20: The Phrase that Pays

Over the next few weeks, life has been bliss for you. Yes, you did know about Patrick's feelings before he gave you the note at the mall, but it never really hit you until then. People take advantage of emotions everyday, not even noticing the true meaning of them. It's never usually intentional; it just happens. And nothing can be done until we let these feelings soak into our skin like the sun on a seducing spring day. It all happens on it's own. There's no way to explain it. But this is what happened to you. And now that you knew there was someone who truly cared for you, every day seemed easier. School was like nothing to you; no one could bring you down from your emotional high. All of the gossip and all of the impudent looks bounced off you. Knowing that at the end of the day you'd own his smile, you were fine.

But apparently, talk had passed quickly through the halls of Mercer High, and everyone knew of the whole deal between you and Alex. Girls were going name-crazy, calling you a slut or a whore every time you walked by. In a way, you were happy about this. Most of these people were trying to be your friend before (especially at the party), but now they were spreading rumors about you. You brushed off their behavior as that of jealous, attention hungry teens. This whole experience made you realize that even a small town like this could still take the place of the real world. Not everyone is as they seem; people only want things in return for a few hours of fake smiles and forged handshakes. Remember that.

There were two more issues at school that made you laugh. The first being everyday in Biology, you'd have to dodge the thousands of apologies and excuses from that certain someone that was the root of all the gossip; Alex. He'd constantly try running over to you during labs, throwing empty apologies and excuses at you. I swear, she came over to my house that night begging me to go with her to the dance! My mom threatened to ground me, so I had to go! She didn't even mean anything to me! It was a pity date! You'd ignore him until the bell sounded. Then, you'd turn to him, give him a sarcastic smile and wish him a nice day.

You knew too well why he was crawling back to you. It was blatantly obvious. Nicole had dumped him after she'd heard the rumors about you and him, and he wanted to make her jealous again by being with you. But he'd blown his chance to Hell. Patrick was the only boy you wanted now.

As for the second issue at school…Lets start at the beginning, shall we?

It was about the third week of December when things started to change. Courtney would enter the classroom acting all bubbly and excited for the holidays, but then she'd be biting your head off over nothing really too important. At first you brushed it off as PMS week for her. But by the end of the week, you knew something was wrong. PMS week was never so long with her. You sat in math class at the end of the day, copying notes down from the board. You noticed Courtney out of the corner of your eye, and she was smiling sprightly to herself. Ripping out a piece of paper from your notebook, you scribbled, What's up? You threw it on her desk before the teacher turned around. After finishing your notes, you set your pencil down as she threw the paper back at you. Picking it up, you unfolded it and stared down at the words that made your heart leap in your chest.

Brace yourself…Would you care to be a godmother?

Your mouth fell, your eyes widening as you looked over at her. The look on her face gave you no reason at all to think that she was kidding. She was dead serious.

"Wh-what?" you said, making the entire classroom go completely silent. Everyone stared at you.

"Yes, Julie? Do you have a question?" your teacher asked, glaring at you.

You bit your lip. "Oh, um, no. Sorry. I'm fine."

And that was the day you found out Courtney was pregnant. It was pretty obvious who was the father since she and Pete had become inseparable. But how could she let this happen? Sure you were happy for her, but you were somewhat disappointed at the same time. She's still in high school, and this will probably ruin the rest of her future. And she's only known Pete for the good part of two months! But you really didn't want to say this to her, knowing that she had enough on her mind these days. All you could do was be there for her and try to wait it out. These were one of the things that you needed to soak in; that everyone needed to soak in.

* * *

Your alarm blared at you. You threw your hand in the air, smacking the button to make it turn off. It was early December 28. 4:50 am. You would soon be leaving to New York with Sam, Courtney and the guys.

You rolled out of bed, planting your feet on the ground, rubbing your eyes. You stood up, your weak and tired body trying to grasp a hold of the sudden change of gravity as you made your way into the bathroom. You'd have exactly ten minutes to get ready before Courtney and Sam would be at your house to get you and drive down to the airport in Pittsburgh where you'd meet the guys. It was far too early for your mind to even comprehend the word shower, much less the action of taking a quick one, so you just brushed your hair, your teeth, and pulled on some clothes. By the time you had reached the downstairs, the preset coffee was ready. You poured some in a to-go cup with creamer and sugar. Courtney honked her horn in your driveway. You shrugged on your coat and checked to make sure you had the essentials in your carry-on bag (ipod, book, gum, hairbrush…). Courtney's horn blasted again. "Hold on," you mumbled as if she could hear you. After you slung your carry-on and your duffle bag over your shoulder, you trudged your way out to the waiting car.

Boys like you are a dime a dozen...