The Fall- Robby Keene

fallout

(TW- mention of abuse)

Christmas Eve. A year ago, I would be with my family. We usually would be decorating, listening to some Spanish radio station that sings Christmas carols. Miguel would be nearly knocking over the tree whilst Mom would be trying to make handmade angels, whilst Yaya would be cooking in the kitchen and eating the cookie dough. This year is different, instead of doing all of that. I'm at Moon's and she's singing random songs from her playlist while we are decorating her house for the holiday. Her parents came home last night, and I was thinking they would be upset about me being here, but they actually welcomed me in. I see were Moon gets her thoughtfulness from. Her mom, Coral was lighting incense and her dad, Skye was decorating the tree. I was helping Skye put the lights on the tree when the doorbell rang. Coral walked over to the door and answered it, I heard someone come in when I was plugging in the lights.

Coral- Jules, your brother is here to see you! *looks at Miguel* can I get you anything?

Miguel- Oh uh no thank you

Coral nodded before walking back over to the little desk that sat by the couch. I looked at Miguel and sighed. I looked at Skye who nodded at me which gave me the green light before I took Miguel's wrist and dragged him to the kitchen.

Julia- What do you want? I already said I wasn't spending Christmas with Johnny.

Miguel- Come on, Jules. It's Christmas! Please, you should really just come even if it's only for a few hours.

Julia- I don't care if it's Christmas, if I go all that will happen is a fight. I'm not on good terms with Johnny and I'm not too happy with any of you either.

Miguel- Why can't you just let that all go?!

Julia- Because I'm not going to spend Christmas with someone who ruined a $300 bracelet that wasn't even mine and told me I wasn't allowed to see Robby anymore for no good reason!

The music wasn't as loud as it was, I'm guessing Moon had turned it down. Coral entered the kitchen with Skye making me look at them. Nothing is more awkward than getting in a fight with your brother at someone else's house.

Skye- Everything okay?

Miguel- Yeah, sorry. We were just talking about tomorrow.

Coral- Oh? What's the plans? Only wondering so I can see how much food I need to cook, since we also have relatives coming.

Miguel- Well Jules was going to come with me for Christmas, so I don't think *cuts off*

Julia- Uh no? that's not what I'm doing. I'm going to see Robby tomorrow, but I should be back by dinner.

Miguel looked at me with a confused expression. I crossed my arms over my chest as I noticed Moon's head slightly popping out from behind her dad. Nosy.

Miguel- Wait what? You're going to see Robby? Why would you do that? Is that why you wanted me to bring his stuff?

Julia- One question at a time, geez. Yes, I'm going to see Robby. It's Christmas, and he has no one to spend it with. I don't care if me and him are together or not, I wouldn't want him to be alone especially on Christmas. And technically no, I wanted his things so that way our mother couldn't throw it away or give it all back to Johnny.

Miguel- Wait you and Robby broke up?

Julia- Yeah? Wow, you are so behind on what's been happening. We broke up a couple months ago, not getting into detail with why because that's a story for another time.

Miguel looked even more confused as I leaned against the counter. 

Julia- Look, we will continue to talk about this after the holidays. I need to finish up here than go see Anthony for training. Don't ask what training because I really don't want to get into that.

Miguel- Alright fine, but we are continuing this.

I nodded as he said his goodbyes to Moon and her parents. before leaving. Coral looked at me before looking at Skye as Moon fully came into the kitchen.

Skye- Well we will let you two chat, we will be in the living room.

I smiled at them as they left the room leaving me with Moon who was looking at me as if she was waiting for me to say something.

Moon- Since when were you going to see Robby? You told me you two were over and that you weren't going to talk to him till he figured his shit out?

Coral- Language!

Moon- Sorry! but still, why all of a sudden you are wanting to see him? On Christmas of all days?

Julia- I have been thinking about it for a few weeks now and when I was with Anthony for his training, we had a conversation about it and he kind of persuaded me into doing so.

Moon- So you're just going to listen to Anthony? I have nothing against him, but does he even know what you and Robby have been going through that led to the breakup?

Julia- It would surprise you what that kid knows, but I think it would be a good thing. We all know Johnny, or his mother won't go see him, Daniel won't ever see him, so I think it's only best if I am the one who did.

Moon- It's your decision on what you want to do but I'm going to say this, I don't think it's really a good idea if you go see him. I'm only say this because when you two were together all you guys did was fight. Like you said, when you went to see him you two got into a huge fight that led to the breakup. 

Julia- There's more to it, Moon. I understand what you're saying but you don't know the full thing.

Moon- What's the full thing than? Because what you had said was that he did something, and an officer got involved before it actually happened.

Julia- He didn't hit me, Moon. Yes, he was about to, but he didn't. He stopped himself before Officer Riley showed up. Like I said there's more to this than you know.

Moon paused. I watched her facial expression switch from being slightly annoyed to confused/worried in a spilt second. I was confused why she had that look on her face.

Moon- What do you mean he almost hit you, Jules?

I froze. I forgot that I never told her about it, I didn't tell anyone about that. 

Julia- I provoked him, Moon. I told him that the difference between him and I is that i can walk out without the officers stopping me, but he can't. I got him mad.

Moon- That doesn't matter, Jules! He shouldn't have raised his hand to you, whether you provoked him or not! 

Julia- He didn't mean to, okay? He was upset and we were arguing, I know it was wrong, but he stopped himself. He hasn't ever done something like that before, Moon.

Moon- Are you hearing yourself right now?! Just because he was upset doesn't mean he gets to do that! If he does it once, he might do it again!

Julia- Do you really think he would actually do it again? You actually believe he is that bad of a person that he would hurt me?

My voice was cracking. I could already feel the tears as they filled my eyes. I didn't know how to feel in this moment. I understood why she was so upset, but this is Robby we are talking about. The same guy that comforted me when my mom hit me. The same guy that had me come over when he "ordered too much pizza". The same guy that protected me from his friends the day we first met. I don't want to believe he is that person. 

Moon- You're not the same person I met, same with Robby. You both changed and honestly, I don't believe it was for the better. What happened to the sweet, sports lover girl that would do anything to protect her family especially Miguel? I don't even know who you are anymore, Jules. That girl that I met wouldn't allow him a chance to be with her again after he pulled that stunt.

Julia- Than I guess you just don't know me like you thought you did, Moon. I guess I don't know myself either.