One Month Later
I collapsed on my bed with a big sighed. My hips, back, and feet all tensed up before finally relaxing. This month had been the craziest one I'd had. When my parents said they were going to do something, they did it.
My dad came over almost every day whenever my mom wasn't. He mostly did work in his office or downstairs, but he would occasionally do dad stuff. We'd watch a movie occasionally, or we'd go for a drive or out to eat.
My chores list was extensive. I had to make the bed, bring any dishes and cups from my room down into the kitchen, empty my lunch bag out, clean the sink and counter every time I was done using it, put my clothes in the hamper, create my to-do list for the next day, take a bowl or utensil to the dishwasher every single time I was done with one, clean the microwave, toaster, and counter every time I used it, strip the sheets off all the beds and put them in the hamper, empty all the trash, clean out the cars, clean out my book bag, organize my dresser, go through all my school papers, test the smoke alarms, change the batteries in all the remotes, change all the toilet papers and paper towels, replace all the light bulbs, search for mates of all the odd socks, dust all the ceiling lights and fans, and shake out all the bedroom area rugs. Yeah, I was doing everyone's chores.
I had etiquette classes every Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00.
My driver's ED class was online, so I was able to go at my own pace, but I had to get at least one lesson done every week.
I worked as a cashier at a fast food restaurant. When I came home, I always smelt like chicken.
Every day when I found time I did my classes online.
I was always busy, but I would occasionally find time to spend with Eli. Lauren was still grounded by her parents. They were super mad when they found out she wasn't a virgin and that she'd had sex on school property, they grounded her for two months. I wasn't grounded, just perpetually altered. Eli was also not grounded for very long.
My phone on the table buzzed off near my head and I picked it up. It was from Lauren, strangely.
Lauren: Clare, I stole my phone back. I need 2 tell u something. U there?
If her parents found out, I knew they would furious, but whatever.
Clare: ya, I'm here.
Lauren: I really need Ur love and support right now. I just found out I'm preg. I'm sorry I'm telling u on the phone, but I can't talk 2 u any other way, as u no.
My stomach fell to my feet. Oh Lauren, your parents are definitely going to kill you now! There is no way she could be pregnant, not with Ken of all people!
Clare: OMG L. u has 2 b kidding me! U r not!
Lauren: ya I am. Ken said his life was just 2 important for him 2 raise a baby, so I have 2 do it on my own, but I would rather do it on my own than do it with that sack of crap.
My blood boiled to way high, like hotter than the sun. Ken was by the far the biggest piece of nasty horrid scum I had ever met in my life, and I had met a lot of scum's.
Clare: u wills b a good mom w/out him. What r u going 2 do?
Lauren: idk, but I will figure it out. Don't worry. But Clare, I need 2 ask u something, since I found out.
Clare: ya?
I went into the bathroom and began combing my hair out. The stupid hat I had to wear always knotted my hair up in the back. I pondered what Lauren could be asking me.
Lauren: Clare, u wouldn't be pregnant 2, would u?
I stared at my screen in shock. For a moment, I almost thought about why Lauren would ask me such a question. Why would she ask if I was pregnant? Then I wondered, was I?
I ran to my calendar in my room and looked to see when my period was supposed to be, since I always marked it on the calendar.
I was supposed to start three days ago.
I thought back to this past week. I supposed I had some of the signs. I was extra sleepy this week, but then again, I had a lot on my plate. I did feel sick too. When Eli tried to cop a feel that one night, I had to whip his hand back because it hurt. My boss yelled at me for going to the bathroom so often. I had cried a few times this week, and I didn't know why. I also had craving for beef broccoli, a Chinese dish I really didn't like all that much.
Oh god, oh god, oh god… no…
I looked at the time and it was only 10:08. I would still have time to buy a pregnancy test.
Clare: idk. Ill txt u when I find out.
I decided that this was a big moment, so I might as well tell Eli as to.
Clare: Eli, u no how we r always honest?
I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.
Eli: ya?
Clare: well, I feel like I should tell u I am going 2 go 2 the store to buy a pregnancy test.
My mom was home from work, and my dad was packing his stuff up and getting ready to leave. I couldn't drive yet, and it was already dark, so even though I didn't want to, I had to ask my mom to take me.
"Hey mom, I need you to take me to the store," I nervously said, barely able to keep it together.
My mom looked up from the TV to look me in the eyes.
"Is everything okay?" my mom asked.
I panicked. I'm not allowed to lie, unless I want to suffer the consequences.
"I don't know," I said honestly.
"What do you need to get?" my dad asked, looking up from his stuff.
I felt sick again, and I decided that I utterly hated these new rules.
"You said I'm not allowed to lie anymore," I pointed out before I began.
My mom and dad both nodded their head.
"I need to get a pregnancy test," I said. I barely got it out, but when I did, I wish I had taken it back and waited until tomorrow to get it.
My mom sat up and looked at me with anger. My dad's face didn't change much, other than his mouth opening.
"Clare!" my mom said.
I couldn't stand to look her in the eyes.
"I'm sorry," was all I could say.
My mom sighed and fell back into her seat. My dad slowly shut his suitcase.
"I guess we better hurry. The store closes at 10:30 and it takes 15 minutes to get there," my dad said.
"No, I'll take her. Lock the door when you leave," my mom said, getting up from her seat. She walked past me practically pushing me out of the way. I could feel my face practically bunch up and I tried to cover up my ugly cry.
My dad walked over to me and hugged me. He gave me a peck on the top of the head.
"It'll be okay kitten," he said.
For the first time, I let myself open up to him.
"I just don't want her to have another reason to hate me," I cried into his shirt.
"She doesn't hate you, she's just scared you're going to make the same mistakes we did," he said. It was something I had heard a million times, but every time it got harder to believe it.
"Let's go Clare," my mom said at the front door.
I gathered myself as best as I could, and walked to the front door.
We got into the dark car and sat in silence. As she started the car, I got another text from Eli.
Eli: I feel like I should b there. Would that b weird?
Clare: no, of course not! It's just that we won't be able to get u and go to the store. It closes soon.
Eli: then, can I b there whenever u takes it?
Clare: I was planning to take it after I bought it. Would that b ok?
Eli: ya, that is perfect.
It was still complete silence, so it took me time to choke out my words.
"When we come home, can we pick up Eli? He wants to be there when I take the test," I asked.
We came to a red light, but it felt like my mom pounded the brakes a little too hard.
"You want to take it tonight?" my mom asked.
"Yeah, isn't knowing sooner better than knowing later?" I asked.
My mom shook her head and continued to not look at me.
"I'd have to go out of my way to get him," she said, which was her way of saying no.
Clare: can u drive 2 my house?
Eli: ya.
There, problem solved.
An Hour Later
I sat on Eli's lap on my bed and he rubbed my hand with his thumb. My mom was standing at the door. I had finished taking the test, and now we were waiting for the result. It took three minutes.
My mom and Eli hadn't spoken to each other. I barely spoke to my mom either. I hadn't even looked my mom in the eyes since we left the house.
I slowly lifted my head to look at her.
"I'm sorry," was all I could get out.
My mom switched her attention to a random spot in the room to me. Her eyes twitched around the room.
"Me too," she said.
Next to us my alarm on my phone went off, signaling that it was time to check the pregnancy test.
I nearly jumped so much; I thought I would pee all over me and Eli.
Eli gave my back a gentle rub before I got up. I walked into the bathroom and grabbed the white pregnancy test.
In little black words read Pregnant.