Halley Wolowitz's POV
Cecil and I are at the movie theaters together. We went to watch The Mothman. As stupid as the concept sounds, we were so excited to see it. My Mom can't believe that we're actually going to watch the movie about a mythical creature from old legends, but hey, it's like we're still kids ourselves. I have some time to enjoy it before I have my own kid.
We enter the theater and bought our tickets. I really want some nachos and coke. Also nachos. Those look so good.
Before we went to buy our stuff, there was a girl who called out to Cecil. I turned around and recognize the tall blonde girl. By tall, I mean she's taller than me which is, like, everyone.
Thanks Mom and Dad for being so stinkin' short!
Her name is Lily Spencer. Cecil's ex girlfriend and I can't believe she's right there.
"Hey, Lil." Cecil greeted friendly. Cause that's just the kind of guy he is.
"Hi, Cecil. Are you dating her?" Her blue eyes flickers to me and back at him.
"No, we're not dating." He corrected.
She seems confused when she glanced down at my belly.
"This is my ex boyfriend's baby. Jason. Remember?" I said.
We were friends with Lily back at Boston. Her and Cecil dated for ten months sometime ago. They almost lasted for a year, but Lily broke up with him for a reason I do not know.
"Oh, yeah. I remember that you dated him," She acknowledged. "The break up you two had messed him up."
"He came to my house and was being a mega douche about it because I didn't tell him. It's not like he deserved to know anyway because he didn't want anything to do with the baby."
"Wait. He actually said that? He told us that you didn't give him a second chance."
"There's more to the story and I won't give him a second chance when he said that he doesn't want to be a father. And he said other things about it that got my Dad pissed off and it made him punch Jason's face."
"Oh, wow. I'm surprised that all of that happened. I thought you guys would've lasted."
"Well, you never know what goes on behind closed doors." I shrugged.
"That's true, I guess," She nodded. Then Lily focused on Cecil. "What movie are you two seeing?"
"The Mothman." He grinned.
She chuckled with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yep," He grinned.
"What movie are you seeing?"
"I'm with my friends to see that funny chick flick movie with Courtney Chambers."
"I love her," I said. Courtney Chambers is such a great actress.
"So...since you and Halley aren't dating, would you like to hang out with me sometime?" She asked and I know those flirtatious moves about her.
The batting of eyes and her pulling off that cute and innocent look and swaying her hips a little. Ugh...makes me sick...
Wait. Why am I getting...jealous? Cecil and I aren't dating. I shouldn't even be focused on that. I have my baby to look forward to.
Right?
"Uh...I don't know, Lily..." He shook his head.
"Oh, come on," She did that stupid high school playful hitting on the arm thing to him. "We're just friends. I broke up with you, remember? So why would I want you back? Just because we broke up doesn't mean we can't be friends."
I can tell that Cecil was confused and torn about this. Maybe she is right about that. That she just wants to be friends with him. Maybe my pregnancy brain could mess me up from thinking logically. He looked at me first.
"Are you okay with this?"
"Yeah," I replied. I try to sound casual about it. "I mean, it's not like we're dating. So...you can hang out with anyone who you want to."
"Uh...okay," Cecil said, turning to Lily. "Then, yeah. We can hang out."
"Cool!" She grinned. Of course she would.
I can't help, but to tell Cecil that we should go get our stuff and sit in our seats right now.
I grabbed his hand. "We should go and get our snacks and tickets right now, Cecil."
"Okay," His head quickly turned to me with a smile at the corner of his mouth. "Bye, Lily." I said.
"Bye, Halley and Cecil." She said and walked back to her friends.
Unfortunately, I had to let go of Cecil's hand as we went in line to get our snacks and drinks.
"You okay?" Cecil asked with worry. "I mean, about me and Lily?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine," I answered and I know I sound bitter. But because my voice is similar to my mother's high pitched voice, I sound like an angry chipmunk. "Lily is a tall, beautiful, and busty blonde while I'm just short, pregnant, fat, and have the voice of a three year old."
"You're not that, Halley." He told me seriously, shaking his head.
"You know my Mom has to be fierce and strong in her workplace because people won't take her seriously. It's because of her being short and her voice. People see her as that little green monster with the one eye from Monsters Inc."
"Mike Wazowski." Cecil called the name of the weird creature. I gave him a look for even knowing that.
"And I try to be like her in that way, but I know I can't. And now look at me. I'm pregnant." I frowned and I really don't want to cry in public.
"Halley, you're fine and you're beautiful just the way you are," Cecil said becoming serious again. "Just because you're pregnant doesn't change anything. It's not like you'll be pregnant forever."
"Thank god..." I mumbled gratefully.
We got our snacks, drinks, and tickets and were ready to watch the movie.
The next day I try to forget the fact that Cecil and Lily are hanging out together. I need to remind myself constantly that they're just friends and how he constantly told me I'm still beautiful.
I don't know why this bothers me so much...
At home, Neil wanted to show off his new girlfriend named, Cara Washington. She's a geologist who works at the same university as him. Cara is really cute and seems friendly yet kinda awkward, too.
It's just the three of us lounging in the living room.
"What made you want to become a geologist?" I wondered.
"Because of my mother. She's one, too, and she has inspired me. I became fascinated with the subject. Did you know that the gemstones, rubies and sapphires, are actually the same mineral? Can you guess what that mineral is...?" She trailed off to let us play her game.
Neil and I looked at each other cluelessly then back at her.
"Hint: it's not to be confused with conundrum." She smirks and tried not to giggle.
"We don't know." Neil replied.
"The answer is...corundum. The chemical formula for corundum is A12O3, but traces of iron stain the mineral ruby while traces of chromium or titanium stain the mineral sapphire."
"Interesting..." I want to try to sound genuine, but I don't think I can.
"Want to know any other cool facts?"
"I think we're good on our rock knowledge." I said so Neil wouldn't have to.
"Sorry," Cara seems to get the message. "I know geology can be boring and dull to some. How about this topic: Do you have a name for your baby?" Cara asked.
I shook my head. "No, not yet. I haven't really decided or thought of anything baby related."
"That's okay. You still have some time left."
"Yeah, I know. I'm only two months in. Just seven more to go." I sighed because I want the months to go pass by quickly. By quickly I mean by lightning speed.
When I saw how Lily's body is still sexy and so fit looking, I hate to admit that I'm so jealous. I crave for my body to be back to normal.
"It'll be worth it."
"I already know."
"I have a seven year old and I sometimes wish he can be a baby again."
Neil looked at her being confused. "A seven year old? You mean you have a seven year old brother? Right?"
She bit her bottom lip. "Uh, no..." It was like Cara became nervous and didn't want to explain herself. "I mean, my seven year old son. His name is Peter. I had him when I was sixteen."
"What?!" Neil and I exclaimed together.
"Yes," She was ashamed and I feel bad for basically shouting at her. Everyone has a past and made mistakes.
"And you were going to tell me when...?" My little brother demanded.
She let out a long sigh. "I wanted to wait some more, but I couldn't help it when Halley was talking about her pregnancy. I didn't want to tell you right away because I don't want to scare you off. You don't know how hard it is to date a guy and to have him run away because he was scared just that I have a child. You seem nice. Now, I'm sorry that I brought it up. I'll go..."
She was about to stand up and I would hurt Neil so bad if he would have just let her walk away like this.
"No!" He pulled her hand to stop her. She turned to him. "Don't go. Yeah, finding out that you have a kid after all this time did shock me, but I'll deal with it."
She looked hopeful. "You will?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"Thank you, Neil." She smiled gratefully.
"Telling my parents about this will be a different story, but we won't tell them yet. I would like to meet Peter."
"You do? Well, maybe we should wait for that. I might need to have a talk with him about us and everything."
"Okay. That's fine."
Hm. Look at my little brother being mature. And possibly a future stepdad to Cara's son.
On Friday in the evening, it was time for me to babysit for my parents' friend's children. Mostly that I can get to know their oldest daughter. I think her name is Layla.
My parents drove me to the Koothrapali's house. They still don't know about the fact that Cara has a kid. I kept that secret just for Neil to tell them.
"Have you hunted for any jobs lately?" Mom asked while we're together in the car.
"Oh, yeah. About that..." I drifted off sounding unconvinced that I did anything.
"You didn't, did you?" She guessed bluntly.
How is that she's always right?
"No," I said and I know those disappointed and judgy looks on my parents' faces as I'm sitting in the backseat. "But who would want a pregnant woman to work for them anyway?"
"I'm sure there's lots of people who would want you." She said that only because she's my mother.
"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes and stare out the window.
I can't help to think about how Cecil and Lily spend some time together last weekend. He said that it was nice and they had fun, but nothing happened. I hope not. But I know I have to trust him.
"You can work at a restaurant for starters." Mom suggested.
"You want me to work as a waitress?" I asked with disbelief.
Working as a waitress would be so lame and tiring.
"That's what I did for a while. I worked at the Cheesecake Factory with Penny. I think her daughter works there right now."
As much as I would hate to be a waitress, I do need the money. Like a lot. I can take the job for a little while, I guess. Maybe it won't be so bad. But who am I kidding?
"Fine. I'll go ask for a job there, I guess." I said stubbornly. I'm still not looking at either of them, just at the window.
But I could hear my parents talking about it.
"You know this is going against what we talked about which is not helping her to be an adult in the real world." My father said.
"Oh, please, Howard! It was just a suggestion. And I do feel bad for her..." Mom said that part with guilt. Alright, I take her side. She's nice enough to help me out.
Later, we finally arrived at the Koothrapalis. Dad rang the doorbell and it was Raj, Layla's father, who answered it.
"Hey, you guys!" Raj was excited to see them and stepped aside to let us pass. He closed the door as we enter his living room. "Come in. Halley, I'm surprised at how much you've grown! And you're having a baby on the way?"
"Yes." I nodded and I try to be happy about it.
"Wow. That's so crazy," Raj said and then he reflects. "I remember when you were just a little baby."
"I know," Dad said in agreement. "It is crazy how they grow up."
"Tell me about." Emily agreed.
"Where are the kids?" Mom asked.
"They're upstairs. I can go get them." Raj's wife said and she went up.
We were getting to know each other better and Emily returned with her two children.
"This is Layla." Raj introduced his oldest.
"Hi." She said in a small voice.
"And this is Praveen." He introduced his son and he greeted us in sign language.
Dad greeted us back to in sign language and that made the boy lit up that someone else other than his family knew how to understand him. It looks like they hit it off well. Maybe Dad should teach me it someday.
"There's some left overs that you guys can eat for dinner." Emily told us as she put her jacket on.
"Okay. Thanks, Mrs. Koothrappali."
"Oh, please. You can call me Aunt Emily. Mrs. Koothrappali makes me feel old."
"Okay." I smiled. She seems nice.
Once the adults left, it was just us. I look at the kids.
"So...uh...what do you guys want to do?" I asked them.
"I would usually text my boyfriend." Layla said.
I can't believe that a thirteen year old has a boyfriend. And here I am as a twenty four year old and single. How sad.
"Who are you dating?" I asked her.
"Elliott Hofstadter." It was cute that she smiled when she said his name.
"I've met them before. They seem really nice and cool." I said. "What do you guys do for fun around here?"
"I would watch the Werewolf Journals."
"You actually watch that show?" I chuckled. That show is basically for kids around her age, older, and maybe even a bit younger.
"You don't watch that show?" Layla asked as if I have done a crime.
Honestly, I didn't want to watch that stupid, pre-teen show, but when there was nothing on TV, I came across to that show and actually...I fell in love with it.
"Yes," I confessed being guilty and ashamed. Not that I lied, but the fact I like the show.
"Did you see that episode when Dexter kissed Shelby?" Layla was swooning over that scene.
I know that Dexter and Shelby are one of the big power couples on that show. They're my favorite pairing, too. I think they're sweet.
"Yes," I nodded. "I thought that was so sweet. I can't believe Darren transformed in front of Marshall."
"Darren only did that to show him his true self."
"I know, but at least that went better than what happened when Ian transformed in front of June. He turned into a wolf, lost his control, and killed her. She was my favorite character."
"Really? June was your favorite character? I mean, I felt bad for her, but I think I love Katrina the most."
"Katrina? Ugh, no. I hate her," Suddenly, an idea came to me. "Do you want to watch reruns of the show on TV?"
She beamed in excitement. "Yeah! I think there's a new episode tonight!"
"Oh, really? That's cool. Ask Praveen if he wants to join us."
"He's not into this stuff, but I'll ask him." She used her hands to communicate the offering. It seemed like he didn't want to and went upstairs. To his bedroom, most likely.
"He doesn't want to. I figured. He'll play video games in his bedroom."
"Okay."
Layla turned on the TV and we had to wait for a couple of minutes for Werewolf Journals to come on.
"Thanks for wanting to watch this with me." Layla said gratefully.
"Sure. I think our parents wants us to become friends. I like that we have something in common. From what I've heard, our fathers acted as if they're way more than friends."
"What do you mean?" She was confused.
Should I explain to how weirdly close they were? My Mom told me everything. Even the stuff I didn't want to know. How she told me what their friendship was like and I'm surprised they married women instead of marrying each other.
"I'll just say that they were...extremely close."
She hesitated for a second and then replied. "Nothing wrong with that, right?"
"I guess." I shrugged.
"You're my father's goddaughter, right?"
"Right." I confirmed.
"So...that'll make you my sister? God-sister that is." She added.
I thought about it, and I guess in a way, she's right. "Yeah. I can be like your big sister."
That's when she grinned. "I always wanted to have a big sister."
I smiled at that. "If your boyfriend gives you a hard time or any crap, just come talk to me about it."
She giggles. "Okay."
Author's Note: A disclaimer. I made up the movie name, The Mothman, and the fake TV Show, Werewolf Journals. Lol! I don't think there's a horror movie about the Mothman and Werewolf Journals is like a parody of the Vampire Diaries, lol. Anyway, tell me what you think about this chapter in a review! Thanks for reading! :)