Darren spent the rest of the day incredibly distracted. He wanted to enjoy his day with Steve, so he laughed and smiled every time Steve made a joke to please him, but deep down his thoughts was still very much focused on the mysterious text he received from Debbie. Steve could sense Darren's distance and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't bring him back down to Earth. Eventually 6 o clock came ever nearer and Steve bid Darren farewell and wished him luck, silently cursing Debbie for ruining what should have been a perfect day. But he kept his jaw clenched and his mouth shut as he walked away, leaving Darren to make his own way towards Debbie's house.
Darren found himself feeling sick with nerves as he rang the doorbell to Debbie's house. After having all day to think about what the meaning behind the text could have been he'd worked himself up so much he just wanted Debbie to put him out of his misery. So it came as a great relief to Darren when Debbie opened the door to her home and invited him inside, immediately making her way to her room. Once they both made their way inside, Debbie slammed the door shut and began pacing up and down. Darren sat down on her bed and couldn't help but notice how tired she looked, not just tired but stressed as well. This can't be good Darren thought to himself as he silently watched her practically tear her hair out. Eventually he thought that he better break the silence.
"What's wrong Debbie?" Darren said bluntly.
"I don't know how to tell you Darren, so I'm just gonna say it. I'm pregnant." Debbie said, tears beginning to swim in her eyes.
Darren was left speechless. No, this can't be happening... It just can't be happening! He thought to himself as he desperately tried to make sense of the situation. It felt like a tonne of bricks had just been dropped on him, he knew something had to be wrong but he had no idea that this would be the situation.
"You're... pregnant? Are you sure?" Darren stuttered, his face frozen in shock.
"Yes, I must have taken about 5 tests just to make sure" Debbie said, tears now streaming down her face.
"Well, what do you want to do about it?" Darren asked.
"I don't know Darren! This is all such a mess, this wasn't supposed to happen. Oh god, how am I going to tell my parents? What are you going to tell your parents? I don't know what to do Darren!" Debbie yelled, in hysterics now.
"Hey it's gonna be ok, I know it's confusing and might seem like the end of the world but we'll find a way through this" Darren said, taking Debbie in to his arms and holding her tight.
She relaxed in to his hug and that's when a wave of guilt hit Darren. Debbie was vulnerable and she needed him more than ever, and in her time of need he was about to leave her. But he just couldn't do it, as much as he loved Steve and knew he belonged with him he just wasn't the sort of person who could leave Debbie to deal with this on her own. So right there he made the decision that he would have to put on hold the perfect life he had planned with Steve. He had been brought straight back down to the real world and it was time he stood up and took responsibility. He was going to be there and support Debbie, despite the fact that there was no flame left in their relationship, because he truly believed that it was the right thing to do. He could only hope that Steve would understand and that he would forgive him one day.
"I tell you what we're gonna do. We're gonna get some rest and first thing tomorrow we're going to go see the school councillor, she's trained to give advice in this sort of situation and it's all completely anonymous. Then you can make a decision and whatever you chose, I'll support you" Darren said, not letting go of Debbie.
"Thank you. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you here. I love you Darren" Debbie whispered, tightening her grip.
"I know you do" Darren whispered.
Despite the fact that he still cared deeply for Debbie he couldn't bring himself to lie to her. Of course he would be there to support her but he could never tell her he loved her when he didn't mean it; she deserved better than that. What she needed now was someone to be strong for her, and support her whether she chose to raise their child or not and he was determined to do exactly that. He knew it wouldn't exactly be easy, there were all sorts of things to think about such as accommodation, money, education and god knows what else but he knew that he was determined enough to make this situation work.
Darren offered to stay with Debbie over night, he didn't like the idea of leaving her alone in this state, but she refused saying she didn't want a fuss and sent him packing with the promise that if it got too much for her the first thing she would do is call Darren. As he left Debbie's home and made his way towards his own he tried to make sense of the situation. He had acted calm and in control for Debbie's sake but now that he was on his own the full magnitude of the situation he was in hit him like a tidal wave and it actually became difficult for him to breathe. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? HOW AM I GOING TO LOOK MY PARENTS IN THE EYE? He screamed to himself, gradually feeling himself slipping away from sanity. However Darren was brought out of his state of panic by the buzzing of his phone.
It was Steve.
The message read "How did it go with Debbie? Anything I need to be worried about? x" and Darren was once again hit with a wave of guilt that he was all too familiar with. However he had no time to feel sorry for himself so instead he swallowed his pride and opened up his phone to text a reply to Steve.
"Hey, I think we need to talk but I'd rather do it in person. Can you be at my house in 5 minutes? X" Darren typed out, pausing before hitting the send button.
Darren arrived at his house shortly after and he made his way up to his room, trying to think of how he could possibly explain this situation to Steve. But he had no time to think about it in any real depth because before he knew it Steve was ringing the doorbell. Darren raced down from his room to let him in, grabbing his arm and pulling him in to his room without saying a word.
"What's going on Darren?" Steve asked.
"Sit down and shut up, this is hard enough for me already" Darren said forcefully, avoiding Steve's eyes.
The silence and creak of the bed that followed told Darren that Steve had done as he wished.
"Alright, I don't know how to say this so I'm just gonna say it. Debbie is pregnant, Steve. She's pregnant and I've... I've told her I'm going to be there for her. You have no idea how difficult this is for me but I have to do the right thing. So we can't do this anymore. I'm really sorry Steve but I hope you understand" Darren said, still avoiding Steve's eyes.
Darren braced himself for an onslaught of name calling, accusations and shouting in general but it never came. Eventually his curiosity got the better of him and he looked up towards Steve. The site that greeted him was one that sickened him however. He had expected the anger to be evident in Steve's eyes but what he saw was something completely different. It was hurt and betrayal; Steve's face may have been motionless and his jaw may have been clenched but nothing could hide the story his eyes were telling. All of a sudden Darren wished that Steve had yelled at him, or thrown something, because this silence was unbearable.
"I didn't even know you slept together..." Steve whispered almost eerily quiet.
"Yeah, it was just before I met you. We only did it once" Darren said, feeling more and more ashamed.
"I still don't understand. Literally a couple of hours ago you were telling me that you loved me and that you were going to leave Debbie. I don't see why just because you got the bitch pregnant that has to change?" Steve said, his facial expression not changing but his voice steadily rising.
"Hey, don't talk about her like that! She's in a really vulnerable state and it's my responsibility to support her. It's the right thing for me to do!" Darren said, suddenly finding his own voice.
"Do you love her?" Steve asked calmly.
"Pardon?" Darren replied.
"I said... do you love her?" Steve said through his clenched jaw.
"I... N-No. I don't love her." Darren stuttered.
"Do you love me?" Steve asked.
"Yes" Darren said.
"Then WHY do you have to leave me? I just don't see why we can't make this work I mean... plenty of people in our situation make this work why are we any different? Please don't do this Darren!" Steve said, his voice rising frantically.
"Because I have to Steve... I want to be with you but it's just not right. I have to do the right thing. Please tell me you understand?" Darren said, looking to Steve and hoping for an answer.
The only reply Darren got was Steve storming out of his room, however before he left he glanced over his shoulder and looked Darren right in the eyes. That one look was filled with so much hurt and betrayal that he began to question whether or not he really was doing the right thing.
"I still love you so much" Darren whispered as Steve slammed the door shut.
*The Next Morning*
Darren and Debbie sat next to each other in the room of the school councillor, incredibly nervous about what they were going to do. They were both so deep in thought about the situation they weren't paying much attention to what the councillor, Mrs Morgan, was saying.
"So that's enough about what I do... how can I help you two?" Mrs Morgan asked in a cheerful tone.
Darren and Debbie both looked at each other unsure where to begin, but with an encouraging nod and smile from Darren, Debbie found the courage to speak up.
"Well you see the thing is... I recently found out that I'm pregnant and I was just wondering what our options are..." Debbie said, still feeling incredibly ashamed and confused.
"Well, there are a number of options at your dispos-" Mrs Morgan began, but she was cut short b someone interrupting them by opening the door.
"Excuse me Sir but this is a private session!" Mrs Morgan quipped, obviously irritated by the rude interruption.
"Oh, believe me Miss this won't take a minute!" said the person who had interrupted them
Darren turned around in shock to see Steve stood at the doorway. Although he may have been wearing a massive grin on his face Darren could still detect hints of sadness and hurt in his eyes and he had a horrible feeling that this session would not go as planned.
"You see I just wanted to speak to the happy couple and congratulate them, because I believe they're expecting! But I also thought it was only fair that Debbie knew the truth about the 'love of her life'" Steve said in an acidic tone.
"Who on earth are you and how do you know so much about our business? And more importantly what do you mean "the truth"?" Debbie asked suspiciously.
Steve barked a satirical laugh, verging on maniac, and shook his head.
"Oh Debbie, you really don't know do you? You're boyfriend; the father of your child isn't exactly the saint you think he is. You see... He's been fucking me as well. Yeah and the difference is he actually LOVES me. He told me so last night that he was only leaving me to be with you because It's the, and I quote, "Right thing to do". He doesn't love you, he just feels guilty about knocking you up and if anything he's only staying with you to clear his own conscience rather than to help you. Anyway that's all I wanted to say so I'll be on my way now!" Steve said, turning on his heels and walking out of the room.
Steve had left chaos in his wake, as Debbie and Mrs Morgan were both shouting and causing hysterics but Darren wasn't paying any attention. The only thing he could think about was that now was the real test for him; where do his priorities lie? He could stay in this room, grovel to Debbie and beg for forgiveness in order to protect what could be his future family... Or he could chase after Steve and beg him for forgiveness and end up with the life he had dreamt of and find a way to make it work with Debbie.
It was time for Darren to choose.
A/N: So yeah... DUN DUN DUNNN! Plot twist! Aah I hope this chapter didn't disappoint so yeah please feel free to rate and review, your feedback so far has been amazing and I really appreciate it! I'm hoping to draw this story to an end soon so I thought I'd add a bit of drama to keep you on your toes ;)
