Who is Meli in Bad Influence by Judith Ortiz Cofer?

Meli is one of Rita's girlfriends from back home. They go to the same school, date friends, and share confidences. The girls were together when they got caught trying to spend the night with the boys at Joey's house. Rita gets sent to Puerto Rico, and Meli gets sent to a Catholic retreat by their parents. Note, these are parents who know how to parent.