✔ LITTLE MARA! ― (BRANDON ARREAGA)

twenty three

I walked through the airport with my yellow book bag hanging from my left shoulder. My eyes scanned over the message that my brother had sent me saying that he was already here. I slid my phone into my shorts pocket, glancing around to find my brother. I really hope Brandon didn't come along with him. He's the reason I came, but I'm just not ready to face him yet.

I made my way to the baggage claim and quickly retrieved my pink suitcase. I set my bag next to me and pulled the handle out so I could lean my arm against it as I searched for my brother once again.

"LILIANA." I turned around quickly at the sound of my name and seen my annoying brother that I loved dearly. He had his phone in one of his hands that were extended in the air as he walked through a crowd of girls. I couldn't help but laugh as he struggled to move through them due to his height. "It's not funny," he said, flicking my arm once he made it to me. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around me and we stood in front of baggage claim engulfed in each others arms.

"Alright get off of me, I don't like you that much." I said, pushing him away slightly. "He's not here is he?" I whispered so only he could hear me. He shook his head and glanced around so it wasn't obvious that we were trying to hide something.

"Come on, let's go." He said, leading me out the airport behind him. We loaded into a black suburban and Nick placed my bags in the back while I got in the passenger seat. "Rental swag." he said as he got into the driver seat.

"Its nice." I said as I put my seatbelt on. The closer we got to the house the tighter my throat seemed to get.

"You gonna tell him?" Nick asked as we stopped at a red light. I stared down at my stomach and nodded. "Good, and he told me what happened and he told me why. You should really listen to him." he said, pulling into the house.

I took a deep breath and unbuckled my seat belt, stepping out of the truck carefully. I made my way to the back and took my bag as Nick sat it down on the ground. I followed behind him to the front door. I remembered those days that I lived here. Everything was perfectly fine. If I could go back to the first day of Summer, I would in a heartbeat. I'd probably change a few things.

"He should still be here. We don't gotta go to Simon's till later." he said, knocking on the dark brown wooden door. "Hope he's here cause I don't got a key and they other boys never wanna answer the door for anybody." he said, chuckling slightly, obviously trying to ease the mood.

The door opened and there he stood. He stood in a pair of black sweats and white jovi shirt. His hair was a mess and his chocolate brown eyes never left mine. It felt as if we stood there staring at each other for hours until my brother interrupted us. "So, come in Lilly." he said, pushing brandon slightly so he would come out of his daze.

"No, we gotta talk. Come with me." Brandon said, his long fingers wrapped around my wrist as he dragged me behind him. I left my suitcase and followed behind him, turning around to my brother slightly to see that he had already started taking my stuff inside.

"Where are you even taking me?" I asked as he stopped at a path a few feet from the house. I ripped my wrist from his grip and he glanced back quickly at me. "What?" I questioned as he stared at me with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Nothing, I just thought you left." He said turning back to the trail. "Come on." He said, continuing to walk. We walked about 3 minutes in silence until we reached our stopping point. From our view, you could see the Hollywood sign.

"Alright 5 minutes." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

He took a deep breath and sighed, closing his eyes. "That girl, that was Charlotte. My ex girlfriend. I know you know the story behind us, and that we clearly didn't end on good terms. I never told you this because I didn't think it was important, but she's been calling back to back since we've broken up and even though i've moved on, she hasn't. When she asked who you were I knew she was putting two and two together. I didn't want her making up stuff about you or hurting you.."

"I can protect myself." I hissed at him.

"Everyone needs protection whether it be from themselves or someone else." he said, his gaze hard on me. "I love you, Lily. I did it because I love and care for you." he said, his stare softening as he let his shoulders slump.

"You don't understand how that made me feel. You could've at least sent me a signal to play along or something. That made me feel worthless. Like I was just the other mara or something." I said, my gaze falling to the ground.

"You're more than just the other mara to me, Lily. you're probably the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you so much it scares me sometimes. Lily, I haven't eaten or slept in 72 hours because I was worried about you." he said, his hands grabbed my shoulders. I let my head rise and my gaze fell onto his. "I love you Lily, so much. please forgive me." he whispered.

What am I doing? His explanation was really good and he did all of that because he was looking out for me. I nodded my head and was immediately engulfed into a hug. Now or never, Lily. Now or never. "I love you too." I whispered as he released me. He kissed my cheek and forehead, and my nose. "Alright, now I need to tell you something." I giggled as he let his hands fall into mine.

"Anything."

"Okay, well I'm just gonna flat out say it. I'm, uh. I'm pregnant." I said, not being able to look at him.