The young woman, the teenage girl heads downstairs while finally both nervous and hopeful as she slowly strolls into the kitchen. Alexis can't say she's surprised at all to see her aunt and her twin sister already there. She speaks a quiet greeting before she beelines straight toward their fridge, pulling out a Tupperware container of food that she had taken the time to prepare last night for breakfast as knew that she would most likely not feel up to being able to make herself breakfast in the morning and because she knew she need to for today. Not only because it's her first day back at school but also because she is now eating for two.
She picks up a fork from one of the draws, spinning on her feet she sits down at on of the chairs at the counter. Her twin sister is watching her, not only can Alexis see it but she can feel it. It makes her feel a whole different level on uneasy because she knows how much Elena has been getting increasingly worried about her as of lately. Alexis can see how hurt she is at how Alexis has getting more and more distant from her sister than normal but the truth is Elena is probably one of the ones she most scared of telling what happened because in a way she feels she did wrong by her sister. It feels as though she betrayed her. She feels something close to shame as she thinks about it.
Alexis slowly starts eating her food, chewing it slowly, stomach still feeling queasy as she looks up to her auburn haired aunt who seems to be peering into the pantry as if what is inside will change. Jenna presses her lips together before looking over her shoulder at her niece that stands by the coffee maker with a thoughtful look.
"Toast, I can make toast." The redhead offers trying to do the right thing and make sure the children she are now responsible have eaten before school. Alexis puts another small forkful of food in her mouth as she looks over to Elena, seeing her older twin sister pouring herself a cup of coffee. Coffee, a luxury Alexis has quit consuming, among other things, since she found out she was pregnant, subconsciously doing it even when she was in denial of her situation but it's not much of a big deal as she didn't drink it often anyway.
"It's all about the Coffee, Aunt Jenna." Elena remarks with a tilt of her head as she pours herself a mug. Jenna shrugs and turns away from the pantry to look at the younger twin, seeing she already has food but she looks so tired and worn, struggling to eat the food before her.
"Are you okay, Alexis?" Jenna asks softly, knowing the girl hasn't been okay lately, acting really off and that scares Jenna because she's not sure how she can help her or even how bad it is. All she wants to do is make sure she's alright and safe. The youngest brunette looks up at her, nodding slowly.
"Yeah... just a little under the weather." She breathes out slowly, a little nervous but just playing it off a little as she looks back down and concentrates harder on eating more food before she looses her appetite. Elena frowns at her sisters response, her brow creasing with worry.
"She's been really sick lately, Jen." Elena speaks up, concern laced in her voice as she looks to her sister with a frown. She's worried about her little sister and who came blame her, she has every right to be. Alexis has never really hidden much from her so her trying to hide this scares Elena because this isn't something as easily hidden, especially when she's throwing up and feeling more fatigued lately. Those are some psychically things that are hard to hide not words which are easy.
The girl feels caught beneath her sister's scrutiny because it's Elena she wants to hid the truth from most. She doesn't know what to say in response but Jenna cuts in.
"Really?" Jenna frowns, worry creeping to her eyes as she looks between the twins while Jeremy strolls into the kitchen, bag slung over his shoulder. Elena parts her lips, about to continue but she's promptly cut off by her younger brother.
"Is there coffee?" Jeremy ponders aloud walking over to Elena, who passing him the coffee pot, having just finished pouring herself a mug, without a second glance and Alexis takes the opportunity to speak up.
"I'm fine, Jen, Elena, really." Alexis speaks out a little defensively, looking to her aunt and sister, wanting to get away from this topic but that just causes her sister to frown harder and her brother to jump into the conversation.
"What's going on?" Jeremy interrupts, furrowing his brow and Elena turns her head to him.
"Alexis is sick. She's also been throwing up allot lately." Elena remarks in a sigh, shaking her head and Alexis sighs at that before turning her eyes to her aunt. Alexis knows how to hide a secret but this isn't something she can hide much longer, she looks at her aunt, knowing she is going to tell the women the truth before tomorrow begins.
"Look, I'll tell you everything but can we do this after school please, Jenna?" Alexis pleads, giving her aunt a soft look. Jenna sees the look in her eyes and honestly on her face and just knows to drop it, not to push her more because Alexis will tell her tonight. The red head nods slowly, pressing her lips together, accepting that.
"Okay..." Jenna assures her and Alexis breaths out a sigh in relief, picking up her fork to eat more, still eating slowly but knowing she needs to eat. Elena follows Jenna's lead and drops the topic for now yet still throws her sister another worried glance. Jenna shakes her head after a moment letting out a loud breath. "It's your first day on school and I'm totally unprepared." Jenna confesses to the trio, shaking her head as she walks over to her own bag and riffles though it, pulling out her purse. "Lunch money?" She offers walking over to the twins first at the counter, pulling out a few notes.
Elena shakes her head, pulling the mug from her lips to answer. "I'm okay." Elena denies the money and Alexis reaches out, grabbing a few of the notes, knowing she will need as much money as she can get, while Jeremy quickly pinches the rest of it when Jenna turns to him. She simply rolls her eyes looking between the teens.
"Anything else a number two pencil? Anything?" Jenna double checks making sure she's fulfilled her parental responsibility for the day, her eyes lingering on Alexis a bit longer than the others. Elena pauses for a moment in thought before speaking up.
"Don't you have that presentation today?" The older twin asks, looking up to the auburn haired woman, with a puzzled look upon her face.
"I'm meeting my thesis adviser at-" She checks her watch as her face drops "-now. Crap" She exclaims hands quickly flying up to let her hair down.
"Go we'll be fine." Elena speaks with a soft smile that only looks half convincing as she looks at Elena then settles on Jenna. Jenna smiles back before half heartedly before looking to Alexis with concern in her eyes, smiling softly then rushing out of the door. Elena looks to her brother catching his eye and he shots her a look.
"You okay?" Elena asks him softly and he is not in the mood.
"Don't even." He warns before stalking out of the house, slamming the front door behind him. Alexis shakes her head at her brothers actions before pushing herself up, having gotten at least half way through her meal before throwing the rest it out because if she takes another bite she knows it will not stay down. Elena looks after her with a soft look.
"Are you really okay, Alexis?" She breaths out, so worried for her younger sister how has become so distant from her. Alexis pauses in her movements before looking up to her sister, unsure look on her face because she is unsure of the answer and what the future holds for her.
"I honestly don't know but I guess the next few days will tell." She admits giving her sister a tight sad smile hoping she'll be able to say yes to that question and actually mean it soon. Elena gives her an understanding look, thinking it's just about their parents but she doesn't understand, she can't as she still doesn't know about what happened with her and Matt, which only Jenna knows, let alone the pregnancy. Luckily, before some sort of pep talk from her sister, they hear Bonnie's car pull up onto the curb followed momentarily by the sound of her car honking. Both of the sisters head out, Alexis sliding into the back seat while her sister jumps into the front seat. It's not long before conversation easily comes to them, they talk about basic things then cheerleader which Alexis is not too sure about, she loves cheer leading, she really does. There's a suddenly lull in the conversation and Bonnie takes the new chance of silence as her opportunity to bring the topic up that she is so eager about.
"So Grams is telling me I'm psychic. Our ancestors were from Salem, witches and all that, I know, crazy, but she's going on and on about it, and I'm like, put this woman in a home already! But then I started thinking, I predicted Obama and I predicted Heath Ledger, and I still think Florida will break off and turn into little resort islands...Elena! Back in the car." She scolds when Elena drifts off and Alexis just lets out an amused huff at it all, clinging to Bonnie's words so she doesn't drift off thinking about all her anxieties but she also finds the whole witch thing pretty interesting.
"I did it again, didn't I? I-I'm sorry, Bonnie. You were telling me that..." She apologizes quietly as she's brought back to reality.
"Bonnie was just saying that she's psychic now." Alexis laughs in a teasing manner, answering for Bonnie. Elena arches an eyebrow and her eyes flick to Bonnie who's looking at the duo in the rear view mirror.
"Right. Okay, then predict something. About me." She smiles playing along.
"I see..." Bonnie starts but with a thud followed as something hit the car. Suddenly the car jerks as Bonnie looses control, Alexis feels her blood run cold, her body moves on it's on accord, her hands flying to her stomach, she hunches over, her body instinctively moving, protecting her stomach at all cost. The car is spinning, her eyes are closed this time unlike the night her parents were taken, fear drilling into her. The sound screeching ties loud in the ear, she's panicking, her mind going worse scenario. Luckily and quickly Bonnie manages to regain control of the car and brings it to a sharp halt. The car is silent apart from the labored breaths of all the girls. Alexis eyes open, her hands now gently rest on her small bump when she slowly starts to sit back up.
"What was that?! Oh, my god! Girls, are you okay?" Bonnie questions, breathing heavy, in a bit of shock of what just happen and looking every which way concerned as she turns in her seat to look at the girls. Alexis looks in like she's a little in shock, her eyes are wide with panic and slightly watery as she tries to leaving her breathing, calming herself down.
"It's okay. I'm fine." Elena breaths out , not at all sounding convincing, closing her eyes and gripping the car seat harder before she loosens the grip, more panic setting in and looking to her sister. "'Lexis, you okay?" She breaths out, looking at her sister who slowly nods as her eyes search out and meet her twins.
"Yeah." She breaths out before presses her lips together, shaking her head and Elena turns back to look at Bonnie as the girl speaks up.
"It was like a bird or something. It came out of nowhere." Bonnie breath out trying to calm the girls, her voice sounding a little guilty as Alexis's hand rubs over her bump gently for a moment before she speaks up.
"It's okay.." Alexis breaths out. "I can't be freaked out by cars for the rest of my life." She continues softly and Elena nods in agreement.
"Alexis right, we can't be freak out by cars forever." Elena speaks gently and Bonnie nods slightly.
"I predict this year is going to be kick ass. And I predict all the sad and dark times are over and you and Alexis are going to be beyond happy." Bonnie smiles and Alexis really hopes she's right, that in the end everything will work out.
They get to the school all a little shaken by what had happened but they're okay to say the least but the trio of girls stand in the hall of their school talking about pointless things. Alexis looks out of it, she's leaning a against the locker next to where her sister, Elena, is when Bonnie makes an annoyed noise from the other side of her sister. "Major lack of male real estate. Look at the shower curtain on Kelly Beech. She looks like a hot- can I still say 'Tranny mess'..? " Bonnie complains arching an eyebrow, half turning to the twins. Elena gives Bonnie a dubious look while Alexis blinks out of her daze.
"No that's uh so over." Alexis tells her friend, mind not really concentrating on her words but the other two girls just assume it's because of her parents death and she's shaken from the car ride.
"Ahh, find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year." Bonnie shrugs, knowing Alexis wouldn't want them to get too hung up over whatever she's thinking about but Alexis pauses as she sees him across the hall. Her eyes meet blue and it feels like her heart has stopped.
"I have to go." She breaths out to Elena and Bonnie because she needs to talk to him. She walks over to him, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She comes to a stand still in front of him and he looks at her she looks tired, somethings wrong. She looks up at him, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Matt.." She starts, she's nervous and unsure it's clear on her face, it's strange to see those emotions on her face because she's usually so sweet and brave faced but he supposes after what happened he knew things would be awkward although he doesn't want things to be like that.
"Hey, Alexis...Are you okay?"He asks looking at her with concern on his face because somethings off, she isn't okay. She shakes her head, looking at the ground.
"No, I'm not." She admits and he sighs, feeling guilty about all of this, making her feel this way and putting her in such a hard situation with her sister, knowing Alexis wouldn't have told her twin. He remembers that night all too well, the smile she gave him when she tried to make him dance with her, the way she spoke and the look in her eyes right before she kissed him yet he knows he shouldn't have taken it further than that, not when he had just broken up with his ex longtime girlfriend who is Alexis's twin sister.
"Is this about what happened? I'm sorry-"
"Matt.." She interrupts him softly but he keeps going, shaking his head.
"Look, It was a mistake, I shouldn't have let that happen. I don't want you to think I don't car-" He tries to explain but those first words saying it was a mistake hurts so much, she lets out a sharp breath before looking back up to him.
"We need to talk." She cuts him off, voice a little louder and it's the tone she's using, the look on her face, just everything about it makes him just stop in his movement completely. He looks at her, furrowing his brow for some reason now feeling much more uneasy as he could feel the weight of her words strongly.
"Okay, okay we can talk..I have to go right now but later?" He asks, heart pounding in his chest at what her words could mean. She presses her lips together, crossing her arms over her chest as she nods.
"Yeah..later." She breaths out before he gives her a nod and hurries off to whatever it is he needs to do. She runs a hand down her face, giving herself a minute to breath before going back to Bonnie and Elena, looking increasingly more nervous than before.
"What was that about?" Elena asks arching a brow as she comes back but Alexis just shakes her head, telling her it was nothing. Bonnie doesn't seem convinced at the answer either and she's about to pry when a beautiful blonde girl practically bounces up to them and the appearance of her best friend makes Alexis relax a little, smile even coming over her face. Her smile is soft when Caroline is quick to pull her into a hug, tight hug and Caroline stills for a second in the hug before pulling back abruptly with a calculating look on her face because of her suspicions. Alexis's really needs to fill Caroline in because she's the one person she knows won't have a really bad reaction, sure maybe one or two scolding words but that'd be the end of it and she'd be there.
"How are you?" Caroline asks small smile on her lips, but her gaze is calculating as she looks her friend over because she always notices the little things and not to sound rude or anything but Caroline has notice the little bit of weight gain in her friend that usually takes so much care in her body.
"I'm good but Caroline you look...Amazing." Alexis grins and Caroline's eyes light up as she simply laughs, throwing her head back for a moment as she does so. Caroline looks back at her friend with a huge smile and Alexis grabs Caroline's hand. "We have so much to catch up about."
"That's what I though." Caroline chuckles knowingly, making Alexis give a head tilt knowing Caroline would not be too surprised by the information.
"Uh.." Elena starts, wondering what she is missing out on but something distracts the blonde and she frowns, deflating.
"Damn, Well I have to go but we'll talk " The blonde promises her friend before she darts off and the twins turn back to each other.
"Good Batch, man!" She hears someone call then she sees Elena's face drop to one of disappointment and anger. Alexis deflates before she looks over her shoulder at whatever her sisters looking at, she can't help the roll of her eyes as she sees Jeremy entering the bathroom with his hoodie up. Alexis won't go after him, she just won't be able to cope with more stress so she lets Elena take the lead on this.
"Be right back." Elena sighs tiredly as Alexis gives her a look good luck before she leaves to hurry to catch up with Jeremy in the men's room. Alexis's about to make a comment to Bonnie about this all but she feels her phone go off in her pocket. She reaches in and fishes her phone out of her pocket as Bonnie walks off, needing to do some stuff before class begins.
She reads the text on the screen seeing it's from her Uncle John. "Good luck at your first day back at school sweetheart - love you" it reads. She smiles, she's always been very close to her Uncle John, hell, growing up she spent most summers with him and she was always so excited when he would visit. He's family and she loves him allot. She types out a response back before putting her phone back into her pocket.
She shakes her head and decides to start walking to class, but someone bumps into her as she walks causing her to be thrown of balance might fall but doesn't find out if she would or not as whoever knocked her had amazing reflexes and reached out. They grabbed her arm, pulling and anchoring her to balance quickly before she falls. She lets out a breath of relief as she shakes her head, heart pounding wildly but she forces herself to calm quickly as she looks up to the person who takes his grip off of her.
"Gosh...thanks" She breaths out, when she calms but as she looks to the guy she doesn't recognize him, must be a new student.
"No problem, but it was kind of my fault." He shrugs, smile making it way on his face. "But are you okay?" He asks looking at her with concern in his eyes and she sighs, she's seen that look to often.
"I'm Alexis, Alexis Gilbert." She ignores his question, introducing herself with a tight lipped smile.
"Stefan, Stefan Salvatore." He introduces himself with a smile and an arched eyebrow as he notice the avoidance of the question but he lets it go.
"See you around then, Stefan." She tells him, giving him a polite nod before heading off to class, he turns around and almost bumps into the other twin.
As class starts their history teacher starts speaking. "Once our home state of Virginia joined confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state. People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the northwest region joining the union." She seems distracted in class, Stefan's eyes lingering on the sisters and Matt Donovan keeps shooting her worried looks, seeming on edge himself now yet it's Caroline that makes up some excuse before dragging Alexis out of the classroom.
It's just them in the girls bathroom, no one else is there, Caroline made sure of it. The pregnant girl shakes her head slowly as she walks over to the sinks before looking at her reflection in the mirror. Caroline is standing by one of the stalls a few feet away, walking over slowly to her friend. "Alexis, What's going on...?" She asks softly, no judgement in her voice which is a little strange for her but not strange as this is her best friend though thick and thin they stay side by side, keeping each others darkest secrets. The brunette lets out a breath, dropping her eyes down before turning to look at her friend.
"I slept with Matt." Alexis admits softly and the blonde's blue eyes widen slightly in surprise. Caroline takes in a deep breath, waiting a moment to process those words and thinking of a careful response because of how much it means.
"So are you two..?" She asks slowly and treading carefully.
"We aren't together." Alexis admits, cutting off her friend and Caroline is looking at her, face so soft and sympathy for her stained onto it. Caroline knows just how much Alexis loves that boy and how much it hurts her to do so, especially when he was with Elena but now, maybe, they could have a chance. The look on Alexis face tells her she isn't too sure about that, that it'd be too hard yet in the same way she looks hopeful for it to.
"When did this even happen?"
"Two weeks after Elena and he ended it." She admits, she just wanted him so much in that moment she didn't care but now reality has hit. She just hopes when Elena finds out she won't take it too hard, she never once meant to hurt her sister with what she did.
"Wow, that...Elena is not going to be happy." Caroline breaths out not really knowing what to say but saying the wrong thing. Alexis lets out a sharp huff, arms dropping to her sides as she look up at her with in incredulous look on her face as she seriously brought up Elena right now.
"Don't you think I know that?" Alexis snaps out, a little harsher than needed causing the blonde to recoil, eyes widening in surprise at the girls sudden harshness. Alexis eyes softens after a moment before she deflates, letting out a sigh and reaching a hand to rest on her forehead. "Sorry Care-"
"It's okay..I know but was Matt your first?" She questions, walking over closer to Alexis, placing a hand on her lower arm. The pregnant teen presses her lips together, frowning, letting out a hurt breath before looking back up to meet Caroline's blue eyes.
"Yeah, he was, and we aren't even together." Alexis confesses, hurt in her voice and Caroline presses her lips together pulling her friend into a hug, knowing she needs it. Alexis melts into the hug, not realizing how much she needed it.
"I'm sorry, 'Lexis, I know how much he means to you." Caroline mumbles in the hug and Alexis hugs her tightly, taking comfort in her best friend. After a while Caroline pulls back slowly, but not stepping back, her hands now resting on Alexis upper arms. "And now...?" She's asking the lingering question of 'are you pregnant' and Alexis wants to tell her but the words won't leave her lips it's like her tongue is tied as she thinks that Matt is entitled to know before her.
"Don't ask that please. I can't tell you yet." Alexis pleads and Caroline's lips twitch up slowly because she knows, of course Caroline would love if Alexis told her now she understands why she isn't.
"Okay..well talk about it when your ready. I'll be here no matter what you choose." The blonde promises, her voice gently, nodding her head softly and Alexis smiles sadly being able to tell how deeply her friend cares for her.
"Thank you Caroline... but we should probably get back to class now."
"Come on." Caroline gives her a small chuckle before pulling her out of the bathroom. As they walk through the hall Caroline looks to Alexis with a playful grin. "So was it at least good..."
"Caroline!" She scolds at her friend with no real heat in it, Caroline simply laughs and Alexis just shakes her head, laughing but mostly in relief, feeling lighter even if she didn't exactly tell Caroline everything, she didn't need get back to class and Tanner is annoyed at them but a remark from another student has him giving that student detention, forgetting about the two girls. Alexis settles back in her chair feeling a little lighter, she smiles at the new guy when she catches his eye before she looks to her other side over to Matt and he's already looking at her. The bell rings, class is over. Students start to leave the room to get to next class, Caroline drags her to the next class without a moments hesitation.
The cool wind gently blows on her skin, sending a cold shiver through her as she walks into the almost eerily silent cemetery accompanied by her sister, who is quite and lost in thought as they move to sit by their parents grave stone but she stays standing for a moment. It always hurts when she comes here and it will probably always hurt. She lets herself fall to her knees gently, a small breath of air falling from her lips as she looks at the names of her parents etched into grey stone before her. It's a dull ache in her heart, in her soul, inside of her, a void of where something should be but was torn away all to soon and it hurts. It still hurts and she's not sure that pain will ever stop but with time it will dull. Her parents may be dead but now she's bringing a life into this world, maybe it's a way of nature trying to apologize to her and it's just really horrible timing but in reality she knows it's more than that, that's why she is scared.
She's about to be a parent herself and her own parents are dead, she has to do this without them. She knows she'll have people there for her, hell, she knows if she picked up the phone John would be here as soon as he could, for some reason he always rushes over when Alexis' calls. She knows she won't be alone but she also knows people will be disappointed in her and that she will lose people because of this but in the end if they leave, they weren't really a friend.
She thinks about Matt, how she will have to tell him in probably within the next hour or two. She had told Matt to meet her at her house after she visits her parents grave and she'd text him when she was there. She lets out a sharp breath trying not to think about that until she's there and fores her eyes away from the stone and toward her younger twin.
"Hey 'Lena.." Alexis starts carefully, capturing her sisters attention, causing the older to look up at her but Alexis continues before Elena speaks up. "Do you think that you could go to Care's or Bonnie's after this? I kind of have to talk with Jen about a few things..." She speak quietly, carefully and nervously, purposely not mentioning Matt is going to come over so they can talk before she talks to Jenna. Elena looks up to her sister with concern on her face.
"What is going on, 'Lexis?" Elena breathes out, looking at her sister with such a soft broken look on her face.
"'Lena..." The younger twin sighs, looking away from her twin but Elena isn't having it, she has no idea what is going on with Alexis and she hates it. Elena doesn't understand why her sister is pushing her away so far when they are always better, always stronger, side by side.
"And what was that with Matt today? Why did Caroline pull you out of Class? What is going on?, I don't even know if you're okay and I'm actually scared, Alexis." Her sister sounds so hurt, it pulls at Alexis heart strings making her frown as her sister stares at her, wanting answers. Alexis eyes flick up to her sisters face, feeling guilty keeping this from her.
"I know, I'm so sorry Elena and I swear I will tell you but I can't today." She stresses desperately and quietly, eyes pleading. Elena sighs, face softening at her younger twin, pressing her lips together and waiting a moment before nodding.
"I'll head to Bonnie's and we can meet at the grill later.." Elena agrees quietly.
"Thank you, 'Lena." She breaths out in relief.
"But, 'Lexis, you need to know whatever this is I am here for you and nothing you could ever do would change that." Elena assures her and Alexis wants to believe her but she doesn't really know if Elena will still think that once she learns the complete truth of what is going on. Alexis just gives her something similar to a smile before Elena turns back, pulling a pen and dairy from her school bag that she's had forever but would never trade. A dairy, they both have one, Elena tends to take hers places with hers, writing whenever she needs while Alexis keeps hers at home, writing only in the morning after she wakes or when she's about to sleep though she wants to start writing in it more now, like a pregnancy journal to one day show her child. She gets lost in thought for a while as Elena write in her diary, she somehow finds it in her to relax, letting the cool wind blow against her and taking even breaths. She's snapped out of it, eyes flicking back to her sister at the sound of fluttering wings only to see a crow on their parent grave stone and the sound of Elena gasping, jolting at the sight of the crow. Alexis jolts back a little, finding it strange that a crow would come so close to them when crows try to stay away from larger predators, or at least she thinks that.
"Okay, that's not creepy at all." Alexis huffs knowing some kinds of birds can be an omen of sorts, usually one of death, making it very unsettling, hand instinctively going to her stomach for a moment, a movement Elena doesn't catch. Elena just nods in agreement for a moment before she sets her diary to the side as she learns forward batting at the bird, scolding it and shooing it away.
"That's what I thought." Elena huffs turning to her sister wearing a smile of victory but it soon falls from the older twins face when the crow girls share a questioning look as the air around them becomes thick as fog starts to slowly ascend around the cemetery. Alexis pushes herself up to her feet, spinning as she captures sight of a silhouette in the corner her vision. She takes a step back and apparently her sister has seen it as well. She has a bad feeling about this, she shoots her sister a look before she just runs.
She runs, sticks and leaves crushing under her feet as she runs. Her boot clips on a stray branch on the ground sending her staggering off balance. Her eyes squeeze shut as she looses balance completely, falling to the ground but before she can hit the ground, hands wrap around her, this time on her upper arms, preventing her from falling.
She groans, opening her eyes to look at the person before her only to relax seeing it's the new guy from school, she actually lets out a laugh as he drops his hands from her. He looks at her gently as she tilts her head, grinning. "Thanks..again." She chuckles at the situation.
"It's no problem, I promise." He assures her, smile on his own on his face but playful tone in his voice. She tilts her head at him, fond look on her face,
"Always going to be there to catch me when I fall?" She jokes, smile on her lips as she looks at him. He tilt his head thoughtfully.
"Always...Only if you want me to." He promises her and she quirks a brow, not noticing his eyes flick down to her stomach, not knowing he can hear her child's heartbeat and how his eyes widen. She's taken back a little by his words yet before she can even think of saying something in response her phone buzzes in her pocket. She shots Stefan a quick apologetic look before pulling her phone out, seeing Matt has sent her a message if she's home and she curses under her breath.
"Matt." She breaths out before typing a response saying to give her ten more minutes.
"Your boyfriend?" Stefan questions, making her tears her eyes from the phone screen up to meet his and she makes a look at that description.
"He's...It's complicated but I have to go." She sighs, not really finding the words, finding it too much of a mess to explain.
"Have a nice day, Alexis."
"See you around, Stef." She tells him before walking past him and heading off, texting her sister asking if she's okay and that she's going home now. As she walks home, every step she gets closer the more nervous she gets, her stomach doing flips and her heart beating like a jackhammer but she knows she needs to do this.
Matt isn't there when she gets home, not surprising but she texts him as she comes back downstairs, having just taken another test. She's pacing around the living room as she waits for him to get here, she just can not stay still. It's not long before there's a knock at the door. She pauses in her pacing, looking over to the source of the noise. She nervously runs a hand through her long hair, having taken it out of the high pony tail minutes before. Her heart is so loud as it pounds in her chest but she pushes herself, walking to the door and forcing herself to open it,, reveling an on edge looking Matt Donovan.
"Hey." He breaths out as he looks down at her and she gives him a tight lipped forced smile as she opens the door further stepping back.
"Hey..Come in." She tells him, her voice soft and he walks in. She shuts the door behind him gently.
"What's going on, Alexis?" He questions, obviously worried as she turns to look at him. She looks so nervous, so scared and he doesn't understand it at all as he doesn't know why yet he feels those emotions for himself because of her. She looks around, a she takes in a deep breath before looking back to him and meeting his eyes.
"I'd feel more comfortable speaking about this upstairs." She admits softly, wanting to be in the comfort of her room when she tells him or maybe she's just stalling for as long as possible. He looks confused for a moment but she's already moving to the stairs, heading to her room not waiting for him
"Okay.." He agrees, but she doesn't hear him, having already gone upstairs, he frowns, shaking his head standing still for a moment as he thinks about what could be happening. After a moment he takes in a deep breath and heads upstairs to talk to her. She's sitting on the edge of her bed, pregnancy test in hand, she toke another one before he came like she needed physical proof aside from her bump to show him. She hasn't checked looked at the results because she already knows what it see, as she looks down seeing that those two little lines it's the same as every other test she has taken. Positive.
He walks into her room, he can't see what's in her hands as he stops a few feet from the door. Her eyes flick up to his and she motions, by looking down to the spot on the edge of the bed beside her, for him to sit next to her. He walks slowly, each step heavy as he moves to sit next to her on her bed. She looks back at what is in her hands, before passing it to him, not even looking at him as she does. He takes it, furrow his brow, looking at it in his hand. It takes him a moment to realize what it is, she's pressing her lips together, her eyes are soft and she has to swallow back her fear. She turns her head, her hair falling over her shoulder to her front as she looks at him just in time to his reaction as he sees the positive result. His eyebrows hitch up, he has a look of shock on his face as he lets out a breath of air feeling as if he has just been punched in the face. His heart is beating so fast.
She looks at him presses her lips together, knowing his life is never going to be the same again and neither will hers. He's not saying anything, a hand coming up to rest on the side of his face, elbow resting on his thigh. Her eyes are watering but she swallows back her tears, not wanting to cry, after what feels like an eternity of silence he looks at her, holding the test in hand.
"You're pregnant?" He asks, voice weak and shaky because out of everything he thought she was going to tell him, pregnancy crossed his mind but he didn't think she'd actually be pregnant. He though maybe she wanted to clear the air, forget everything happened or even maybe go on a date. He didn't think this She nods slowly, tears staining her cheeks. It pains him to see her crying but he can barely process his own emotions at the moment.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm pregnant. " She admits quietly and it that's the first time she's said that out loud before."You're the only one I've ever had sex with." She admits, casting her eyes down and he did not know that, he can't really dwell on that fact with the realization he's having a kid is the most overpowering. Realizing the mother is Alexis, a girl he's considered his best friend almost his entire life is also overpowering. They're in this together. He looks back down to his hands.
"I'm going to be a father." He breathes out, his tone more even now. She can still see how scared he look about it but he doesn't look like he's about to run out of the room, or at all. So that's something.
He's going to be a father, it's a lot for him to process but not even for one moment does he has the thought of just walking out and leaving her. Instead his hand moves to her knee, squeezing it gently and he can her her let out what could be a breath or relief, like a wave crashing, as he still looks at the pregnancy test in his hands. He's terrified, Matt knows nothing about what it is to be a father as he never really had a father himself, his own left him before he was even a babe but what he does know is he wants to do better than his own father. Although he's afraid, they have nothing planned, the timing is horrible and they're too young he thinks they can do this, or they can at least try their best.
"Yeah." She breathes out, nodding. It's hard to picture, actually no, it's not. She's pictured it a thousand times over. He pauses for a moment looking back at her in the eyes. He seems hesitant for a moment before he speaks up.
"Do you want to keep it?" He asks her carefully, not trying to sound like he's suggesting anything, just wanting to know. Her heart pounds as she nods.
"Yes. I want too." She admits firmly, and he's almost surprised at the small feeling off relief he feels. He sits up more straighter, hand falling from the side of his face as he look to her.
"Does anyone else know?" He asks, voice raw wondering if she's told anyone else but she shakes her head.
"I'm pregnant? No, I'm going to tell Jenna after so she can get me a doctor appointment soon but I wanted to tell you first." Alexis tells him, he finds himself nodding at that as he takes in everything. He swallows just asking questions as they come to him.
"Does anyone know about that night?"
"Jenna and Caroline." She nods and he's not too surprised at that, was kind of expecting Caroline to know. "But I haven't told Elena. I mean how would I say it? 'I lost my virginity to your first love two weeks after you broke up.'" She continues in a weak huff, shaking her head.
"Pregnant our first times having sex, it's kinda ridiculous." He agrees, slight chuckle in his voice but his eyes are also wet and she bumps their shoulders together.
"You're telling me, I have a child growing inside of me." She huffs out, mood getting a little lighter and he shakes his head at her, smiling a little. "I mean just look." She scoffs, grabbing his hand and pulling it to his stomach as she leans back a little. He's laughing softly but his laughter trails off as he moves his hand around a little bit, feeling the slight bump of their unborn child.
"You're..." He starts but can't seem to finish, as more of the reality of the situation hits him. He feels like his breath is caught in his throat, a baby, his baby, it sounds weird but it's true. There's so much to do, so much to get ready, prepare before it's here, stress and fear is creeping in.
"I am Eleven weeks." She reminds him and he pulls his hand from her stomach.
"I should go." He speaks suddenly, pushing himself to his feet and she looks up at him, getting up herself quickly.
"What?" She asks thinking she went to far having him feel her bump, he can hear the panic and fear in her voice. He looks to her and realize she must think he means leave her, he puts his hands up loosely in front of her. He cares about her, he really does it's just so complicated. So many mixed mixed emotions and hurt with them.
"No, not like that..I mean this is completely terrifying but like I..." He tries to find the words, moving his hands, grabbing her upper arms gently, trying to reassure her. "I never had a dad, this kid will, I swear but right now I have to go do something."
"Oh okay." She breathes out, nodding a little relieved but also wanting to explain more right now but she understands. He looks at her pressing his lips together before stepping forward, wrapping his arms around her. She's taken back little by the action, they haven't talked since the morning after but after the initial take back she relaxes into his grip, holding him tight.
"We'll talk more." He mumbles against her hair, squeezing her tight before pulling back from her.
"See you later." She tells him quietly as he steps back, he gives her a tight lipped smile, trying to be reassuring before heading off. He's scared and so is she but they both want to do right by this child so that must mean something. Her hand goes down to her stomach and maybe, maybe everything is going to be okay. She's feels so much more lighter now someone knows but she still has to tell Jenna today. She knows Jenna will be the last of today, she can't handle telling more, leave that for another day.
She stays in her room for a while longer after Matt left so she can collect herself before she finally heads downstairs to seek out her aunt. Be brave. Jenna looks like she just got back, her bag is sitting on the kitchen counter as she riffles through it. The teen walks over, arms crossed over her chest as she speaks up. "Jenna." The girl starts but Jenna cuts her off as she pulls something from her bag, looking up to her.
"I know what you're going to say, Alexis." Jenna admits, voice even and knowing as she looks up to her with a soft look on her face.
"Jenna.." She starts quietly, shaking her head but Jenna interrupts her softly, wanting to cut to the chase.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" She asks, fully knowing the answer already as it really wasn't hard to put together the pieces when she already knew about Alexis and Matt being together that night. She can still remember how heartbroken her niece was after the fact, how conflicted she felt about it, how guilty she felt and to get pregnant from that is almost heartbreaking for Jenna to think about.
The teen girl presses her lips together, nodding before she speaks up. "Yes." She admits, her voice no shaky this time as she tells the truth. The redhead sighs, letting out a sharp breath because she's responsible for this teen and now the girl is pregnant. This...child is going to be having her own child and it almost makes Jenna's head spin.
"I have made a doctors appointment for you the day after tomorrow at one fifteen." Jenna tells her so carefully, after what Elena told her this morning about Alexis throwing up, that's when she realized the truth, after her presentation today she went straight down to the doctor to organize an appointment for Alexis and grab a few things to give to her, to inform her better. She hands the girl in front of her what she has in her hands, Alexis looks down, taking it.
"Thank you." She tells Jenna softly before she flicks through them, realizing they are all brochures and pamphlets about pregnancy, eating, exercising, choices and her about her rights. She tilts her head, eyes flicking back you to Jenna who is looking at her softly and sadness.
"You know you have a hard choice to make, right? I mean does he even know?"
"I just told Matt." She confesses, nodding her head as she meets the women's eyes. Jenna looks a bit surprised at that, that the two of them talked again after almost eleven weeks of no communication since what happened.
"How'd that go?" She asks, wondering how the boy would react to the life changing news had become a parent. Jenna doesn't know Matt to well, but she's known friends who got pregnant as teens and the fathers ran off, she hopes to hell that the boy her niece is hopelessly in love with isn't like that. Though Jenna can't help but think he might be because how he acted after they slept together.
"Pretty good, he's set on being around and he doesn't seem like he's going to runaway, he's not that kind of guy." Alexis insists although Jenna sighs.
"Did you sort things out?" The redhead continues softly referring to everything that happened with them, asking if they have talked it out yet.
"Apart from telling him I'm pregnant? No, not really." She admits because there's still allot of pain and heartbreak between them, she may still love him but she's still hurt from how it all happened, how today is the first day back in contact since that morning after. She feels like she should have sorted out all of the emotions before mentioning the baby but she knows she needed to do that.
"You guys need to figure all that out before..." Jenna starts and Alexis nods slowly.
"I know, Jen. I know." She admits in a sigh, shaking her head but all that is for another day. Jenna, getting the feeling Alexis is feeling uneasy switching up the topic. The red head looks around before meeting the pregnant teens eyes.
"Where's Elena?" She questions.
"At Bonnie's, we're meeting at the grill soon though I don't think I'll stay out too long." Alexis explains. She doesn't really want to go out, she's done way too much today and feels drained so she knows she needs to rest so she isn't sure she'll even go out even if she were to drive down. Usually she likes to walk places, but that tires her out and makes her feet ache more now, she thinks she'll be driving more now. Her and Elena both have their own cars (both ford escapes though Elena's is a metallic blue while Alexis is a silver) that were given to them on their sixteenth though Alexis never drives anymore, too afraid after the accident. Jenna just nods at her.
Hours later after dinner she gets a text from Elena as she descends down the stairs, telling her she's at the grill. Alexis sighs as she reaches the bottom of the stairs about to reply to the message, telling her sister she wont be able to make it but before she can someone knocks on the front door. She furrows her brow, holding her phone still in hand as she steps forward, further into the foyer before pulling the front door open. Her eyebrows hitch up when she sees Stefan Salvatore standing on her porch.
"Hey, what are you going here?" She asks a little perplexed as to why Stefan is here.
"I think you dropped this today." He tells her, friendly smile on his lips as he hands her a book. She takes it from his hand, furrowing her brow until she looks it over in her hands realizing it is her sisters diary. Elena must have dropped this at the cemetery today. She looks up to him with a soft expression on her face but she looks so tired, ready for the day to be over, and she dressed like she's about to go to bed. She's wearing a baggy large t-shirt and small pajama shorts.
"This is my sister's but thank you." She thanks him, giving him a tight lipped smile with a light in her eyes.
"It's no problem." He tells her, smile on his lips and heard through his voice.
"How'd you know where we lived, anyway?" She asks him, soft tone but with an underlining accusation, a little weary now but he just shrugs, tilting his head a little to the side.
"Small town, I just asked the first person I saw." He admits and she tilts her head, feeling more at ease as that sounds true for this town. She looks back down at the book in her hands and to him before holding it up.
"You should take it to her." She tells him thoughtfully, holding the book out for him to take it from her, he furrows his brow, looking confused at her action,
"What?" He questions as he slowly takes the book from her hands and she gives him an easy smile as she nods her head.
"Elena, everyone hangs out at the Mystic Grill after school and nights." She informs him with a small shrug, telling him he should go, she thinks her sister would like that. He tilts his head, thinking it over her a moment before nodding slowly.
"Okay, are you going?" Stefan asks but she shakes her head at that because truly she feels exhausted.
"No, I can't today...I have too much going on but I think Elena would like it if you did." Alexis speaks truthfully, knowing look on her face and a small smile that has him agreeing.
"I will and thank you, Alexis."
"I should be thanking you." She laughs softly, shaking her head and he gives her a polite nod before leaving, she shuts the door behind him. She texts Elena that she can't make it before calling Matt as she heads up stairs. She rings him, phone pressed against her ear as she walks upstairs and he answers almost straight away. "Hey Lexis, you okay?" Is the first words past his lips as when he answers the call. She smiles softly at the sound of his voice, letting out a breath of air as she nods.
"Yeah, I'm okay, you just told me to call you about the appointment." She tells him, voice soft as she stops in her open doorway to her room, leaning against the frame as she talks to him.
"Yeah, when is it?" He asks her sounding a little busy at the moment but nervously excited for the appointment. Truth be told Alexis is very nervous, she has allot of questions for her doctor but she's excited to make sure her baby is okay. She presses her lips together, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's the day after tomorrow at 1:15." She tells him and he's quite for a moment thinking it over.
"Okay, so half day at school then we'll go?" He suggests to her and she agrees to that while he can hear the tiredness in her voice. He tells her goodnight and she smiles softly as she tells him that before hanging up the phone and crawling into her bed for an early night.