Chapter 10: Everywhere I Go
"Hey Brianna!" I heard Cameron shout excitedly.
I waved to her from across the plaza. She ran towards me faster and hugged me as soon as she got near enough to do so.
"It's been weeks!"
"I know! Look how much different you look!" I was so excited to see her.
"How are you and Ray?"
Her eyes lit up as soon as I mentioned his name.
"We're doing great! He took me out dancing last night and he bought me flowers, and oh. He is just so romantic!"
"I'm glad you two are having fun."
"Yeah; me too. How are you and Gerard?"
"Just fine. He's less romantic than Ray I suppose, but we have fun together. I love hanging out with him."
"Well I'm glad. Now let's stop talking about our boys and start having fun! I haven't seen you in forever and I'm not spending my time talking about our boyfriends!" I laughed at her. Of course we couldn't talk about them.
She led me over to a little shop that sold ladies business clothes.
"Cameron?"
"I need some new clothes for work. All of mine are starting to not fit and I haven't the faintest idea why."
"That's really strange."
"That's what I'm saying!"
She pulled a few items off the rack and went into the dressing room to try them on. I stood outside the dressing room thinking about the events that had happened to me in the past few days. I looked out the giant glass window and froze. That hair, that face. It couldn't be him. But it was…
"Do you like this one?"
I turned around and looked at Cameron. She wore a black skirt and tight white button up.
"Cameron, are you getting fat?"
"What?"
I turned her around so she could look in the mirror. She had a little bump going on.
"Oh my god I'm fat! This is awful!"
I laughed aloud to see her like this. I shouldn't have but I did.
"Bri! I look fat!" I stared harder at her.
"Not fat, just like you're pregnant."
It seemed that something clicked in both our heads at the exact same time.
"Cameron?"
She had shut the dressing room door and I could see her feet shuffling around the tiny room. I knocked on the door of her room.
"I'll wait outside the store OK?"
"OK."
I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders and stepped out into the cool autumn breeze. I turned my head and saw him again. He turned his face towards mine and I saw the scar. I gasped and stepped back, saw him smile. I made up my mind and ran after him. He ran ahead; damn he had gotten faster!
I barely kept up with him and eventually cornered him.
"Hey Bri." He sounded as if it was a happy reunion we were having.
"Zane." I spoke with acid in my voice.
"You sound unhappy to see me. And after I spent all this time looking for you so we could re-connect."
He walked around me in circles, sometimes tracing his finger along my body.
"Don't touch me."
"Why not? You used to like it when I touched you."
"I'm seeing someone Zane."
"What?"
He slammed me against the brick wall of a building. His hands tightened on my shoulders and his face got very close to mine.
"I'm seeing someone."
"But you're mine! You've always been mine. I'll just have to teach him a lesson. Who is he?"
"Like I'd ever tell you!"
I spit in his face angrily. He closed his eyes and his face bore a calm expression. He backed away and wiped his face on his sleeve.
"Then I'll find out the hard way. You know that I will; I'm always watching you. Always watching you." And with that he walked away and into the shadows.
I sank to my knees and held myself. Zane was alive. Zane was back. Zane was going to hurt Gerard. Zane was going to hurt Gerard. No; Gerard is strong. Zane could never ever hurt him because Gerard was strong and I loved him.
"Bri? Bri?" My head snapped up as I heard Cameron call my name. I had totally and completely forgotten about what had happened with her.
I ran back to her as quickly as I could. I pushed Zane to the very back of my mind as we walked into a drug store. She picked out three different pregnancy tests and walked to the counter and checked out. I drover her back to my house and walked upstairs with her. We walked into my master bathroom and she took out the first pregnancy test.
When she was done I held one and she held two. It had been five minutes and I finally got a result on mine. She looked down at hers and then I showed her the last one. The result that made it real to the both of us. My best friend in the entire world was pregnant with Ray Toro's child.
Chapter 11: Attacked
I stood there, the two tests in my hands. I could not believe that I was pregnant. It had only happened once; the night that Gerard had taken Bri to Pizza Hut.
Ray had come over last month one night and we had drunk wine while talking. We really did have a lot in common. Once we were very drunk he had started to kiss me. I liked the way he kissed me. He was very gentle as he had wrapped his arms around me; his fingers had immediately found the zipper of my dress. His tongue was in my mouth by the time the dress was hanging from my shoulders. He had taken me up the stairs to my bedroom and laid me down gently. And then we had made love.
I had woken up the next morning to a rose and a note:
I'm sorry I couldn't be there
when you woke,
but I had an appointment with my therapist.
Movie night tonight?
Love, Ray
And now I was pregnant with his child. Ray Toro, the man who had eaten a crayon in a music video.
"Cameron?" I had forgotten that Brianna even existed.
"Cameron are you going to be OK?"
"I just found out I'm pregnant."
"I know."
"I'm pregnant."
"I've been here the whole time."
I looked up at her.
"Can you drive me home please?" She searched my eyes for a moment and then nodded her head.
I walked up the driveway and opened the door to my tiny one bedroom house. I tried to turn the lights on, but they wouldn't work. I cursed under my breath as I shrugged my coat off. I walked into the kitchen and saw candles on the table with two plates of finely prepared food.
I looked down at my watch. It was only 5:30.
"Hello?"
"Hey." Ray walked out from around the corner holding two glasses and a bottle of wine.
"What is this?"
"Just a little surprise to show you how much I care."
"Aww thanks sweetie."
He uncorked the wine bottle and started to pour into the glasses.
"Ray?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I have water instead?"
"May I ask why?"
"I can't drink wine."
"OK…"
He got me a glass of water and we sat down to dinner. I was riled up the whole time. Eventually he took me over to the couch and sat down with me.
"Cameron, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"I know by now when you're lying to me." Damn. I thought.
"Ray…Ray I'm pregnant."
I looked up at him. He had gone completely still; his eyes watered as he turned to face me.
"…pregnant?"
"Yeah."
"How long have you known?"
"A few hours." He nodded his head solemnly.
We sat there for a few minutes until he turned to me.
"Marry me."
"What?"
"Marry me. We can raise our child together, and we can be together."
I sat there for a few moments thinking it through. I did love him, maybe. I looked up at him and saw just how serious he was, about this, us. Maybe I really did love him…
"Yes. Yes I'll marry you."
He drew me into him and kissed the top of my head over and over again.
"You go to sleep, and get rest and I'll take care of everything! I promise!"
He squeezed my hand and gathered his coat before running out the door. I sat there absolutely still for a moment, before it hit me. I was getting married to Ray Toro, and having his baby.
I walked down the street, late at night. I was doing some last minute grocery shopping. I took a shortcut down a dark alley, not my smartest choice, and was pushed against a wall. A sharp blade was held to my throat and a face got close to mine.
"Hey Cammie."
I smelled alcohol on the man's breath; and then I realized who it was.
"Gerard?"
I was pushed even harder against the wall.
"Shut up!" he yelled.
What was wrong with him? Why was he acting this way? He grabbed my shirt collar and spun me around and pushed me back farther into the alleyway.
"Gerard why?"
"I told you to shut up! I hate you! Every single one of you; and Brianna is next!"
And with that I found myself slumped against a brick wall as he walked away. I swear that I saw him become shorter and his hair too. My vision blurred and became hazy as he turned the corner. I looked at my side, slashed open. I touched the wound and my fingers came away wet and sticky, covered in red.
The world 'help' bubbled to my lips along with some blood, but it broke and spilled over my lips as I started to choke. The last thing that flashed through my mind was my baby; my fingers rested on my belly as I blacked out.
Chapter 12: "It Couldn't Be Him"
I raced down the hospital hallway, pushing people out of my way. Ray had called me just an hour ago, telling me that Cameron had been found on the verge of death in an alley. She couldn't die! And what about the baby!
I ran to the waiting room in the Emergency wing of the Hospital room and found everyone there: Ray, Frank, Jamia, Mikey, Bob, and Cameron's parents and brother. I rushed over to Ray and gave him a hug. I leaned back to look at him.
"Are you alright?"
"I think so. I hope they're both alright."
"Both?" Cameron's Mom, Alexandria walked over.
"Mrs. Bothkov, Ray would like to tell you something."
I stepped away from the two of them as Ray inhaled.
"Mrs. Bothkov, I'm Ray; I'm dating your daughter."
"Why did you say both?"
"Because your daughter is pregnant with my child."
I took one look at her and knew she would faint. And sure enough, she fell straight into her husband, Charles's arms.
"Oh my god! Will she be OK?"
Jamia rushed to her side. Frank looked at her, and then up at me. He threw his head in the direction of the vending machines. I started to shake my head, and then nodded. I walked there and he followed me.
I put a few quarters in the machine and got a few snacks.
"What do you want Frank?"
"I've been thinking about…about that day."
"And?"
"I like you." Time to face the truth.
"I like you too."
His head snapped up when I spoke. He threw his head in the direction of the hallway. I walked over there, where no one could see us.
"Really?"
"That doesn't mean I'm going to do anything about it."
"But, I like you!"
"Yeah; like."
"But, I could love you."
"But you don't Frank; you love your wife. Look at her." He did, and his eyes melted. I saw them fill with love and adoration as he absorbed her.
"See?" He looked back at me.
"Yeah; I get your point. And you love Gerard anyway. Have you told him yet?"
"Of course not!" He chuckled at me.
"You should, before we leave. You only have another month, Bri."
"It's been two months already?" He nodded his head, and looked at me.
"You only have a month."
We walked back out with the others just as a nurse came out.
"Brianna Mayfield?" I ran up to the nurse. She stepped back, frightened.
"Yes? What is it?" I said exasperated.
"Miss. Bothkov has requested to see you."
I looked back at Ray, but he just smiled to know she was OK.
"Cameron?"
She looked towards the door and I saw all the tubes she was hooked up too. She had a giant bandage on her left side. I rushed to the side of the bed and kneeled.
"Cameron, are you OK?"
"It was Gee…"
"What?"
"Gerard, he attacked me."
"It couldn't be him. He's in L.A." She shook her head.
"It was him! I'll kill him Bri!"
"Cameron?"
"I lost the baby Bri. And it's his fault."
I lay down in the bed next to her and held her to me, stroked her hair and tried to comfort her as best I could.
"Can you go now? Tell Ray to come in?" I nodded my head and walked back out to where they were waiting.
"She wants to see you Ray." I spoke in a monotone.
I was absorbed in my thoughts. He walked quickly past me and ran to her room. Life seemed to pass by in slow motion for me now. It couldn't have been him! I refused to believe it! Absolutely refused!
I heard the screams of anguish as she told Ray what had happened to their child. I heard him scream to the heavens. But it was all muffled, muted.
I ran out the hospital door and to my car. I got in and drove away, down a not-so-busy road. I wasn't paying attention until it was too late. A truck slammed me head on, and I was only in a tiny Honda Civic.
