The Girl Next Door

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

***Ten years ago***

I knock on the door of the house next door and Mama Reyes answers. "Marla, Mija, are you okay?" she asks concerned. "No Mama. I'm not." I tell her. I hold out the letter in my hand and ask "Can you give this to Angel and Zeek?" She takes the letter from me and says "Si. What's going on Mija?" she asks. "I have to go. I'm sorry Mama." I say as I turn and walk away. I get in my car and pull out of the driveway with tears in my eyes. She takes the letter into the house and hands it to Angel. "Marla just came by upset. Did something happen between you two?" she asks knowing that Angel and I were inseparable. "No Mama." Angel says. "She asked me to give this to you and Ezekial." she tells him as she hands him the letter. Sitting on the side of the bed, Angel and Zeek take the letters out of the envelope and start to read them.

Zeek,

Mano, I am so sorry to have to tell you goodbye this way but I can't face you or Angel. Something happened and I have to leave. I am so sorry. I can't look at myself in the mirror and I need to get my head right. I promise when I come back, I will explain everything. Just know you're my best friend and I love you like a brother. I will be back...someday. Please don't look for me or worry about me. I'll be fine.

Love you, Marla.

Angel,

I am so sorry that you have to find out this way but mi dulce, I love you more than anything but I can't be what you need anymore. I have to leave and won't be able to handle the disappointment in your eyes when I say goodbye. I am so sorry Angel. I love you more than anything and I always will. You will always have my heart mi amore.

Te amo, Marla

They look at each other and as soon as it hits them that I'm gone they bolt out the door and to my house to knock on the door. My mom answers the door and when they ask for me she says "She's gone. Packed her shit and left." before shutting the door in their faces.

***Present Day***

Finally getting settled into my new house in my old hometown, I decide to head out and see how much things have changed. Driving down the main strip, I see Papa Reyes sweeping up outside of his butcher shop. I park my car and see him walk inside. Taking a deep breath, I step inside the shop I haven't been inside of in ten years. The bell dings over the door and I see him turn around. "Marla?" he asks. "Hi Papa." I say. He puts his broom against the wall and pulls me into a hug and I didn't realize how much I missed home until now. Pulling back, he asks "Are you home?" I nod and say "I bought a house a couple of streets over from the old house." I tell him. "I'm sorry to hear about your mother Mija." he says. "We hadn't really spoken since I left." I tell him and he nods. All of a sudden the back door opens and I look up and see Zeek standing there looking at me like he's seen a ghost. "Hey Zeek." I get out before he has me pulled into a tight hug and tears fill my eyes. "What are you going here?" He asks as he pulls back slightly, still not letting me go fully. "Mama's gone so I moved back. Bought a house." I tell him. "You're back for good?" he asks and I nod my head yes. He pulls me into another hug. "Have you seen Angel yet?" he asks and that's when I see his kutte. "Mayans?" I ask. He turns around and says "Prospect." Turning back around he says "Angel is a patched member." I look at him shocked. He asked me again "Does Angel know you're back?" I shake my head no. "Not yet. How is he?" I ask. "Still looks for you when we go out." EZ says. "I bet his Old Lady loves that." I say. "You honestly think he's moved on from you?" EZ asks. I look at him and he says "He misses you." I shake my head and say "I'm not ready to see him yet." I say softly. "Mija..." Papa starts. "I just need a couple of days. Get myself together. I promise I'll explain everything to you three but just need a couple of days." I say and they both nod their heads. I give Papa and EZ my phone number and head back home. I walk into the house and sit on the couch. I pull out my photo album and look through the pictures and when I come across my favorite picture. It's of me and Angel sitting on the front steps of his house. His arm is around my shoulder and I am looking up at him and he's looking down at me and we are both smiling. We were about sixteen at the time. I feel the tears start to fall. How can I tell them why I left. Angel will never look at me the same again.