Romiette and Julio

At lunch, despite Ben’s efforts to ease the tension by talking about Julio’s new puppy and how much fun he will have meeting Romi’s parents, Julio and Romi cannot ignore the Devildogs’ threat. Lunch ends, and Julio and Romi part, promising to see each other on Sunday.

It is Saturday night, and Destiny spends the night at Romi’s. The two discuss the Devildogs’ threat and how excited Romi is for Julio’s visit. Destiny cautions Romi that according to the stars, she needs to exercise caution in love, as fire and water astrological signs (Romi’s Leo and Julio’s Pisces) do not mix.

Julio and his father Luis argue over Julio’s continued relationship with Romi. Luis shares a tragic story from his teenage years back in Texas. He was walking along the streets of Corpus Christi with his then girlfriend, Angelina. Suddenly, a carload of Black boys from the couple’s school drove past and started yelling racist slurs. The boys were drunk and looking for a fight. Luis and Angelina took off, running across an open field to get away. However, the car followed them. When Angelina stumbled, the car ran over her. Since that night, Luis has understood the reality of racism and wants to spare his son the same experience. However, Julio leaves the room angry, barricading himself in his bedroom and blasting music.

Romi and Destiny unpack the latter’s Scientific Soul Mate System kit. The kit encourages sleeping to dream about one’s soul mate. To encourage dreaming, the kit includes a relaxation CD, scented oils to rub on one’s temples before sleep, and a scented candle. Destiny is eager to sleep; Romi is skeptical. The two settle down to sleep.

The next morning, Romi and Destiny compare dreams. Romi experienced her drowning dream again but heard Julio’s voice this time. Destiny is confused over her own dream, as amid shiny rainbows and flute music, she glimpsed her soul mate: He had freckles, wore orange, and lived near London (and is later revealed to be Ben). She decides to fly to London someday to meet her soul mate, but as of now, she still needs a prom date.

Julio arrives at Romi’s house. Romi’s mother greets Julio warmly. Julio whispers into Romi’s ear, “When I see you, I see poetry” (170). Romi shows Julio the four puppies, and Julio selects the smallest one, naming him Taco. Julio tells Romi that he and his father argued about their relationship and asks her to walk him home, at least halfway.

During the walk, accentuated by the spring atmosphere, Romi and Julio chat about Destiny and how she believes they are soul mates. Julio suggests that given Destiny’s upbeat personality, she should meet Ben. Suddenly, Julio is aware that a car is following them. The Cadillac pulls up, and four Devildogs get out. They mock Julio for being a “foreigner,” a “Mex.” One member tells Romi that it might be safer if she walked home alone. Julio is defiant until he sees one member flash a gun. Another member shoves Romi to the ground in warning. As the Devildogs’ car drives away, Romi and Julio decide to keep silent, as they believe telling their parents would result in them being forbidden to see each other. They also believe the police won’t do anything until the Devildogs actually do something.

The local newscast with Romi’s father Cornell and Nannette Norris announces that the news team will be looking into gangs in Cincinnati public high schools. However, Nannette quickly dismisses the idea and then announces her upcoming “fluff” interview with a local farmer who found a frog with two heads.

Romi, Julio, Destiny, and Ben meet in the cafeteria. Destiny and Ben, meeting for the first time, chat happily until Romi points out that they need a plan. Julio alerts Destiny and Ben of the severity of the Devildogs’ threat, and Destiny has an idea: They can provide Romi’s father, who is heading an investigative team looking into gangs in Cincinnati public schools, with a real exclusive. Destiny believes they should film the Devildogs and their threats and then entrust the information to Romi’s father. Ben suggests using his miniature video camera. The four teenagers agree to lure the Devildogs to a specific place and then provoke them to repeat their threats for recording purposes.

The four teenagers decide to walk past the Devildogs’ cafeteria tables and loudly mention that Romi and Julio are going to meet for a walk that night along London Woods, a popular city park near the school with a lake. When Romi and Julio go on their walk, Destiny and Ben will watch from Ben’s car, just out of sight. As the Devildogs leave the cafeteria, Destiny loudly mentions Romi and Julio’s walk.

Before Romi’s mother departs for the boutique, Julio arrives at Romi’s house. Romi tells her mother that she and Julio are going to work on homework. After Romi’s mother heads out, Destiny and Ben arrive in Ben’s car, a well-used rust bucket with a noisy reconditioned engine. Ben clips his miniature video camera to Julio’s shirt pocket. Once Julio records the Devildogs’ threats, Ben will drive him and Romi out of danger.

Romi and Julio head to London Woods Park. As they get close to the park, Destiny and Ben are no longer behind them. Julio, taking advantage of the moment, kisses Romi: “Their kiss became a flower that blossomed and bloomed in the darkness” (201). After they kiss, they notice Destiny and Ben pushing Ben’s uncooperative car. Suddenly, a vintage Cadillac pulls into the park. Julio turns on the camera in his pocket. Four Devildogs and Malaka arrive, reminding Julio that the Devildogs mean business. They put a sweatshirt over Romi’s head, and when Julio tries to protect her, they knock him out with the butt of a gun.