Read Fifteen Candles for Free Online

everything from cool birthday and Christmas cards to photo collages that she would then have printed on canvas.
    â€œYour brother could do the sets or any decorations,” Gaz offered.
    â€œ That is a genius idea,” Alicia said. “I hadn’t even thought of that. I mean, I thought we might need his help. Alex is taking a summer engineering course at the University of Miami, but that’s only three days a week.”
    They were all so excited about the idea that they didn’t notice that Maribelle was standing at the doorway.
    â€œKnock-knock,” she said. “Anybody hungry?”
    â€œOh, yeah!” Gaz called out. “What’s for lunch?”
    Maribelle put down a humongous tray. “Let’s see, I’ve got ceviche, tostones , guacamole, tortilla chips, and I’ll be right back with a pitcher of pomegranate punch.”
    â€œYou are like a goddess to me,” Alicia said, digging in.
    â€œMe, too,” Jamie added, reaching for the ceviche.
    â€œMe, three,” Carmen said, going for the guac.
    Gaz stood up and walked over to Maribelle, who was so petite her head barely came up to his shoulders.
    â€œ Eres un angel , Maribelle,” Gaz said. “Cásate conmigo y vamos a mi isla y vivimos todos nuestros días en felicidad.”
    â€œStop showing off with the Spanish,” Alicia said. “I didn’t get all of it, but I know that Maribelle does not want to marry you.”
    Maribelle just giggled and hit Gaz on the shoulder. “Eres malo.”
    For a few minutes, there was nothing but the sound of contented chewing and plates being passed back and forth as everyone devoured the feast that Maribelle had prepared. Alicia broke the silence. “There is one little problem with my plan, guys.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Carmen asked, her long legs stretched so far under the coffee table that her electric blue toenails could be seen sparkling all the way on the other side.
    â€œMy mom and dad are worrying that the quince -planning will interfere with my internship,” Alicia said. “They want me to focus on what will look good on my college applications.”
    â€œWon’t starting your own megasuccessful party-planning business look good on your college application?” Jamie asked.
    â€œMy point to them exactly,” Alicia said.
    â€œSo, talk some more,” Carmen said. “Your folks aren’t unreasonable.”
    â€œWish I could stay and help with the ’rent situation, but I’ve got to head out,” Gaz said, suddenly standing up. “My shift at the Gap starts in an hour. But count me in.”
    â€œAnd, as you know, he’s our ride,” Jamie said, giving Alicia a hug. “But I’m in, too.”
    â€œI love this idea,” Carmen said, trading high fives with Alicia. “I have to say one thing about you, Alicia Cruz, you know how to keep things interesting.”
    Alicia shrugged. “No matter what happens with my parents and the business, we’ve got to help Sarita out. I told her we would. So, can everybody meet tomorrow at eleven a.m.?”
    Everybody could, and Alicia walked them out to Gaz’s car, which was a rusty Toyota Corolla.
    â€œYo, Gaz, you need some new wheels. This car is seriously clashing with my outfit,” Jamie said as she climbed into the front seat.
    â€œYeah, like you could wear those ridiculously high heels on the subway in New York,” Gaz said.
    â€œYeah, whatever. You’ve never even been to New York,” Jamie said.
    Alicia and Carmen exchanged looks. Jamie and Gaz were always going at it. Maybe it was because they were so different: Jamie was this hard-core girl from the Bronx; Gaz was the sweet island boy from P.R. But looking at them, Alicia wondered whether their tension stemmed from something else entirely. Could it be that Jamie and Gaz were always fussing because, deep down inside, Jamie wasn’t really the