I've been thinking and thinking about how I'm going to start resolving all the issues going on right now- we have quite a few, don't we? So I'm picking up right where I left off, where Victoria escapes to her room after hearing the news.
Harrington Estate
Victoria's Bedroom
October 11th
7:22 p.m.
Victoria wiped her eyes on the back of her hand, smearing it with mascara and eye shadow. She sat down at her desk, feeling instant relief at the familliar, plush chair beneath her. Turning on her phone, she scrolled through her contacts until she found Morgan.
After about three rings, she answered. "Hey, what's up?"
Victoria closed her eyes. "My m-mom's preg-pregnant." When Morgan didn't answer, she knew something was wrong. "Morg?"
Her best friend took a deep, audible breath before speaking. "I went to your house right after practice and your parents were fighting and I just stood there. Vic, I heard and I didn't mean to. Are you mad? You're not mad, are you?"
She bit her lip and rubbed her face. "Right after practice? And no one else knows?"
"No one else," Morgan assured her.
"Good. I wouldn't want this getting out."
###
Taylor was spreading butter on her toast when her sister, Mariah, read aloud from a magazine, "Forty year old fashion designer Massie Harrington announced her pregnancy with a second child. She says her daughter, Victoria Harrington, is delighted with the news."
Taylor looked up, nearly dropping her knife. "Serious-leh?"
Mariah turned her dark eyes to her sister's. "Serious as death." Mariah Hotz looked more like Alicia than any one, which made her the pretty child. She'd recently gotten her hair dyed red, though, so at least Taylor could say she was natural.
"Puh-lease," Taylor rolled her eyes. "Victoria Harrington can't even handle a little popularity competition. I highly doubt she's delighted."
Mariah shrugged and grabbed her car keys. "Well, from what I know, you hardly know her. Giver her a chance."
As her sister disappeared down the hall, Taylor called, "Like you gave Erin Todds? She shaved your head while you were asleep!"
All she did was laugh.
####
At school, Victoria stuck to Morgan Gregory and the twins like super glue. They talked quietly at lunch, looking like they were gossiping. If this was true, no one would ever find out.
Ivy sat with a bunch of girls from her English class, looking lost but too stubborn to really care.
Victoria looked over at Morgan. "When are you all coming over for fittings?"
"How can you act so cool?" Kylie demanded.
"Aren't you beyond peeved at your mom?" Sara asked.
Victoria pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes, I am angry at my mum. And I can be calm because ever alpha knows how to keep it together in a crisis," she looked over at Taylor and added in her head, Well, every true alpha.
Morgan answered the original question. "I was thinking Friday."
Kylie and Sara nodded. Victoria agreed and changed the subject.
