Chapter 1: Just the beginning*

When nothing ever goes right; you'll never have anything to lose.

“Just forget it!” Daniel yelled walking outside. Ever since his mom and dad got back together, things have been getting harder. With all the fighting between him and his mom, and his dad always taking his moms side; he just needed to get out of the house.

“Hey Daniel! What's up?” Luis asked from his porch, next to Daniel's house.

“Have you seen Nora?” Daniel asked looking around the culdesac.

If Luis told Daniel that Nora was in the room with Brandon, his best friend, he'd freak. Daniel had enough on his plate. He didn't have to know about Brandon and Nora's secret love affair too.

“I don't know man, but I think my mom's calling me.” Luis got up, knocking over the chair and ran into his and Brandon's room.

“Get up!” Luis yelled taking off his shoe and throwing it at Brandon's bed.

“What the fuck is your problem!?” Brandon asked sitting up.

“Nora, you gotta leave. Daniel's looking for you.” Luis said as Brandon rolled out of bed. He grabbed her clothes, pushed them toward her and dragged her to the bathroom.

“You didn't say anything, did you?” He asked looking at Luis.

“No! But I should have. They still go out, you know! She's your best friends girlfriend and you're fucking her. You, Brandon, should win the 'Best friend of the year' award!”

“Why are you so upset? You slept with Jaydan when she was with Jacob.”

“She was pretending to be with him. There's a difference. Daniel and Nora ain't pretending to go out, Bro. They really do out out.”

“What's your problem? Since when do you care who I sleep with?” Brandon asked as Nora slipped out the front door.

Normally, Luis didn't get into Brandon's sex life, since he didn't like when Brandon got in his. They were twins, they shared a room and a love for chicken. Other than that there was nothing else they shared.

Brandon was the praised child, the one their mom liked to show off. But if she knew about this, man she'd flip. Daniel was like a 3^rd son to her.

“What do you want me to do Luis? Tell Daniel I'm sleeping with his girl?”

“The only girl Daniels ever loved!” Luis added.

“Fuck off. You did me a solid by letting me know he was looking for Nora, but stay outta my life.” Brandon said grabbing shorts and a towel, before he walked into the bathroom and slammed the door.

Luis took a deep breath before walking out into the kitchen. There was a note on the table next to a bowl of chicken. 10 am and all he wanted was his chicken. It was his way of dealing with losing his dad.

8 years ago, when he and Brandon were only 8, their mom and dad were together. Everything was fine, or so it seemed. They never fought, they always had smiles, and they even invited family over. And that's saying something, given the way CeeCee hated 2 out of 3 of her sisters.

Every family has their hidden secrets, and the break up with CeeCee and their dad, was definitely one of them.

At first, him moving out was weird. Their dad would always wake up on Saturday morning and make them Micky Mouse shaped pancakes with bacon, as their mom danced around the kitchen. She was happy with him, really happy.

But now she's out all the time and barely looks at the twins. They're just a constant reminder of their dad. Luis more so, she'd always say that they were so much alike. CeeCee's barely home and when she is, she's sitting in her room.

Luis sat down at the table and pulled the bowl closer to him. There was nothing better to do other then sit back and watch his life fall to pieces in front of him. There was a loud vibrating sound and Luis looked down at his phone. Jaydan was calling.

“Hello?” he said answering the phone with a mouth filled with chicken.

“Hey, what chu doing?” She asked in a flirtatious voice.

“Eating, you?”

“Bored, Adriana won't let me do her hair.” Jaydan said, talking about her older sister.

“How could you, you'd get lost in all of it.”

“Funny.” She laughed, her cute little laugh that made Luis smile. “Can I come over?”

“Of course.” Luis said getting up and putting the chicken into the microwave.

“Kay, come open the door.” He walked down the hall, opened the door and hung up the phone.

“Were you standing here the whole time?”

“Yeah.” she said smiling and standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek as he quickly blushed.

“WHERE IS HE!?” Daniel yelled pushing Luis and Jay out of the way and walking down the hall.

“Who?” Luis asked following him quickly.

“That backstabbing best friend I have!”

“Shower. What happened?”

“Do NOT play stupid with me Luis. You know that Nora was here last night! You knew that they were hooking up behind my back and you did shit! You are shit Luis! You're just like your fucking brother.” Daniel said, his words stinging.

“I told Brandon to stop! I told him that he shouldn't be doing this! And the only fucking reason I didn't tell you was cause you were dealing with your mom and dad! I was looking out for you Daniel! Not everyone in this culdesac is against you!” Luis shot back.

“If you really aren't against me you would have told me!”

“I'm not your best friend! He should have been the one to tell you! It ain't my job to let you know who's fucking who Daniel!”

“Fuck you Luis! Now I know why your dad left! He didn't want to have to be blamed for 2 fuck ups!”

“And what's your excuse Daniel? Your moms with your dad, and you're still a fuck up. You have everything handed to you on a silver fucking platter and you still manage to make people feel bad for you. You make everyone scared to hurt your feelings cause you're like a girl. If we say the wrong thing, you'll explode, and we'll be stuck picking up the pieces. Wake the fuck up Daniel! We just put up with you. None of us really care about you. Not even Nora, that's why she cheated on you.” Luis said as Jacob and Nora walked in.

“You don't know shit Luis. You're just a follower! You know nothing about Daniel, and you know nothing about him and I's relationship!” Nora said walking over to Daniel. She looked at him and put her hand on his arm.

“Don't fucking touch me.” he whispered. “I want nothing to do with you, you dirty skank. Go fuck Brandon, we all know you will anyways. I don't need you. I don't need any of you.” Daniel yelled about to walk away.

“So you're just gonna leave? Sounds a lot like your family Daniel. When things get tough they leave. That's why your dad originally left, right? You were too much, and Ronny wasn't his kid. He left cause he didn't know how to deal with his problems.” Luis said.

“Maybe you should worry a little less about my family, and more about your own. Has CeeCee spoke to you today? This week? This month even? Oh that’s right, she HATES you! You're a constant reminder that she fucked up. She never wanted you. Or Brandon. But your sorry grandmother made her keep you. And now even Abuela hates you.” Daniel said spitefully.

“Fuck you! My mom doesn't hate me! And neither does Abuela!” Luis said, on the verge of tears.

“Keep telling yourself that, and maybe one day it'll be true.” Daniel said pushing people to the sides as he walked outside.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Jacob whispered to Jaydan.

“I guess Nora's fucking Brandon, while still dating Daniel. And you know him, he has to have the last spiteful word.” Jaydan said rapping her arms around Luis.

“Lu, did mom leave-” Brandon said walking into the kitchen with a towel rapped around his waist. “What's everyone doing in my kitchen?”

“Witnessing World War 3.” Jacob said leaving.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Brandon asked looking as Nora as silent tears rolled down her face. “What's wrong?”

“I'm done Brandon. You said he wouldn't find out, but he did and now he hates me. Thanks!” Nora said running home.

Right before Brandon turned to walk back into his room, Michael, their cousin, came running into their kitchen. “Abuela's back from Mexico.” He said as Luis and Brandon's jaws dropped.

It might be summer but all Anthony could think of was all the work he had to do for school in September. There were only 2 years left until he was off to college. 2 more years stuck in this small town, where everyone knew everyone and everyone was always involved in your business. He couldn't stand it. The only way out was college, it was his only escape.

The only problem with college was his GPA. It sucked. Well, it didn't really suck, but he definitely slacked 10^th grade. It was the best in his family, although there wasn't much competition when your cousins are Brandon, Luis, Michael and Jeremy.

He couldn't help but still feel like he wasn't good enough. Even with a 3.7, his mother still wasn’t happy. She still said he could do better. Would still yell at him, call him a piece of shit, and say Daniel could do better- when in fact, everyone knew Daniel couldn't.

He'd bring home an A, and all Shay would say is: “It should have been an A plus.” Then she'd grab her beer and cigarettes and walk away.

No matter what he did, he was never good enough for her. In her eyes, Anthony was a disappointment.

“ANTHONY!” Michael yelled as he, Luis and Brandon barged into their cousins house.

“Yeah?” he called from up in his room.

They raced upstairs, the first one in would break the news. The winner was, Luis. “Abuela's coming home!” he spat out, with no air left.

“WHAT!?” Anthony said, not believing what his cousin had just said.

“She called my mom from the airport. She's back.” Michael said sitting on Anthony's bed.

“I thought she moved to Mexico.”

“Negative. That's just what she wanted us to believe. Get our guards down and then, BAM! Come back and ruin our lives again, with her tiny self.” Michael said as Luis finally caught his breath.

“You needa lay off the chicken.” Anthony said looking at Luis

“Shut up! What are you doing anyways?” he asked noticing Anthony sitting at his computer with a word document open.

“Working on my college letters.”

“You're only going into the 11^th grade. Don't you send those in when you're in 12^th grade?” Michael asked.

“If I finish early, I'll be able to send them in early and then I can hear back early and make my decision on where I'll accept early.” Anthony stated as the guys laughed. “I really don't know how we're related!” he said, noticing that they weren't interested in college talk. “Are you guys even planing on going to college?”

“Yes.” Michael said, sounding as though he was offended by the question.

“Yeah.” Brandon said, as all eyes turned to Luis.

“What? You act as though you're surprised. I'm not the college type. I'm not the school type at all. I have other things planed anyways.” Luis said looking away from his cousins.

“What's that supposed to mean, Bro?” Brandon asked.

“So now you want to be involved in my life. Fuck you Brandon, fuck you!” Luis said getting up and leaving, quicker then he arrived.

“What was that all about?” Anthony asked, although he knew Brandon and Michael were just as confused.

“I just need to see you.” Luis said on the phone with Jaydan once he got home.

“I thought you were going to make some sort of plan thing with your cousins.” she said. Luis could tell from the sound of her voice that she was still mad at him for leaving her when he went to Anthony's house.

“I'm sorry Jay. I didn't mean to leave you. It was just something I had to do.”

“When are you going to tell them?” she asked after a long pause.

“You haven't told Juanita.”

“I'm gonna tell her tonight, after dinner.”

“Then I'll tell my mom today too.”

“Are you sure you're ready for this?”

“I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Babe.” Luis said with a slight smile on his face. The more he talked to Jaydan, the more he realized that what he was doing would be the right choice. He loved her, he really did. She made him happy, and to be honest, it took a lot to make him smile these days. “So are you gonna come over, or...?”

“I'll be right there.” She said hanging up.

Luis might only be 16, but he was the only guy who really knew what he wanted. School wasn't for him. Work wasn't for him. So what else was there for him to do besides-

His thoughts were lost when he heard the doorbell ring. He quickly got up and ran to the door, opening it quickly to see Jaydan. “Hey.” she said smiling.

“Hey.” He smiled back, taking her hand. Together they walked down the hallway and into his bedroom. When they first started going out it was all just a hook up. She was doing him to get her mom mad, and he was doing her because he couldn't get her cousin, Melody. But once they started, they couldn't stop.

The sex was good, and at first that's all Luis cared about. But then, they slowed down and actually got to know each other. They got to talking and went on their first date. And honestly, it was one of the best nights of both of their lives.

No one else believed that they could be going out, that their relationship consisted of anything more then just sex. Because that's the type of person Luis always was. It had been that way for years. He was the type to hit it, and leave. But...something changed inside of him and all he wanted was her. He didn't care when he got into her, all he cared about was being with her.

“Wanna watch a movie?” he asked as they got into his bed.

“Sure.” she replied handing him the controller. As they were looking for a movie to watch, Brandon came in.

“What the fuck was that all about?” he asked, not caring that Jaydan was in the room.

“What was what?” Luis asked, not looking away from the tv.

“What else do you have planned? Mom wants us to go to college.”

“Who gives a flying fuck what she wants?! She doesn't care about us! She just wants us to go to college to get rid of us! Don't you see it Brandon, she hates us!” Luis said looking at his brother, not noticing CeeCee standing in the doorway.

“No. She cares.”

“No she doesn't. When was the last time she asked you how was your day? Or the last time we sat down and had a family dinner? Daniel was right, she doesn't want us, that’s the ONLY reason she wants us to go to college. But fuck her, I'm not going. I'm gonna stay here and raise my baby with Jaydan.” Luis said as Jaydan gasped, she was the only one who knew that CeeCee was standing there. “What?” he asked, as she pointed to the door way.

“We have a family dinner at your aunts house tonight. At 6. Be there, and don't mention the baby .” CeeCee said, turning and walking away. She showed no emotion on how she felt about the baby, none at all. That's what worried Brandon, Luis and Jaydan most.

This should be fun. Luis thought as he stood in the doorway to his Aunt Shanaynay's house. CeeCee rang the doorbell and the 3 of them stood there, waiting for someone to get the door.

“Michael, get the door.” Abuela said in her thick, Mexican accent.

“But you're right there!”

“I'm old, get the door.”

“I love how you can call you old, but if I do it, I get hit in the back of the head with the broom.” Michael said getting up to get the door. “Hey Aunty CeeCee.” Michael said in his kiss-up ways. It's what always helped him get on the good side with the older women in the family, and the bad side of his cousins. Although with Michael being their favorite, they'd never noticed the others mistakes.

“Hi Sweetie.” She said walking by him and over to her sisters. Shay and Anthony were already here, they were just waiting for the oldest of the Cruz sisters, Shanequa, and her son Jeremy.

“Aunty CeeCee!” Dominic, Michael's little brother, yelled running over to his aunt.

“Dork.” Michael whispered as he, Luis and Brandon walked into Michael's room, away from the family.

“Could this get any worst?” Michael asked as he shut the door and everyone looked at Anthony.

“Michael told me.” Anthony responded, looking at Luis.

“This is why the family doesn't tell you shit!” Luis said, looking at Brandon. He knew that Brandon was the one who told Michael, he just wondered who else knew.

“Are you going to tell Abuela?” Michael asked.

“HELL NO!” Luis yelled.

“Tell Abuela what?” Jeremy asked as he walked in.

“That Luis is having a baby.” Michael said, covering him mouth when he was done, due to the look Luis was giving him. “Sorry.” He said looking away.

“With who?” Jeremy asked looking around the room.

“My girlfriend!” Luis yelled.

“Well it is you we're talking about, so you never know.” Jeremy said as the other boys laughed.

“Not funny!” Luis said rolling his eyes. He hated that his family didn't believe that he could stay in a stable relationship. That he could be with one girl and just that one girl. But Luis knew he could. He knew that all he wanted was Jaydan, and he was going to do anything to keep her, even if that meant telling his family about their baby.

“You know that if Abuela finds out from someone else that you're having a baby, she's gonna kill you.” Jeremy mentioned.

“And since you knew, she'll kill you too Michael.” Brandon said laughing.

“WHAT?” Michael asked confused.

“You're her favorite, so she expects no secrets from you...and this baby would be a secret.” Brandon had an evil smirk on his face.

“BOYS! DINNER!” Shanaynay yelled as she and the girls sat at the table.

“What are we gonna do?' Jeremy asked as there was a squeak outside Michael's door.

“Nothing. When the time is right, I'll tell her.” Luis said as they all walked to the dinner table.

“So, boys, whats new?” Abuela asked as sweat started to drip down Michael's forehead.

“You're what!?” Juanita yelled, as Jaydan stood in the doorway of Juanita's bedroom.

“Pregnant.” Jaydan mumbled again. She didn't want to say it the first time, and the second time wasn't any better. Being the youngest in a family of 6 girls, no boys and a niece currently living with them, it was hard for Jaydan to get to talk to her mom alone. And this was certainly not the reason she'd like to be talking to her.

“How could you do this Jaydan?! How could you do this to you, to Luis....to me! I am too young to be a...a...grandmother!”

“Well maybe if you didn't spread your legs at 14 you wouldn't be in this mess! You know what they all say, 'Like mother, like daughter.' So if there is anyone to blame for this, it's you!” Jaydan said, hoping her words would sting.

Juanita quickly got out of bed and walked over to Jaydan. Before she knew what was going on, Jaydan felt a painful sting on her cheek. Where Juanita's hand met Jay's face. “How dare you blame me for your own fucked up mistakes. You're the slut that opens her legs to anything that has a dick. Fuck, I don't even know if they need a dick. You're just a little slut!” Juanita yelled, getting angry.

“I learned from the best!” Jaydan yelled as she ducked, knowing her mother would swing.

“Get the fuck out of my house! I never want to see you again! You're a little cunt!” Juanita yelled slamming the door in Jaydan's face.

Jaydan didn’t know what to do, where to go...she didn’t know anything. She quickly walked to her room and grabbed a bag. She put the things she thought she'd need in the bag and left the house without another word.

Taking out her phone, she let out a sigh. Luis was still over Michael's for dinner. Without another thought, she walked next door and rang the door bell.

“Hey.” Jacob said opening the door. Jay knew that if Luis knew that she went to Jacob for help, he'd be pissed. But she needed someone to help her, and Jacob was her best friend.

“I need to stay here.” she said pushing past him and walking down the hallway to his bedroom.

“What's wrong with your house?” Jacob asked following her.

“My mothers the biggest bitch in the world! That's whats wrong with my house.”

“What happened exactly?”

“I told her I was...” Jaydan stopped herself. She hadn't told Jacob that her and Luis would soon have a baby. “I'm pregnant Bestie.” She said smiling and looking at her stomach.

“WHAT! When, who, what?” Jacob asked unzippering Jaydan's sweater and seeing a little baby bump.

“A baby is growing inside of me, about 14 weeks ago, Luis, and again, it's a baby.” she said taking out her phone. She pressed a few buttons and then showed Jacob her ultrasound photo.

“Oh...My...God.” He said looking from the picture to her and back again. Jacob had know Jaydan for 10 years, since she was 5. and the idea of her having a baby was just crazy. “Who else knows?”

“My mom, and I told Luis. Soo..whoever he told.”

“Wow. I just can't believe it.” he said smiling at her.

“Me either.” Jaydan replied. She tried to cover her hurt with her happiness about sharing the news with Jacob. But really, the only ones she still had were him and Luis.

“Whats up with your face?” He asked after a moment of silence.

“Huh?”

“Your face. Its all red on this side.” Jacob said touching the left side of her face. Jaydan flinched due to the pain. He cheek was still stinging.

“It's nothing.”

“Who put their hands on you, babe?” Jacob asked looking into Jaydan's worried eyes.

“Well that went well.” CeeCee said as she and the boys walked back home.

“Mom, who are you trying to convince? That was the worst dinner I had to sit through. You could sliced the tension with a butter knife!” Brandon said opening the front door.

“It's called sarcasm, Brandon!”

“I didn't know, Mother!”

“Don't talk to me like that!” she said slapping Brandon upside the back of the head. She then turned her attention to Luis. “You will NOT tell anyone about that baby until it's born and it's proven to be yours.” CeeCee turned on her heels and started walking into her bedroom.

“What are you trying to say mom?” Luis ask, confused.

“I'm saying we all know about Jaydan. We allllllll know that you are not the only guy she's slept with. I just don't want you tied down before you know its yours.”

“She's having a baby mom! It's not an it! This is a growing baby! It's not a pair of concert tickets! And this is my baby!”

“You don't know that sweetie.”

“Do NOT sweetie me! Jaydan and I have been together for the past 6 months! She'd never cheat on me Ma! This is my baby!”

“I just want you to be sure before it's too late to back out. I know how you get attached.” And with that CeeCee shut her door, signaling the end of their argument.

“She's a bitch.” Luis said walking to the front door.

“We all know.” Brandon said walking toward their room.

“You're not gonna ask where I'm going?”

“Nope.”

“I'm stuck with a family filled with bitches!” Luis said walking out of the house and to Jaydan's house. He needed to see her. To know that she needed to see him too. Taking a deep breath Luis rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.

“Hello.” Melody, Jaydan's hot cousin, said as she opened the door in her tank top and booty shorts.

“Umm...is Jaydan here?” Luis asked trying not to look at her. Ever since he was younger, he'd always had a crush on Melody. But when he hooked up with Jaydan he ruined all chances of ever getting to be with Mel.

“Nope. Auntie Juanita kicked her out earlier. For having the baby. But you're more than welcome to come in and hang out with me.” She had a flirtatious look on her face. Luis knew exactly what she meant...but he didn't want to ruin anything that was going on with Jaydan...whatever was going on. He was never sure with them. “So...you coming?” she asked.

“Sure.” he said as she grabbed his hand and led him down the hallway to her bedroom. Once he was in, she shut and locked the door.

“Ummm...” Luis said as Melody turned the lights down. She walked over to him and pressed her lips against him. Luis could feel her body heat as they backed up to the bed. Her hands moved from his face, down to the bottom of his shirt.

She was moving fast. Removing his shirt in a single lift. Once it was off she tossed it across the room and gently pushed Luis onto the bed. He didn't know what was going on. All he knew was that he liked it. He liked when the women were in charge and that was one of the best things about the girls in the culdesac.

Melody threw her legs around him and started to take off his belt. Once it was off, she put him inside of her and for the rest of the night, he was hers...not Jaydan's.