Ariel's POV

It's Christmas and my family and I have already spent the whole morning unwrapping presents and spending time with family members.

Mama is hosting a Christmas dinner this year so some of our family members traveled here to spend some time with us.

I've received a lot of awesome Christmas presents and I'm so grateful for all of them.

And the gift Michael gave me this morning, the necklace is so beautiful but this morning was pretty awkward. Prince has been throwing fits about what happened this morning so he decided we should talk it out privately in my room.

"Ariel he kissed you... he's trying to steal you from me. Doesn't that alarm you?" Prince asked.

"Yes it does I-" He cut me off.

"Then why don't you do something about it? You could've slapped him after he kissed you. All you did was just stand there..."

"I know Prince but that's my friend-"

"Yea, friends don't kiss each other on the cheek, especially when they know that you're in a relationship...."

I sat there speechless, staring at my polished holiday nails.

He's actually stating facts.

I'm still shook that even happened.... Prince was behind me the whole time then Michael kissed my cheek.

I mean it was sweet but I just feel like he's trying to get with me.....he's always buying me flowers, cute love letters and he bought me a five hundred dollar necklace for Christmas.

"Ariel, why do you let him do this stuff to you? Huh?" Prince stood up from the bed.

I shrugged looking down, "Like I said he's my friend and he also has a crush on me, it'll be kinda rude to deny the stuff he's gives me. He's spent a lot of money on me."

Prince let out an irritable sigh, "Look, you're with me okay? You can't let him do this to you." He kneeled down in front of me while I stayed seated on the edge of my bed.

He looked down, "I-It just feels like-" he hesitated. He sighed and looked at me, "It just feels like you're letting him flirt with you on purpose... the way you looked at him this morning... bothered me."

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, "I think you forgot that I was behind you the whole time, you could've just received the present and moved on but instead.... y'all just stared at each other like y'all love each other or something-"

I gave him a disgusted look, "Of course not! I like him as a friend only and nothing more!Why did you say that?!"

"You gave him the look that you always give me...."

I rolled my eyes and looked down, "That look didn't mean anything. It was totally different."

"What were you thinking about when you were giving him that look?" He asked.

I sighed and shrugged, "Nothing. Just know that I'm not in love with him. The only person that I love is you."

"Really? I just feel like you're gonna break up with me some day just to be with him..."

I looked at him, "Prince, that'll never happen, I love you too much. Why did you say that?"

"I feel like he's gonna steal you away from me. I feel like I'm the only one trying... If you love me so much then please stop him. I always try to but you won't let me."

"Because all you wanna do to him is fight him. Fighting is never the answer. Why can't you just talk to him about this?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Oh I've talked to him about it and his dumbass won't get it through his thick head to stay away from my girl. So I guess a beating will make him understand.."

"No Prince, don't do it." I shook my head.

"But please babe, please don't let him do this type of stuff to you." His eyes traveled down to my chest, "And I want you to get rid of that necklace too."

"Fine. I'll just give it to Sabrina." I looked down  at the diamond necklace.

It's a pretty necklace though...

I hate to give it away but I'm doing this for Prince and it's fair.

He grabbed my hands and pulled me up off the bed. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I rested my arms on his shoulders as we deeply gazed at each other's eyes.

"No matter what happens, I'll stay with you... I'll always have your back. If we were to break up, I'll still be there. I would die for you." He said softly.

I grew a little smile still gazing at his hazel green eyes. His eyes traveled down to my lips and back at my eyes.

I watched him bite the bottom of his lip slowly and I couldn't help but to get on my tippy toes and gently press my lips against his.

We heard the door knob shake and we both jumped after the door swung open.

"Ariel, dinner is read-" There stood my Aunt Bailey carrying my baby cousin Elijah.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Did I ruin your moment?" She chuckled.

I giggled, "No, it's fine."

"You growing up a little too fast. We were just talking about you... I've heard that you're in a relationship with Prince." She smiled at Prince.

I looked at Prince and smiled, "Yeah I am." I nodded.

"I remember those times I used to watch y'all while y'all were in diapers.. Y'all were some bad lil kids... always fighting." She chuckled.

I laughed remembering those times when we were little. We used to fight over the littlest things. Crayons, tv shows, markers, clothes.... everything.

"But now look at y'all, all hugged up.." she smirked. "And Prince, I thought you don't celebrate Christmas."

"I'm not, I'm just here for dinner, my parents don't really cook a lot." He lied.

His parents kicked him out the house again... now he has to stay with me.

"Well dinner is ready downstairs. We got some pretty good food sizzling down there." She said before leaving the room.

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The fireplace running with soft crackling sounds, Christmas music playing and peppermint scented candles filled the air of the big house as we sat in the dining room with the table round full of our family. A lot of hot, smokey food and icy drinks sat in front of us on the huge table but dinner isn't ready quite yet, some of the food isn't done.

Aunt Bailey and Uncle Caesar with my two year old twin cousins Jacob and Jaden, my big cousins Elijah, Alisha and Anaya sitting and talking to my uncle and aunt while their children running around the house. Trey and his pregnant girlfriend sitting beside each talking about their new upcoming baby. Mama and Sabrina getting all the food ready before we say prayer.

My mom's side of the family is pretty fun. I love them dearly. My little cousins can be a little annoying running around the house but I still love them. They're so sweet.

I've never met my dad's side before... all I know is that most of them are Indian. I would love to meet them some day but I don't think we'll ever get a chance to meet them at all. I don't even know who my dad is.

I rested my head against Prince's shoulder, waiting for the food to be ready.

It's been two weeks since Sabrina and I had that stupid argument with Latoya. She wasn't playing when she said she was done with us.... I'm glad we don't have her crazy ass anymore.

Usually after every argument, she would always say she'll never talk to me again but end up talking to me the day afterwards. But now, she hasn't been talking to me for two weeks and I'm actually glad... she ain't a real friend anyway. I'll just stick with who I have now.

Prince planted a kiss on my cheek and I giggled gazing up at his green eyes.

Mama walked in with a big plate of fried chicken in her hands. Sabrina came in behind her carrying a hot pan of cornbread with mittens covering her hands. Our family cooed, smelling the fresh scent of chicken coming our way.

"Okay everybody, Christmas Dinner is ready. Sorry it took so long, I baked the cornbread too late." Mama exclaimed.

My little cousins stopped running around the house and finally rushed over to the table.

"Time for prayer everybody!" Mama said over the loud voices of our family talking.

It got quiet as we all held each other's hands and bowed our heads.

Mama begin to pray, "Dear Heavenly Father, we come together to bless this delicious food you have put on our plates on this Christmas evening. I want to thank you for bringing our family together safely on this icy, cold weather outside and thank you for an amazing Christmas morning, opening a lot of presents filled with excitement and joy. Happy birthday Jesus we all love you. In Jesus name..."

"Amen!" We all exclaimed together.

That was the most shortest prayer she's ever said on a dinner night. It usually lasts a lifetime.

Everybody begin to dig in to their food.

"Who's this Trey?" Aunt Bailey eyed at Chanel.

Everybody glanced over at Trey and Chanel...

Trey smiled at her "She's my girlfriend, Chanel." Trey held Chanel's hand as she blushed.

"Oh wow, my nieces and nephews are growing up so fast." Aunt Bailey smiled. "Hello Chanel, I'm Bailey. Welcome to the family." She reached for a hand shake.

Chanel grew a big smile and shook her hand.

"Are y'all thinkin' bout gettin' married someday?" Aunt Bailey asked them.

Trey and Chanel looked at each other smiling with loving eyes.

"Yeah, maybe after the baby is born." Trey smiled.

Aunt Bailey chocked on her juice, "Baby?! Ya'll havin' a baby?" She exclaimed.

Trey and Chanel nodded.

"B-but Trey you're so young you-"

"I know Aunt Bailey but Mama's fine with it. I'm out of high school and I'm college now already making a lot of money and about to move out soon."

"You better be makin' money. Havin' a baby is a big responsibility and a lot of money. Do y'all know the gender?"

"We'll find out next week." Chanel giggled.

"Y'all better give me a grand daughter." Mama smiled at them.

"Nah, I kinda want a boy.." Chanel rubbed her tummy.

Trey nodded in agreement, "I want a mini me."

Everybody chuckled at his statement.

I want it to be a boy too... girls are too much. If they end up having a girl, I'm gonna step up and be a great aunt and teach her not to end up like me.... fucking pregnant at fifteen.

I look down at my plate and start playing with my peas with a fork.

The food looks so nice... but I just don't want to eat it.. I just can't.

My cousin Anaya gently nudged my arm, "Aren't you gonna eat your food Ariel? You haven't touched it in a while." She asked.

I nervously chuckled, "Nah, I'm not hungry. I just ate a few Christmas cookies before dinner. My mistake." I lied.

Trey squinted his eyes at me while chewing his food.

He's always on me about not eating any food.

I just gained four pounds because of this baby, I'm not risking gaining more.

"Ariel, you know not to eat dessert before dinner." Mama scolded.

"Those cookies were too good. Huh? Just can't get enough of them." Aunt Bailey chuckled chewing her food.

I let out a fake laugh putting a pea in my mouth.

We all heard a Big Bang coming from the living room, we all jumped and dropped our forks.

"What was tha-"

"ARIEL! SABRINA!" We heard a familiar voice coming closer to the dining room.

My heart begin to pound against my chest, hearing my name being called.

The loud footsteps got closer and Latoya walks in with a bloody black eye.

Everybody gasped at the look of her.

"Why did you tell the police?! Why?!" Latoya raged at me shaking her fist in the air.

There was complete silence in the room. My family looked at Latoya and I like we were crazy.

"Didn't I tell you not to?! Now look what you did! You ruined my fucking life! Are you happy now!!" Latoya screamed.

I sighed feeling a little embarrassment.

"We didn't call the police... what are you talking about..." I said quietly gritting my teeth.

Sabrina sighed, "Please Latoya. Not now. Nobody wants to hear your blabber mouth. Go home and fix that hot breath of yours. We're having some family time. Please leave."

Did she really have to come on a holiday...

"Does it look like I fucking care?! You ruined my relationship with him! How could you! Now my family won't talk to me at all because of y'all!"

I sighed and got up from the table, "Excuse us please." I said softly to my family before I turned my body towards Latoya.

"No we're gonna deal with this right here right now! You humiliated me in front of my family now it's my turn!!!" Latoya pushed me back to my chair.

"Get out of here we don't keep snakes as pets!" Sabrina shouted, throwing a piece of bread at Latoya.

Latoya dodge the piece of bread and continued to yell at me, " I told you that I didn't want any help! I told you to not call the police on him so why did you?! Why can't you just respect on what I want?! Why can't you respect my relationship with him?!"

I scuffed, "First of all... we didn't want to help you at all after all that shit you told us, Mama wanted to help. Second, you shouldn't be talking because you don't even respect my relationship with Prince. Marcus, your so called boyfriend, is actually a bad person to be with and I'm not disrespecting your relationship, I'm trying to help my best friend not get hurt again. So please leave I'm not gonna have this fucking argument with you again."

"And not just my relationship with him, y'all also told my family that I'm pregnant when I'm not!" She shouted full of rage and tears falling down from her face.

Everybody gasped and a few of my family members left the room with my little cousins so that they couldn't hear what's going on.

"I told you that I'm not pregnant! I showed you the stick and everything! So why would you lie?! My own family won't talk to me anymore! Even Joseph almost whipped me to death!" She cried.

I grew irritated and confused and glanced over at Mama who's also confused.

"Mama? Did you tell the Jacksons that she was pregnant?" I furiously asked.

"W-well yeah I thought Latoya said she was pregnant that day-"

"Mama she's not pregnant! That's why you should always fucking check and see what's going on before you tell anybody something!" I screamed at her.

I never thought I would have the balls to scream at her like that but Latoya just got abused from her on father because of Mama's misunderstanding.

Mama grew a furious look at me from yelling at her and I have her a look back.

Latoya glanced at Mama, "Well Lil Miss Mama Bleu, I hope you know that I'm not the one who's pregnant, Ariel is the one who's pregnant. So don't ever get that mixed up again. Understand?!" She raged harshly at Mama.

Everybody gasped and they all glued their eyes on me.

My stomach dropped as the words echo through my head... I can't believe she just really said that out loud in front of my family!

I just wanna die on the spot.

This is too much.

"Yeah she's pregnant! Yes I said it!" She added walking towards the front door. "Congradufuckinglations some of y'all just earned a new cousin and Mama Bleu you're a damn grandma now! MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Latoya swung the door open and slammed it after she walked outside in the cold leaving my family and I all in shock.

Why would she just-

I stood there with no words to say. I looked around to see my shocked, disappointed family. My cheeks start to hurt and feel hot of embarrassment, my body starts shaking and my eyes gets watery.

I look over to my right to see Prince and Trey full of disappointment and disgust, their eyes throwing daggers at me.

The look you don't want to see from the people that you love.

Trey dropped his fork on his plate and stormed out of the dining room.

"Ariel, you're pregnant?!" Prince raised his voice as he stood up from the table.

"P-Prince i-it was just- I-" I stuttered as tears start to form in my eyes and fall.

"We're gonna have to leave." Aunt Bailey told Mama picking up my three year old cousin.

Aunt Bailey glanced me, "I'm so disappointed in you Ariel. I wish you the best of luck raising that baby without messing up your career."

"W-what do you mean-"

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Trying to get a job and going to class in college ain't easy when you have a child with you. You done messed up your future girl. I thought you were better than that."

I clenched my fists as tears gushed down my face and my face hot.

"You don't even know what happened to me-" I cried.

Aunt Bailey turned her back to me and walked away to the front door and left slamming the door behind her.

The rest of my family just kept staring at me, still shocked and mostly disgusted.

"S-Stop looking at me like that!" my brittle voice cried.

I ran away and ran upstairs crying. I ran into my room, slammed the door behind me and locked it.

To be continued...