Red.

I wiped the last fallen tears from my eyes. I looked up taking in my surroundings. After my little anxiety, I had finally calmed myself enough to make my way to the neighborhood park. I had found myself come to this park at times like this. I was currently sat in a swing feet buried in the dirt body swaying with the wind. My phone vibrated in my pocket, probably a text or call of worry. I had only been replying to Vic, telling him I needed a bit of air and would return shortly. Could they really blame me though? Have you guys ever got news that really broke your heart, ever felt the need to run or escape because suddenly air was something you weren't getting enough of? This was my situation at the moment. I wish this engagement would have been on different terms, I had silently wished that that had been me, not her. It wasn't though and it probably never would have been, it was always a cat and mouse game with Mike. I was always chasing after him while he lusted after something else. At times I wish I had chosen the older fuentes, vic. I had known these two in highschool immediately a bond had been set. I loved them both and looked to them as brothers well I eventually loved one more than the other and brother was the last thing I saw him as. A lonesome tear slid down my cheek as memories of Mike and I played through my mind. Mike had never seen me as more, maybe at one time but not now.
"It's time em, he's happy now, you have to be happy too, let him go em.. Let him go." I whispered to myself. I shut my eyes taking a deep breathe in, shortly releasing it. I stood up standing for a bit to calm myself more before heading back to the fuentes residence.

I found myself turning the corner on the block where the house was. I could see that they had now gathered outside phones in hand and worried concerns on their faces. I tried my hardest to go unnoticed for as long as possible but my eyes met with a certain brown doe-eyed little girl.
"Momma, momma your back." She yelled as she released her grip from Vic's hand and ran to me. I kneeled down watching Dawn run as fast as her little feet could carry her. Dawn reached me wrapping her arms around me.
"sorry baby girl momma just needed to get some air." I said rubbing her back.
Dawn pulled back grabbing my face in her tiny hands, " did you get one of the attack things momma?"she questioned looking at me intently.
I nodded, as she let out a little gasp, "mommas fine baby don't worry about it." Dawn wrapped her arms around me once more squeezing. I kissed the side of her head before standing and grabbing her hand.

I stood facing the group, they all had concerned faces except for two. I walked forward, Dawn tightly grabbing the back of my leg.
" Uhm I'm sorry about earlier, the news was just really surprising and that's was very rude of me to do, I would like to say congratulations to you too finally someone to tie Mike down, may I see your ring?" I questioned. Alysha nodded as the group laughed at the Mike comment. Alysha extended her hand out I looked at her hand the ring being something you couldn't miss. It was simple but gorgeous, "it's beautiful." I replied smiling up at her. Alysha thanked me before making her way back under mikes arm.

Dawn pulled at my leg dragging me between her uncle Vic and Jaime. I picked Dawn up as Vic placed his hand on my lower back.
"So I say we should have a celebration for your announcement and for our take off tour in two days." Vic announced.
"another one?" I questioned earning laughs from the group. Vic squeezed me to him making Dawn and I laugh. We talked for awhile before we decided it was time to all heard our separate ways. I hugged Tony and Jaime with Dawn giving them a squeeze as well. Shortly after going to say bye to mama and papa fuentes. I gave alysha a hug congratulating her once more as she made her way inside. It was just Vic, Mike and I outside now. Vic announced he would be going to say bye to his parents and then we could leave. Dawn squirmed in my arms wanting to go accompany her uncle. "Here Vic go ahead and take her with you." I watched two retreat inside before turning back to the man infront of me.

I looked past Mike at the other houses across from us, I could feel mikes eyes burn into my skin.
" I can tell your upset em and I'm sorry but this is something I needed to do, it makes me happy." I smiled at him frowning when I felt a lonesome tear make its way down my cheek. I wiped at it, "Mike I'm happy for you I really am, your happy with her and that's all I could ask for but its time Mike it's time for me to be happy too." Another tear fell, this time Mike wiped it from under my eyes. Mike pulled me into a tight hug, I wrapped my arms around him my head lying directly under his chest. Vic and Dawn watched me through the windows from the car. I pulled back smiling up at Mike before placing a chaste kiss on his cheek.
"goodbye Mike" I turned and made my way to the car sliding in.

As Vic slowly pulled the car out our hands met in the middle his thumb rubbing comforting circles on my hand. I watched the multiple scenery that passed as we drove back home.
"It's going to be okay em, in going to be here all the way through." I turned my head smiling softly at Vic, "I know thank you Vic." I said squeezing his hand. We smiled before facing the street in front of us.

Notes