The beginning of the first term had come and gone in a blink of an eye. It was now almost the middle of December. Christmas was just around the corner, and that meant no school for two and a half weeks.
Lauren was now three months pregnant. After much thought and consideration, Speed and Lauren decided to not say anything about the baby just yet. The only people who knew were Jillian and their family members. Lauren was starting to feel better as the days went on, and her morning sickness was slowly going away. She felt like a new person. Her father and Christina were still on limited speaking terms. Speed could tell that bothered Lauren. No one could figure out why they were still acting like that.
Speed's alarm clock emitted a loud buzzing sound. He opened his eyes and groaned. It was already 6:30A.M. Speed groaned then turned over to wake Lauren up, but she wasn't there. "Lauren?" She didn't answer. "Babe, where are you?" There was no answer still. Speed pulled back the covers and adjusted his twisted t-shirt then headed into the hallway hoping Lauren was already downstairs eating breakfast.
The kitchen was empty when Speed walked in. He didn't know if he should be worried or not. Speed headed back upstairs just in time to see his mother exit her bedroom with Henry in her arms. "Hey mom, have you seen Lauren? I can't find her," Speed said.
Barbara laughed and said, "She's in the shower, honey. In fact she just finished. I heard her shut the water off."
Speed felt stupid. He should've thought of that. "Thanks mom," he said and headed down the hall to the upstairs bathroom.
The hot steam hit his face when the bathroom door opened. "Good morning," Lauren said cheerfully. Speed arched his eyebrow. Lauren was not a morning person. In all the years he's known her, he's never seen Lauren this cheerful so early in the morning.
"Good morning. You're in a good mood," Speed said pulling her into a hug, and giving her a quick kiss.
"I just feel really good this morning. I feel like I've gotten my energy back. I feel happy. I feel good."
Speed smiled. This was the first genuine smile he's seen from his girlfriend in over two months. Speed kissed Lauren on the cheek, and told her he would meet her downstairs, and get their school things ready. _
The school alarm sounded signaling the end of the school day for all students except the juniors and seniors. An after school career fair was being held in the gymnasium. If it were up to the students more than half of them would've skipped and gone home, but not for Speed, Lauren, and their friends. They were excited to see all the different job opportunities.
Speed and Lauren sat just outside the gymnasium while they waited for their friends. The first to arrive was Eric with Calleigh Duquesne. Calleigh was new to their group. She was also a junior. She moved to Miami a little over a year ago from Louisiana. Her father had taken a job as a defense attorney with Miami-Dade County.
"Hey guys. You ready to get this thing over with? I don't even know why we have to go to this thing. Don't they know we have better things to do than stay after school and meet with boring people about boring jobs?" Eric said leaning against the wall. Calleigh rolled her eyes at him. He just smiled back and winked at her.
"I don't know. I'm actually kind of excited to go to this. See what's out there you know," Lauren said shrugging her shoulders. "I'm still undecided."
"Me too," Speed said smiling at his girlfriend.
Shortly after Jesse and Jillian arrive and the six of them entered the gymnasium.