ANGEL

33 •

Valerie

I walk around the pharmacy looking for pregnancy tests. A guard watches me from afar. I look around & finally find the pregnancy tests. I grab 3 boxes & head towards the guard who's watching me.

"Do you want anything?" I ask & he stares at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Do you speak English?" I tilt my head & he shakes his head. I sigh & grab my phone going onto google translate. I should've taken Spanish classes in high school.

I show him my phone screen & he smiles. He shakes his head & I nod my head.

"Gracias señorita." He speaks & I smile. I walk to the candy aisle & grab a bag of Starburst & skittles. After, I head to the refrigerated drinks section & grab 2 bottles of Watermelon Arizona.

I offer the guard a water bottle & he kindly declined. I nod & shut the door. I head to the self check out area & pay for my things before leaving the pharmacy.

...

I enter the house & shut the door quietly behind me. I walk further into the house & I don't find Mateo on the couch, he must've went upstairs. I sigh & walk into the kitchen removing the drinks out of the bag & put them into the refrigerator.

I head upstairs into our bedroom & find Mateo siting up against the headboard typing away on his laptop.

"Hey baby." He smiles at me, not once taking his eyes off his screen & I gulp.

"Hey." I whisper.

"You okay?" He lifts his head & stares at me in question. I smile softly at him & nod my head. He raised an eyebrow & sets his computer aside.

His gaze shifts onto the bag in my hand & he furrows his eyebrows.

"What'd you get?"

"Skittles, starburst & the Arizona drink but I put it in the refrigerator." I whisper & he hums.

"What else is in the bag Angel?" He stands from the bed & approaches me, my breath hitches.

"Girl things." I lie. I hate lying to him but just the thought of seeing the disappointment in his eyes if the test is negative shatters my heart.

"Baby." He cups my face in his hands & stares deeply into my eyes.

"Pregnancy tests." I whisper & his eyes slightly widen, sadness flashed in his eyes for a split second before vanishing.

"You're pregnant?" He smiles.

"Uh I don't know. I've been feeling sick & I wanted to take them." I whisper. I look down at my feet avoiding his gaze.

"I'm here baby, go take them." He speaks softly & I nibble on my bottom lip. He hooked his finger under my chin & lifted my head.

"It's okay." He whispers & I smile. He takes the bag & hands me the boxes. I back away & head into the bathroom, he follows behind.

"I'll get you a water bottle." He speaks & I shake my head.

"No need I need to pee anyways." I shrug & he hold his finger.