▽ Hard 2 Face Reality By Justin Bieber

               ➣ nineteen

I knew it. I knew that somehow in their deranged ways, they were going to shame me about my daughter. Lydia was absolutely wrong, I shouldn't have even considered it.

The wind blew harshly while small portions of rain began to pour. I held a good grip on Ariella's hand when finally on the third ring she answered. ''Juliet?''.

''Alice come pick us up''.

× × ×

Earlier

''No Lydia''. I got up and went to the kitchen and took out a spoon, twisting the knobs on the faucet to run it under cold water.

''Juliet no matter what, their you're parents. Maybe inviting you is their way of trying to make amends'' She stated as she scopped her finger into the cookie dough flavored ice cream.

''Well their attempt has failed. I'm not going and I don't want Ariella anywhere near my so called family''. My bare feet slapped against the floor as I walked back over, handing Lydia her own spoon so she can stop dipping her fingers.

I was scrolling through movies to rent for the night as she spoke. ''Please just go. You don't even have to stay for the whole night. Just for like an hour and you can leave''.

My option of movie choices landed on The Boy Next Door.

''Whatever'' I mumbled before clicking play.

× × ×

''So I have grandparents and an aunty?'' Ariella questioned while I zipped up her dress from the back.

''Yes'' I confirmed.

''How come you never talked about them mommy?''.

I shrugged, fixing her messy bun. ''You never asked''.

''Are you two done? It's Thanksgiving not a Quinceanera'' Alice remarked from the hallway whereas we were in my room.

I ignored her and pat Ariella's shoulders. ''Let's go''.

× × ×

The engine was still going while the car doors slam shut. Ariella ran up to the front porch excited, leaving Alice and I to have a minute to talk.

''If anything goes wrong, call me and I'll rip somebodies throat out for you'' She reminded.

I nodded. ''Will do''.

I took my head out of the passengers window, letting Alice drive off down the slightlt wet pavement.

I turned and followed after Ariella who was waiting for me right in front of the door. I took out my hand for her to grab and while she did, I was mentally preparing myself for the worse.

I took a deep breath before reaching out to ring the doorbell.

''Wait!''.

I looked down at Ariella to see her hands up to help initiate me to stop what I was doing.

''I wanna do it'' She stated. She stood on her tippy toes and rang it herself.

Not a moment later my mother answered the door.

She gasped. ''You came''.

She was grinning from ear to ear as she pulled me into a hug. She released me after a moment and looked beside me.

''This is my granddaughter?'' She whispered as she went down to Ariella's level.

''Hi. Mommy says you're my grandma. I'm Ariella'' She introduced with her hand out. Inatead of her just shaking her hand back, she picked her up and engulfed her in a hug.

Ariella giggled as she spun her a bit, then bringing her back on the ground.''Ooh it's surely nice to meet you. Come in''.

Mom moved behind the door, having Ariella walk in first. She looked around in awe, never seeing a home so big before.

''This place is so Huge!'' Ariella spazzed as she ran to the living room. I walked in and looked around, reminiscing every moment I could remember in this house.

''Let me get that for you''. Mom lightly grabbed my jacket slowly to see how would react. When she nothing negative she took my jacket and hanged it up on the coat racks beside the door.

''Where's dad?'' I ask as she lead us to the kitchen.

''Watching tv. But the way Ariella is, most likely a conversation is bound to happen'' She predicated. She walked towards the oven opened it, loads of heat exiting and entering the room.

''The turkey has about half an hour, which means we still have time to make the rice and mash potatoes. Up for the challenge?'' My mom questioned, holding up a bowl of rice and the box of mash potatoes.

I smirked. ''I'm Juliet May West. A challenge is always accepted''.

''Like you're daughter''.

I turned to the entry of the kitchen to see my older sister.

''Natalie''.

She smiled -fake- and opened her arms to give me a hug.

''Long time no see'' She stated as I slowly went up to hug her.

''Mm'' I mumbled, not really the one to respond to someone like her. Once you start with it never ends.

''So how you've been? How's that spastic dad has he done anything with his life?'' She questioned once she released me.

I sighed. A long one. I walked back over next to mom and leaned against the sink. ''Both still in high school. Hasn't been that long''.

She laughed. ''Oh, of course. Life as a single adult you hardly even recognize the time''.

My nostrils flared open as she smiled at mom and I.

''Weee!'' Ariella cheered as her and dad entered. Ariella was on top of his shoulders, running around the house.

''Mommy Look! I'm Tall Now'' She announced while dad laughed.

''Natalie? When did you come in?'' Dad asked once his laughter dialed down.

''I wanted to surprise you all'' She simply replied with soo much enthusiasm.

I pursed my lips. ''Surprise indeed''.

''Speaking of surprises whose the little one?'' She smiled at Ariella.

''I'm Ariella'' She took her hand out.

Natalie smiled and shook her hand. ''Wow don't you have manners. Unlike some people'' She mumbled the last part and slightly turned to me.

I rolled my eye's. ''I'm Natalie''.

Ariella gasped. ''You're my aunt''.

''Surprisingly yes!''.

The knives weren't that far from me, all it takes is a good aim.

The doorbell rang causing all of our attention.

Natalie squealed. ''That's him''.

She ran out of the kitchen to answer the door. Dad shrugged his shoulders repeatedly while holding onto Ariella's feet. She giggled at the bounce.

I felt a hand place on my arm. I turn to mom who had a reassuring smile.

''Don't let her ruin you're day''.

I nodded, ignoring her little advice because just her existence has already ruined it.

''Everyone..'' She sang, her voice echoed throughout the area as the sound of the rush of heels clanked against the wooden floor.

''This is Xavier Montez. We're engaged'' She announced once she re-entered the kitchen with a man who like he's in his mid twenties. He had tan skin with crazy amount of facial hair that suit him.

''Nothing like a rich white girl with a Dominican companion''.

That not only earned a smack on the arm from my mom, a angered glare from my sister and a snort from my dad. Ariella sat confused but stayed silent.

She shrugged. ''It beats being pregnant at fourteen''.

All jaws had dropped and the room fell silent. Tension type of silent. If that game was being played then let it begin.

''Well uh, nice to have you in the family then Ashton'' Dad stated, trying to break the ice, but it earned a face palm to us all.

''It's Xavier sir'' He confirmed. His accent really thick.

''Tomatoe, tomowtoe. Say, you watch sports right?'' He questioned as he took him away from Natalie.

The friendliness must be rare in the family.

Natalie smiled and clapped her hands together.

''Let's make some dinner''.

× × ×

We all sat at the dining room table while Ariella ate in the livingroom. The dining room was right next to living room so we had perfect sight of her.

Mom clapped her hands together. ''Okay, let's dig in''.

Dad and I were the first to grab our forks but Xavier stopped us.

''I'm sorry but do you mind if we pray first? It's a family tradition''.

''Boy do I wish to be the little one right now'' Dad mumbled, turning to see her munching on her food.

I sat in between dad and Natalie. Natalie set her palms open on the table. I put my pinky on top of hers as I fully grabbed dads hand. We closed our eye's and bowed our head towards the food.

''Dear lord..''.

Dad and I looked up and smirked knowingly. We got out of each others grip and carefully grabbed our forks and started to eat.

''Amen''.

They looked up to see the two of us eating.

''Unbelievable'' Natalie muttered.

Dad shrugged. ''We got hungry''.

Natalie was ready to burst but Xavier laughed.

''I understand, it's not you're style''.

''The least you could've done was listen'' Natalie scolded.

''That's the whole point of a prayer'' I stated obviously.

''I swear Juliet I'm surprise you're child is still alive from you're stupidity''. Natalie dugged her fork into her turkey and picked up her knife.

''I'm surprise you have a husband. You're too controllable, it makes me wonder how the hell you lived the single life'' I cheered mockingly at the end.

''Where's daddy? huh? Dumped you as soon as he found out you were pregnant?''.

''Jealous Natalie? At least I could get pregnant''. I overheard Natalie Xavier's conversation earlier. They were planning on adopting after the honeymoon because Natalie is infertile.

''You Don't Deserve To Be A Mom! You're Irresponsible, Don't Have Any Sort Of Common Sense And You're Still In High School! Let me tell you something Juliet, The Apple Doesn't Fall Too Far From The Tree And Ariella Is Gonna End Up Making The Exact Stupid Decision You Made'' She yelled, taking a stand.

I stood as well, but I wasn't going to yell.

''That was the old me. The old me was irresponsible and had no common sense. But that little girl changed my life and made me a better person. I make decisions now that benefit the both of us and clearly, this wasn't one''. I left the dining room and entered the living room to grab Ariella.

I grabbed both of our jackets and left, walking down the sidewalk as I took out my phone. I shook my head in fustration while I dialed her number.

I knew it. I knew that somehow in their deranged ways, they were going to shame me about my daughter. Lydia was absolutely wrong, I shouldn't have even considered it.

The wind blew harshly while small portions of rain began to pour. I held a good grip on Ariella's hand when finally on the third ring she answered. ''Juliet?''.

''Alice come pick us up''.