#inde navarette edit

"You're not my daydream, you're not my savior, you're not my guardian, you're my get-up-and-go" MIDI MATILDA

"Ladies and Gentlemen, United Airlines welcomes you to the city of San Francisco. The local time is 3:47 pm. For your safety," the flight attendant kept speaking, but Jackie began to tune her out. This was actually happening now. She was in a different state, about to start her new life. She was a long way from Waikayok, New Jersey. A long way from her friends and family, which would be for the best. At least that was what she was telling herself.

She was finally getting away from all the judgments, all the expectations, and most importantly, all the lies. Now she could be the Jackie she wanted to be with no restrictions. This was her first year starting not only at her new school but also as a first-year high school teacher and assistant Varsity coach. A part of her told her this was a big mistake. She was quickly blowing through her savings on the cost of the move and the rent for her new apartment. Before her move, she hadn't really taken into account how much more expensive California was than New Jersey. Luckily, the district she had signed with paid well enough, but this was still a big risk. As the plane pulled into the gate, she managed to shake off her nerves. As she stepped out of the plane, she could feel the cold San Francisco air creeping in through the cracks. While it was early June, it was still a bit chilly with the breeze from the bay coming in.

She checked her phone and noticed no calls or texts from anyone back in her hometown. She had some from friends she made in college wishing her a safe flight, but that was it. She knew she shouldn't have been surprised, but nonetheless she was still disappointed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then let out a breath and headed to get her luggage and the rental car. This was the first day of the rest of her life, and she wasn't about to let anything ruin this for her. She would be strong and keep moving forward despite how scary it was.

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"I'm telling you, Val, you need to stop skipping school, alright?" Azul scolded their younger sister. "Grandpa is already on my ass about everything else and I have enough things to worry about, I don't need to add your behavior to the list." Azul complained as they drove away from the high school after having a meeting with the principal, school resource officer, and Valentina's school counselor. "And if you're going to skip, be smart and don't get caught." Valentina groaned and threw her hands up. "I get it, okay!" Valentina snapped. "Do you?" Azul asked. "Because I swear we have a conversation like this at least once a week." Azul retorted.

Valentina rolled her eyes and turned to face the window as the truck kept rolling through the small town and towards Highway One. She watched the buildings and people go by. The small, quiet town was always a blessing and a curse. While it was a tight community, it also meant that everyone was always in someone else's business.

That's how she got caught. Mrs. Townes had seen her and her friends leave school and called the police. Once again, the unfortunate small-town problem was that, since there wasn't much crime, the sheriff would pick up students who skipped and bring them back to school.

As they approached the light, Azul spoke up. "I have a meeting at the barn in like twenty minutes and I'm also picking up Lisa. Do you want to go home or go with me to the meeting?" Valentina didn't answer, just kept staring out the window while leaving on her arm. "Alright, home it is," Azul muttered as they signaled left. "Wait, take me with you. Grandpa will be home. " Val answered, and Azul nodded, then signaled to go to the right.

Normally, this was Azul's favorite time of day. When the sun was starting to set and the sea air was a rich coolness, they were, however, ready to just go home after being lectured on the importance of not skipping school. Why did they have to tell Azu? Azul had no idea, but they still had to sit through the lecture.

As they were getting to The Barn, Azul spoke softly. "Grandpa doesn't know about what happened. The school called me first." They reassured their younger sister as they began to park. "However, you know how this town is, so he might find out." They said, sitting, looking ahead. "You only have a week left. Please just... Just hold on for one more week, okay?" Azul told her, and she nodded. "You're too smart to be doing dumb shit like this, okay? You're better than that. Also Lisa looks up to you, try and be a better influence." Azul said as they rested a hand on her shoulder, and Valentina nodded again. "Alright, you go get us some dinner while I go check in with Isabelle," Azul said as they both got out of the truck and headed towards the restaurant.

"Ouu Isabelle." Valentina wiggled her eyebrows at Azul. "Stop, you know there's nothing going on," Azul said as they tussled Val's hair, which she quickly fixed. "Yeah, but you both CLEARLY in love each other. I'm just saying, we all know you guys are going to get married. You guys are definitely the next power couple of Half Moon Bay and you already share a child. Just accept the inevitability that she's going to be your wife." Valentina teased and made Azul blush a little. " Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just go get us food and get Lisa something too, in case she hasn't had dinner yet." Valentina headed towards the order counter while laughing as Azul looked for Isabelle and Lisa around the patio. "Blue!" Isabelle yelled out from the corner table next to Lisa who was looking into the open box in front of her, probably stuff for the meeting.

"Baba!" Lisa yelled running to them. They crouched down awaiting her to launch herself at them. "Hey princess. I missed you." They said as they stood up still holding her. "Baba I have something to ask you." She said as she played with their chain. It was a habit she had since a baby. "Yeah what's that?" They said still holding her.

"You know you're the best. Right, Baba?" She said to them sweetly. Azul looked at her suspiciously then looked to Isabelle who was quietly giggling whit her hand now in the box. They knew they were being set up so they put Lisa down and crossed their arms. "Out with it kid. What do you want?" They said trying to build up some sort of authority. "Baba!" Lisa said seeing them become defensive. "Before you say no can you listen." Lisa told them.

They knew what was coming. There was one thing Lisa wanted most in the world. Azul rubbed their face and groaned. "Lisa are you about to ask me for a pet?" Lisa had put on her best puppy dog eyes. "Baba please." She said as she clasped her hands together. "We found a small kitty behind here by the dumpsters and it's all alone baba." She tried to make a convincing argument. "We haven't seen the mom all day."

"You already have Oso." Azul said which Lisa was quick to rebuttal. "Oso is your dog. I want to save this kitty baba please, please, PLEASE." She begged and they looked over to Isabelle. Seeing her smirk knowing that Azul was such a push over for their daughter. "And why can't you take the cat?" They asked her. "You already live on the farm and have a bunch of animals. What's one more?" She said. "Besides she primarily lives with you so it would be her responsibility to take care of the cat." She said now walking over and smoothing out Lisa's hair.

"It's a lot of responsibility taking care of an animal. You see how hard I work to take care of the animals in the barn." Azul told her and Lisa eagerly nodded knowing well that her baba was about to fold. "Fine!" They let out exasperated and Lisa began to squeal from excitement. "But." They said gaining Lisa's attention. "The moment you don't take care of the cat, which means cleaning its litter box and feeding it, it's going in the barn. And no pets till you're 15." Azul said and Lisa nodded. "I will I promise baba!" She said as she hugged them. "Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" She said as she squeezed them tighter then let go. "I'm going to go tell Val." She said as she ran off to get the box to get the kitten and then ran off to the counter where her aunt was waiting for the food.

"I was going to ask you to stay a bit after the meeting, but since you're here early, that works out." Azul rubbed at their neck since it was starting to get stiff from the stress of the day. "Oh yeah, why's that? Any more animals you want to spring on me?" Azul teased.

Isabelle did a sarcastic laugh then got to what she needed. "Well, since it's summer and we'll be getting more tourists, we need to order more from the farm," Isabelle said. Azul nodded and took out the pocketbook from the front pocket of their flannel. "Yeah, of course. Duh." They said awkwardly. "More lettuce, kale, and tomatoes?" They asked before they wrote, and Isabelle nodded. "Yeah, just double what we usually get." Azul nodded and wrote down what Isabelle had said. "Yeah, of course."

Isabelle and Azul had grown up together. They met in first grade, just as kids normally do in school. Isabelle had forgotten her lunch money in her class and since Azul was taller than most of the kids, Isabelle had recruited them to help her and they did by helping her climb threw the window to get her money, however when she let them in, they had placed their money down and when they were leaving Azul realized their money was in the class, so once again they had to break in. That was the start of their friendship. Throughout elementary school, they were best friends, but once middle school started, Isabelle found herself with the popular crowd, and Azul found another group of friends and then in high school they would just wave at each other in the halls.

Slowly they began to talk again in their senior year after being lab partners. During the summer before they both went to their colleges they had met at a Fourth of July party. Isabelle and just gotten out of a relationship and Azul was there to listen. They talked and drank through out the night and the familiarity had felt right to the both of them. They had ended up sleeping together that night and then in the morning Isabelle was gone. They wanted to reach out but with Isabelle leaving in the morning they didn't want to ruin anything. They hadn't talked at all after that night and then before they knew it, they had both gone off to college. Isabelle is going to San Francisco State, and Azul is going to UCSC.

Then in October Isabelle had called Azul and let them know what she was pregnant with their baby. Azul was shocked but had assured Isabelle that they would be by her side no matter what and what ever she decided was fine. Isabelle had decided to keep the baby and they worked out how they would make it happen. They both would move back and commute to school. The drive from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz was quite the drive but if it meant that they would help Isabelle and make her and now the baby comfortable, it's what they had to do.

When they both returned home they had decided to move in together just for the first year and Azul decided to go to school part time and decided to go to school in the summer to finish faster. That way they could lean on each other for support. Azul would work at Hacienda Castillo on the weekends, and during the time they waited for their child to arrive they began to become best friends again which worked out in Isabelle's favor. At first her friends were excited to be welcoming a baby into the friend group but as Isabelle's belly began to grow she wasn't able to go out with them and eventually they had just stopped hanging out as much.

Isabelles parents were not happy about the situation, coming from a religious background and Azul and Isabelle having a child out of wedlock was unholy but Val and their grandpa couldn't be more ecstatic. Their grandpa Juan Carlos had been eager to help the young couple and had a small house that they would be able to move into. It was just off High Way One and would make Isabelles commute easier and Valentina was just excited that her small family was expanding.

After graduating from college, they had made their little family work as best as they could. Since Azul's work schedule was more flexible than Isabelle's was, Lisa was with Azul a lot but they had an agreement that if Lisa ever wanted to be with the other parent they would take her. There was no need to involve social services to have a set schedule enforced by family court for when Lisa could see her parents. Isabelle is now working in the field she wanted, while Azul is learning to take over the family business.

"So what are you doing after the meeting?" Isabelle asked, and Azul shrugged. "Nothing much, just taking the girls home. You?" Azul replied. "I was thinking of going to Gulino Gelato, do you want to come? I mean I'm sure we can make this day the best day Lisa has had in a while. What do you say?" She asked then. "Sure why not." They told her. "I mean despite me not wanting the cat, she is a good kid, I guess." They joked which caused Isabelle to scoff and then they added. " besides we know she gets that from me.." they added which then caused Isabelle to push them jokingly "and I'm sure Val would like to go too." They told her, which caused Isabelle to smile. . "Ok, sounds good. Now come help me set up, people are getting here." Isabelle said, handing them a small stack of papers.

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After an hour, Jackie finally arrived at her new place, and as she got out of the car, she admired the view of the front of her house. At first she was a little skeptical about it looking like the actual pictures from the internet, but she was pleasantly surprised to see it looked even better. It was a small cottage. While it wasn't right on the beach, it was only a couple of blocks from downtown and only a five minute drive from work. Leaning against the white picket fence was an older man. Dressed in a button-up shirt while wearing cargo shorts. His hair was grey and black, and it was up to his shoulders. He looked like the epitome of a surfer.

"Hello!" He greeted her as he got off the fence. "You must be Jacqueline." He said, extending his hand to her. "Yeah, that's me. How did you know?" She said as she took his hand. "It's a small town, and I've never seen you." He said as he shrugged. "I'm Juan Carlos, but everyone calls me JC or Juan. This used to be my son's house, then it went to his children, and now we are renting it." He said, holding the gate open for her to walk in. "Oh, did they all leave the area?" Jackie asked him as they walked closer to the front door. "No, my grandchildren live with me now. They help with the farm and pick the produce. Learning how to run everything anyway enough about me." He said as he unlocked the front door. "Let's get you in your new home." He said as he pushed the door open.

As she walked in, she was met with a small but open living room. It was perfect for her. It had a small breakfast nook that overlooked the sidewalk and front yard. As she kept walking, she couldn't help but think how perfect this place was. All the appliances were nicely renovated but still had that charm of a older cottage. It had an extra bedroom, which she would use as an office or a gym, and a jacuzzi in the backyard. "I had Azul do a walk-through to make sure everything was clean and working, and the only issue they found was that the fan in the bathroom isn't working, so they'll stop by to fix it tomorrow." Juan Carlos told her as she continued to look around the house. "Also, let me give you their number, that way when your furniture gets here, they can help you." He said as he was taking out his flip phone and glasses. "Oh, that's okay, they don't have to do that," Jackie assured him. "Nonsense, I'll even have Azul bring Val. They're my grandkids. They'll come tomorrow. What time does your furniture get here?" He asked clearly, not taking no for an answer. "Uhh, it'll get here at nine." She said sheepishly, now, because of her, her landlord's family had to help her move. "Perfect! They'll be here. Also, I had Azul bring an inflatable mattress for you. I didn't know if you had anything to sleep on. I think they also left some pillows and blankets." He said as she continued to look around. "Thank you." She said as she peeked into the room.

"Well, Jacqueline, I'll leave you to it. If you need anything, please let me know, and I hope you enjoy your time here." Juan Carlos said as he showed himself out.

As he closed the door, Jackie let out a sigh. It all began to feel real, and suddenly she became homesick. After talking to Juan Carlos, she realized she really wanted to talk to her dad and have him reassure her that it would all be okay, but given how she had left things with her parents, she wouldn't hear from them soon. Just like her, they were too proud, so this feud that was going on would last a while.

Not only that, but she couldn't call any of her friends, not that she thought she could still call them that. Although Jackie was popular, she had always felt like an outsider, never really feeling like she belonged, let alone people actually liking her, but none of it mattered because she had Shauna. They were two peas in a pod since they had met in kindergarten, and Jackie had thought that she would be one of the people who would be constantly in her life. But life had played a cruel joke on her.

She walked around the house, and Juan Carlos was right about it being clean. It still had a smell that she hadn't smelled before, but it smelt really clean. She made a mental note to ask what they used. After seeing the backyard, she figured she'd get into the Jacuzzi as a way to celebrate this big move. She walked back out to the rental car and got out her backpack and luggage. Since she still had no drawers or hangers, she'd have to wait to unpack. She ordered food and a wine and changed into her bathing suit. As nervous as she was, she had also never felt more free.

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"Aww, come on, Blue, don't get embarrassed." Isabelle teased Azul, whose face was now covered in ice cream. "You guys are horrible together." Azul fake-scolded, which made Isabelle, Lisa and Val laugh even harder. "You guys are monsters!" Val doubled over laughing, and Isabelle walked over to Azul and put her hand on their shoulder offering fake comfort. "Who asks someone if they want a taste of their flavor and then shoves it in their face. You wasted a completely good gelato." Azul kept complaining.

Isabelle took out a napkin from her purse and helped them wipe their face. "There, there now. We can get you a new one if you want you big baby." Azul rolled their eyes. "It's not about the gelato, Isabelle." They started. "It's about the principle!" They kept on with their faux outrage. "How am I to trust either of you when it comes to food now. And you both know I don't play about food." They said, crossing their arms, continuing the act. "I guess that means I won't take either of you to any more restaurants or cook for you," Azul said.

"Whoa, let's not be hasty," Val said. "No, have fun eating Grandpa's food." Azul teased, and Isabelle put her hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay, we're sorry." Azul looked at them for a moment, then rolled their eyes. "Fine, you're forgiven." Both girls cheered and Lisa giggled at how silly the adults were being, still playing into the whole act that had just happened, and all laughed. "As much fun as it is having you both gang up on me, I need to get Val and Lisa home. It's a school night." Isabelle began to whine, and Valentina and Lisa joined in. "Booooo!" She said, giving Azul a thumbs-down. "Yeah, I get it. Come on. Let's get you home, kiddo." Azul joked as they scooped Valentina in their arms, and she began to squeal. "Azul, put me down!" She cried out as she smacked their back but then they scooped up Lisa who let out a squeal.

"Are you both done being a brat?" They asked, and Valentina yelled out in rebellion. "Never!" She yelled out. "I've now decided to accept the ride, my good steed! To the car! Tell your baba Lisa!" She yelled as she pointed toward the cars. And Lisa joined in. "To the car baba!" Azul rolled their eyes and began to walk. "You know we should do this more often Blue," Isabelle said from their side. "Yeah, this was really fun. Definitely made my Thursday night a lot better." Azul said as they adjusted Val in their shoulder. "Do you maybe want to do something tomorrow ? Just me and you?" Isabelle asked, and Azul stopped walking. "Ye-yeah. I'd love to." They stuttered, and Isabelle laughed. "Okay, it's a date. Uh, this is my car, but I'll text you later?" Isabelle asked, and Azul nodded while dazed. Isabelle laughed again. "See you tomorrow." She waved as she got in her car.

Azul was still in a daze and waved back. "HELLO? Can we get going?" Valentina yelled, still on Azul's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Azul was shaken out of their daze and put her down. "You can walk the rest of the way."  They said as they walked back to the truck. Valentina let out a groan. "Why does Lisa get to be carried?" She asked as she walked to the truck. "She's cute and my kid that's why."

On their way home. The no one had said much. Valentina was texting away on her phone, with Lisa laying her head on her shoulder from being stuck in the middle and Azul was thinking of what they could do with Isabelle. There wasn't much besides bars and restaurants, and if they wanted to watch a movie, they'd have to go to the next city over since Half Moon Bay didn't have one.

After the short drive home, Azul parked the truck. As they walked in, their grandpa was sitting on the couch reading. "Hey there, you guys are." He said as he set the book down, as they walked further into the living room. "Grandpa!" Lisa said as she ran to give him a hug. He welcomed it and Lisa began to tell him about 'Toby' the kitten she had found. As Lisa was saying how Toby was now hers he looked to Azul and Azul held up the box to show that kitten was now theirs. "Mija why don't you take the kitten to the bathroom and then you go set up a place for it to sleep. Your baba will help you bathe them." The little girl excitedly ran off with her new pet. "Make sure to close the door so it doesn't escape the bathroom!" Juan Carlos yelled after her.

"The new tenant moved in, and I need you guys to go to her house tomorrow at nine in the morning." Juan Carlos said, looking at his grandkids. "I have school tomorrow, Grandpa," Valentina said and Juan Carlos made a shocked face. "Oh, so now you want to go to school?" He asked sarcastically, and Valentina looked down. He knew.  "You know, Mrs. Townes gave me a call to let me know that you were leaving school." He said as he stood up. "Why did you leave?" He asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Valentina shrugged. "Ooh. That's a great reason Val." Juan Carlos said sarcastically again. "Well then, since you've already had a break, this weekend you're working at the stand." Valentina's head shot up. "But grandpa." She tried to defend, but he was having none of it. He raised his hand to motion her to stop. "You're working, and that's final. Go to your room." Valentina opened her mouth to argue, but Azul beat her to it. "Val, just go to your room." They muttered to her. Valentina then stomped off to her room, making sure to stomp on every step that she took and slammed the door shut.

Juan Carlos began to shake his head. "Dios, dame paciencia." As he ran his hand down his face. " So tomorrow at nine?" Azul asked, still standing in the living room. "Yeah, her furniture gets there tomorrow, and she'll need help moving and building it." Azul nodded. "I haven't had time to go get the fan for the bathroom yet, so I'll probably have to go back later this weekend." Azul mentioned, "Just take her with you to the store and install it. She's new, so she probably won't mind the company and it'd be nice for her to meet someone in town." He said as he began to sit down. "But then I'll have to drive out of town and then when I get back, install it. I'll be there all day." Azul said. "And? You got something better to do?" Juan Carlos asked.

"I have plans, Grandpa. Not only that I also have to pick up Lisa from school." Azul tried to defend. "Carajo, you act like I can't go get her. I'm trying to teach you and your sister how to run things so that when I'm gone, you guys can take care of yourselves!" He said, starting to get loud. "You guys just don't take anything seriously do you? You're messing around with your friends while you're all supposed to be working, and your sisters are skipping school." He said, and Azul could tell he was about to start a rant. "Okay, I'll help her tomorrow. I'll cancel my plans." Azul said angrily as they cut him off, and then they began to walk towards the bathroom that was by Lisa's room. "Don't talk to me like that, Azul. You and your sister need to start showing me respect. This is my house, and it's my business. I don't have to leave it to you guys. Remember that." Azul chose not to respond and headed up to the bathroom to start bathing the kitten.

Lisa was waiting for them excitedly in the bathroom. As soon as they saw their little girls face they calmed down. They bathed the kitten with dawn dish soap to make sure it didn't have fleas and Toby didn't like it one bit. While he didn't scratch Azul,  he had an unpleasant face the whole time and made sure to mean mug Azul. Once the kitten was nice and clean, they got it situated in Lisa's room. Azul went to tuck them both in before heading to bed. "I don't want you up all night playing with the cat Lis. Okay?" Azul said. "I won't baba. I promise." She said as she snuggled against her blanket. They leaned down to give her a kiss on the head and headed to their room.

Once they got to their room, they just threw themselves onto their bed. They wanted to leave. They were tired of how Juan Carlos treated them. They were tired of feeling like nothing they did was good enough, and now he was projecting that onto Valentina. Azul didn't even care about taking over the business; they just did it since it had been in the family for what seemed like centuries. The longer they lay there thinking of how to leave, but the more they thought of it they knew it could never happen. There was too many people to think of. They wouldn't be able to leave Valentina behind to deal with their grandpa alone, leaving her to be stuck with taking over the family business. Not to mention, they'd have to convince Isabelle to come with them that way they can stay in Lisa's life. They'd never leave Lisa.

They also had the community to think about too, from a young age, the importance of community had been instilled in them, with family over everything. They couldn't leave knowing they had abandoned both things that are important to them. As much as they hated the situation, this is what they were born for. To keep the Castillo legacy alive and thriving, and if that was a burden Valentina never had to bear, then they would do it a million times over.

Translations:

Azul: Blue

Oso: bear

Dios, dame paciencia: God give me patience

Carajo: fuck

Here are what the pets look like.

Oso

Toby

And here are the houses.

Jackie's

https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/charming-garden-cottage-steps-to-historic-old-town-half-moon-bay.en-us.html?aid=1430043&label=VR-SR-DL-mobile-c200-7aa13960-f5f7-1cf2-39af-fd8f6e7d4589_p398160033&sid=109f334c6042412bdd16ccdc2536f5b9&checkin=2026-10-04&checkout=2026-10-10&dest_id=20013330&dest_type=city&group_adults=2&group_children=0&hapos=1&hpos=1&no_rooms=1&req_adults=2&req_children=0&room1=A%2CA&sb_price_type=total&soh=1&sr_order=popularity&srepoch=1785458897&srpvid=e98205a3e71600a0&type=total&ucfs=1&

The Castillos

https://www.realtor.com/rentals/details/20165-Cabrillo-Hwy-S_Half-Moon-Bay_CA_94019_M23946-84202

Isabelles house