Chapter 4: In the Trash Can

When I got home Rob was sitting on the couch with his eyes fixed on the coffee table. He was waiting for me. He'd never done that before. I knew something was up. I wished I could erase my steps.

"Hey," I said acting normal.

"Sit down please," he said seriously.

I sat down on the opposite end of the couch. I was nervous.

"Can you explain this to me?" he said holding out the pregnancy test with the little pink plus sign.

I started to cry the minute he looked up from the coffee table. I couldn't speak. I knew this was going to end horribly. I could see heartbreak and disappointment in his deep green eyes.

"Found it in your trash can," he explained.

"I messed up," I said.

"You think?"

"I'm sorry." I was sobbing.

"I want to know how this happened."

"That day you came home and I said I was crying because I was watching The Notebook, well Kyle had been over. We were supposed to work on a project, but instead we slept together."

"You slept with Kyle?!"

"I know it's bad. I'm going to handle it though."

"How? Drop out of school and become a single mom?" I could hear the anger in his voice. "Do you plan on working? I don't think mom and dad traveled to Australia to find work to help you raise your baby."

"I know."

"Do you think he loves you, Katie? Is he going to leave his precious girlfriend for you? Stop dreaming, Katie!"

"I'm not dreaming! I know I'm alone!" I yelled

He got quiet.

"I know he's not mine. I know he'll never be mine. None of that matters anymore though. It's not about him or you or even me anymore. It's about the baby," I said.

"What are you going to do?" he asked calmly.

"I don't know yet."

"Okay, well I'm here for you. You're not alone," Rob said hugging me tight.

"Thanks, can you do me a favor and not tell mom and dad yet?"

"Of course," he answered.

"I just want to think of a plan before I tell them."

"I understand."

"Is there anything else you want to know?"

"Who have you told?"

"Kyle, obviously, he told Kaden, and Kaden told Ambie. I told Sammy too."

"So that's it?"

"Yeah, Megan will find out soon though, because her new best friend knows."

"Come on. Ambie wouldn't do that to you."

"That's what you think," I said walking away.

I went up to my room. I called Kyle.

"Hey, what's up?" he said.

"I just wanted you to know that Rob found out."

"Is he mad?"

"Disappointed is a better word."

"What about me? Is he mad at me?"

"He's been mad at you since you left me for Megan."

"Oh, yeah I know that." He sounded almost hurt that Rob hated him now. There was a long silence.

"Well I'm going to bed, unless you have something to say," I said.

"Night Katie."

"Night."

The next morning, I got up and began getting ready for school. I felt a little better since Rob finally knew. It was as if a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Sammy called and asked if I wanted breakfast from burger king. I accepted and left for school. When I got there she was already in the parking space next to mine

"Hey!" Sammy said.

"Hey, thanks for breakfast I'll buy next time," I said.

"Whatever, it's all good."

"So it's Friday. Are you going to the game?"

"For sure! Are you?"

"Hell yeah!"

Just then I noticed Kaden, Ambie, Kyle, and Braylen walking towards us. They all smiled. Braylen stopped.

"I'll catch up with you guys later. I need to talk to Katie real quick," he told them.

"Alright man, later," Kaden said. Kyle kept his eyes on Braylen as they walked away.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey, so I know you've said no like a million times, but I told you I won't take no for an answer. Please, will you go to dinner with us all after the game as my date?"

"I don't know, Bray, I just think Kyle, Megan, the other cheerleaders, and me all eating together is a disaster waiting to happen."

"Kates, I will make sure everything goes smoothly. You can totally trust me."

"She'll go," Sammy said.

"What?! No."

"You need to go out and stop moping about Kyle."

"I'm not moping."

"Please, one night," Braylen's eyes begged me to go.

"Fine, but if there are any issues you have to promise to take me home."

"Okay, I promise. You won't regret this." He smiled and walked away.

"Aw, how cute," Sammy said.

"This is your fault."

"I've got no problem taking the blame for hooking up the cutest couple ever."

She walked away. The bell rang, and I hurried off to class.

The whole day I worried about how that night would go and the one Friday I wished would be the slowest sped by. Before I knew it, Sammy and I were at my house getting ready for the game.

"You have to look school spirited and sexy all at once. Can you do that?"

What did I get myself into? "Sammy, I look fine."

"Let me do your makeup then you'll be better than fine."

I listened because I knew she wouldn't let us leave until my makeup was done.

"There, now you have a touch of sexy," she said smiling.

"Can we leave now?"

"Yeah."

So we got in the car and went to the game. I couldn't focus on the game. I was thinking about other things. You couldn't blame me. There's a lot that comes with finding out your pregnant. Before I knew it the game ended.

"That was a good game," Sammy said.

I looked at the scoreboard. We won.

"You want me to wait with you?" she asked when the boys went into the locker room to shower.

"No thanks, they'll be out soon."

"Alright, have fun okay? I want to hear happy stories when you get home."

"Okay," I said.

She left. I sat there and tried not to think anymore. My head was hurting. I wished I could just go home and sleep, but I had to do this for Bray.

They all walked out including the girls. Braylen came straight over to me.

"Hey, Kates."

"Hey, good game," I said hugging him.

"Thanks," he smiled.

I decided Sammy was right. I needed to lighten up and smile a little more. Everyone else came over.

"Everyone this is Katie. She's going to join us tonight and maybe next Friday night if she enjoys herself," he said smiling at me.

"Why is she coming?" one of the girls whispered to Megan.

Megan just rolled her eyes. She also looked at Ambie as if to say "do not make her feel welcomed."

"Braylen, where are your manners? I'm Megan. I don't believe we've met," she hissed.

Oh, I know who you are. You're the bitch who stole my boyfriend. "We've met."

"Really?! I don't remember you, sorry."

I wish I didn't remember you. "It's all good."

"And have you met my boyfriend, Kyle."

"Megan?!"

Yeah I know Kyle inside and out. "Yeah, I know Kyle. We were like best friends."

"Aw, how sweet, he never mentioned you."

"So where are we going?" Kaden interjected.

"Steak N' Shake, dumbass, where we always go," Megan said.

"Megan, don't call my brother that."

"Mmhmm, let's just go," she said.

We all followed her lead. Now I understood. They were all afraid of her. Well, tonight she is in for a treat I won't be like them.

"Hey guys, why don't we go somewhere else?" I suggested just to tick her off.

"Kelly, we always go to Steak N' Shake," Megan announced.

"It's Katie. I personally would rather go somewhere else."

"Where?" Bray asked. I knew he'd back me up.

"Sonic," I said.

"Oh my gosh, that sounds so good," Kaden said.

"Agreed," Braylen followed.

"Um, excuse me we need to vote on this," Megan said. "Just because she's our guest doesn't mean she gets to pick."

"Fine we'll vote."

Everyone wanted to go to Sonic over Steak N' Shake. Katie: one Megan: zero. So we all drove to Sonic.

In the car, Braylen confronted me. "I cannot believe you just caused a mutiny. She was so pissed. I'm so glad you came."

"Me too. That was actually fun."

"I've been waiting for someone to tell her off forever now."

"I can't believe I did that," I said laughing. We pulled into Sonic. Everyone piled in the bed of the two trucks that came. Megan insisted on sitting with Braylen and me. We ordered then ate then we just sat and talked. Megan kept pushing my buttons. I didn't let her get to me though. I was enjoying Braylen's company. He was making me laugh. I could almost forget about my messed up life.

"Thanks again for coming."

"Thanks for annoying me until I did."

He laughed. "Told you I wouldn't take no for an answer."

I smiled.

"I miss that," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"You smiling, I miss us hanging out like we all did when you were a part of our little group."

"I miss it too," I said blushing.

"I really missed you," he said tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I missed you too actually."

"I'm going to kiss you now."

"Alright," I said as he leaned in.

"So, Katie, are you going to the party with Braylen?" Megan asked just as our lips were about to touch. We pulled away. "Oh, I'm sorry you guys were totally about to tongue each other." She laughed devilishly.

"Um, I don't think so."

"Oh, but it'll be so much fun. We can drink a little and get to know each other."

If I didn't go she would win.

"Alright, I'm in."

"Really?" Kyle and Braylen said together.

"Yeah, why not."

"Awesome," Braylen said hugging me.

My phone vibrated.

Kyle: You CANNOT drink!

Me: I won't. Don't worry.

"Anyways, back to where we were."

"Where was that?" Braylen asked.

"You were going to kiss me."

"Oh, yeah," he leaned in and kissed my lips softly.

"Get it boy!" Kaden yelled.

Braylen and I laughed. "Oh, Kaden dear, I missed your amazing jokes," I said.

"I know," he said laughing. It was true though. Kaden and I were close. Even after the break up we talked. I asked him not to tell Ambie or Kyle, but I knew he told. He wasn't good with secrets. That's when we had to stop talking because Megan told Ambie he was probably seeing me. She didn't believe it, but to be cool she had to listen to Megan and ordered him not to talk to me ever again.

"We need to go before we're late," Megan commanded.

Again everyone obeyed. We left Sonic for the party. Bray and I walked in first and sat down.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked.

"I'm good with water, thanks Bray."

He smiled. Kaden walked in without Ambie and looking extremely pissed. He sat with us.

"What's wrong?" Braylen asked.

"Megan's a bitch, and now Ambie and I are fighting."

"Why?" I asked.

"When we got in the car, Megan started lecturing me about how I was an asshole for talking to you after what you did to Ambie. I straight up called her a lying bitch. I told her that the only thing you did to Ambie was be an amazing friend. Then Kyle was pissed I called her a bitch and started yelling at me. I said, 'Look at her man. She stole you away from Katie. What would you call that? A selfish whore.' Then she cried and Ambie called me a dick. She said, 'Why are you standing up for Katie? Are you fucking that hoe?'"

"Wait, Ambie said that?" I asked.

"Yeah, and I was like, 'No, she's a friend. You should stand up for her too?' Then long story short she said she doesn't want to talk to me."

"I'm sorry," I said hugging him.

"It's whatever. Braylen, can I stay at your place tonight?"

"Sure man."

"Cool, not in the mood for Kyle's bitching."

"Totally understand."

I was kind of hurt that Ambie would call me a hoe. I guess Megan had changed her. They walked over. They all had red cups with beer in their hand. I could smell it.

"Great party huh?" Megan asked me.

"Yeah, if your into smoke and alcohol," I said.

"Here, Katie, take a beer," Megan offered.

"No, thank you."

"Fine, more for me," she said tossing it back.

"Hey Bray, can we leave soon?" I whispered. The smell of beer and smoke was making me sick.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Kaden, we're going to go. This party blows," Braylen said.

"I'm right there with you."

I could hear Megan whisper, "Threesome" to Ambie and Kyle. She giggled.

"Aw, you, Ambie, and Kyle are having a threesome tonight. Damn guys, enjoy!" I said somewhat loudly. Everyone turned and looked as I walked away.

"Damn Katie, that was good," Kaden said laughing.

"That was about your girlfriend," I said laughing.

"So she called me a dick."

"True."

I closed the car door.

"Did you see the looks she was getting?" Braylen said laughing.

I just smiled. When we got to my house Braylen walked me to my door.

"Again thanks for coming beautiful."

"I had fun."

"I knew you would."

"Thanks for that."

"No problem."

There was a silence.

"I'm going to kiss you goodnight okay?" he said.

"That's fine with me."

We kissed this time longer and with more passion. Then Kaden honked the horn to scare us.

"Goodnight Katie," he said kissing my forehead.

"Night Bray."

He left.