Lupe Plays Matchmaker Shrunken First Semester chapter 15 by maximally

"We’re low on a few things," Lupe said, reaching for the canvas tote by the back door. "Milk, cilantro, maybe those little chiles I like. Nothing big, but Abuela doesn’t do empty cabinets."

She lifted her shrunken step-grandson smoothly, her whole hand wrapped around him like he was nothing, and pressed him once more into the deep, plush valley between her breasts. The teal sundress hugged her curves, its low neckline letting him sink into soft, sun-warmed skin scented with kitchen heat and vanilla lotion. The fabric settled over him like a second skin.

"There we go," she murmured, patting the gentle swell where he now rested.

The front door clicked shut behind them. Bright Los Angeles sunlight washed over the quiet street, carrying the distant hum of traffic and the sound of kids playing a few houses down. They were only half a block out when the first familiar voice rang out.

“Lupe! ¡Mi amiga! Hold up!”

Mrs. Ramirez waved from her porch in a bright floral housecoat, watering can in hand. Lupe slowed, turning with a smile that lifted her chest.

“Elena! How’s that hip of yours treating you this week?”

As the two women fell into easy conversation, Max stayed perfectly still, praying the deep neckline would hide him. No such luck.

"And who’s this?" Mrs. Ramirez asked, curiosity narrowing her eyes. "A new friend? Or more than a friend?"

Lupe laughed, the sound vibrating straight through him. "Oh, this is my grandson Max. He’s… well, he’s had a bit of a situation." She hooked a finger into the neckline and gently tugged it outward, letting afternoon light spill down onto him. "Say hi, mijo."

Max’s face burned as he looked up at the giant face peering down—kind eyes behind thick glasses, mouth forming a perfect O. He managed a weak wave.

“¡Ay, Dios mío!” Mrs. Ramirez exclaimed, leaning closer. “He’s so tiny! Like one of those little dolls my granddaughter plays with!”

They chatted another minute, Mrs. Ramirez firing off questions while Lupe answered with easy pride. Max kept his eyes fixed on the soft skin between her breasts, cheeks flaming. When they finally said goodbye, and Lupe started walking again, he waited until they were half a block away before whispering up to her.

“Did you have to do that?”

Lupe’s chuckle rolled over him. "Mijo, it’d be weirder if I pretended you weren’t there. These are my people. They’d hear about you eventually—better they meet you properly than gossip behind my back." She patted the top of her cleavage, pressing him briefly deeper. "Besides, I’m proud of my little helper. Let the neighborhood know who’s keeping Abuela company these days."

Two more stops followed before they reached the bodega. Ms. Delgado, one of Lupe’s Zumba friends, paused to marvel at “the shrunken college boy.” Then came Rosa from the church sewing circle, who insisted on snapping a picture for the group chat—“nothing bad, I promise!”—while Max tried to disappear into the warmth around him.

By the time the corner store’s faded green awning came into view, his nerves felt raw. The bodega smelled like old wood, spiced snacks, and whatever the hot-food counter was frying. Lupe pushed through the door with a cheerful jingle. A few heads turned; she was clearly a regular.

She moved down the narrow aisles with practiced ease, dropping a half-gallon of milk, cilantro, two jars of salsa, and dried chiles into her tote. Max stayed tucked away, listening to the clink of bottles and the low hum of the refrigerated cases. Each time she bent over, he got mashed deeper—an accessory to her shopping spree.

At the checkout, the usual cashier looked up from her phone. She was thick in all the right places, with jet-black hair streaked electric purple and heavy eyeliner. A black band tee stretched across her chest, and a silver septum ring glinted under the lights. Her apron bore a laminated nametag: SELENA. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else—at least, until she saw Lupe.

"Mrs. V!" Selena exclaimed, her whole face lighting up. "I missed you last week. How you doing?"

Lupe set her tote on the counter and laughed warmly. "Better than ever, mija. You know how it is—keep moving, keep eating good. How about you? Still dealing with that boyfriend of yours?"

"Kyle?" Selena groaned, rolling her eyes as she scanned the milk. "Don’t even get me started. I found out he cheated again last week. And he flunked out of community college because he’d rather sit in his mom’s basement smoking weed and playing Fortnite all day. I keep telling myself I deserve better, but…" She shrugged, dark hair swaying. "Around here? Slim pickings for a girl like me."

Max didn’t dare move, barely breathing in the humid darkness of Lupe’s dress. He could feel her heart thumping faster, clearly plotting his next round of unintentional public embarrassment.

Selena kept scanning, her voice dropping into that familiar complaint rhythm. “I mean, he’s cute in that lazy way, but come on. I’m eighteen. I want someone who actually has their life together. Someone who can hold a conversation that isn’t just ‘bro, did you see that headshot?’

Lupe leaned one hip against the counter and smiled. "You know, mija, I might have just the guy for you. My grandson Max—he’s your age, single, and he got into Ventus earlier this year. Smart as a whip."

Selena’s eyebrows rose. "Ventus? Like, Girl Harvard? I didn’t realize that place was co-ed." She laughed, scanning the last jar. "Well, you've never steered me wrong before. You got his number?"

Lupe’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "I’ll do you one better." She moved her hand to her neckline. Before Max could brace himself, two fingers dipped in and fished him out like he weighed nothing. Cool air hit his skin as she lifted him level with the counter, holding him gently between thumb and forefinger.

“Selena,” Lupe said, voice bright, “meet Max. Max, meet Selena.”

Max’s stomach dropped. He hung there, three inches tall and naked, face-to-face with a girl who looked like she ate guys like him for breakfast. Selena’s dark eyes widened, then softened with surprise. A small, stifled laugh escaped before she could catch it.

"Hi… Max," she managed, cheeks tinting pink. She gave a little two-finger wave. "I… wow. Nice to meet you."

He tried to think of something cool. All that came out was a strangled, “Uh… hey.”

Lupe wasn’t finished. "You two should talk sometime. Maybe you could swing by the house after your shift? Or I could drop him off here if you want—keep you company on your break."

Selena recovered quickly, glancing between him and Lupe with an awkward but kind smile. "That’s really sweet of you, Mrs. V, but… I think I’m gonna pass. You seem cool and all, Max, but you’re not really my type. No offense." She winced at her own words and added quickly, "But seriously, nice to meet you. Hope you’re settling in okay with Mrs. V."

Lupe didn’t miss a beat. She pulled Max back to her chest, nestling him snugly. "No worries at all, mija." She winked. "More for Abuela, right?"

Selena let out a genuine giggle as she finished ringing up the groceries. “You’re something else, Mrs. V. You take care now, okay?”

The walk home was quieter, tote bag heavier on Lupe’s shoulder. Max stayed buried deep. The afternoon sun had warmed her dress, turning the valley around him into a cozy, humid pocket, but he wasn’t up for more introductions after Lupe’s matchmaking attempt.

After a block, Lupe’s voice drifted down, gentle but pointed. “You could’ve been a little more outgoing back there, mijo. Selena’s a good girl under all that makeup. Pretty, hardworking, smart. Could’ve been a perfect match if you’d just smiled and said more than two words.”

“I don’t know, Lupe.” Max shifted against her skin. “Even when I was normal size, a girl like that wouldn’t have looked twice at me.”

Lupe gave a soft scoff. “Not with that attitude, she wouldn’t.”

Max sighed. He was used to these lectures from Lupe—just not while being mashed into a sweaty boob canyon. ‘Yeah, maybe…’

“It’s alright, mijo.” She patted her chest, pressing him a fraction deeper. “We’ll work on it. Plenty of time.”

The bungalow came into view up ahead. As the neighborhood sounds faded, Max let his eyes drift shut for the last few steps. Another errand done. Another day of being Lupe’s tiny shadow. While part of him was still wondering if he’d ever get used to this, another part of him already had.