Breaking Down (The Breaking Series)

by Smith, Calista

  “I didn’t know which one to get.”

  “Well, what am I going to do with six tests, Dante? I’m sure one is fine.” I frowned.

  “Well, some lady said that they sometimes don’t work properly. I figured it was best to get a few.”

  “A few?” I held up the bag at him.

  “Sorry.” He hung his head. He looked so sad and I was being a complete witch to him. He was so worried for me.

  I grabbed his hand. This time, I led him to the couch to sit. “Dante, I don’t even need the tests.”

  “You started?” He looked up relieved.

  “No. I, well, I was looking at the calendar and then I thought about it and I’m pretty sure I know the answer.” I felt the tears rise up in my eyes.

  He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. “I knew it.”

  I couldn’t tell if he was sad or mad. “How?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t really know. I suspected. You haven’t been eating as much. I swear your boobs have grown a little and I know this is going to sound weird but your nipples look a little darker.”

  I flinched. That was weird. How had I not noticed that? I resisted the urge to pull my shirt down and see for myself. “Are you serious?”

  “Yea, I am. I didn’t know what it meant. I figured it happens to girls. I don’t know. But then when you started getting sick to your stomach lately, I started thinking maybe it was all adding up.” He confessed, not looking at me.

  “I— I don’t even know what to say.” I slouched into the couch.

  “You should probably take a test. Just in case.” He finally looked at me. “Just to be sure.” The serious look in his eyes pained me.

  “I’ll be right back.” I got up and went to the restroom. I grabbed the first test and followed the instructions. I washed my hands, brushed my teeth and cleaned my face. I looked down at the test and watched as the two lines slowly begun to appear. My heart dropped. Yea, I knew it was probably going to be positive, but the reality set in and I felt panicky.

  Dante knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”

  I opened the door and walked back to sit on the toilet. He looked at the test sitting on the sink next to me. “Come on.” He grabbed my hand and walked me to my room, laying me on my bed. At first I thought he wanted to be intimate with me, which was the last thing on my mind at the moment. Instead, he lay beside me and propped himself up on his arm. He rubbed my stomach and kissed my forehead. I looked at him, still in shock. His eyes were glistening from the tears beginning to form. I watched as his eyebrows gathered, his forehead crinkled and his jaw tightened.

  “What are we going to do?” I finally asked.

  “I don’t know. What do you want to do?” He said, his voice low.

  “I don’t know.” I said softly.

  After a little while he laid his head on the pillow beside me. “For now, we graduate. I think we should keep this between us; you and me, Raquel. Until we decide what we want. Are you cool with that?”

  I nodded at him unable to form any words.

  “I … got to go. We've got to get ready.” He started to get up.

  “Yea, okay.” I sat up. He kissed me goodbye and walked to the door as I trailed behind him.

  “It’s going to be okay, Raquel. Whatever we decide … we’ll get through it— together.” He kissed me again and left.

  I slouched against the door and cried. How had I let this happen? We weren’t going to be together. He was leaving in a few months and I was supposed to be leaving in a year. We had plans and this was not a part of it. My parents are going to kill me. In all my life I had never, ever, imagined this for myself. Marriage, kids, that was what Natalia and Aiden dreamed of, not me. I wanted to travel and volunteer. I wanted to be Dante’s girlfriend. Now I had this baby— a life— growing inside of me. I wasn’t ready for it. I had no idea what to do. I was a stupid statistic. A teen mom. I didn’t want to have that awful label. This was going to change everything for everyone in my life.

  “Raquel?” My mom walked in and found me sitting at the door crying. “What happened? What’s wrong?” She dropped to her knees worried, holding me.

  “Nothing. I— I was thinking about graduation.” I looked away, not wanting to see her face.

  “Why are you at the door? Did something else happen?” She grabbed my cheeks and made me look at her.

  “No, Dante just left. I was just sad. I was thinking about how the year is coming to an end and he’ll be leaving soon, is all.” I sniffled.

  “Oh Rocky, don’t cry. It’s going to be okay. He’s going to come back. You’ll be busy with school and the time will fly. You’ll see.” She patted my hands.

  “But he’ll get stationed somewhere far and I’ll be stuck here waiting.” I felt sick to my stomach thinking about it.

  “Honey, you don’t know that. If you two love each other like you say, you never know what’s going to happen. You won’t be stuck. You will have plenty going on to keep you busy, you’ll see.” She reassured me.

  I thought of the bag of tests in the restroom and the test that was sitting on the counter. Crap! I quickly wiped my eyes. “Thank you, Mom. I was being sensitive.” I wrapped my arms around her.

  “You’re always sensitive.” She smiled.

  “I better get into the shower. This day is going faster than I thought.” I hurried to the restroom.

  Once I was done, I threw the test and trash into the bag with the other unused tests and wrapped everything up into the towel I used. I went straight to my room and put everything into a shoebox in my closet.

  I listened to music, trying to relax, as I took my time doing my hair and makeup. I grabbed the outfit I bought and put that on. Finally looking at my cell, I realized that Dante had texted soon after he left.

  I love you Raquel ~D

  Dante. The love I have for you is beyond anything I ever knew myself capable of. Your love has changed my life. My love for you is unending. ~R

  He replied immediately.

  Wow and here I was worried you were angry with me, when you didn’t text me back before. ~D

  I hadn’t seen my cell. I was getting ready. I’m not angry at you, at all. ~R

  :) I’ll see you in a little while, Rocky. I love you so much ~D

  See you soon. Xoxo ~R

  ***

  The ceremony went slow and fast. As the minutes passed I looked around at all my friends and took in what was the end of our high school chapter. I looked up at the stands where my parents were sitting. Mom and her boyfriend were holding up a huge sign congratulating me. I listened as each speaker did their best to offer advice and joke about what the future held for us. I had time to take it all in and the next thing I knew my name was called. I sat and waited as each of our friends walked the stage and then returned to their seats. When all was said and done we stood up and threw our caps into the air, then reached out to try to catch them. Some people, I’m sure, got them mixed up, but I made sure I left with the one I came with.

  Everyone’s family gathered on the field and snapped more pictures. Dante was being so careful with me. I had to smack his hand away a few times, when he would come up behind me and gently graze his hands on my belly. After about the fourth time I leaned in whispering in his ear, “Dante, if you do that one more time I’m going to kick your—!”

  “Sorry babe.” He quickly put his arm around my waist. I smiled back tightly.

  ***

  Once we all got to Aiden’s house we threw on our swimsuits for a bit of night swimming. I hated it every time I caught Dante eyeing my belly in my bikini, I felt like everyone would notice. As it was, I was so self conscious. After looking in the shower earlier, my areolas had indeed darkened. How had I missed that?

  “You look beautiful you know.” Dante smiled at me as we hugged in the water.

  “Thank you.” I kissed him lightly.

  My dad walked over to where we were. He wasn’t joining the b
ulk of the party in the pool. “I’m outta here, sweetheart.”

  “Already, Dad?” I pouted. I knew he wouldn’t stick around long with mom’s boyfriend here.

  “Yea, I have to drive back tonight. I have work in the morning.” He smiled.

  “On a Sunday?” I frowned.

  “Yea, tell me about it. You take care, you two.” He winked. To say Dad was a workaholic was an understatement. Now that he had been promoted at work, it only got worse.

  “Hold on.” I quickly swam to the other side of the pool and got out. I wrapped up in my towel and ran to give my dad a hug. “Sorry.” I apologized after getting his shirt wet.

  “Don’t worry about it.” He smiled. “I’m proud of you Raquel. You did well.” He hugged me again and handed me an envelope.

  “What’s this?” I looked at him puzzled.

  “A present. It’s from your mom and me.

  “Daddy, you didn’t have to.” I hugged him again.

  “We wanted to. You deserve it.” He smiled.

  “Thank you.”

  “Open it. You don’t even know what it is.” He laughed.

  “Oh yea, oops.” I tore the envelope open and carefully opened the card. Two tickets for airfare and a voucher for an all inclusive resort vacation for two.

  “Oh, my God, Dad. You did not have to do this.” I began crying.

  “We wanted to.” He repeated. “I was hoping you and Natalia could go before things get busy again with school.”

  Nat? I thought Dante. Oh well, I can sort that out later. “Thank you.” I hugged him and then turned to hug my mom, who walked over. “Thank you both.”

  ***

  Once I was back in the pool I heard Aiden whistling really loud.

  “Okay everyone, if I can have your attention!” We all stopped what we were doing and looked his way. He walked to the edge of the pool where Natalia was hanging on to the side. “Come here, babe. I have a speech I want to give and I would like you to stand with me while I talk to these good people.” He gestured towards the pool and sitting area.

  Clearly embarrassed, she let him help her out, wrapping into her towel and holding tightly to his hand. “So, as you all know, today we graduated.” The whistles and clapping started instantly. “Yea, yea, I know some of you probably thought Dante and I would never see this day.” Everyone laughed. “But we did. And now we have all these new adventures awaiting us. I’ve had a lot of time to think about that and the more I think about it, the clearer it becomes.” He suddenly got down on his knee in front of Natalia, pulling out a small box. She was visibly shaking. “Natalia, there is no one on this earth that I want to head into the adventures that await us with, more than you. I know we are young. I know it’s crazy. But this is real and I’m crazy about you. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” He opened the box for her to see the beautiful ring it held inside.

  Nat sank to her knees in front of him, sobbing. We all waited with bated breath for her to answer. I was crying almost as hard as she was, as Dante held me. Suddenly she began to nod.

  “That’s a yes! That’s a yes! You all see that right?” Aiden was shouting and pointing as he lunged towards her embracing her tightly in his arms. He removed the ring and placed it on her trembling hand.

  Dante and I toweled off and quickly went to congratulate them. It turned out Dante, Aiden and Aunt Yvette had all been keeping a huge secret from us. “Natty! You’re getting married!” I squealed.

  “Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” Her grin was from ear to ear.

  “Let me see,” Val grabbed her hand. “Oh, my goodness, do you see this rock, Malachi?”

  “It’s beautiful.” I hugged Aiden.

  “So when’s the wedding?” Malachi looked at Natalia.

  “I— I don’t know?” She looked at Aiden worried.

  “We haven’t gotten that far yet, man.” He playfully smacked his arm, while shooting her a reassuring look.

  “Congrats, sis!” Dante hugged Natalia.

  “Oh, my goodness. Dante, as my brother-in-law? Eeeew.” She joked, sticking her finger in her mouth.

  Aunt Yvette and Aiden’s parents all gave congratulatory speeches to the two fiancés. Natalia refused to get back into the pool with her ring on. It was the cutest thing ever to see. I was so happy for the both of them. If anyone was meant to be, it was definitely Aiden and Natalia.

  ***

  “We have so much planning to do, Raquel.” She bugged her eyes at me.

  I laughed. “When do you think you’re going to want to do this?”

  “I don’t know, but we have all summer to figure it out.” She smiled staring at her hand.

  I tried not to wince at the thought. Natalia just shared life altering news with everyone who mattered to her. I had life altering news of my own but I had no idea what I was going to do with it.

  Suddenly feeling a soft embrace, I turned my head to see Dante’s beautiful eyes. “What are you two over here gabbing about?”

  “I was telling Rocky how she has to help plan this whole shindig with me. I’ll keep her plenty busy till you get back from boot camp.” She smiled.

  “Good.” He kissed my cheek.

  “Okay what’s up?” Nat suddenly had an odd look on her face.

  “Nothing, why?” Dante answered immediately

  “Nothing my butt, Raquel. Ya Te conozco.” She raised her eyebrow at me.

  “Whoa, wait— English please.” Dante laughed, holding up his hands.

  “I know my girl, Dante. Something’s up!” She was irritated at his flippant behavior.

  I hurried to diffuse the situation, “Nothing is up, Nat. I was thinking about how much everything is changing again. That’s all, really. Don’t stress out. Nothing’s up. Enjoy your night.”

  “Swear to Bears?”

  “You guys and that stupid saying, what the hell is that anyway? Where did you get that from?” Dante immediately jumped in. My heart sunk as I realized there was still that one thing I hadn’t told Dante about. It was something I was planning on telling him once graduation was over with, before he left for boot camp. “She swears to gummy bears and grizzly bears and polar bears that there is nothing going on, that you need to concern yourself with, Natalia. Enjoy your and Aiden’s night. Everything is great!” He leaned in kissing me, to make a point.

  She looked at me, waiting for an answer. “Everything is great.” I smiled and grabbed Dante’s hand hurrying back to the pool, where I knew she wouldn’t want to follow. At least I hadn’t had to swear. Nat and I never took that lightly.

  The truth of where that started remained between Natalia and I. We never said it, if we didn’t mean it. We kept that sacred. It was important to us both. No matter how silly it sounded to anyone else.

  ***

  Luckily the rest of the night went on without a hitch. Little by little, everyone left. Finally, it was the four of us sitting around the tables, by the light of the tiki torches.

  “So you leave in September?” Aiden looked at Dante.

  “Yea.” Dante looked at me.

  “Well, we got a few months, man. What’s the plan till then?” Aiden played a drum beat on the table.

  “I don’t know. Get her settled with school. Enjoy what little time we have between now and then.” He looked at Aiden.

  “And vacation.” I held up the envelope my dad had given me earlier.

  “Right … vacation.” Nat was smiling now.

  “Hey let me see those.” Aiden grabbed the tickets.

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Nat asked him.

  “I’m pretty sure we can, too. Because Dante will be done with his thing by the end of July, right?” He looked at Dante again.

  “Yea, finally.” Dante answered.

  “Well, then … Let’s do this.” Nat hugged Aiden.

  “What? What are we doing?” I was completely confused.

  “We’re going to get tickets to go. That way Aiden and I can join you two on vacation. It’ll be
fun!” Nat explained what I was missing.

  “Well … technically that other ticket is yours, Natalia. Dad said he wanted you and me to go.” I said.

  “Oh.” She laughed as Dante looked at me wide-eyed. “Well, sucks for you two then.” She laughed again at the boys.

  “Hey, wait a minute now.” Dante grabbed for the tickets at the same time as Nat.

  “Sucker!” She had them and waved them back and forth in his face.

  “Stop you two! We can all go.” I laughed.

  “Yea but, mine is already paid for.” She stuck her tongue at him.

  “Babe,” He whined at me.

  “Natty, be nice. Dante, I’ll help pay for yours.” I smirked.

  “That’s not the point. You really weren’t going to take me?” He pouted playfully.

  Now I was put on the spot as Nat crossed her arms daring me to choose him over her and Dante gave me the most irresistible eyes and pout in his lips. I looked back and forth between the two and tried to figure my way out.

  “You guys suck!” Aiden jumped in. “Poor Rock, she looks like she’s about to throw up trying to decide which one of you to let down.”

  He was spot on. My stomach had been flipping and twisting as I looked at the two people who meant everything to my world. “You okay?” Dante’s demeanor immediately changed to concern.

  “I’m fine.” I felt irritated that once again he was being so obvious.

  Natalia was observing us closely again. I smiled trying to deflect the concern in her face. “You guys want to spend the night?” She held my eyes with her serious gaze.

  “Sure.” Dante answered before I had a chance to turn her down.

  “Okay … Aiden, you want to help Dante get their stuff ready.” Aiden was oblivious to what was happening. Nat wouldn’t take her eyes off of me.

  “Right now?” Aiden looked at her confused.

  “Yes. Right now.” Her answers were clipped.

  “Natalia, that’s not necessary. I can do it, when we’re ready to go in. Let’s just chill, okay? Watch a movie and enjoy the night.” Dante was trying to make her let it go.

  “Yea Natty, let’s go in. I’m kind of hungry. We can get something to snack on, okay?” I tried to distract her.