Why ?

My mother's words seemed to stick with me into that following day. I got up and got ready for school still thinking about it. I wasn't sure if I loved Mark truly or if I hated the fact that he was able to manipulate me so easily. Sure we had bonded really well while he was with my mom, but I had never really felt that kind of feeling with anyone…not even my ex.

I was quiet during school most of the day. The only time I spoke was to answer questions that the teachers asked. When school was over, I headed out to my car so I could go to work and I found a bouquet of red roses sitting on the hood of my car. I picked them up slowly wondering who they were from.

"Do you like them?" I heard John's voice from behind me.

I smiled and turned around to face him. "Did you get these?"

He nodded, "Yea, I figured they would make you smile. I love it when you smile."

I blushed, "Thank you, now is there another reason for the flowers?"

"Actually there is…I wanted to ask you if you would go to the homecoming dance with me."

I smiled, not sure how to answer him. I was going through a lot at the moment but having a good time with John would be a nice change.

"I'm not sure John…are you sure you want to go with me?"

He laughed, "Yes I'm sure, you were the only girl who took the time to get to know me here."

"Is that the only reason?" I asked.

He shrugged and scratched his head, "Well…I do kind of like you. You're real independent and I love a woman who is like that and has the looks to go with it."

"Awe that's real nice of you to say John." I said.

"So will you go with me?" I asked

I bit my bottom lip and thought about it.

"Look girl, you haven't had a lot of fun lately and I can see that you've been stressed…all I want is to show you a good time."

I smiled, "Oh alright…I'll go with you."

"Yes!" he said. "I was hoping you would say that."

I smiled, "Well it's going to be my last homecoming so…I want it to be with someone special."

He looked at me a little confused, "Don't you have one more year?"

"Yea…but I'm going to be home schooled for my last year. I want to be home with my baby as much as possible."

He nodded, "Isn't the father helping you out?"

I looked away for a second.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring him up." He said.

"It's alright; I just forget sometimes that I actually have to deal with him."

We shared a laugh together. "Alright well you go ahead to work and I'll talk to you later."

I nodded and then hugged him. "Thanks for the flowers. I really love them."

"You're welcome."

He watched me get into the car and then headed to his own car. I wasn't sure what it was about that guy, but he always made me smile even when I didn't want to. He was also very funny and seemed to respect me. Still…I found it hard to believe that he still liked me even though I slept with someone who was way older than me. I bet he wouldn't like me anymore if he found out that the man who I slept with was once my mother's boyfriend.

A few hours into my shift at work, I found myself thinking about what my life would be like if I hadn't told my mother about Mark and I. I mean eventually I would have told her anyway since I was pregnant and all but I wasn't too sure how Mark would have reacted if he was still with her and I told him I was pregnant. Just then I heard the bell ring that signaled a customer walking in. I looked up from the checklist I was looking at and nearly gasped when I realized who had just walked into the store.

He stood at the entrance in his blue jeans and light grey t-shirt looking right at me. He smiled slightly and then came up to the counter I was standing behind.

"Hey," he said before taking off his sunglasses. "I'm sorry to bother you but I need to ask you a few things."

I sighed and looked around for my boss. "Alright, you've got five minutes."

He looked at me with his soft green eyes. "Ok, well first…I was wondering what you were doing after the appointment tomorrow."

"Why?" I asked, knowing where this was going.

He shrugged, "Well I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk in the park with me after the appointment."

"Just a walk?" I asked feeling like he had other plans on his mind.

He nodded, "Just a walk. We haven't had a chance to discuss things about the baby so I wanted to give us a chance to do that."

I looked at him, searching for some type of hint that this new guy act was all a game, but there wasn't one. I sighed, "What is this you're trying to pull?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes, "You know exactly what I mean Mark…this nice guy act. What is this all about?"

He smiled, "It's not an act Serena. I just want to be a good father for our child. I know that hard to believe but…I've owned up to my mistakes."

"How?" I snapped. "The last time I checked you weren't in jail right now for doing this to me like you should be."

He laughed, "Serena, we both know why you made that decision….don't force me to bring it out like this."

I sighed, "Whatever…look after this walk tomorrow I don't want to see you unless I come to your house or you have something for the baby."

"That's fine, my new girl doesn't want any baby mama drama at the house anyways."

I looked at him with fury in my eyes, "You have a new girlfriend? Are you serious?"

"Are you jealous?" he countered on me.

I rolled my eyes, "No…I'm just surprised."

He shook his head, "You shouldn't be surprised Serena, you made it very clear that you didn't want anything to do with me."

"And I still don't…" I said somehow feeling my heart breaking.

"Alright…well I'll see you tomorrow." He said.

I turned away from him as he walked out the door. I was trying so hard to fight it but…it really hurt knowing he was actually moving on. I mean…I hated him didn't I? I guess I didn't because when I got home, I went up to my room and cried myself to sleep.