I'm Raising My Bestfriend's Child

The Truth

When morning came, it came quickly. It was soon followed by work, then more work, and last but not least, sleep.
I lazily walked into work, made my way slowly to the break room, and slumped down in a chair. I needed sleep, and fast. But as usual, there was no time. Lui walked in and sat down beside me, a coffee in his hand.
"Are you okay? You seem a little down..."
"Mnm.." I wiped my hand down my face to wake myself up a little more, "Yeah, I'm all good" I looked at his coffee, If I'm quick enough...
I snatched the coffee out of his hand and began drinking it," Elena! My coffee!!"
The hot, caffeine-filled liquid hit the back of my throat. "Sorry, do you still want it?"
"He should. Being that he didn't mind his mouth being on yours. He shouldn't have a problem with your lips touching his cup." Trisha said smirking.
I gagged on the coffee.
"How do you know?"
Her smirk widened, "I saw the two of you while coming from my break."
Lui and I looked at each other in shock. Trisha giggled and exited the room.
"...She's gonna tell everyone."
"Yup...Why don't you want people to know?"
My silence made the situation even more tense.
"I understand." Lui got up and walked off.
•••••••••••
I don't like this, the anger, the shame, the sadness. I can't handle it anymore...Why is my life like this? What did I do to deserve this?
••••••••••

Lui and I were working in almost complete silence. "Lui, listen I-" "Save it." He said, his response cold and sharp, "You don't want people to know you...shouldn't have to explain that to me." I watched his head drop. "Well, why do you want people to know?" I say taking a few steps towards him. "Would it be such a horrible thing if people thought we were an item? Not just two people that...that hang out all the time...Not just two people who know so much about each other that it's insane...The people at the daycare already think that. They think I'm Aiden's father...It won't be long until he thinks the same thing." He looks at me, tears in his eyes, his face flushed. " You know...People say you can't love anyone, unless you love yourself...I don't believe that. I've never loved myself but you...I love you so much I forgot how much I hate me."

"Lui I had no idea you... felt that way." Aiden wobbled in, "Why're you crying?" He looked up at Lui. He sniffed and wiped his nose, "No reason, buddy." He forced a smile. "Aiden, baby, what do you need?" Aiden spun around to me, "I'm bored. Can I go back to daycare?" Lui and I both were shocked, Lui cleared his throat, "I'll take him, you get caught up on orders." I nodded.

Aiden and Lui put on their jackets and walked out to Lui's blue, shinny car. I sighed and sat down on the counter. I heard footsteps, I looked over my shoulder.

"I'm here to pick up a box of cupcakes, i-is this the right place?" It was a man. He was tall and broad, his hair was sleek and looked like cotton candy. Realizing I was daydreaming, I hopped down, "Um...Y-yes. Cupcakes, huh?...You're Donovan, right?"

He smiled, "Yes." I blushed and looked away at the box. His hair...it was...blue! Odd. He ran his hand through it, no tangles. "That'll be 10 dollars, please." He swished his hair to the side and opened the box, he took out one of the cupcakes and bit into it, making the chocolate icing smear on the corners of his mouth, "Mmm...These are great! Just 10 dollars?!" I couldn't help but laugh, "Yep, just 10, and thanks." He looked at me and grinned, "You're wondering about my hair, aren't you?"

"No!"

"Yes you are I can see you staring at it!" He laughed and leaned across the counter, "I'll tell you. It's my little sisters birthday, and her favorite color is blue." The icing remained on his face as he spoke. "That's sweet, how old is she?" I handed him a napkin.

"She's five." He looked at his watch, "I need to get going, hey-can I have your phone number? Or y'know, your name?" When he smiles, it's like being hit by a semi truck. "Oh, right. I'm Elena." I write my number on his receipt, and give it to him. "Thanks, I'll give you a call." One last smile and he leaves. Trisha bops over, "Wait...What about you and ol' Lui?" I roll my eyes and turn away from her to start my next order. "I'm not dating that guy, we just met. And I don't want to date him, anyway." I little bit of a lie, but what's a girl to do? "Well, either way, I don't want my brother to date you." I turn around, in disbelief, "Wh-what?" I watch her fake- lip smirk appear. "Don't you know? He's my older brother! We're only three years apart." Trisha is a bomb-shell 25-year-old, (even though she's had more surgeries than the Kardashian family) with more attitude and sass than a teenager. And for her to be ken to someone who is so nice and polite is the biggest surprise I've ever heard. "Oh, that's...interesting." I tried to make it out like it didn't effect me. She walks off and leaves, her little sister's birthday I suppose.

I wasn't falling for this man, I don't even know him! It's just nice to meet new people. I thought about what Lui had said, he sounded like he was love struck. I had given him advice with his failed relationships, but I had never seen myself as one of those possible relationships. I ask myself, do I want the same thing he does? To be...more than two people? The answer was complicated. It wasn't yes or now...

The phone rang, "Hello?" The lady on the other end sounded older. Around 40 or 50, it was a familiar voice, she was a regular. I wrote down her order as I watched Lui walk in. "Alright, thanks for picking me again, Mrs. Dianna." I hung up.

"Hi..." Lui said, tying his apron. His green eyes stared down at the floor, but his focus was on me. He was like a kid I just wanted to hug him until he felt better.

"Lui," I walk to him, he takes a few steps forward, to meet me. "Is what you said true?"

His head lifts up, and his eyes meet mine, they're intense. "Why would I lie to you?"

He grabs me and hugs me tight, "I love you," He whispers. I can feel his face getting blood red, and the hot tears running down his cheeks.