LEAH'S POV

"I love you Lee-Lee," Sam whispered.

"Forever?" I asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Forever and ever," he said, kissing me softly.

My heart was broken in my chest. Every ounce of my body trembled: hurt, sadness, betrayal ripped through me like a knife. So many promises were broken, my future ruined. We were going to get married as soon as I finished high school; we were going to start a family. Sam Uley had ripped my heart out. And what's worse, he left me for my cousin!

I should have seen it coming. He disappears for a while, comes back different. Way different, he didn't look at me the same. We didn't laugh or play like we used to. He became quiet, reserved. And then Emily came down for a visit and suddenly, he gets all doe-eyed over her. I thought it was just a phase, I ignored the signs. I was blinded by my love for him. But I'm alone now. Alone and possibly… no. That couldn't happen to me.

I started on the pathway from Sam's house to mine. My own personal walk of shame, the rain pouring down on me only making it worse. It's over, he told me, we were never meant to be. A car drove by, splashing water from the street up onto me. That's when I lost the will to walk, clutching my chest and kneeling down on the sidewalk. Sobs ripped through me and I never felt more alone.

"Excuthe me," I felt my side being prodded with something sharp, "you're thitting in owur dwiveway."

I looked up at the kid, wiping tears off my face. He looked around six, really cute, the object he'd used to poke me was a stick.

"Don't cwry," he told me, "there'th wots of oddur dwiveways for you to thit on."

I took a deep breath and stood up, my legs wobbling.

"Sorry kid," I said, patting him on the head.

I made my way home, trying not to let the tears fall. I got to the front door of my house, fumbling with the key. I took a deep breath before pushing it open and going inside. Everything seemed normal. Mom and dad were sitting in the living room, watching the news. Seth was doing homework at the kitchen table.

"Hey honey," dad called from his armchair.

"Hi daddy," I said, my voice surprisingly calm considering the hysteria going on inside me.

"There's still some pasta left if you're hungry," mom told me.

"No thanks. I'm really tired, I think I'm just gonna head upstairs," I said, walking quickly to the stairs.

My bedroom is and always has been pink. Every other room in my house had white walls, but mine have pink ones. I used to love how bright and cheery they looked, but now I wished for anything but the happy color. I quickly peeled off my wet clothes, changing into the only thing that seemed to fit me these days, sweatpants.

I walked over to my full length mirror, examining my body and face. I always thought I was pretty, prettier than Emily that's for sure. I had a decent body… well I had a decent body. What had made him pick her over me? I turned to the side, lifting my shirt above my stomach. My stomach was always flat. Always. But it's more rounded now, a lot more rounded. I've been trying to cover it up with sweatshirts, but people will start to notice. And I'm always hungry. I'm no doctor, but I've seen a lot of movies and I'm pretty sure I can see the signs.

That's why I went to Sam's today. I wanted to tell him that I might be… pregnant. But instead, Emily was there. And then Sam told me it was over, right in front of her. I'd never felt so betrayed. Emily and I had been best friends since before we were born.

I rumbaed through my sock drawer until I'd found the one thing that had been haunting me for the past six months. Yes, six months. The pregnancy test. I shoved it into my bra before stowing away into the bathroom. Pacing back and forth, I tried to decide what I was going to say if I really was… pregnant. Who was I going to tell? My parents yes, but Sam? No. No, he made it perfectly clear he wanted nothing to do to me. And for the part of me that would always still love him, I wouldn't tell him. His father left him before he was even born, I wouldn't want him to feel that way about his own kid… if there is a kid. And I didn't want him to feel obligated to look after it either. So I would tell my parents and no one else, maybe give the baby up for adoption.

I read the directions on the box. They seemed simple enough. I looked at my face in the mirror. Everything's going to be okay. Nodding to myself for courage, I unwrapped the little white stick.

I traded my Biology book out for Othello. It was the first day of freshman year, first day of high school and already I was drowning in work. The bell rang shrilly and I shut my locker, only to find someone's face right behind it. He smiled at me; I could tell he was older. A junior maybe. Jumping slightly, I dropped my book on the ground, making a huge boom noise. I turned red and reached down to pick it up the same time as the guy did. We ended up smacking heads.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," the guy said, quickly handing me my book.

"I-It's fine," I said, rubbing my forehead.

"I really am," he muttered, his cheeks turning pink, "That was supposed to be a smooth, flirty move."

I hid a smile by biting my lip, "I'm sorry to say that you failed miserably. Nice try though."

He let out a laugh, relaxing a little and stood up. He held his hand out to me. I took it and he helped me up, but didn't let go of my hand.

"I'm Sam, by the way," he said, turning out awkward hand holding thing into a handshake.

"Leah," I smiled, he kept holding my hand. Wow Leah, a guy's actually holding your hand! For once in your life, be cool!

"Hmm, Leah," he said, testing it out, "How about LeeLou? Just for me to call you."

I giggled, "That's what my grandma used to call me. She died though."

His smile fell and a look of embarrassment replaced it, "Oh- I-I'm so sorry."

I realized what I said after I said it, my face turning bright red, "No! No i-it's okay. That was really stupid of me to- I was really young when she- you can call me LeeLou, it's fine. I- Ugh, this is so embarrassing."

Sam studied me for a minute, then started laughing, "Okay, so no LeeLou. But I will find a better nickname."

I looked down in embarrassment.

"Hey," he said, "Don't hide your face. You look so pretty when you blush."

My heart was pounding out of my chest and I couldn't stop the silly grin that spread across my cheeks.

"That's better," he said taking a deep breath, "Well, now that we've been formally introduced, I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me Friday night."

I looked up at the ceiling, biting the corner of my cheek, "I don't know, I'm a pretty busy person. I mean, I just met you, I hardly know you at all. You could be some crazy serial killer for all I know."

"How did you know?" he asked jokingly.

"I could just tell. Anyways, I have to go to class now, wouldn't want to make a bad impression on my first day," I told him, gently pulling my hand from his, "It was nice meeting you though."

I slowly walked away from him, smiling like a silly school girl to myself.

"Hey wait!" he called from behind me, "You still didn't answer my question!"

"Bye, Sam," I called.

"Aww come on Leah, please will you go on a date with me?" he called.

I looked back at him but continued to walk, "We'll see!"

I shook my head and blinked a few times, my chest aching. I turned over the pregnancy test, scared for my life. Taking a deep breath, I looked down at it. My heart sank and my eyes filled with tears.

I was pregnant with Sam's kid.

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After crying for about an hour and then cleaning myself up, I decided that I had to tell my parents. They weren't the type that would kick me out of the house and they would both know what to do… I hoped. I took each step slowly, telling myself it would all be okay. When I finally reached the bottom, I sucked some air into my lungs. You can do this.

"M-"

"He told me he was going to end things with her next time he saw her," Dad said. They were both facing the TV, they couldn't see me standing at the foot of the stairs. I closed my mouth and held my breath.

"Well she looked fine when she came in the house today," mom said, "Maybe he decided not to break up with her."

"I don't know why he wouldn't. You know how things are with him and Emily. It's terrible for Leah, but they're just not meant to be together," dad sighed, shaking his head.

"She's going to be heartbroken when he does tell her, though. They've been going on for four years now. He was going to propose and everything," mom said.

What? They knew he was going to end things? They knew before I did? How could they keep that from me? How could they not be madder about this? Their own daughter is heartbroken and they don't even care? Why are they on Sam's side? I'm their daughter!

I let out the breath of air I'd been holding in. Both my parents turning around.

"Oh Leah, we didn't see-"

"You know?" I asked, "You knew he was going to dump me and you didn't say anything!?"

"Sweetheart, it was his place to tell you," mom explained like she was talking to a five year old, "You two just weren't meant to be together."

I stared at both my parents, "And now you're defending him? Do you know how I feel right now?" I yelled.

"Please calm down, Leah, there's no need to-"

"No need? WE WERE GONNA GET MARRIED! I'M CARRYING HIS… HE PROMISED WE WOULD BE TOGETHER! AND NOW YOU'RE OKAY WITH THIS?" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.

It was dad's turn to speak up, "Leah, Sam and Emily share a special bond that you just don't understand. If you really loved Sam, you would let him be with Emily. One day you will find the one man you belong with. You need to let Sam go."

"Let him go?" I whispered, "LET HIM GO? Four years! I gave him everything for four years! WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE? I'm your fucking daughter! Treat me like it!"

I stormed upstairs before they could say another word to me. Slamming my door shut, I threw myself onto my bed, sobbing. My own parents. Dad and I were close, we went fishing and hung out and stuff. I actually thought he was cool. But now he's defending Sam? And mom? How could she treat me like my broken heart was… nothing! They expect me to get over a relationship that lasted four years! They even knew he was going to propose!

I went to bed that night too hurt to tell my parents about the baby. I realized right then that I was alone in the world, that it would be up to me to fend for myself.