I've been holding in this story for a few months now. It's about time I let it out. I just wanted a story to show how close Eleanor and Alvin are as friends. You know that thing when you aren't a couple? Yeah, I know! It surprised me too. That's where the title comes from.
Not What You Expected
They sat quietly in the car. Alvin stared ahead of him; silent, afraid to say a word. Even if he wanted to, what would he say? He looked over at his best friend. She looked down at her lap and played with the hem of her skirt. One couldn't even imagine what she was feeling at this moment. He had only heard the news and his head was spinning.
He opened his mouth and shut it again. Still no words could be found. He looked out the window of his car and then at the house where his friend had emerged from not so long ago. Though he wasn't even sure of that anymore. It seemed like they had been in his car for hours. He looked back at her. She seemed on the brink of tears.
He knew that words wouldn't help the situation, especially if he had no comforting words at the moment, but he knew he could offer his support in other ways. He reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it comfortingly. Her gaze lowered to their connected hands and then looked up to his soothing eyes. She swallowed and looked back at her house. Alvin sighed at his attempt to comfort showing no avail.
"I just can't believe it." She finally spoke. Alvin was relieved to finally hear her voice after several moments of silence. "Once you've told someone it all becomes so real." Her voice lowered to a gentle whisper.
Alvin nodded understandingly though he didn't truly understand. "El… are you sure?" He was whispering himself.
Eleanor nodded as the tears once again threatened to fall. "All the symptoms are there. The school nurse even confirmed it."
Alvin sighed and leaned back into his seat. "You know, Ellie, whatever happens… I'm here for you; we're best friends." He squeezed her hand again.
She let a small smile emerge through her saddened state. "Thank you Alvin." She smiled at him.
The deafening silence returned. He had finally found words of comfort, only for his mind to go blank again. The only thing he could think about was that bastard she had been dating. How could he do this to her? Alvin bit his lip and clenched his fist, ready to hit something. But he restrained himself. He Hadn't done anything wrong. He was her boyfriend after all. Just the thought of him touching her like that made him mad enough to-
"I haven't told him, Alvin." She spoke suddenly, pulling Alvin from his thoughts.
His eyes widened and he turned towards her. "You know, you have to tell him right?" His good conscience spoke. "He's your boyfriend, Ellie."
Eleanor let out her first (bitter) giggle since she climbed into his passenger seat. "I know; I guess I'm just afraid of what he might think." She shrugged.
Despite his better judgment, Alvin's best friend instincts told his to lie. "I'm sure he'll be… understanding and just as supportive as I'll be." He forced a smile and squeezed her hand again.
Eleanor smiled back at him. "I can only hope."
The next day at school, Eleanor was preparing to approach her boyfriend. She waited outside the locker rooms where she knew the soccer team would appear soon. While she waited for the team to finish she thought back to how Alvin had given him the Alvin Seville seal of approval. She giggled to herself. Sometimes Alvin was like a big brother to her. He was always looking out for her. "Ellie," He called as she jogged up to her. Eleanor lifted her head to see Alvin. "I finished early just in case you needed support." He sat beside her and pulled her under his arm.
"Oh, that's so sweet." She patted his chest and gently pushed herself away from him. "But I think I'd rather do this myself."
Alvin nodded and stood. "Okay, but I'll be right down the hall if you need me." He looked up as he approached. Eleanor smiled at his and gestured for him to walk away.
Alvin reluctantly complied and walked a few yards down the hall. Just far enough so that it seemed he was giving them privacy but he could hear every word being said. "Tristan, can we talk?" He nodded and stopped to listen. Eleanor took in a deep breath to calm her nerves. "I… I'm pregnant."
Silence again. Alvin thought back to when Eleanor told him last night and he had the same reaction. "Wow…" Tristan finally spoke. Alvin rolled his eyes. 'Wow'… real deep. "This is… surprising." Eleanor bit her lip, holding back any emotion, unsure of how he was truly reacting. "Well, are you sure it's mine?"
Alvin's eyes narrowed, Of course it's yours, genius, but he stayed in place. Eleanor would never forgive him if he lost his cool now. "Yes, I'm sure." Eleanor said with a laugh. "What would make you think it wasn't?"
He's an ass! Alvin screamed mentally.
"Well, I don't know. You spend a lot of time with that Alvin guy."
Eleanor glared. "You think I slept with Alvin!?" She screeched. "You know Alvin and I are just friends! What kind of girl do you think I am?"
"Apparently the kind stupid enough to get pregnant!" Alvin bit down on his lip and grasped the strap of his gym bag tightly. His anger boiling within him, threatening to spill over. Eleanor was speechless. She was angry and hurt and wasn't sure if she was going to cry or hit him. "Look, El, I like you. But I am definitely not ready to raise I kid." Eleanor lowered head as she held back tears.
Just stop talking.
Tristan took a step towards her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Don't be upset." He squeezed her shoulder. "We had fun!"
You're only digging yourself deeper.
"And, hey, you're pretty damn good in the sack."
You shouldn't have said that.
As if Eleanor were counting it down in her head (and she sort of was) Alvin stomped over to the (ex) couple and punched Tristan in the jaw. He immediately fell to the floor but Alvin continued to hit him. Eleanor stood back, shocked at the sight, but deep down she were inwardly rejoicing.
He deserved it…
"Suspended from school, Alvin?" Dave asked when he picked Alvin and Eleanor up from the school. "For fighting?"
Alvin shuffled in his seat. "Dave, you should've heard the things he was saying to Eleanor!"
Eleanor sent him a look through his passenger window. Perhaps it was best that he didn't know yet. "Alvin, I don't care what he said! You know you aren't supposed to fight." Dave continued.
"But Dave, I was defending a friend." Alvin continued to defend himself. "Doesn't that count for anything?"
Dave sighed. "Of course it does, Alvin." He tightened and then loosened his grip on the wheel. "But for whatever reason, fighting is serious business and now you're going to miss a week of school and you've been kicked of the soccer team."
Alvin crossed his arms and looked at Eleanor's reflection through the mirror. From the look on her face he could tell they were thinking the same thing.
It was worth it.
Dave pulled into the Miller driveway to see Miss Miller, Brittany, and Jeanette waiting for him to arrive. "Ellie!" Her sisters exclaimed running off the porch and pulling her into a sisterly group hug.
"Eleanor, where have you been?" Miss Miller asked also advancing toward her daughter.
"I…"
"She was with Alvin." Dave spoke up as he and Alvin climbed out of the car. "Apparently, he got into a fight after soccer practice." He told Miss Miller.
"Oh, my," She gasped. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Miss Miller."
"Who'd he get in a fight with?" Jeanette interjected.
"Tristan."
"You beat up my sister's boyfriend?" Brittany exclaimed.
Alvin rolled his eyes. "He's not my boyfriend anymore." Eleanor explained.
"What happened?" Brittany and Jeanette began bombarding her with questions while Dave and Miss Miller came down on Alvin.
Eleanor's eyes darted from one person to the next. She was overwhelmed with voices until finally she had had enough. "I'm pregnant!" She blurted out to stop all of the voices.
Thankfully they were all too shocked to say a word, but, unfortunately, after a few moments it started a whole new array of questions. "W-what?" Brittany was the first to stammer.
"Oh, El," Jeanette groaned.
"How could this happen?" Dave added.
"Was it Tristan?"
Eleanor opened and closed her mouth trying to find the right words. Alvin glanced at her. He hated seeing her like this. Acting bold (something he was famous for), Alvin spoke up. "It wasn't Tristan." Everyone directed their attention towards him, including Eleanor.
"Alvin, what are you doing?" Eleanor whispered to him.
"It's okay, Ellie." Alvin reassured. "They're our family and they should know." They all waited patiently. Eleanor knew where this was headed and she would remain skeptical about it for the rest of this awkward situation. "I'm the father."
