C14 14

I catch a bus bound for Queen's Road and while I send a message to my mother saying that I will be late. The bus leaves me a few blocks behind so I have to walk until I find the yellow brick building. I see some kids with big sports jackets and some bandanas in the corner, it seems that they are dealing with drugs or something like that, so I rush to call.

- Come on Gigi, open ...- I mutter to myself, repeatedly pressing the bell. Nothing. I see how one of the boys begins to point at me and the others look at me. Shit shit. I keep pressing the button repeatedly, my hands start to sweat and I have the urge to run. The kids start walking towards me.

-Fuck!- I start to kick my foot, impatient. I hear some laughter coming from me, so I keep my finger pressed on the doorbell, constantly. For my ovaries that opens the door for me.

-Who? -a broken and the muffled voice speaks on the other end of the intercom.

-I'm Lailah! Let me pass, please! - I say nervously. The sound that indicates that the door is open makes my presence and I enter at full speed, at the same time that the boys arrive until the building.

By the hair.

I go into the courtyard and see a mirror covering the right wall. Great, another building with no elevator. I climb the stairs until I reach the third floor and knock on the door.

I wait several seconds for a downcast-looking blonde to open the door for me.

My God ... Gigi has very red and puffy eyes, dark circles that reach the ground and several tears roll down her cheeks, which intensify as soon as she sees me. Without further regret, he hugs me. He hugs me so tightly like it's the only thing he could hold onto during a hurricane. I give it back to her and close my eyes, listening to her cry.

-Come ... let's go inside- I say as I close the door behind me and we head to the couch. What will happen to him ...?

I stop for a moment to observe her house, and I wonder if she will live here alone. The clothes are thrown on the floor and all the dishes in the pile, it is a mess and it shows that it is old but still better than Scott's. We both sit down and she nervously looks at her hands, not knowing what to say, still crying. - You can tell me when you're ready. -I encourage her.

I know I have not known her for a long time, but in this time, she has been the only friend I have had, and I have become very fond of her. Seeing her like this makes me sick and turns my guts, you can tell from a distance that she is suffering a lot and I hope it can be solved, although I am somewhat afraid of not knowing how to comfort her.

She makes a gesture to open her mouth to speak, but then closes it again as if it was difficult for her to say out loud what was tormenting her so much.

-I'm pregnant.

For a moment, my world stops completely, until I finish assimilating the situation.

She looks at me waiting for an answer.

- Ehm ... I ...- A clear throat comes out of my throat- I'm sorry?

What else can I tell you? I doubt very much that this is something she was happy about, her features, her tears and the state of her house confirm that it was not good news.

-That's all?- she asks, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her shirt, and trying to normalize her breathing.

-It's just ... Wow! -he exclaimed.- How could it happen ...?

-Well, when two people love each other and are mentally adults, they have relationships and ...

-Gigi! Oh, come on! Yes, I know what to do to have babies ... -I say blushing. She shakes her head, but at least smiles for a few seconds until her eyes water again.

-Lailah, I can't take care of a baby now ... look where I live. I can't even support myself, how am I going to take care of someone else? I have not spoken to my parents in years, I cannot look anywhere for support- She pauses to look around- And the institute? I can't stop studying now. I want to have a career and a life, a future. I don't want to always be the girl in the ring who got pregnant and didn't finish high school. - Tears come out of her eyes again without being able to avoid it.

-And have you thought of other options ...? - I ask delicately.

-Of course, I've thought about it, believe me, but I don't know what to do. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my entire life.

-You could give it up for adoption, I think it's a good way to have it without having to keep it, you can also see the baby from time to time. -I suggest as a last option. The truth is that this is more difficult than I thought.

-At least I'll have time to think about it during pregnancy. Oh god, this is happening, isn't it?- she says sighing. She must still be in shock. I give a little laugh and stroke her arm.

-Does Mark know? - She makes an uncomfortable face and immediately gets nervous, she tries to hide it, but I can see her palm drying on her pajama pants. How weird.

-Yes, well I told him but ... -he cleared his throat.- ... he went away saying that he needed time and he hasn't spoken to me again.

Now he looks at his hands again. Will you do that every time you hide something?

-Gigi, are you hiding something from me? -I see her doubtful, but I let her take her time to answer, I don't want to pressure her either.

- Several weeks ago ... well Mark and I weren't together you know ... and there was another guy ... and I ... slept with him- she stutters- A few times. -adds later.

-Oh my God- I murmur. I can understand that Gigi was with another boy while she was not with Mark since it was in all his rights, but not knowing which of the two is the real father of the baby worries me a lot.

-I'm afraid to know who it is, that's why I haven't been to the doctor or gynecologist yet, and I haven't even left the house. The only thing she put on the pregnancy test is that she was pregnant, but I don't know for how long. And I don't know if I want to know ... what am I supposed to say to Mark if he's not the father? What is supposed to happen to us? I love him, I love him a hell of a lot! I can't afford to lose it… ”I hand her another tissue from the table and she blows her nose loudly.

-Uh ... you're not alone- I say touching his shoulder- I think the best thing, for now, is that we go to the doctor. I can go with you. We will see how much you are, and whatever comes out, whether you decide to have it or not, I'm going to support you. I know you can handle this and much more.

Without saying anything else, she hugs me tightly, and I can hear his sobs on my neck.

-Lailah, you're a very good person, you're too good for all this shit. You don't deserve this. -What? I make a confused face and she seems to notice. I do not know what he's talking about. - You've been through a lot and you don't deserve to have a friend like me, who splashes you with all her shit. You don't deserve Azael, you deserve much better than this. I gulp.

And this coming to?

-Nobody is perfect Gigi, and when someone is friends with someone, it should not matter if they are surrounded by gold or shit, it should only matter the friendship between the two of them. -And look, I didn't like sentimentality.

-Yes, but you can't apply that in a relationship because it would be toxic. -sigh. I know you're right, but I'm not saying anything about it.

-By the way, do you know anything about him?- I ask without being overly concerned.

-From Azael? -His swollen and red eyes shrink when she pronounces his name, somewhat uncomfortable.

-Yes, he's been missing class the same days as you, I thought it would have something to do with you.

-Do not. I have not picked up the phone in these three days nor have I spoken to anyone. Why? Do you think something could have happened to him?

-No, calm down... It was just curiosity, I'm sure he's tired of coming to the institute. -I say to reassure her, for the only thing she has to worry about right now, I can assure you that it is not that.

Gigi and I stayed for a while talking and I help her pick up some things from her house and put them in order. I finally say goodbye saying that I am in a hurry to get home as it is getting late, but I am heading to a very different place, Scott's house.

I have not even been able to digest all the news of the pregnancy, so in my mind, I do not have a very clear idea of what I am going to do right now.

I ring the bell and wait for Scott to speak.

-Who is it?

-Scott open up please, some guys are chasing me!- I pretend like I'm crying and let out a few gasps.

-Lailah? It's you? -He seems worried. This is working. I should drop out of fucking high school and be an actress.

-Scott! Help me! Scott!

-Shit- I hear him curse the other side of the door phone.

-Please Scott, they're coming!

The sound that announces that the door is open makes my presence and I enter the building with a victorious smile. I take a bottle of water out of my bag and throw several drops in my eyes, making my mascara run, like I've been crying. I take the stairs two at a time until I reach his apartment, where Scott awaits me with the door open. Without thinking twice I throw myself into his arms and sob. It smells of tobacco and cheap cologne. I notice from behind his shoulder that he has redecorated the whole house, and I know who has to do with it.

- It was horrible!- I say wiping my cheeks, without a trace of tears.

Seriously, why didn't I study acting?

-Well ... but now it's over, right? - He looks uncomfortable as he scratches the back of his neck. Good. Here is a cat locked up, or rather, Azael locked up.- The best thing is that you go home ... and so you rest.

-No, I can't go out right now, they could be out there, it's not safe- I say starting to walk down the hall. I hear the front door slam shut and quick footsteps follow me. Then a hand grabs my arm and stops me.

-Lailah...! -A more uncomfortable smile appears on her face.- My friend ... why don't you go to the kitchen and I'll make you some tea?

-I doubt you have that here. I want to rest- I say, letting go of his grip and heading to the room where Azael was last time, letting out a fake yawn. I am surprised to see that there is a huge hole in the wall and that the door is leaning into the hallway. What the hell...?

-You could rest on my couch, it's new- he says, taking my arm again.

-No, I'd rather lie down. -I look into the room and see that it is completely changed, now there are curtains; a huge, beautiful white closet; two wooden tables, also white and sheets with a duvet, discarded. But there is no one in the room. Scott removes his hold on my arm and I watch him breathe a sigh of relief out of the corner of my eye.

-I just didn't want you to see this room yet, it needs renovations and I wanted to surprise you when it was all pretty, but congratulations Lailah, you've ruined it.

I clean with my fingertips under my eyes, removing the traces of smeared mascara.

-Oh! What a pity! - I end with irony- Maybe a door wouldn't hurt ... for privacy and stuff, you know.

I walk slowly into the room, inspecting everything, and Scott watches my every move. Cabinet...

-You know, I got cold. Maybe you have something around here that ... -I open the closet door and everything happens very quickly. Scott yells a loud "Noo!" Which I listen to in slow motion, like in the movies. And a large, muscular body falls on top of me, knocking us both to the ground.

I open my eyes that I was squeezing shut and see Azael's face right in front of mine.

-Good morning, baby- he says with a mocking smile. I notice he's shirtless and I can't help but blush like a tomato. His arms are each on one side of my body.

-Get off me!- I scream trying to move, but it's too heavy.

-Maybe if I could move

-What?- I ask confused, continuing to shake my body from side to side, in vain.

- His arm and leg are bandaged!- Scott yells from the frame of what is supposed to be a door- He's immobilized!

Azael smiles into my eyes, and a smell of fresh mint fills my nostrils.

-Scott! Get it off me! Already!

Look, they said that curiosity killed the cat, and here I am.

-I'm coming, I'm coming .... -I can't see him, but I know that right now he must have a malicious smile on his face. Scott helps Azael stand up and when he's up, he hits Scott on the head. Meanwhile, I shake my clothes, as if they were infected.

-Oh man! What's wrong? -complains this scratching the curls.

-I told you I didn't want her to know where I am, you idiot, and look at her. It appears below me. Amon complains, leaning with his other hand on the closet.

-That I am here!- I exclaim, waving, but they don't even look at me.

-What did you want me to do? Some guys were chasing her and I had to let her pass- Scott complains. I suppress a laugh.- And then I wasn't going to lock her in the bathroom, I don't want any more doors out of place.

Azael turns to look at me and catches me holding back the laugh, I try to change my expression radically, but it's too late.

-You're an asshole. -He says heading towards the bed, holding on to everything he sees.- No one was chasing her.

Scott looks at me and narrows his eyes. Then it processes it.

- Daughter of ...- he murmurs in denial, crossed his arms.

I turn my head away with a mischievous grin and watch Azael lie down, not a bloody abdominal wrinkle. Envy. I would have three parrots instead.

The truth is that I have always wanted to observe his tattoos and one by one, but I cannot do it without him noticing that I am looking at him, so I have to force myself to restrain myself.

Then I let out a sigh, why the hell is he carrying his leg and arm like this?

-Can you know what's going on?- I ask crossing my arms. The two exchange glances with each other, like little children.

- Azael ...- Scott says for him to talk.

-Scott ... -This imitates him.

-Do you want to talk now !?

- It seems like someone is in his day ...- Scott mutters, looking away to the ground and scratching his neck.

Damn Scott.

-I had an accident- He crosses his arms and looks at me defiantly.

-What do I guess? You tripped over a stone and broke your leg and arm. - I let out sarcastically.

-Do not. My leg is not broken- he says, pulling up his tracksuit. I can see a scabbed wound and dried blood and I cover my eyes with my hand.

-What the hell is that?- I make a sound of disgust and disgust- think I'm going to throw up.

-I had to cure it, you know, it was not pleasant to put soap and water on that thing- Scott says indignantly- On top of that he hit me.

-Did you just put soap and water on it?- I ask, looking through the holes in my hand to see if the slaughterhouse has come down. And as it is, I completely uncover my eyes. Azael has his arms folded behind his head and his eyes closed.

-Yes.

-Not sell, or anything?- I ask with wide eyes.

- No ...- he murmurs doubtfully.

-He's going to get infected, you idiot! - I yell out of the room to look for bandages in the bathroom. When I walk in and open the little moldy closet, I find everything but the damn bandages. Why does Scott want cereal in the bathroom?

-I'm not a doctor you know!- I hear Scott yelling from the room.

- Here they are ...- I grab the bandages and alcohol and head back to the room, passing the spray can he stole from me. Then I hand them over to Scott. - Put them on.

-No- Azael says from the bed- This asshole won't touch me again.

Scott rolls his eyes.

-And that's how they treat you when you try to help ...

Scott hands them back to me along with the alcohol and raises his arms in the air. I shoot him a dirty look and then look at Azael.

-You'll have to put them on me, babe- he says making my heart race just by saying a damn cheap nickname.