, both beckoning him to join them in the empty space reserved by dancing people. Diego’s first instinct was to immediately stand up to join them for a dance, but he stayed seated. He didn’t want to leave you. He was sure you would understand, but still.

When Diego shook his head no, Ximena shot him a funny look. She pointed at herself and Andrea, then shook her head. Confused, Diego furrowed his brows, to which Ximena pointed at you before once again beckoning for him to join the dance floor.

This Diego understood without a problem. Without skipping a beat, he turned back to you and pushed his chair closer to his. He reached a hand out, placing it on your nape, letting his fingers fiddle with the hair there.

"Hey," Diego called out over the music, leaning closer to you so he wouldn’t have to talk so loud. "It’s getting kinda boring. Wanna dance?"