Imperfect Love | Riff Lorton - West Side Story

10.

  "But you told me not to tell you," Amelia sighed before turning to Valentina. "Valentina, ayúdame (help me)."

  Tony noticed the panicked look she had and wondered the reason behind it. Valentina rushed over to the two and grasped onto Amelia who became to rapidly breathe.

  "Respira, niña. Debes calmarte. (Breathe, girl. You must calm down.)" Valentina gently said. "Lo siento, Amelia. Dejé que se me escapara de la boca. (I let it slip out of my mouth.)"

  "What's happening here? Why are you panicking?" Tony asked, alarmed.

  Amelia took deep breaths, calming herself down. Her mind was shooting from one end to the other. Her identity was revealed to a Jet. She regained her breathing and her heart eventually slowed down.

  "You weren't supposed to know, Tony. No one was. You're one of the last people I'd want to find out about me," Amelia let out as she moved away from Valentina's grasp.

  "That you're what? A Puerto Rican? What's bad about it? I'm okay with it and why were you hiding? Who were you hiding from?" Tony questioned.

  Amelia pushed aside his questions and stepped up to him, "Listen, Tony. It's a long story and I barely even know you but I need to trust that you will not tell anyone. If you do, I will make your life miserable."

  "Okay! Jesus! You don't have to get so worked up," Tony huffed.

  "I have to. I don't need anyone running their mouths about me. No one can know."

Valentina touched her shoulder and looked into her eyes, "Nosotras podemos confiar en èl. (We can trust him.)"

"¿Y si le dice a la gente? (What if he tells people?)" Amelia asked with worry.

"Oh shit, you're really Puerto Rican," Tony muttered as he heard the girl speak Spanish.

"I'm half. I'm half American and half Puerto Rican," she corrected.

"Still has the Puerto Rican in it."

Amelia groaned and glared at Valentina. The old lady looked at her apologetically and turned to Tony, "Tony, you cannot tell anyone about her. It was a mistake that you learnt the truth about her."

"Alright. I get it. I mean who am I going to tell?"
Amelia scoffed, "Your best friend? The Jets? I mean, you're their leader, aren't you?"

"Not anymore. I'm done with the fights and-and Riff? Why would I tell Riff? I mean it's not like you're–"

  A jingle of bells echoed across the floor. Their heads turned to the person who interrupted their conversation. She froze at the sight of the familiar man that stood by the door. He looked clueless at first but soon turned to seriousness upon seeing Amelia standing closely to Tony.

  "Hey, girly girl. Did you miss me?"

Amelia smiled at Riff who grinned with a toothpick in his mouth. Tony's face dropped upon seeing the smiles on their faces.

"What do you want, Riff?" Valentina asked the boy who shot daggers at his best friend with his eyes.

He ignored the old woman and walked towards the two. Amelia brushed the conversation with Tony aside and looked at Riff. The man had his eyes planted on Tony with his hands on his waist.

"Hey, buddy boy. How's life with the warden?" Riff questioned sarcastically.

Tony rolled his eyes, not bothering to answer his best friend. Riff moved and looked down at the girl

"Are you stalking me?" Amelia asked with a smirk.

He shook his head, "Not me. They were." He pointed to the glass panel. She turned to look and saw a few jets leaning against the glass. Baby John and Mouthpiece looked in and waved at Amelia. She giggled and waved at the two. Riff moved down to Amelia and whispered, "I don't have to stalk you to know where you are."