Chapter 3: How life goes

Hello readers. I have been working on this chapter for almost 2 weeks and haven't started on Chapter 4 just yet. But always thank you for reading and letting me know your thoughts. I truly do appreciate it.

Melody's POV

My aunt was in prison, my twin cousins are acting out and my grandmother is always working over time. I sighed waiting on the bus while surfing through my phone's music play list to start somewhere to just escape everything. I sat down at the bus stop and waited. I was five songs in and no bus. So I waited some more. My grandmother always warned against waiting no more than an hour for the bus. It was about there. Its freezing cold and snow is starting to fall. If I just walk I can make it home before it gets to heavy to see and dark...I hope.

I sighed in frustration and walked on home. I knew many ways to avoid that neighbor hood but when it snowed there was no choice. I didn't want to get stuck in some ally way or slip on ice or anything dangerous. My grandmother didn't need any more stress. I built up my courage and prayed he wouldn't see me. Him...I hadn't seen him since he graduated and I was glad. I was 16 now but I never forgot how sick and low he made me feel. Pushing back my depression I let the music take me away. I hadn't even noticed I was singing so loudly.

Jill Scott - The Way

Woke up this morning with a smile on my face
Jumped out of bed, took a shower, dressed, cleaned up my place
Made me some breakfast, toast, two scrambled eggs, grits
Grabbed my keys, grabbed my purse, grabbed my jacket
Off to work, beaming all the way down 3rd

Is it the way you love me baby

Is it the way you love me baby

I noticed the thugs watching me and I dared not look, I didn't want him to know that I was any where around him. I walked faster glad my grandmother got me this gigantic coat. I was almost out before I was hit in the head with a snowball and dropped my bag. I pulled out my head phones and yelled at the kids before they ran off laughing. I scoffed began picking up my stuff hoping the person walked up was just a passerby. The person bent down and began to help.

"Long time, no see..."

I freeze not because it was cold but I knew that voice...I know who it was...I slowly looked up and saw...

"Melody..."

I jumped hearing my son cry. I looked at the time and saw it was only a little after 1 am. I picked up my baby and shushed him. He was running a fever from teething. I looked in his mouth to see the progress but he wasn't staying still and I knew what he wanted. I know the idea of breastfeeding was scary to me, being young and all, but my grandmother believed it was the best way to make him bond with me and it was.

"Its okay, mama's prince. I got you." I said softly to him as I began to feed him. I turned some music on and that song came on. I moved to quickly to turn it off. I frightened him and had to calm him down. I turned off the music wondering how the hell was that song still in my play-list. I hated it, I never listened to it again.

I sighed. I began to tear up right as someone walked in. It was Tillina. She slowly sat down on the bed as I just looked away from her rocking back and forth trying to keep myself calm so that my baby wouldn't get upset but it didn't help, he knew I wasn't okay. He began to fight a little before just letting me go and start whining. Tillina took him from me as I tried hard to think straight and calm down so I could feed him. I really wanted to be okay but...

"~Hubba bubba baby blue, I am in love with you~" Tillina song. It was my song that I sing to him.

She hugged him and rocked him enough to keep him calm but I knew it wouldn't last long. He was hungry that was for sure and I couldn't feed him and I felt so bad. I started to feel worse. Why must this haunt me? Why did he have to do that? Why couldn't he just leave me alone? Why didn't I just wait for the bus that day? As I blamed myself more I began to cry harder. It was my fault, I know it. I wasn't ready to be a mother no matter how much I convinced myself I was ready and I was going to do whatever I needed to take care of my son. But every and any thing that reminded me of him just threw me off the edge. I wasn't even attractive, I was overweight before I had him and I knew no one wanted me boys bullied me every day about it and girls only backstabbed me whenever they got the chance. I wasn't wanted, I wasn't desired, I wasn't loved.

I felt myself crumbling again, my crying got louder and so did my son's. I heard Tillina shushing him to calm him before my grandmother would hear but I knew she probably did either way. I felt her arms wrap around me and I heard her voice in my ears.

"My song, please calm down...Your little one is scared."

I tried but I couldn't. I heard her tell Tillina to give her the baby and go make a bottle. It was my milk for times like this when I would break down and my depression would hit. I began to sob uncontrollably, I couldn't calm my own son down, I couldn't feed him, I hated that I ran into his...

"Melody..." I heard my grandmother say, as she placed her hand on my leg. "You had that dream again..."

I said nothing. She knew. The first time I had that dream I had just had Hubba and we had took him home everything was...okay up until then. I broke the first night he cried and I had to calm him down. I blamed myself for not being able to. She was there the entire way with me. But that dream was a nightmare. I would never blame my son, it wasn't his fault. He didn't ask to be here.

I looked up hearing my sons cries get worse, I saw that worried look in my grandmother's eyes. She asked me multiple times, did I want to give him away. If I did she would support me, she would be there for me the whole way. No matter what choice I made, she would support me. We got the information on adoption but the further I went into the pregnancy the more I fell in love. Before I had him I decided to keep him. I wasn't going to give my baby away to anyone.

"Melody, it wasn't your fault. I want you to know that I love you and wouldn't trade Hubba for anything." My grandmother said getting beside me. "But you have to stop blaming yourself."

"I just..."

She stopped me, saying, "I really think you should stay home tomorrow. You lasted all week, plus he misses being home with you."

I cleaned my face and took him from her placing in my arms and hugging him. My grandmother stayed beside me hugging us both as I heard Tillina come in but two people sat down, Millina was with her. My grandmother rubbed my back as I took deep breathes and placed my son back in the feeding position and began to feed him again.

"Hold him closer to you, like you are cradling him in your arms and rub his back." My grandmother instructed and I did. "Would you like to stay home tomorrow? I'll call the principal and he'll understand." She said.

I took a minute focusing on my son as he feed from me before answering, I would love to do that. I wasn't in school after him and these episodes came into my life.

"No. I can take it." I said looking at my grandmother with no confidence that I would be okay. I could only pray that I would be.

She nodded in understanding, saying, "If you need to come home you can go to him and tell him, he will understand."

I nodded looking back to my baby. He was falling asleep slowly but not letting up. "I will be okay."

"Yeah, we got her." Millina said smiling as I looked up at her and Tillina. "She has always had our back."

"Good." My grandmother said, "We'll leave her and Hubba alone for the night." She kissed him softly before kissing my cheek.

"Good night Hubba, good night Melody." the twins said both hugging my lightly to not bother him.

"Good night girls, I love you." I said as Millina blow me a kiss and my grandmother winked. Tillina looked at my one more time before leaving me with a smile.

I looked back down at my son...my little boy. No I don't hate him, it wasn't his fault. Neither was it mine, but my fight is not over not by a long shot.

The next day I woke up before Hubba and got ready for school. It was Friday and I was ready to get it over with, this was the first sign I wasn't going to be okay today. Today's outfit was a simple, flared navy blue skirt with multiple shaded orange flowers on it, a light shaded orange shirt, blue eye shadow and lipstick. I topped it off with gold jewelry. I looked myself and in the mirror. I didn't see it, I didn't see the beauty that was supposed to be there. I almost hated it, it was what attracted him and others for the wrong reasons.

I sighed hearing Hubba whine and walked in my room to see he was up, he was just starting to crawl but he hadn't gotten all the way down just yet. He smiled when he saw me showing me his progress, two small teeth on the bottom. I smiled back. He gave me a warm feeling when I was with him. I picked him up and kissed him all over his face.

"Good morning, mommy is sorry about last night. Mami needs time okay?" I said placing my forehead on his and letting him dig his face in my chest. I wore bras that helped keep the milk from soaking my shirts. Plus his eating and pumping helped keep the milk low.

"Come on lets go see mema."

I walked out my room and walked in my grandmother's room seeing her on her knees praying. I began to slowly back out before my grandmother called out to me.

"Melody, its okay, I was finishing up." She said getting up and sitting on the bed. "Come sit down."

I closed the door and sat down beside her on the bed. "I'm sorry about-"

"You have nothing to say sorry for..." She said cutting me off. "Like I told you before, it wasn't your fault. And you blaming yourself isn't good."

I looked down, she saw right through me. "I just don't wanna run away from school-"

"Your not running away. Don't you remember what they said, if you have a nervous break down at school, cps will get involved for Hubba's sake. They will think it was too hard on you to raise him and place him with another family and he's too old to not know he's not with his mother. I know you want to do better for you and your son but pushing yourself isn't always the best or better option. Will you please, just please stay home?"

I sighed, I hated to hear her beg me for anything. "I will." I said hearing a big sigh of relieve from her.

"Oh thank you, I promise we won't be in the house all day." She said getting up to get ready.

"Can I at least take the girls to school?"

"Okay, but you come RIGHT back." She said before closing the door to her private bathroom.

I left the room as Tillina was walking out of her and Millina's room, fully dressed and ready. She wore a knee length baby blue ruffle skirt, with white shirt that said 'Fabulous', with white Vans and baby blue make up, she was wearing silver jewelry that we brought the day before after school. She smiled quietly squealing and running lightly and in a silly way up to me and Hubba, who smiled at her.

"~Good morning~" She song, I giggled, she didn't have a beautiful voice but it made Hubba smile so it worked out for someone. "I'm so glad to see you acting better than last night. Let me see those pearly whites." She said making him smile big enough to see in his mouth.

"Abuela is in the bathroom." I said. "What is Millina doing?" I asked as we made our way to the kitchen.

"She's getting ready, being extra for that bendejo cuelo. Knew there was a day coming when we would stop matching." She said as she took out some stuff to get ready for breakfast. She didn't admit but it hurt her.

"Abuela, asked me to stay home today." I said

"You should." Tillina replied. "You need it after...you know."

I kinda felt bad, Millina wasn't being as close to Tillina as she usually was and I wasn't going to school today, I didn't trust anyone but these two and seems like Millina wants to just do her own thing. All week she's being trying to get that boys attention, I mean he's not that interested I can tell but Millina seems sure of herself that she can change him or convince him that he's not going to use her and walk away, I don't know.

"She's going to let me drop you guys off. I'll stay for a little while to get the days work from all my classes." I said watching Tillina get happy again.

Millina walked downstairs wearing, something almost very revealing. A red spaghetti string shirt, short cheetah print pencil skirt, red shoes, red makeup and gold jewelry. She looked at us with 'what' look because we were staring.

"I'm not going to school today." I said.

She pretended to be surprised, saying, "Oh really, I was hoping not though, honestly." She sat down at the island with us making herself a bowl of cereal.

I looked at her and gave her a serious look, "Listen, I have had to play your sister's keeper when your supposed to. You have been up this boys cuelo since we started at this school. And it's only week one. PLEASE. Don't let her come home crying, as a matter of fact, me and abuela will pick you up today."

She looked at me with disbelief, whining, "Oh come on."

I only rolled my eyes, "I don't care about your whining. He's not even really interested in you, your new, pretty and he thinks your gonna let him get some."

She got angry. I didn't care, she could very well end up like her mother. My aunt was young and rebellious, skipping school and sleeping with a married man resulting in the children standing before me. If it wasn't for her death and he's wife having pity they wouldn't know their father. He only recently started spending serious father-daughter bonding time with them.

"What do you know? You've never had a boyfriend, and no one says anything about you and that green nerd hanging out all the time." She said loudly, she was about to get louder and I know it.

Syro had taken upon himself to hang with me and honestly it wasn't like it was every chance we got. We sat together at lunch one time and that's because I was by myself. He helped me find my classes but nothing special like Millina was trying to imply. I didn't trust him as far as I could see him, he wasn't a bad guy I could tell that much but I'm not getting close to any one.

"Wow, someone is ofendido..." I said placing Hubba in his swing and turning it on low to keep him asleep while I make myself a bowl of cereal. "The geeks name is Syro by the way. Tillina likes him."

Millina scoffed before saying, "Whatever."

She would never insult her sister, but I was sure our argument wasn't over. She stomped out before my grandmother came down finishing her breakfast in the living room. Once they were ready I took them to the school. I parked my car in a handicapped spot, I knew I wasn't going to be there long anyways. I went inside separating from them. I, sadly, watched Millina make her way towards that cuelo as Tillina sadly, followed. I sighed, I didn't want to see her like that, I texted her and she immediately looked at her phone. She left Millina, who didn't even notice, and came with me.

"Thank you, I was not going to speak with them. He bothers me everyday for nothing." She said as we both went on to my classes.

I was done right before the bell rung and I walked her to her first class and was making my way out the school when I ran into Syro. He smiled at me and naturally I returned it. It was kind gesture so I didn't see any hard feelings in doing it. He was wearing a blue shirt with Nintendo console and controllers images on it, black sweat pants, and blue vans. He had this bracelet on, looked like a child made it.

"You're going the wrong way." He said adjusting his glasses as he stopped in front of me, I always thought that was a cute thing people did.

"I'm staying home today. I just dropped off the twins and came to get my school work for today." I said, I saw a disappointed look in his face.

"Oh..." He said sadly, kinda looking away awkwardly.

Why was he so sad I wasn't going to be here? I didn't think it mattered to him since we just met anyways, did he like me?

"Hey, could I ask you a favor?"

He looked to me with a small smile, "Sure."

I was shocked but shook it off and said, "I don't know if you noticed but my cousin is so...I guess in love with that green hedgehog. I don't know his name, I call him cuelo."

Syro chuckled knowing what 'cuelo' meant, "I'll keep an eye on Tillina, and that green hedgehog is my cousin, his name is Manic. Manic Jr."

I nodded, his name is still cuelo to me. "Thank you." I said smiling before making my way out right before I could get out of ear shot I heard Syro call my name. I turned around looking to him right as the bell rung.

"Would you like me to give them a ride home?" He asked. He sounded hopeful, but for what though?

"No, I already offered to come get them myself, I mean could you just make sure Millina stays here so I can come get her." I replied, seeing his ears fall.

"Sure, no problem." He said but I could almost hear sadness in his voice.

I felt bad, it wasn't like that. I just wasn't ready to trust anyone right now. Maybe one day, I'll try to get to know him but I'm not rushing anything.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Syro's POV

Damn, its Friday and I couldn't even invite her to my party, no my birthday isn't this weekend exactly but it was happening this weekend and I think for the entire month, I wasn't going to all of them but this one. I'm not a party person, don't really care to be one either way.

I waited by Tillina's locker as I watched Millina and Manic with the crew walk by me. No one spoke so I didn't. I looked back in the direction they came from and saw Tillina making her way slowly to the lockers. She must really didn't want to be near them.

"Hey, Syro." I heard her say sadly as she put her work from first period in her locker and began to get the work for her second period class.

"Oye, cómo estás hoy? (Hey, how are you today?)" I asked, yes, I know spanish. My mother thought it was a good thing to learn and I know German, French, Haitian and Jamaican Ceole. I am currently learning Japanese as an extra credit class.

Tillina sighed, saying, "Desearía que Melody estuviera aquí. ( I wish Melody was here.)" She glanced at Millina, who had her back to her. I saw instantly why Melody asked me what she asked me this morning.

I had noticed that Tillina and Millina were no longer close thanks to Manic, not that I was surprised. Manic got alot of girls and they all left friends, close family members and disobeyed rules just to give him attention, it was all vain. Millina ignored it but many of Manic's old flames were constantly sizing her up. It's gonna only lead to drama and I'm sure like always Manic is going to stand by and do nothing though he is the cause of it. I've never seen him stop the fights. Nor Blitz, Typhoon or Mint.

I patted her on the back lightly, "No te preocupes, te tengo. Vamos. (Don't worry, I got you. Come on let's go.)" I said, as she smiled lightly closing her locker and following me. I saw Millina glancing at us as we walked away.

"Yo!"

We both looked back and saw MJ, he stopped in front of me smiling and winking. I shook my head at him.

"Hola amiga Veo que estás con nosotros hoy, excelente. Esos imbéciles allá atrás no valen la pena de todos modos (Hello friend I see that you are with us today, excellent. Those fools back there are not worth it anyway.)." He said patting Tillina on the back as she laughed.

Right then Maria walked up. "Nice you meet to you again Tillina." She said moving Miles away from her.

I shook my head as we began to walk off to class. We walked her to class before heading off to our class, we shared it but Maria of course was really just trying to call herself 'protecting' Tillina from Miles.

"Maria!" He said walking over to her and trying to wrap his arm over her shoulder.

She quickly moved saying, "Miles, don't touch me. Where is Melody?" She asked looking to me and ignoring him.

"She stayed home today. I saw her earlier she asked me to watch over Tillina because of Millina, Manic and crew." I explained, I was kinda sad about it because I was going to ask her out for a meal, not a date but just time to get to know her outside of here.

Maria nodded, "Well, that's sad, seems like it really bothers Tillina about the whole thing. They are twins, twins are usually close."

Miles got in between us, picking fun at Maria, "Well, maybe you can take them home and get to see her after school."

"Nope, she's coming to pick them up herself." I said, I know Maria heard it, the disappointment in my voice.

"Well, I guess so." Miles replied, as we got silent.

"Hey, Miles." Maria said getting him to smile and look to her. She only looked at him blankly, "Leave me and Syro alone, we'll see you in gym when we get there,"

"Anything for you." He said rushing off in a silly way.

She waited till we were completely alone, and no one was listening before we got to the door leading to the gym, she stopped and we walked over to the side.

"Don't take it personal. She's just not going to trust you to just show up to her house." Maria said, giving me a serious look.

She knew something, what it was must be very important for me to get from Melody and not from her.

"I know."

"At least keeping an eye on Tillina for her shows her, she can trust you to a certain extent but its gonna take time before it goes too far." She said.

"You know something...Is it that bad?"

She sighed, nodding to the doors, "Let's go." She said leaving me there but not walking away entirely.

XXXXXXXXX

When it was time for lunch Maria took me to Tillina's class and again, Millina walked right on by to go find Manic, Tillina walked out behind her but realized she was gone.

"Hey..." I said getting her attention. Maria and Miles waved at her smiling thankfully. "Come on, on fridays we can leave and go get lunch some where else."

Tillina beamed, I could tell she liked that idea. "Okay!" She said.

Maria walked up to her putting her arms around her shoulder. "It'll be our treat."

We walked out like the others and I saw that Manic's car was gone. I wondered if Millina was with him. Typhoon's car was gone as well, they most definitely left. We went on to my car and drove off the Denny's across town. It was in a rough part of town but the food was good. On Friday's lunch lasted for an hour, but no one from the school really came here so we were fine with that and time. Tillina sat beside me leaving Maria and Miles to have to sit together. We gave our drink order and decided to take our time with deciding on what to eat.

"Miles, I swear if you-"

"I'm not going to touch on you Maria okay?"

Tillina giggled at them as I ignored it because I'm used to it. Ever since, Typhoon's party they've been this way, it's almost like Maria likes him and won't allow herself to admit it. I don't know why, he clearly likes her and no one else. He won't give any other female any attention.

"Are you guys together?" Tillina asked, I couldn't help but slowly cover my face with the menu and hold back my laugh. Maria's face was priceless.

"No-"

"Yep!" Miles said happily, placing his arm around her shoulder, "She's shy about it."

I tried not to look because I could only imagine the death look she was giving him. I prayed that waitress would hurry to come over and take our orders.

"Stop playing." Maria said, "We don't go together, me and Syro are cousins. And me and Miles grew up together."

"Oooh." Tillina said as the waitress brought the drinks. "So you all are related to Manic and his friends?"

"I'm not, but they are." Miles said making sure any who didn't know knew that he was not related to us.

"Don't worry about your sister, trust me she isn't going to be dealing with Manic for long." Maria said. "What happened to Melody?"

"My grandmother needed her to stay home with her today." Tillina said, as the waitress walked back over.

We made our order and, true to her nature, Maria started to ask more questions.

"Is she sick?" Maria asked as Miles lowered his eyes at her.

"Not as bad as she used to be but we always watch out to make sure." She replied, she didn't seem to be bothered by the questions so far.

"I see, your mom must work during the day." She said, I saw Maria let her guard down as I saw Tillina lower her head.

"My mother passed away last year. And Melody's mother died a little after she was born." She explained.

"I'm sorry." Maria said lightly.

Tillina looked up and gave her a smile saying, "You're fine, you just wanted to know about Melody and learn a little about me, its okay."

"Alright, how about you learn a little about us." I said looking at her with a small smile. "My parents are alive and they raised me and have lived in the neighborhood since before I was born. I have 3 siblings 2 sisters and 1 little brother. Maria's mother is my aunt, and married her father but she's an only child...for now."

"How about forever?" Maria said drinking some of her drink afterward. She hated the idea of an sibling but just like I didn't know something she did, she didn't something that I did.

"Miles name is actually Miles' Jr. So sometimes we call him MJ." I said getting him to salute her. "His parents grew up close to mine and got married before any of ours did but he's definitely staying an only child."

"That's right." He said making Tillina giggle lightly. She was like my little sister but a little older.

"My grandmother never said anything about her siblings, she's not from here." Tillina said.

"I was wondering." Maria said, "She's from Mexico I presume."

"Yep" She replied, "She raised her daughter's here and us too, we actually just moved into the neighborhood." She added before just pausing and looking down.

Me, Maria and Miles looked to the entrance and caught a guy looking away. I wondered what importance he was to her.

"Can we just...get our food and go?" Tillina asked lowly. She sounded very sure that she wanted to go.

We all looked at each other trying to decided if we should and why before the guy, a black echidna walked up eye balling her and ignoring us.

"What's up Tilly?" He asked, she didn't respond so he continued, "Mind if we talk in private?"

"No, I don't think so." I said looking up at him. "Say what you have to right here, either way I'm going to be there."

He looked at me with a blank expression but then looked back to her. She still hadn't looked at him. I wondered if maybe he was a boyfriend from her past, could be. Or maybe someone her sister knew from their past, I really hope not.

"Raze, I really don't think you should be speaking to me." Tillina said lowly, I could hear in her voice she was afraid and nervous.

The echidna known as, Raze, sighed saying, "Listen I just wanted to apologize, okay...but it's important...so please." He didn't sound convincing.

I got up but not all on him just facing him and blocking his view of her. I didn't know what was going on but I knew that he wasn't serious about his apology and whatever he did to her, just made her fear he was here. And it really couldn't have been that important.

"I don't know your past with her but from what I can tell it ain't good. She doesn't want to speak so just walk away." I said getting a glare from him.

The echidna turned away but said, "Tell Melody, H said hey." He walked away completely before I sat down and I saw the fear in Tillina's face.

"Who is 'H'?" Maria asked as Tillina shook her head.

"I'm sorry I just really need to go..." She said closing her eyes and rocking a little.

I looked at Maria's face and saw a nervous and sad look. It was something deep and I was truly ready to get it out of her now. But I left it alone for now. The waitress brought us the food and we ate but Tillina barely touched her food. I paid for everyone and we left, we were all quiet. Maria sat in the back with Tillina, whispering to Tillina as the poor girl tried to keep her composure.

When we got back to school everyone that left for lunch was barely back in time, yet Manic and Typhoon's cars were not there. I ignored that and kept close to Tillina as we walked her to her next class and went on to our own. When we got there I let Miles walk in alone and quickly pulled Maria to the side.

"What's going on and who is 'H'?" I asked seriously, I'm tired of the secrets Maria knew she could trust me so why wouldn't she tell me?

"Listen, Syro, I was asked by the principal not to tell and I made an oath...I'm sorry.." She said walking inside leaving me to my thoughts. I sighed ready to end this day and ask Melody myself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melody's POV

Me, Hubba and grandmother spent the entire day together, and even went shopping,cleaned up, restocked and double stocked, there was a storm coming this weekend according to the news. It was always around this time of the year. We got back home and I tended to Hubba, changing him and playing with him. I forgot how much time I used to speed with him. I went downstairs to smell my grandmother's cooking, I knew that wonderful scent any where. I went in the kitchen and found her at the stove.

"que estas haciendo. (What you making)?" I asked stopping Hubba from trying to chew on my necklace.

"No reconoces ese olor. (You don't recognize that smell?)" She asked in response, continuing her choppping of the veggies. She pulled out some brownie mix and showed it to me. For some reason, Hubba got excited.

I giggled at his response to the attention she was giving him. He smiled so brightly at her but not wanting to leave my arms for whatever reason. I loved my son, he was such a blessing to our house. My grandmother treated him like he was her own son almost. The twins treated him almost like a little brother, I almost had the insane thought of how Syro would treat him. Why would I think of that? I didn't trust him enough to bring him to our house. I mean I trusted him enough to watch over Tillina but that's because she knew him. My son hasn't know anyone but my grandmother, the twins, and presecutor over my case. Passerbys are noticeable but they don't get all close and emotional with him enough to care.

"Yes sir, you get to eat some batter of grandmother's baking ~again~." She song the last word as he jumped lightly in my arms. I giggled keeping him from falling.

He's a happy baby, I make sure of that. I plan to start working to make money and make sure he has everything he needs. Grandmother tries to convince me I don't need to which is why she doesn't work anymore either but I haven't gotten to the bottom of it just yet.

In my thought about what she was making, my favorite. Chicken Enchiladas and the dessert was my favorite while I was pregnant with Hubba.

"You're making Mexican browneis with ice cream and chicken Enchiladas." I said happily and started kissing Hubba making him smile and once again, leave my necklace alone.

I placed Hubba in a play pen in the kitchen so I could start helping, I loved these times with my abuela, cooking and cleaning. Shopping too of course, but nothing compared to her showing and sharing with me her culture. I prayed I could show it to Hubba some day. She smiled at me as I began to help her letting Hubba play himself into a nap he had been fighting.

"Estoy feliz de verte sonreír mi hermosa canción. (I'm happy to see you smile my beautiful song)." She said before adding, "(How is school?) Como es la escuela?" She asked.

"(Good, I've made companions but no real friends.) Bien, he hecho compañeros pero no amigos de verdad." I said getting an bigger smile from her.

"(I know that Millina has a "love" interest. I heard her speaking on the phone with him earlier this week.) Sé que Millina tiene un interés amoroso. La escuché hablar con él a principios de esta semana." She said.

"(He's just using her.) Solo la está usando." I said placing the tray of the chicken enchiladas into the oven and setting the timer.

My grandmother sighed and I realized this was the beginning of something that has happened before. Back in our old neighborhood, Millina was seeing some boy and Tillina not wanting her to go alone in the neighborhood he lived in, went with her. Tillina met someone herself but...he was abusive to her. During my pregnancy, abuela found out what they were doing. They were using her attentiont to me to act out even more. She confronted them after finding Tillina's bruises, the guy was using her to get information on me and my son for...him. Once it was brought out, Tillina stopped dealing with the guy but Millina was rebellious dealing with her friend behind our backs, and causing my second encounter with 'him'.

"(I will speak to her myself later.) Hablaré con ella más tarde." She said as she went to start on the brownie batter.

We stopped the conversation while we started with making brownies. I was just about down when Hubba started whining, he was hungry. I looked at the time and saw it was almost time to go get the twins. I sighed seeing I wouldn't be able to.

"What's wrong?" She asked before looking at the time and answering her own question. "Oh, I can go get them."

I smiled saying, "No, I will go feed him and put him to sleep-."

I was interrupted by a beep and me and abuela went to the front entrane. I looked out the window seeing a familiar car and immediately got angry.

I was angry because not only did she bring that guy to our house but she didn't have Tillina with her. I immediately went upstairs to get my phone and call her as abuela handled the situation. I didn't want nor need them to know about Hubba or my situation, what the hell was she thinking?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Syro's POV

I walked out the school doors happy to see the day was over and the weekend was coming, I thought maybe Tillina was gone since I waited for her at her locker and she never appeared. I caught Maria walking up to me with a serious look on her face.

"We have a problem." She said nodding towards Tillina sitting on the steps, she looked sad.

"Where is Millina?" I asked as we made our way over to her.

"Hell, where is Manic?" She responded with pointing to the spots that Manic Jr., and Typhoon's cars were parked, I was starting to realize they never come back after lunch. Something they had done often. But a part of my didn't think Millina would leave her twin behind like that over some if he was my cousin, I knew Manic Jr's tactics with females, I watched him do it enough on the years like trial and error game.

I sat down beside Tillina as her phone rung, she looked to me before answering it. It was Melody. She answered placing Melody on speaker phone.

"Where are you?" She asked, she sounded very upset.

Tillina sighed, saying, "I'm still at school. She left with that guy and he's cousins right around lunch."

I heard Melody sigh in frustration, I think this is my chance. I asked to get the phone and she handed it to me. I might just get a no again, but I could at least see her today and speak with her myself.

"Melody, its Syro, do you mind if me and Maria bring her home? Miles might ride along as well" I asked gettting a pause.

Melody sighed, saying, "No, I don't but I'll meet you at the door. My grandmother is pretty upset with Millina."

I looked to Maria, who nodded to me, "Alright, we'll see you in a little bit."

I gave Tillina her phone back as she said good bye to Melody and hung up. She got up as Miles was walking over to us.

"So, what's the plan it's Friday we have a party to attend to tomorrow which means-" He said before Maria cut him off.

"We have to take Tillina home so we'll talk about it later okay?" Maria said trying to sound a little nice but she wasn't doing a good job at it.

Miles smirked at her saying, "Well, I guess I'm riding with you guys."

I rolled my eyes saying, "Let's go." Before they started arguing.

Tillina followed saying nothing. I was mad mostly with Manic Jr, more than Millina. Why would he take her from school and why would he allow her to leave her sister, no matter what, he's always there for Mint. We all climbed in my car and left. Tillina gave me the directions to her house and I was surprised it was pretty big and nice. I saw Manic Jr's car in the drive way along with two others, one I recognized was Melody's truck. The white bmw was her grandmother's

I saw Melody come out as soon as we parked looking...angry, nervous. Tillina got out first thanking me, Miles and Maria before closing the door and walking up to Melody. I was about to leave before she rushed back to my car and I rolled down the window to hear what she had to say.

"Um...My grandmother wants to meet you..." She said nervously, her grandmother must be scary or maybe it was something else. Melody was already back inside..

We looked at each other before deciding maybe it wouldnt' be so bad. I knew I was going inside since I really wanted to get to know Melody and this was my chance. We climbed out as Melody waited for us at the door. She greeted us and guided us in, the house was beautiful and well furnished, she guided us to the dinning area. Manic Jr and Millina was there with her grandmother already, She really didn't look that old herself, she smiled at us. You could see she was wasn't from here from her style of dress alone. She wore a yellow dress that flared out kinda like Melody's. There were white, purple and pink flowers on them. She wore a yellow shirt with pearl jewelry. Her quills were long like Maria's but white. Her skin dark tan. The twins kinda looked like her but had lighter skin and shorter quills.

"Take a seat, don't be scared I won't bite." She said, she had a heavy spanish accent but spoke english very well, must be from staying here for so long.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Maria Robotnik." Maria said before taking a seat, I watched as Tillina spoke quietly with Melody before she disappeared upstairs.

"My names is Miles Prower." Miles said, walking over and kissing her hand making her giggle at him and I would dare say that Maria's eye roll was more of jealously rather than annoyance.

"My name is Syro Rose-Hedgehog." I said getting a nod from her.

"Nice you meet you all, my name is Teofila DeMayo. I want to thank you forbringing Tillina home and invite you to dinner tonight. If you parents don't mind." She said looking to Manic Jr and Millina, who really wouldn't look to her grandmother.

"Sure." Manic said before Millina nudged him and he corrected it. "No ma'am they wouldn't have a problem."

"Ours either." Maria siad looking at Manic Jr and Millina.

"Muy bien!" She said, "I'll start making a double portion of the meal. Millina, why don't you come and help me." It wasn't a question.

Millina followed her grandmother into the kitchen as we all looked at Manic jr who only started texting on his phone.

"Nice." Maria said taking a seat.

"Maria, I'm not going back and forth with you." He said not even looking to her.

"You wouldn't dare in the first place, but this is kinda early for you meeting the family and all. I don't receall you ever doing such a thing actually." She said getting a glare from him, not that she cared really.

"It wasn't really his intention." Miles said smirking as he glared at him.

"How long are you two going to keep playing like you don't like each other?" He said smirking. And the arguing is was on its way.

As they had their battle I completely clocked out wanting to know where Melody was. I walked out just to explore the house on my own I guess. I found my way into the living room where Tillina was.

"Hey." She said lowly after noticing me.

"Awkward, huh?" I asked as she nodded before we heard arguing in the kitchen it wasn't loud but you could hear it but I know for sure I heard a baby's cry from some where just now.

I saw Tillina distract me quickly. "Hey, how about I show you around?" She asked but I ignored her and went into the kitchen.

I saw Millina and Melody arguing as their grandmother was trying to keep them from getting louder. I saw Melody was holding a baby, a very bright blue baby canary. He's color reminded me of this gum my mother said she used to love, blue raspberry hubba bubba. I put two and two together before they realized I was there and Melody only left the kitchen. Her grandmother called out to her but she was gone.

"I'm sorry." I said as her grandmother walked over to me.

"No, it's okay." She looked back to Millina, who only looked away, "I need to go check on her."

"Can I come with you?" I asked as they all got this nervous look on their face. "I won't tell anyone..." I said as her grandmother sighed and nodded for me to follow.

We went up these stairs that connected to the kitchen before she stopped at this door of the many that was up there. She looked back to me and had to look of pleading on her face. I nodded as she opened the door.

"Melody..." She said softly before fully entering, and letting the cries of the baby be heard. She made me quickly come in after her before quickly closing the door.

I watched as Melody tried her best to calm the baby down herself. He was fighting her pretty bad but she was trying.

"Melody..."

She looked up and looked right at me with...fear. Fear from what though? Judgment? I started to understand what Maria knew and why she wouldn't speak on it. But I've seen more females, younger than Melody and proud of their babies, rather one or more. What was so different about her situation? What was different about her son? Was it the way she had him? I was brought from my thoughts as Melody and her grandmother began to argue making the baby cry harder.

"Why did you bring him up here? I was fine!" Melody yelled, causing the baby to cry louder.

"He asked to come. Please calm down he's not going to get better if you keep yelling like this." Her grandmother said slowly approaching her.

She only cuddled him closer to her and tried to shush him but she was unnerved and he knew therefore he wasn't going to get any easier to calm till her was calm, I guess this was my que. Maria knew there was something serious about this situation that was different than most and that Melody was going to be very open about it. This was my chance, if she doesn't want to give it to me that's fine as well, I'll try till she trust me enough. I walked up close getting almost in between her and her grandmother.

"Melody...Could I hold him?" I asked getting a look from her grandmother and her.

It was right there I saw it the distrust, this is what Maria was trying to warn me about. I now understood everything Maria was trying to tell me and I wasn't truly prepared for a secret like this. But I'm not Manic I'm willing to try with. She looked to her grandmother who took him from her and handed him to me, he was still crying loudly. I held him like he was newborn. When I was little I had done this enough with my younger siblings. My little sister and brother weren't the easiest children to handle either but when my mom and dad wanted to go out on their own or have whole weekends to themselves me and Sharla were the main babysitters. Even for the other kids, Aunt Blaze and Uncle Silver just had twins, their only children. I was the main guy babysitting them for the past three years.

"Hey little guy...It's okay." I said softly while rocking him. He stopped crying enough to see who was speaking to him. He stared at me for a minute before he started crying lightly.

"It's okay, I know you don't know me but I'm a cool geek. I'm like you, I like eat, poop and be around my mom." I said as he stopped crying long enough to listen to me. I smiled, I was surpisingly good for once.

I looked and saw a rocking chair and sat down the whole time his mother and great-grandmother watched me. I contiuned to watch him as he watched me fighting his sleep. I kept talking to him and rocking him. He stopped fussing after a while and just giggled lightly at my conversation as if it was funny as the same time falling asleep.

"Yeah, I know people think I'm funny but really I'm serious. I don't get the joke." I said letting him snuggle up to me. "Sleeping is my favorite, you'll love it when you get older."

I kept rocking him till I saw he was truly asleep. Melody walked over and slowly took him from placing him on her shoulder before laying him in the crib on his stomach patting his back to make sure he stayed asleep. She stopped just standing there watching him sleep and breathing a sigh of relieve happy he was calm and now she can become calm.

"That was very good, Siro." Her grandmother said, "I'm guessing you have had some experience."

I nodded, saying, "I babysit alot."

She giggled as we both looked to Melody. I felt like maybe she was beating herself for not being able to calm down her son on her own, then again, it's different when you trying to keep calm and things are continuing to go left. I got up and walked over to the crib looking down at the sleeping little one, who now turned himself over on his back. Maria was so right, and I have to make sure to thank her. Getting to know Melody will be a challenge. She didn't want me to even come to the house in fear of me finding out about her son, but its deeper than this little one.

"I really want to get to know you...And Maria kept telling me to take my time, she reads people really well. She knew there was something about you that...She just wouldn't speak of. Maybe it was this or something else, I don't know. But now I understand...I'm not here to judge you. I don't have the place to honestly. He's your son, which means if I get to know you I would have eventually met him also. Seems like you make sure he has enough and from what I can see he does." I said looking around his room. It was pretty cool for a young one.

I never got why decorating a baby's bedroom was so big for woman but they did it up for the small ones. I looked back to her grandmother who nodded for me to continue the best way I knew how. Melody had turned from looking into the crib to looking at the floor.

"I really don't know what to say that...I'm sorry for...blowing you off if it seemed that way. I've never really dealt with anyone before..." She stopped looking to her son. I put the pieces together.

"We're friends. That's all." I said smiling before I added. "For now, we get to know one another. Take our time because we're friends building a trust."

She looked to me making small smile but I could tell it was guiwine. I put my hand out to play like sealing a deal. She took it and we shook hands. Weird, geeky, lame, I didn't know what else to do to but just say deal.

"Deal?" I said while still holding her hand.

"Deal." She said giving me a bigger smile. This is starting off well, let's hope we can continue with it.

"Awwww..."

Me, Melody and looked back to see Maria who was standing by the door smiling warmly at us.

"I was wondering what was going on, I watched you guys come up here but I didn't follow at first. Took you guys a while so I came up." She said before she looked around the room nodded, saying, "Nice."

"Thank you." said before walking over to her. "I thank you for keeping quiet about Melody's situation." She said looking back to us.

Maria shook her head. "I just knew she needed time to get to know people. Trusting is hard and betrayal hurts, I know." She said smiling at Melody's grandmother who only smiled back. "Do you mind if I get to see him?" She asked looking to Melody.

"No, come over he's asleep for now." She said as I stopped aside to let her get by the crib.

He was still asleep on his back as Maria awed at him. She reached her hand in and rubbed him forehead making him rub his face in response from turning over.

"He's handsome...What's his name?" She asked looking to Melody who was looking at him smiling.

"He's name is Azul." Melody said reaching in and rubbing his back.

"Azul. That's nice choice for a name." Maria said looking back to him and smiling.

"I'm going to go back downstairs to start the food and dessert." Ms. Teofila said nodding to us and leaving us alone.

I looked back to Melody who was taking Azul out of his crib and holding him in a position where he was laying on her chest. She kissed him before looking to us almost as if she had tears in her eyes.

"Thank you guys...I really didn't want anyone to know about him. We moved here to get away from the neighborhood we were in for a better life for him." She said looking at him.

Maria walked up beside her placing her hand on her shoulder, saying, "You don't have to explain anything. When you're ready to share you can."

I smiled nodding to her. She smiled hugging Azul closer to her as Maria hugged her to her. That's when I remembered Miles.

"I'm gonna head back down stairs to find Miles. I know he's wondering where we are." I said getting an eye roll from Maria and a giggle from Melody having saw what she did.

"Yeah. Bye Azul..." Maria said leaving before me and leaving me and Meldoy alone with Azul.

"He's not gonna sleep the whole time is he?" I asked as she carefully placed him back in the crib.

"No, he'll wake up a little later to get fed." She said.

"Good. I want him to see me before I leave." I said as we both made our way out. I looked back at the crib smiling.

I didn't get to go out with her on a date but starting off as friends isn't so bad knowing what I know now. I do wonder how she had him though. I'll take my time and find out another day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melody's POV

My grandmother was different from most people. She believed in Aurora, religiously but deeper than modern mindsets of her. She believed Aurora had a father and that her father was who she should honor more than Aurora. I don't know the depth of it but wearing dresses and skirts all the time was installed in me at a young age because of it. And I understood why. My grandmother always believed there should be a man over the house hold. But as you can see she's the only one raising us, she hinted she was married once but she always avoided the conversation.

The food was done before the sun fully set and my grandmother had all the females set the table, serve the drinks and the food. It was the way she was raised. As we all sat down to dinner I could only pray that Azul stayed asleep. Azul. My grandmother gave him that name. Him being blue and the name itself meaing blue in spanish. But he still reminds us of hubba bubba, sweet and sour. Sour, when he wants to be. I didn't mind Syro and Maria knowing about him. Miles Jr didn't seem like a bad person but I just needed more time. I was sure Manic Jr was not the person that should EVER meet my baby, let alone date my cousin.

During the dinner my grandmother asked him a lot of questions. Who his parents were, did they work, where they worked, what grade he was in, what were his future plans. Almost down to his shirt size. Millina was getting tired of it but I, as well as she, knows my grandmother could careless. She would have been better off avoiding this by not bringing him to the house. After him she went off to Syro.

"Nice you see you and Manic Jr are related, maybe you can be a good example to him." She said.

Syro shrugged saying, "I can try."

"Good. Now what are you parents name?"

"Scrouge and Rosalinda Rose-Hedgehog. I'm the oldest of 4."

"Wonderful." She said smiling at him.

Nobody noticed it but me. But I seen the surpised and worried look she had on her face. She erased it just as fast as it appeared, but surprisingly asked him no further questions. She learned all she could from Maria and Miles Jr about their lives and even giving them advice on their, "relationship". I don't think she accepts the act Maria puts on to say she doesn't like him.

"I believe you too balance out each other very well." She said smiling at them as Maria refused to look at Miles Jr keeping her eyes on my grandmother. "I know what you thinking young lady, and its mostly him. Not in a bad way necessaryily but its almost like HIM?" She said making everyone laugh even Maria surprisingly. She contiuned saying, "Listen, if you REALLY like him don't fight it, battles are hard enough with others you don't need to fight with yourself too, but it happens and we all realize our feelings too late."

A baby's cry was heard and I know I got up too quickly because it made it more obvious to Miles and Manic Jr looked around.

"There's a baby here?" Manic Jr asked as I quickly left.

I went upstairs and found Azul crying while using the crib to stand. I knew leaving him up here was a bad idea but I couldn't help it. I shushed him and picked him up as he nuzzled my chest and I rubbed his back while holding him close to me. I looked up hearing the door open and saw it was Maria. She walked up standing in front of me as he only continued to lay on me. She must have sensed that bothering him would be a bad idea for now.

"You can stay up here with him if you want. Manic Jr, isn't that much of an asshole to small children but being that it's you, I'm sure he'll ask a thousand questions." She said.

I sighed but didn't give up my chance, "How did you know?" I asked her as she said nothing I contiued. "You knew about my son before you met him but you didn't tell anyone."

She looked away before answering, "I read you case file with the principal and the detective over you case. I just so happened to walk in on their meeting but the principal knew that I would keep it to myself. Plus...I read the paper and your case was in there with no name, of course, because of your age."

I looked to her as she looked to me. My case wasn't on the news or in social media. Azul's father kidnapped me and raped me, after that day we encountered each other. It wasn't in the news but the detective over my case was dedicated being a child of a mother from outside the country himself. His mother was raped which resulted in him. He found me and arrested Azul's father. My case wasn't broadcasted because of my age and for safety reasons I stayed with the detective. I grew close to him and saw him almost like a father, but that didn't stop Azul's father from finding my whereabouts and trying to kidnap me and Azul from the hospital, Azul was just born. My second encounter was caused by Millina's trust in the wrong people.

I sighed holding Azul closer to me and letting him nuzzle up on me more. I couldn't take another encounter with him. Maria rubbed my back letting me have my moment before I heard the door open and we looked to see it was, Syro.

"Everything okay?" He asked as Azul looked at him, he smiled at him but Azul wasn't going to anyone or so I thought. Syro reached for him and though Azul didn't reach out he didn't fight when I allowed Syro to take him.

Syro let him lay his head on his shoulder, showing me he was still sleep. I don't know the feeling I am feeling right now but its scary? Wonderful? Amazed? I never thought I would meet people outside my family that cared for Azul as I and my family did, the detective included.

"I know you might not want to...but can he come down stairs with us?...your grandmother is about to serve dessert." Syro said rubbing Azul's back.

Maria patted my back, maybe she was assuring me that if Miles or Manic Jr had anything bad to say, she would be sure to correct them. I nodded and with Syro holding Azul we went back to the dinning room. Miles and Manic Jr put the pieces the together immediately like Syro did but said nothing. I saw a smirk on Manic Jr's face and immediately wanted to take my son back from Syro and back upstairs.

"So, that's what the crying was." Miles Jr said, "Momma thought she was going enjoy dessert on her own huh?" He asked as we sat down.

Azul looked to him because, well, he spoke staring at him long enought for Miles Jr to make a funny face at him. Azul didn't respond just only looked up at Syro before reaching for me whining. I took him letting him lay on my chest again.

"Well, someone doesn't want company right now." Miles Jr said, as I only smiled.

"He just woke up so it'll be a minute." I said rubbing his back.

Maria took a seat beside Manic Jr smiling at him but I could tell it wasn't a plesant one, and he knew what it meant.

"How old is he?" Manic Jr asked but no longer smiling.

"He's 8 months." I answered.

"His dad around if you don't mind me asking?" Manic Jr asked, I saw Syro give him a dangerous glare.

"I mind it." He said harshly.

"He's not." Millina answered before saying, "He's not to be discussed in this house EVER." She finished looking to Manic Jr, with a serious look. Tillina was giving him the same look.

He looked back and forth between them and then to me, not sighing just not doing anything, smirking or anything.

"He's in prison." I said getting a look from everyone as I looked down. I mustered the courage to say. "I pray he never gets out."

I didn't see it at first because I had my eyes on my son. I don't know if anyone other than Millina and Tillina understood what I meant by what I said. I had never said anything about Azul's father. Because of my age the case wasn't put out like that and I didn't want it to be. I was ashamed of the whole thing but my baby was mine and I just couldn't give him up, my mother didn't have that choice. And it was because someone took her and my father from me.

I felt Tillina, who wassitting on my right, pat my back, I looked at her smiling at me. I could tell she was proud of me for saying it so openly. I never had before and was still struggling with it. But they always said once I accept it happened and understand that its of my past and not of me I can move on.

My grandmother returned with the dessert helping take attention from me and Azul in the. She placed the dessert on the table before noticing Azul.

"~Hubba!~" She song loudly and getting his attention he smiled at her as she walked over and nuzzled her nose against his. "You are awake for the best part!" She exclaimed happliy.

Once again we made the plates for the guys first and I saw that Manic Jr wouldn't even look at me, I couldn't tell if it was guilt or what. He thanked me either way before tasting it and almost melting into the floor.

"Can you bake like this?" He asked Millina, who blushed before it quickly went away from my grandmother's scoff.

"Oh, please, that girl will never reach my level." Our grandmother said taking a bite of her own food.

"She's right." Tillina said smirking at Millina, who glared at her in return. I giggled feeding some to Azul.

I glanced towards Syro, who was barely touching it as quickly as everyone else. I looked to him fully before feeding myself and Azul some. I wondered if what I said bothered him at all. Inside I hoped it wouldn't but honestly I wasn't ready for him to know that.

"Is something wrong?" I whispered to him.

He looked to me before leaning in and saying, "I can't eat ice cream."

I almost giggled before I just took his plate, gave myself and Azul more ice cream and placed just a brownie on his plate and he smiled a little before eating it. He chewed fast before chewing it slowly nodding. I smiled, I was actually happy he enjoyed it and it wasn't about what I said earlier. After dessert Manic Jr left not before getting to have a talk with my grandmother in front of Millina. Syro, Miles and Maria hung out a little. Eventually it was just me, Syro and Azul. Millina went upstairs to, most likely, to call Manic Jr, while Tillina went on somewhere in the house on her own. I almost felt bad for her, after the first guy she was with she was soooo shy. She wouldn't give anyone else a chance all because of him.

Me, Azul and Syro sat in the living room watching a kids movie for Azul's sake. I really didn't get the point in that since, he rarely watched anything I put on. I placed him in his bouncer which sat in the couch and the large square coffee table, Syro was on his right and I was on his left. I felt like Maria and Miles left to leave me and Syro alone for minute, I was hoping they might. I really didn't want to feel anything for anyone but I guess we don't really have control over that all the time.

"Hey, Melody." I looked to him and saw he was glancing down, I guess trying to find his words. "I'm sorry for Manic Jr. He's an asshole and sadly your cousin likes him. But I understood what you meant by what you said earlier. Azul's father abused you which resulted in Azul, I guess I owe Maria an apology for pushing her about the subject. But it doesn't bother me that you're a mom You are who you are. You're strong, Maria had a close friend that happened to, she didn't get pregnant but slowly we saw a change. She eventually stopped coming to school so we thought, the day before she was being bullied by some girls about the situation. She killed herself later on that day. "

I couldn't say anything, there was plenty of moments where I wanted to but I could only think of my son. What type of example would I leave for him, if I had done that? How would my grandmother and the twins feel knowing their lost so much and so many that were close already? I just couldn't bring myself to do something like that I loved my son and my family too much.

"I'm sorry that happened to you. You didn't deserve that and if you makes it any easier, we can just be friends period."

I kinda felt really bad when he said that. 'Just friends period?' no.

"Syro, I understand what your saying...and yes I would rather us start off as friends...I don't...it's complicated and I would rather bring it out later when we've known each other longer. I mean...I know a few people have gone through what I have gone through and it's traumatizing but it's all up to you. They tell me 'It's what happend to you not what makes you'. I love my family and my son, I will do whatever it is I have to take care of him and them. Let's just be friends for now...I've never had an actually boyfriend or relationship. I would like to take my time you know."

He smilied a small smile before we both heard a car horn and he received a text. He sighed getting up slowly. He leaned over placing his hand out to Azul to signal he wanted a five. Azul giggled just grabbing his hand and almost teething on it.

"I'm honestly glad to hear that... I'm not really doing anything tomorrow so do you think your grandmother will mind if I come over?" He asked getting his stuff. I figured it was Miles Jr and Maria that came to get him.

I smiled saying, "No, she honestly likes you." I got up picking up Azul and walking him to the entrance. I say a green and black mustang in my drive way, which wasn't Syro's. I would make sure to ask him who it was tomorrow.

He saluted me and I waved back as he climbed into the car and left. I felt...butterflies in my stomach. The first time I ever felt something like that. I kissed Azul going back inside and getting ready for bed. I prayed there would be no nightmares that night. I closed my eyes with Syro on my mind.

I wasn't intending to expose Hubba's real name any time soon but honestly whatever I think of for the story line pops up while I'm writing. I'm still not sure how Manic Jr. and Millina's relationship is going to go, how far into the story it's gonna be before ANY thing serious pops off. Things are calm for now the next generation story is being told but next chapter, I am surely exposing more of how Scourge and Syro relationship has come to this point. Some suggestions would help and be appreciated for some story plot.

Till next chapter guys. ~Bliss