Damn, what a mess I got myself into. What type of mess? Imagine this, you’re a 16-year-old teen boy, you’re not really good at paying attention when it comes to your classes, your grades are decent, but on the poor side, and you always need to stay in the school to finish up work you missed because you always came into school late. That’s me. But that’s not the mess I’m talking about. As of now, the reputation I have in my school is one of the most misleading reputations ever from the school body. I’m a collected type of person, I dress in my own way which some classmates label me as one of the “cool kids”, but I don’t hang out with those type of people. And there were rumors going around that I had… several “notches” under my belt, but that’s a lie; I have never done anything with any of the girls in the school, until now.

Here’s the mess I’m talking about. I go outside for one of my classes, in which us students have to practice Inochi—our custom in Oreads to manipulate the ground and soil around us—there’s this girl that transferred from another class. Viviana Caprine is her name. She’s a sweet girl from what I heard, never had any enemies nor were there any rumors about her. Several guys have asked her out, but she declined. I wouldn’t blame her, the guys she rejected were spoiled pricks that had many girlfriends and had reputations that were true. On this day, we had to partner up in two’s; Viviana partnered with me. And Alpha… she is so… beautiful. Long red hair, emerald eyes, and she was a fit looking girl. I can’t believe this. No girl has ever got to me before; I was actually blushing when she walked toward me.

“Hi.” She greets me.

“Hello…” I greet back.

“The teacher told me to partner with you. I’m Viviana.”

“I—I know. I heard about you. I’m Landon. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too. I’ve heard about you, also.”

“Oh. You have?”

We commence with our assignment, what we had to do was pick up a handful of soil, purify it, and make something grow out of it. I pick up a handful of soil.

“Yeah. Well, rumors.” She admits. “People say that you are friends with the popular kids. Hanging out with Richard, Terrence, and Lance and you’ve been with Arie, Katherine, and Corinna.”

“Those are all lies.” I retort. “I wouldn’t talk with those guys at all. And never have I been with those girls. Those types of people are always the ones to make rumors; especially those girls.”

I really hated how gossip spreads around like wildfire in this school. I don’t know why they targeted me. I’ve talked with them once or twice and… I guess all hell broke loose afterwards. I disagreed with them as well and I guess they wanted to make fun of me for it by telling other students dumbass rumors, which is so stupid on their part. As I was thinking about it further, it pissed me off so badly that the soil in my hand began to solidify. Viviana taps on my shoulder to get my attention on the soil. I was irritated.

“Dammit!” I growl angrily.

“What’s wrong, Landon?” Viviana asks me.

I looked at her; she was concerned. I then looked away from her, I was uncomfortable. Viviana continues looking at me and takes the soil I turned solid out of my hand and puts new soil in my hand. She then places her hand under my hand.

“Don’t think about what those jerks said. It ruins your Inochi.” Viviana speaks calmly. “Just focus on the soil, purify it, and grow what is within.”

I decided to focus on the soil. I close my eyes and clear my mind. I felt my hand begin to warm making me open my eyes and see a flower grow from the soil. The flower’s petals bloomed white with a purple trim. I was surprised at how beautiful the flower looked. I see Viviana look at me with a smile on her face.

“You see what happens when you focus?” She asks. “You can make something beautiful.”

“Well… with the help of you. Thank you.” I reply.

That smile on her face was very genuine and… beautiful. Alpha! She is such a beautiful girl.

*Six Months Later*

Well, I passed my sophomore year, and I would say thanks to the help of Viviana. I do not think I would have passed if it wasn’t for her. Two weeks after that, we decided to be in a relationship, and we’ve been together for six months. There were differences between us: she lived with her parents and lived easily in a nice-looking house while I lived in a boarding house with seven other boys and our guardians. In the beginning, her parents did not approve of me and still do not because of how I dress and my background. My father is incarcerated in Tanz, Elienta, and my mother didn’t have the money to take care of me, and that’s why I was sent to the boarding house when I was 7. I do not have contact with them at all. I have been in trouble a few times with some of the other boys to where I’ve been on probation and detention spanning from the age of 10 to 14. But when I stopped hanging with those boys and my attitude changed, I’ve been a chill guy and haven’t been in trouble for two years.

I told Viviana this when we were in our hideout since I wasn’t allowed at her parent’s house, and I didn’t want her around the boarding house. Also, I started working at one of the fruit markets and she started working at a shop selling Oreadian flowers and plants. This was one of the rare times we’d see each other so we always made it count. But one evening, we were in our secret spot and… there was a lapse in judgement between us. Holding her in my arms was… wonderful. Her kisses, her eyes, the words that we said… It was our moment of Zen that meant the world to us and nothing else mattered at that time.

*Several Weeks Later*

I met her again at the spot and she walked towards me in tears. I’ve never seen her cry before. I’m thinking did someone insult her? Did someone hurt her? If so, I want to know who they are so they can answer to me.

“Hey, Vivi. What’s wrong? What happened?” I ask with concern.

She looks up to me with her tearful red face.  “I… went to my doctor yesterday… I’m… I’m pregnant…”

I… was in absolute shock when she told me that. I… am not ready to be a father and I know she’s not ready to be a mother. We’re teens and soon to be juniors. Dammit… This was the mess I was talking about. I couldn’t think of what to do or say to her. I know she has to tell her parents and I have to tell my guardians. Before we could, we had to talk about it.

“So… what did you want to do with the baby?” I asked her.

“I… don’t know. I don’t know if I want to give it away, or…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence, but she was thinking about giving it away or getting rid of it. I know it’s her body; she can choose what she wants to do with it. She then looks at me with her sad face.

“How do you feel about this, Landon?” She asks me. “Do you want to… break up with me because of this?”

“What? No!” I responded with shock. “I would never do that to you. This is not just on you, it’s on me, too. And… if I can say, I don’t… want you to get rid of it nor do I want you to give it away.”

“But I don’t know how to take care of a child.”

“Yeah. Nor do I. But… I’m willing to learn.”

Her face looked bewildered when I said that.

“Look.” I speak. “I know it’s your body. You can do whatever you wish to and choose what’s best for you. But I’d like to say what’s on my mind about it. That day… something about motioned me to really express how I felt, and you are the first and only one. Also because of you, you’ve helped me throughout last school year to where I passed alongside you. Now, it’s my turn to help you, Vivi.”

“But… how… How are you going to help me?”

“By being here for you. What else? I wouldn’t leave you just because you’re pregnant. You’ve been the best influence on me. Also, it’s my fault I got you pregnant. I wasn’t careful, but I’m willing to take responsibility for my actions. If you choose to give it away or whatever the case, I’ll still be with you. If you choose to keep the baby, I will help you take care of it and take care of you. We can save up money to have a place, and I want… I want to…”

“You want to what?”

I walk close to her and hold her hands in mine and take a deep breath. “I want to ask for your hand, Viviana.”

She was surprised when I said that and started to stammer her words.

“I know, Vivi. It’s sudden.” I speak. “But I want you to know you’re not alone on this. I want to be with you every step of the way and onward. I’m willing to marry you. It’s my gift to you for what you’ve done for me. I’m sorry that I did this to you and I’m willing to do anything for you. Also, I want to be with you when you tell your parents.”

“But… Landon. They still don’t approve of you and I’m afraid to even tell them.”

I held her close to me with my lips close to her ear.

“I don’t care that they don’t. I want you to know I’m not leaving your side. I know you’re scared. I’m scared, too. But we have to be strong together.” I assured her.

***

Later that day, we walked to her house. Of course, her parents were not happy to see me and still didn’t want me inside. But they were more upset that Viviana and I were holding hands while we were outside.

“Um, welcome home, darling.” Her mother spoke to her. “How was everything at the doctor’s?”

“He didn’t go with you, did he?” Her father asked which annoyed me.

As nervous as Vivi was, she ignored her father’s question, and exhaled.

“They were able to find out why I’ve been nauseous for the past few weeks.” She responds. “They… told me that I am pregnant.”

Hearing the news as it slowly made them come to realization. Her mother started to cry, and her father became angry.

“I thought I taught you better than that!” Her mother wept.

“You’re pregnant… by this piece of trash?!” Her father yelled then looked at me. “You are such a bane to my daughter’s life; you want to lead her further into your depraved life?!”

Viviana couldn’t counter his words, so I needed to finish in her stead.

“Look,” I speak calmly. “I know you two hate my guts, but I don’t plan on leaving her after what Viviana has done for me. She helped me pass sophomore year, and throughout the several months we’ve been together, she’s helped me open my eyes to a different perspective. So, I want to make my future count with her by my side! I… I love her, Mr., and Mrs. Caprine, and I want to make her happy!”

I hoped my words at least allayed their fears, but it seems that’s wishful thinking for her father. This impulsively came out of my mouth.

“Mr. Caprine,” I call. “I… ask for your blessing… to marry Viviana…”

Her father was not at all happy to hear that.

“NO! Absolutely not!” He shouts. “You got my daughter pregnant, and now you want to ask for my blessing to marry her?! You’re both 16 and don’t know how—”

“I am willing to learn and help her with the baby! Can’t you please understand that?!” I interrupted matching his voice. “Is it just because I’m “slum trash” because of where I live?! I am trying to be better. I want to be better not just for me, but for Viviana as well!”

He chose not to answer me and looked at Viviana. “Viviana. Get into this house! We’ll talk about this inside! I don’t want you near that trash ever again!”

Viviana didn’t let go of my hand and didn’t move. Seeing this, her father became angrier and decided to instantly walk off the porch with Mrs. Caprine running after him. I moved Viviana behind me before Mr. Caprine could even grab her, and Mrs. Caprine tried to pull him back. Mr. Caprine pushed his missus away and tried to grab me, but I used my Inochi; making vines erupt from the ground and bind him. He couldn’t move and yelled in anger. Viviana decided to speak.

“Dad. Mother…” She speaks hesitantly. “I’m going to stay… with Landon until… we can calmly talk this out. As of now, there’s too much emotion, and I can’t handle this. I’m sorry.”

No one said anything in response, so Viviana and I decided to leave. I kept my focus on Mr. Caprine until we got off the property. I let him go and Viviana and I left the house.