36 Matt Sanders

I stood outside. My right hand stretched passed the over hang of the roof. The cool rain drops exploded on my palm. We never got rain like this in California. I kinda missed it. Growing up with it your whole life will do that. I smiled.

Matt: its cool here. Like temperature.

Melly: I know.

Matt: does your dad always wake up at like five in the morning?

Melly: yes. He's used to getting up at four thirty to be at work at five thirty.

Matt: your mom says to come inside before you get sick.

I nodded and we went back inside. My sister had already left for school. Jenn had already gone with her family.

Mom: que estavas haciendo afuera? (What were you doing outside?)

Melly: catching rain.

Mom: catching rain?

Melly: yes with my hand.

Mom: did it work?

Melly: no.

Mom: next time use a cup.

Matt chuckled.

Melly: would it be alright if I took Sofi lunch?

Mom: si.

Dad: that would be a nice surprise. Pick her up a burger or something.

Melly: I'm going to get dressed.

I did quickly and went back to the kitchen.

Matt: my turn?

I nodded. He got up and walked away. It was weird to share a bed with him.

Dad: its funny to think you used to listen to his music and talk about the concerts, now he's in my house.

Melly: I still listen to his music.

Dad: I know I'm just saying...its funny how things work out.

Melly: it is. Mira yo y Matt...necesitamos habler con usteds de algo. (Me and Matt need to talk to you guys about something.)

My parents ingested the tone I had.

Dad: ok.

Melly: but not now...I need to talk to him first.

They both nodded.

Mom: cuando estan listos. (When you guys are ready.)

Melly: alright. can I borrow a car?

Dad: ofcourse.

I smiled. Matt came back out.

Matt: ready?

Melly: yes, I even got us a car. We'll be back in a bit. When do you think we should tell them?

Matt: whenever you're ready.

I took a deep breath.

Matt: what are we getting Sofi?

Melly: I'm not sure.

Matt: its going to be ok. My parents took it well. I'm sure yours will be the same.

Melly: hopefully.

We ended up getting her a Happy meal from McDonalds. I pulled up to the school and parked.

Matt: isn't it kind of early for lunch.

Melly: she has first lunch.

Matt: first lunch?

Melly: yes first lunch. There are two.

Matt: they get two lunches. Damn. Do we need to go to the office and like...

Melly: naw I'm just going to look for her.

We walked into the school and there was a flood of kids.

Matt: to think one day our kid is going to be roaming the halls of a high school.

Melly: let's get passed having it first sweetheart.

He looked so cute carrying a happy meal box and small soda. Kids looked at us unphased.

Matt: do you know where we're going?

Melly: its a high school how hard could it be...a ha! There's one of her friends. Yo Zoe!

A strawberry blonde girl saw me and came running up.

Zoe: Hi!

Her eyes wondered behind me.

Zoe: what the hell.

She looked back at me.

Melly: uhh...yeah. Matt.

He came up with a smile.

Melly: Matt meet Zoe one of Sofi's best friends.

Matt: hey Zoe.

She grinned widely and waved.

Zoe: I know you.

Melly: where's Sofi?

Zoe: student store.

Melly: where's that shit?

Zoe: down the hall.

Melly: thanks Zoe.

Zoe: nice to meet ya.

Matt: like wise. She's nice.

Melly: yeah. And one hell of a dancer.

He nodded. Some kids started to notice Matt. They would point in disbelief. I linked an arm with him and smiled.

Melly: looks like you've got some fans...

He looked behind us.

Matt: yeah.

Melly: shush listen.

Sofi: fine don't believe me, just wait till they pick me up. Just you wait!

Melly: found her.

We turned around a corner. She was slightly in some kids face.

Matt: he must be the kid obsessed with...

Melly: the shirt is a dead give away. Go up and ask for her.

Matt: but she's right there.

Melly: she's going to walk away. Look. Go now.

I gave him a little shove. I stuck by him. The kid was talking shit.

Kid: she's so full of it. She really expects me to believe M. Shadows is at her house?

Matt: hey do any of you know Sofi?

The kid looked up and his jaw just dropped. I squeezed Matts arm.

Kid: OH...MY...you-you-you-you.

Matt: do you or don't you?

The kid looked dumbfounded. Matt smirked.

Melly: oh there she is.

He looked to his left. Sofi caught sight of us. She quickly ran over.

Melly: hey Sofi.

Sofi: what?

Matt: we brought you food.

He handed her the Happy meal.

Sofi: hell yeah. Thanks Melly. Matt.

She emphasized his name.

Sofi: I just got one thing Jack. IN YOUR FACE SUCKA! I told you my sisters boyfriend is this loser! I told you!

Matt laughed a little.

Jack: I-I-I-

Sofi: I-I-I-

She mimicked.

Sofi: you you you are completely jealous and you know it.

Matt: man she sure does know how to let someone have it.

Melly: boy, she don't fuck around.

Sofi: so take that butthole! Now. Jack meet Melly my sister and her boyfriend M. Shadows, but I get to call him Matt.

She said with a bitchy smile. My little sister is too awesome sometimes. The kid just managed a wave. She turned back to us.

Sofi: are you guys still going to pick me up?

Matt: ofcourse.

Sofi: cool.

She looked back at the kid.

Sofi: I told you.

She made a face. We made our way back soon after a few pictures and signatures.

Matt: that was fun.

Melly: you made her day. Shit probley her week. She'll be throwing that in that kids face the rest of high school.

He smiled.

Melly: and probley any other Avenged fan she meets or knows.

I laughed. Getting home though brought other things to mind. I sat back in the seat after parking. Sighing as I rested my hand on my abdomen.

Matt: you ready to tell them?

Melly: better now then never. Its just us and them.

Matt: we can wait a little longer if you'd like...

Melly: no. I'd rather do it now.

He nodded.

Matt: don't worry it will be fine.

We went inside. My parents were watching some television.

Dad: how did Sofi like her surprise?

Melly: you know her.

They smiled knowing well. Me and Matt sat down.

Melly: so about needing to talk to you guys...

I looked at Matt.

Mom: is something wrong?

Dad: are you ok?

Melly: I'm fine...better. I think. Shit this is hard.

Mom: whatever it is.

Melly: I know.

My dad looked at Matt. I'm sure both him and my mom knew the possibilities of what we had to tell them. Its not hard to figure out. We sat in silence. I waited so I could think of something to say.

Melly: this isn't easy.

My dad was tense. I knew because his jaw was clenched. Preparing for whatever I was about to throw at him.

Mom: Melly whatever it is I'm sure we will understand.

Matt: it involves both of us.

Mom: oh shit...

Only my mom could ever make me smile at a moment like this. Now I knew only two things were on their minds. Marriage or baby.

Mom: how far along are you?

Dad: what?

Melly: wait.

Matt: how?

Mom: porfavor mija. Soy una a mama. Tu piensas que yo no voy a saber? (Please. I'm a mother. Do you think I wouldn't know?)

Melly: no.

Mom: look at you.

Dad: pregnant?

Matt sat silently.

Mom: I knew something. When you told us you were bringing Matt.

Dad: hold on.

Mom: either pregnant or getting married.

Melly: dad are you ok?

He looked white. Sure half my siblings were married and pretty much married. But none of them have kids. I'd be the first.

Melly: dad...

He didn't answer.

Melly: look I know it doesn't, its not exactly a pretty picture.

My mom didn't seem all that angry more relieved I wasn't ill or anything. My dad well. Sometimes he goes quiet with this type of news. Which sucks because you don't know if he's mad or not.

Mom: maybe you two should go out for a little bit.

I nodded.

Matt: that was scary.

Melly: fuck yes it was.

Matt: is your dad going to be ok?

Melly: we'll find out when we come back.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

Melly: my dad doesn't say much. He'll wish us the best and pretty much come to the conclusion of we're going to do what we're going to do.

Matt: that doesn't sound horrible.

Melly: I guess not...I've got to call Jenn.