Julia's POV
We were having a good time chatting, although it was ten-five o'clock in the evening. I recall the curfew, and the subdivision is still quite a bit further away.
Regarding my mother, I am truly doomed. I'm not eighteen yet, therefore maybe I'll be caught in jail.
I swiftly shifted my gaze to John, "I believe we must go, John. It's past ten o'clock. I didn't notice the time."
"Oh no, I completely forgot about it. We won't take long, bro. I had forgotten about the curfew."
He glanced at his wristwatch "Yes, you are right. Anyway, thanks a lot, as well as you, Julia. Take care, you two!" we nodded and walked away.
We were only walking because the area was so quiet, with no cars in view.
To my mother, I am truly dead. She gets irritated when I don't follow her rules.
We were still walking into Camella Homes, and she was still a long way away.
It was around eleven o'clock when we arrived, and I was convinced I'd be dead by then, "By the way, I am so sorry for what I said earlier. I'm sure what I said offended you. It's all in fun about your basketball skills."
"It's all good now. I know that you're joking, but that's not the reason."
"What was that about?" I asked, wondering.
"Do you remember asking if I had a girlfriend?" Then I nodded, and I realized what's been happening.
"You should go in, Lia," he said with a smile, "They could be on the lookout for you."
"Definitely," I said with a smile. "By the way, I liked the new nickname. It's very unique."
I was ready to walk into the house when he called out, "Tomorrow at four o'clock at the coffee shop?" he asked.
"It's all good. We'll meet again tomorrow," I smiled at him, and he returned my smile.
"Okay, I'll see you soon. Good night, Lia."
Then he walked away, and I walked into the house.
It was pitch black inside when I came in. In the pitch blackness, I could barely see. They've already fallen asleep.
I was going to go upstairs when someone came out from the kitchen.
It was Mom, and I could tell she was angry once more "Julia Elaine Avery! Do you have any idea what time it is?! I said you had to be home by ten o'clock!"
I approached her after she yelled, and she was outraged.
"I am sorry for the delay. We were walking home without a tricycle because I didn't realize the time. We had a good time talking with my new friends."
Mom's brow was furrowed. This time, I'm not sure what her problem is. I've already expressed my regret, "Did you forget our rules before we moved here?" she wondered aloud.
"No, mom. First and foremost, studies must be the top priority. Second, no boyfriend. Third, be at home at eight o'clock on weekdays and ten o'clock on weekends. Fourth, I'll assist you in looking after Shan and -"
"What specifically did you just say? Assisting me in looking after Shan?" Mom inquired, surprised, and moved closer to me.
"Yes, because I'm still studying," I said softly.
"Helping me? Studying? Isn't your job to take care of that?" I was seized by fear, "Have you forgotten who came up to me and cried when she found out she was pregnant? Don't you remember that you made a mistake? And now you're entrusting me with your child's care?"
I turned pale and was in pain at the same moment, "Is Shan a mistake for you, Mom? Is that it? Wow, this is incredible. You're going to say he's just a mistake when he is your grandson?!" I screamed and sprinted to my room.
My eyes gleamed up with tears. This isn't the first time Mom and I have gotten involved in an argument. It just keeps happening, and she constantly blames me!
But I believe she is right, although not exactly right. Shan is never a mistake, but I am.
I am a seventeen-year-old girl who becomes pregnant after a relationship with a reckless guy. As a result, I should accept that I made a bad decision!
I'm well known that I've made terrible decisions and choices in my life, but I regret everything which happen when my despised ex-boyfriend abandoned me to his desires.
Shan also awoke who is also crying. He seems to have the same emotions as her mother.
"Shhh, baby. Mommy is here," I said as I grasped him. I smiled and kissed his forehead as he fell silent and giggled.
"Baby, I love you. Thanks for making me happy."
As I just opened my eyes, I glanced at the clock on my wall. It dawned on me that it was nearly seven a.m. I got out of bed and checked in the mirror, to see that my eyes already were puffy from crying, and I went back up to Shan's crib, where my baby still was sleeping.
I took a seat and pondered out over last night. I just can't get over it and realizing that this is my fate is still hard.
Shan is, without a doubt, a mistake. In short, I am a total failure, but I have to prove to myself and my family what I am capable of. I have to show them that I am still valued.
I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep. I just woke up that it was already morning so I quickly left my bedroom and called out to my parents, but they did not respond. I'm curious about why the house is so calm.
I spotted a sticky note on our refrigerator as I headed to the kitchen. I pulled it off the shelf and started reading.
Julia,
Your mother and I are out of town. We'll recover to take up the remaining things, and we'll come back on Sunday. Just be careful with my grandson, and be careful with yourself.
Love,
Daddy
That explains why it has been peaceful because they're out of town, I'm glad that my mother isn't home right now. My life is free of obstacles, however, I still hope that Mom and I will get along someday.
John's POV
"Last night, you were holding her hands! What does that mean?!"
Derek called first thing in the morning and kept asking questions. I told him she was a new neighbor who had become a friend, but he refused to believe me.
"I was completely unaware that I had touched her hand. I seized her as soon as I could."
"Come on, bro! You can't deny it! How can you be certain that you do not have feelings for her? Do you think she's unattractive?"
I was taken aback by silence, "To be honest, she is attractive, but please, bro. Let's just leave it that way. Lia and I are just friends, there is nothing more for Pete's sake. I barely met her the other day, and she's really sweet. It's against the laws to get close to her?"
"You're too obvious, bro! Do you now have pet names? Lia, it's so tacky. What does she call you? Marco?" He chuckled but was immediately kept silent when he thought his joke was just too corny, "To be honest, I thought you two were a perfect match the first time I saw you two, but there is an issue. Maybe you will slowly fall in love with Julia, even though everybody else knows how much you loved Kate and that you may have moved on. I'm just concerned because I don't want to see the day you guys are indeed unhappy."
I was entirely silent in that room. I've thought about it a lot recently. Is it possible that I've been having feelings for our new neighbor, whom I just met last night?
I looked out the window and peered out at their home, which was as quiet like nobody is home.
"Hey, dude? Are you still there?" As I was still on the phone talking to Derek, I came back down to reality, "You've lost your minds once again, and - Oh no! My customers!"
"Cut down the gossip. Anyway, Lia and I have plans for later. We're going to have a da — I mean, we're going to be meeting there," I stated.
Even if we're not planning a date, I almost told him we were. I'm not certain what I've been thinking.
"Okay. I'm going to —" I didn't finish him and hung up on him right away.
My phone suddenly vibrated, indicating that someone had texted me, and I read carefully:
Derek
I hate you, bro! I was just about to say something when you abruptly hung up! Anyway, bro, I'll see you later! Have fun on your date!
I'm not sure why, but while reading his text, I find myself beaming.
Julia's POV
As I headed to John's place, I was pushing Shan in the strollers. Uncle Jonathan opened up the door for me when I rang the doorbell. He was eating as he was still munching the food.
He looked surprised as if he hadn't expected me to show up, "What are you doing here, exactly? Are you looking for—"
"I'm here!" I heard John exclaim and saw him dash down the steps, "Dad, Julia and I will be going out. I'll handle the rest."
Uncle Jonathan laughed up lol and nodded his head, "That's all right. Be careful and I shall continue eating," when Uncle Jonathan walked away in front of us, John and I both chuckled.
"I thought we'd meet in the cafe?" We left his house, and he spotted Shan's carriage, so I could see he was delighted, "Aww. You brought Shan with you."
"Since we live next door and heading in the same direction, I thought we'd go together, and also, I'm hoping it's okay if I take Shan with me? My parents traveled to Davao to get the rest of our things."
"It's all right, Lia! He's so adorable! Hey, you look a lot like him, but he doesn't manage to have your parents' features, only yours," he was staring at Shan's face and playing at the same time.
Shan inherited some of my features, although he looks very much like his father.
"Yeah. Let's go, shall we?" I requested him to help me get rid of the awkwardness I'm having.
He nodded, and we kept on walking till he remarked, "Shan and Faith are perfect when they grow up. Look, they'll be a couple in approximately twenty years, and then they'll prove that there is such a thing called forever in the world. I will take the lead in establishing a fan page for the Anderson-Avery love team!" I nudged him with a laugh.
"You're completely insane. What if they have feelings for someone? After all, there is no such thing as forever in this world. Everyone splits up."
His smile vanished from his lips, and he just murmured, "Yes, you are right. Since nothing lasts forever, we'll head into Hugot Coffee Shop."
We arrived at Hugot Cafe in a flash, and Derek greeted us with, "Welcome -"
"Yeah, yeah of course! Mind telling Uncle Roman to hire new staff," John interrupted, and Derek chuckled. " You're too boring to cope with. Please, there's no longer any interest."
Derek's smile faded and he frowned at John, "You persisted to abuse me — Oh, a baby!" Derek was taken aback and motioned to Shan, who had a cute expression.
"Please allow me to introduce my Baby Brother. Shan Ralph Avery is his name."
He was stunned but delighted, and he got Shan, "I had no idea you had a brother. You didn't say whether or not you have a brother."
"I forgot, but you already met him. My parents aren't at home, so I just took him with me."
"For your information, Shan is taken," John added, "to Faith Anderson." Derek and I exchanged a chuckle.
"You're insane," I said, poking him, and he responded, but I knew it was all in good fun. I grinned and locked eyes with him, and he did the same. I'm starting to feel the sparks again.
"All right, sit there and Shan will be with me," Derek as he immediately drew our attention. Last night, we nodded and sat in our chairs.