BlackCanary98: Nick basically has a massive crush on Jason and hates the fact that h's dating Aiden. So he'll do anything in his power to drive a wedge between them. Yeah, Ava's got a lot going on for her in the future. Hopefully she'll reach out to her friends for help. And, well, Jason's pretty stubborn. So if he's adamant about buying an expensive ring to propose to Aiden, he'll find a way to do it.
Ava's POV
I feel everyone's eyes on me at the clinic. I mean, why wouldn't they? I'm an eighteen year old girl all alone with a belly the size of her head. My back hurts and I can't stop going to the bathroom with my stomach gurgling so much. I squirm around in the seat. Were chairs always this hard to get comfortable in? My clothes feel sticky and hot. I unbutton the bottom of my blouse to give my stomach room to breathe in my already stretchy yoga pants. An older woman nudges her daughter and points at me.
"This is why you're supposed to wait until marriage, Patricia," she says, not even trying to be discreet about it. "You'll end up like that little whore over there, with the rest of your life ruined by underage pregnancy."
I really wish Rose were here right now.
"Miss Edwards? The doctor is ready to see you now," the short nurse announces. After my close encounter with Rose yesterday evening I get up and practically waddle out of the waiting room. A dark-skinned, slender woman is waiting for me when I get there.
"You must be Ava," she says, giving me a small smile. "Come, sit. We'll be here for a while."
I manage to sit on one of the chairs she has in the room. It's way too snug with the way my butt and hips are growing. We sit in silence for a while.
"So, care to tell me why we're here today?" She asks. I swear, she sounds just Rose.
"I think it's pretty obvious," I mutter, holding my stomach. "I...I'm pregnant."
"How long have you known?"
"About three months. But I think its been like this for longer."
"If you don't mind me asking, do you know...how this happened?"
My gut twists a little hearing this. My breathing quickens. I silently vow that the next time I see the lowly son of a bitch that caused all this, I'd give him as much pain as he gave me. My fists clench. The doctor seems to understand and puts a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"You didn't want to, did you?"
I shake my head no.
"I should've decapitated him even before I found out he got me pregnant," I snarl, balling my hands into fists.
"Well, I understand you're upset and you have every right to be, but right now we need to think about your future with your child. Have you had an ultrasound yet?"
I shake my head no.
"I just wanna know why I'm getting so big so fast."
"You may just be bloated from retaining too much water, but let me check. Come here."
She gets me settled and asks me to lift up my shirt. She places the ultrasound on my belly. I shiver from the cold gel.
"Hm...do you want to know what sex the baby is?"
"Uh, sure…"
"Ok, let me see...Oh!"
My heart goes into panic mode real fast. Could there be a complication?
"What? What's wrong?!"
"Nothing serious, it's just...you're having twin boys."
"Whaaaaaat?!" I exclaim before everything goes black.
…
"Ava? Ava, are you alright?" I hear someone say. I come to and the doctor and her nurse are standing over me.
"Well, I had a dream that I was having twins…"
"Well, that part's true. This is a lot to take in. I had my child when I was a teenager too."
"What happened?"
"I had her at 17. I still remember her small button brown eyes and chubby cheeks. She was so tiny it was hard to keep track of her when I want to college. Then, one day...I was on the bus ride home...it was so crowded. I should've held her hand better. When I got off, she wasn't there. I tried to run after the bus...but it drove away. I never saw her again. I cried for weeks. Later I graduated and married a divorced police officer who had a son from his last marriage. Things were fine until a missing child report came up with her exact description, and my husband was on the case. I was worried that he'd find out about my child and put me in jail. That all my hard work would be for nothing. So I left and changed my entire identity and started over. I was presumed dead. So here am now helping others raise their families when I couldn't even raise mine. The last I heard of my daughter my husband had adopted her."
"...and what was the name of your daughter?"
"Rose. Why?"
I gasp. Everything started to make sense. The similar features, the personality...especially the fact that Rose was adopted by Officer Brinkwater.
"That story sounds so similar to what happened to my best friend. Except, she thinks her mother abandoned her."
"Rose? My Rose?"
"She was three-"
"-years old. Oh my god, it IS Rose."
She pulls up a picture of a small little girl with her brown hair in pigtails. She looks just the same as when I met Rose in preschool.
"So...why did you come back?"
"After being missing for 14 years, I didn't think anyone would recognize me. I'm not sure I want them to. How is Rose?"
"I'm...I'm not sure. I used to live with her before I left 11 months ago. I was trying to find some solace after I lost someone dear to me. She saw me at the mall from the pharmacy. She's worried about me."
"Maybe you should go back to her. You'll need someone to support you at this time."
"Are you going to tell Rose the truth?" I ask.
"It's ok...if you want to tell her. I'll let her come find me when she's ready."
She gives me advice on what to eat and drink and habits to avoid for the next few months. I nod, thank her for her time and leave.
Aiden's POV
Damn, Jason must be practicing again. I better go take his lunch to him. I have a feeling he didn't eat yesterday like he said he did.
Before I get to the auditorium, I bump into someone coming out of it. It's the same boy I saw in the parking lot. I jump and stumble backwards. He catches me quickly. His green eyes bore into mine, making me blush.
"Um...I have a boyfriend…" I stammer. He smirks.
"Trust me, I've noticed," he says. "My name's Nick. I'm kinda new around here. I don't suppose you could help me find my way around the school?"
"I guess...why were you glaring at us in the parking lot yesterday?"
"My bad. There was something in my eye at that moment. I didn't mean to come off as unfriendly. Now, I've been trying to locate the computer lab but I can't seem to find it."
"I could take you there. It's on the fourth floor. I just have to take this lunch to Jason."
"Of course. I have to take a phone call in a bit anyway."
I head inside the auditorium, where Jason is dancing by himself, locked in concentration. He smiles when he sees me, wrapping me in a sweaty hug.
"Ew, you're covered in sweat," I laugh.
"I guess you'll have to endure this sweaty bear hug," he says, nuzzling my neck and trying to kiss me.
"No, please! Anything but that!" I exclaim, laughing as Jason picks me up, kisses me and sets me down. He lets go, his movements a bit shaky.
"So...what's up?"
"I brought you your lunch again. And it looks like you might need it. You look a little pale."
"Aww...you care too much," he says. "I'm fine. Just working hard as usual."
"Ok, just be careful," I tell him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before I leave. Nick's still on the phone.
"...just make sure everything's ready when I get there, alright? Whatever. I gotta call you back."
"Hey."
"Right. Let's go to the computer lab."
"So...you're a member of the glee club now?" I ask as we ascend the stairwell.
"Yeah, pretty much. I have to say, Jason's...quite high maintenance."
"What do you mean?"
"I've heard he can be kinda aggressive."
"I know...he's very passionate about everything he does."
"I'd hate if you got hurt because of it."
"...Why?"
"Look, I didn't want to say anything because I didn't know that the two of you were exclusively dating...but I've seen him flirting with the other members during practice."
"I mean, I know Jason tends to get a bit intimate during his performances, but I don't think he'd…"
"He even came on to me a few times. I came in the auditorium to ask him where the computer lab was and he asked if I wanted a 'private performance' after he was done. I left quickly after that."
"No...Jason would never do that to me...I think you just jumped to conclusions."
"Aiden, I know it hurts to think that someone you cared about would ever treat you so poorly. Trust me, I know that feeling. But hey, if things don't work out for the two, you'll have a friend in me."
"I do?"
"Yep. I have a feeling we'd make a great team. Well, here's the computer lab. Thanks, Aiden."
"You're welco- oof!" He gives me a tight hug, his hands around my waist. Alarm bells are ringing in my mind. No one except Jason hugs me like that. Even the most Ace ever does is a one sided arm around my shoulder. I twist away from him. "What was that?!"
"Apologies. My family's pretty big on affection, so it happens. Just remember what I said, Aiden," he says before disappearing into the computer lab. I take off in the other direction as fast as I can.
Karma'sComing123: Tsk, tsk, Aiden. Always hopping from one hot person to the next.
YourMainVirtuoso: Huh? What are you talking about?
Karma'sComing123: I saw you hugging Nick just now. Imagine how crushed Jason would be if he heard about this.
I blink. This just happened. How the hell would this person know about Nick hugging me?
YourMainVirtuoso: You don't know a thing. He hugged me.
Karma'sComing123: Excuses, excuses. I think another secret will be in order.
YourMainVirtuoso: But...I told you one yesterday. I told several. You said you'd leave me alone for a week!
Karma'sComing123: 'Bout that...I'm kinda bored now. So, let's hear it. I know you're outside the boy's bathroom.
I nearly drop my phone from fright and look through the hallways. No one's there. Am I being paranoid? Who was this person and why did they keep bothering me?
YourMainVirtuoso: Leave me alone. I haven't done anything to you!
Karma'sComing123: What, is the little crybaby going to go whine to the police again? You trying to get ME killed too?
YourMainVirtuoso: I didn't kill Jessica! She ran into traffic and killed herself!
Karma'sComing123: You keep telling yourself that…
Karma'sComing123: I'm not kidding. I'll ruin you unless you spill.
Karma'sComing123: I'm waiting, Aiden.
YourMainVirtuoso: Ok, ok!
I take a deep breath and type my answer before pressing send, my hands shaking.
YourMainVirtuoso:...I'm worried Jason's changed his mind about proposing to me.
Karma'sComing123: Ooh, do tell!
YourMainVirtuoso:...I heard a rumor that he was...cheating on me. I don't want to believe it, but...he's been busy lately during lunch and sometimes after school. Sometimes he leaves home earlier than I do for glee club practice. I know he's dedicated to what he does...What if I'm not good enough for him anymore?
Karma'sComing123: Maybe he's stopped caring about you. I wouldn't blame him. If I were him I'd get sick of you too. Who wants a broken person as their boyfriend, much less a husband?
YourMainVirtuoso: You're wrong! I'm not broken and he loves me. He told me!
Karma'sComing123: You can't always believe everything you're told, now can you, Aiden? I'll be watching your every move. Tell anyone I'm texting you and you're a dead man. Let's hope you don't slip up too badly before I ruin you.
I'm shaking so badly that I duck into the bathroom stall. I don't think I can bear to hear anymore from this guy. Whoever he is. I shove my phone in my back pocket and feel something poking my fingers. I pull it out. It's the tickets for the opera date Jason and I are going to see tonight. If he even makes it.
Nick's POV
"Alright everyone, let's take five and then run that number from the top," Jason says after school . It's a good thing I'm a fast learner, and blend right in with everyone else. It was also quite lucky that one of their members graduated last year and were in need for a replacement. He runs a hand through his hair, wiping the sweat from his face. For a trans boy, he's quite built. It's too bad he's taken. For now…
He leans uneasily against the wall, breathing heavily. I can tell he's rather fatigued from the long hours of practice. From what I've heard from that Katie girl, he pushes himself harder than he does with any of the other members. That's kinda hot to see him so passionate about what he does. I walk over to him.
"Hey, Jason," I say.
"What's up?" he asks, looking up at me with his sapphire orbs.
"You look unwell. Perhaps you should rest a bit longer."
Jason shakes his head.
"Uh-uh. A big competition is coming up soon and the prize is 25,000 for the whole team. Which is pretty good since we have 25 members. So I can't afford to rest. If I look bad, the whole team looks bad."
"What could possibly be worth 1,000 dollars?"
"...Something important," he answers vaguely. I bet he's talking about the proposal I heard him mention in the parking lot.
"Well, if you say so. It'd be a shame if something happened to you because you pushed yourself too hard."
He chuckles, mustering up a sexy grin.
"Please. Too hard is not in my vocabulary."He gets up and tells everyone to get back to their positions. "Ok, a little slower from that section to the left. Jeffery, remember that you're supposed to pair with Miley, not Adam when we get to the chorus. Susanne, smile less and let your movements tell your story. And Nick?"
"Yeah?"
"Keep up the good work, I guess."
"Thanks." I try hard not to blush. The music starts. It's a fast, upbeat tune. One little slip up and you'd mess up the choreography. Try doing that and trying to sing well at the same time. From a distance, Jason looks like he's chugged a Red Bull right before we started. He must be good at hiding his weakness. We get to the part where we get into groups of three and flip one person in the air. I get into Jason's group. He gets up uneasily. When he tries to flip, his leg gives out suddenly and he falls backwards. The others cringe as he hits the ground hard.
"Jason, are you ok?" Katie gasps, kneeling at his side. He gets up quickly, his face a deep shade of red.
"I'm fine!" he says quickly. "Just run that again without me. My group, just pretend that I'm there. I'll be back in a minute."
He takes off. Katie sighs.
"I hate it when he gets like this," she complains. "If it were anyone but himself, he would've said something like, 'It's fine, we'll work on this later, go get a drink of water,' and offer to take them to the nurse if anyone was hurt."
"He really cares about glee club, doesn't he?"
"He started the club in his sophomore year when he was new here with only 10 members. Now, we have 25, and he makes sure he knows each and every last one of our names by heart. I can't help but think something's bothering him. He wasn't like this before last year, around this time."
"What happened?"
"His boyfriend happened. Now, it's like nothing Jason does is good enough for himself. I just feel he'd be better off without Aiden. Not that I have anything personal against him. Maybe Jay'd be better with someone...more stable. Someone like you, actually."
"Who, me?"
"Yeah. Who's gonna hold him together when he falls apart? Probably not Aiden, who's probably done so already. You and Jay are both performers, so it'd work out with your schedules. I just wish Jason would see that."
"Maybe I should talk to him."
"Would you? Maybe he'll warm up to you."
I smile graciously and head out to the hall. I turn the corner when I see them.
"Don't forget about our date tonight," Aiden says, slipping a ticket in Jay's pocket.
"I won't. I promise," Jason replies, brushing a kiss on his cheeks. "Just let me get in another hour of practice in and I'll meet you at home, K?"
"Jay, you look really pale. When's the last time you ate something today?"
"Don't worry about that, Aiden. Worry about making sure you look handsome for our date," Jay dodges the question.
"But Jason-"
"Later, babe!" He says, walking off. I rush back to the auditorium before he sees me.
"Are you feeling better, Jason?" Katie asks.
"Much better. Let's take it from the top, guys."
So we continue with practice like nothing happened. At last, practice ends with Jason telling everyone to rest but keep practicing the routine.
"Jason, some of the team is going out for milkshakes and hamburgers. Wanna come?" I ask. Jason shakes his head.
"Sorry guys. I've got a date with Aiden tonight. Showing up's the least I can do after blowing him off all week."
On the inside, my blood boils. Seriously, what does he see in Aiden that he doesn't see in me? Ugh. No matter. I'll just see to it that Jason can't make it to his date in time.
"That's too bad, Jason," I pout.
"Yeah, sorry guys. Hey, has anyone seen my phone?" he asks.
"Maybe you left in the locker room?" One of the guys suggests. Jason shrugs and heads towards the locker room. I quietly follow him. He's singing to himself.
"If this is my last night with you….hold me like I'm more than just a friend…"
He opens one of the lockers, his back turned to me. Without warning I shove him in, slam the door and lock it. I find his phone. Aiden sent him a selfie with him in a blue suit.
YourMainVirtuoso: Can't wait to see you for our date, Jason ;)
Oh, you poor, poor fool. I'm afraid Jason's gonna have to take a rain check on you tonight.
PrinceJay: Sorry babe, the guys invited me out for milkshakes. Besides, operas are boring. Like, do you even know me at all? I probably won't be home until late. Don't wait up for me. Seriously, don't. That's kinda clingy.
"Hey?! What the hell?! C'mon, guys, this isn't funny! Let me out!" I hear Jason shout from the locker. He pounds furiously on the door. "I have a date tonight!"
I ignore his protests as I stroll out of the locker room.
Jason's POV
I don't know how long I've been in the locker. I'm just lucky the custodian finally heard me and let me out. I found my phone on the bench. I rush home as soon as possible. It's already dark out. I make it to Aiden's room when I hear sniffling.
"H-he said I was being clingy. Well, I'm sorry I actually care about his health," he says to someone on the phone. "He also said he thought the opera was boring and that I didn't know him at all...I know he's obviously stressed, but I just wanted to help him...Maybe his friends were right about me...I'm not that naive, Ace. I know what they've been saying behind my back."
I quickly check my phone. There is a text from me...but I didn't send it. Oh God, Aiden must think I stood him up!
"...you think he's going to break up with me?"
I lightly know on the door.
"I...I gotta call you back Ace. I think he's here. Bye."
I open the door.
"Aiden, I am so sorry for standing you up, I-"
"It's fine, Jason." He says. He swallows hard and gives me a tight smile. "Really. I'm just glad you're back home."
He gives me a quick peck on the lips and heads to bed. I lie next to him and try to sleep.
What's that vibrating noise?
I turn on my side and see Aiden's phone on the bedpost light. Who the hell could be texting him at this hour. I look back at Aiden. I hope he's asleep by now. I carefully reach over and grab his phone. Who is this Karma'sComing123 person and why are they texting him so frequently. But before I can look at any of the messages, someone snatches the phone out of my hands. I look up into Aiden's glaring face.
"What do you think you're doing with my phone?"
Ace's POV
My girlfriend laughs as I pin her on the couch and begin tickling her underarms and tummy. We were watching a marathon of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, when we got into a little argument about the characters.
"Ace, we're going to wake up the whole neighborhood if we keep this up," Rose giggles.
"Not until you admit that Detective Elliot Stabler was a better partner for Detective Olivia Benson than Amaro!"
"I told you, they're both equally good with their strengths and weaknesses. You just prefer Stabler because he has history with Benson!"
"So-"
The doorbell rings. Rose gets up to answer it, and gasps.
"Ava!" She pulls her friend into a tight hug.
"Easy there, Rose!" Ava says,gently prying her off. She looks a lot different from last year. Longer hair, fuller face, protruding stomach...wait what?
"Oh my god," Rose gasps. "Ava, what happened to you?"
Ava grimaces.
"Long story short," she growls through gritted teeth. "A guy tricked me and tried to get me to 'see what it's like being with a dude. I couldn't get away from him in time. So now, here I am, 4 months away from giving birth to twin boys."
"Christ, that's awful," I groan. "Did you report this to the authorities?"
"What's the point? You know they always get away in the end," she snarls.
"Oh, Ava," Rose cries, throwing her arms around Ava's neck. "I'm so sorry I let this happen to you."
"No, it's my fault. I was the one who insisted on leaving. I wanted to clear my head and get some closure. But when I got back to the court, the police tape was still around Jessica's corpse, but Uma's was nowhere to be found. I kept checking the cemetery for weeks. Jessica was there. She wasn't. I became convinced that she wasn't dead after all and in hiding. So I went to look for her. I couldn't find her."
"Ava, we're going to help you through this," Rose promises. "You won't be alone again."
Ava smiles a little. She suddenly yelps, clutching her stomach.
"What's wrong?" I ask, panic in my voice. I sincerely hope she wasn't having a miscarriage.
"They're moving!" She whisper-yells. "The twins! They've started kicking!"
Rose takes her hands and squeezes them. Ava watches her sons kick with a sort of innocent awe.
"Ava…"
"Oh my god...it's actually real. This whole time I thought it was just a clump of cells taking up space in my body. But now...feeling them actually move inside me...Rose, I don't think I'm ready for this!"
"I understand, Ava. You were unexpectedly forced into something completely out of your comfort zone."
Ava tries to blink back tears, but they start streaming down her face.
"Rose...I can't get rid of them...but I'm too young to take care of a child, much less two! I'm worried I'll be a horrible mother to them...like my parents were to me. Worse...I'm worried they'll end up like their father."
"Of course not, Avie! I'm gonna stick with you no matter what happens. Just don't run away again, ok?"
Ava sniffs and nods, pulling Rose in for another hug. In spite of our history at the beginning, I can actually see where she's coming from. Her own parents practically disowned her and the only girl who actually reciprocated her feelings has disappeared off the face of the earth. And now this. We'll have to discuss Ava getting back into the school system, but that can wait.
