Twenty Six: Narrated By Lucas

My name is Lucas and I've lived in Nova Friburgo for as long as I can remember. I'm the kind of boy that every girl dreams of, but not everyone can have. I've been known at school for picking up all the girls in my class, but I'd never reached the limit until I met Milena. She attracted my attention as soon as I saw her for the first time, but she played hard to get and so I dropped everything and fought to be with her.

She was my first time and I was hers. I was only thirteen and she was twelve. We had a beautiful relationship and despite the teasing, we stayed together until I entered high school. But everything changed, because our relationship became strange, I no longer felt anything when I saw her with me and she didn't seem to care what I thought.

My relationship was in crisis and that's when I met Marina. A sweet, beautiful girl. I met her through my cousin at school, but something about her attracted my attention. I wanted to get to know her better, to be her friend, but Milena was always very jealous and wouldn't let that happen.

Marina and I started to get closer, my cousin threatening to tell her about me and me always telling him not to meddle where he doesn't belong. I tried several times to end my relationship, but it always resulted in fights and words that were never kept.

When I started dating Marina, I had already broken up with Milena, but she was always on my case saying that she needed me and that she had to tell me something very serious.

Just when I thought everything would be all right, I was in the store working and suddenly a being appeared in front of me and handed me an envelope. I looked at it as if I didn't understand anything and said:

-What is this and what are you doing here?

-Open it and you'll see. Be more affectionate with me Luke, after all I know you'll come back to me one day.

-Poor you if you think I'm going to...-I open the envelope and it turns as white as paper. I read and re-read it several times, but the date coincides with our relationship. She's five months pregnant-How can I be sure this is true?

-If you doubt it so much, I'll go with you to the doctor and I'll redo the test-she says harshly, but at the same time she seems hurt by my doubt. I feel a little sorry for her and I'm even more nervous if it's true.

-No need. Just give me a few minutes, I need to breathe. It feels like the place has suddenly become stuffy.

I feel like I'm watching the place spin around me. I have to calm down and think of a solution. The child may not be mine or she may be lying, but I suspect my ideas are wrong and I say so:

-What are we going to do?

-What do you mean, what are we going to do? We did it and now we'll have to bear the consequences. I'm not going to raise you alone. Either you come back to me or I'll tell your little girlfriend that you're now a father. She won't like knowing that. I wouldn't like it if I were her.

-Don't get her involved in these matters, Milena. I'll sort it out myself.

-As you wish. Just don't try to trick me, otherwise you'll be the one who gets hurt.

I have to find a solution. I leave work alone and think about sending a message to Marina, asking her to meet me, but I give up on the idea straight away.

After a while I see something that destroys me inside: she sees me holding a baby with Milena. That wasn't my son, but her nephew, because they'd asked to take him for a walk. I'd rather she thought that so she'd forget me for good. I don't want her to suffer any more than she has to.

How I wanted to be close to her. I've wanted to keep in touch, but my cousin wouldn't let me and threatened me, saying he'd tell Milena and knowing her, he'd get into trouble, so I kept quiet. I heard she's dating a boy she once told me she loved. I know I have to forget her, but I love her. I love her so much that it hurts. Maybe life will give me a second chance and I can go back to her?

I already know what to do to win her back and no one will stop me, because I'll do anything to have her in my arms again.