She walked slowly towards the mirror her eyes scanning her reflection. This was her old self, this was her without that baby bump. Was she ready to return to school? Was she ready to face her classmates again? Was she ready to open herself up to the judgment and humiliation she was bound to face when she returned.
"Jessie?" Noah said quietly walking into his sister's bedroom "Are you ready?"
"Almost" Jess whispered "I just have to find my shoes"
"There right there" Noah pointed out "Are you sure you're not just stalling?"
"Maybe I am, what's it to you"
"You don't need to attack me Jess, I'm here for you" Noah said walking towards his sister placing his arm around her "If anyone says something about you, tell me I'll beat the crap out of them"
"Thanks" Jess grinned "You're the best baby brother a girl could ask for"
"I know" Noah laughed grabbing her bag off her bed "Let's go, we can't be late"
"You're kidding me!" Miranda yelled into her phone "Is this a joke?"
"Is what a joke?" Tori asked walking up behind Miranda
"Shhh!" Miranda warned taking a step away from her "Damn it!" She whined stuffing her phone back into her pocket
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing" Miranda yelled marching over towards her locker
"Why are you freaking out?"
"I'm not. And besides why do you care?"
"Damn you!" Tori groaned getting onto her tiptoes wrapping her arms around Miranda's neck pressing her lips firmly against the taller girls "Calm the hell down! Okay!"
With that Tori sped away never once looking back.
"Damn!" Emma giggled leaning herself against her locker as Miranda traced her fingers over her lips "What was that?"
"Unexpected" Miranda said turning to open her locker "Should I go talk to her?"
"Probably"
"Hey guys" Jess greeted walking to the girls "What's up?"
"I have to go" Miranda said quickly slamming her locker closed
"What's going on with her?"
"Tori just kissed her" Emma grinned grabbing a textbook from her locker
"What!"
"You heard right. Miranda was yelling at someone on the phone, next thing you know Tori kissed her"
"Who was she yelling at?"
"I don't know, I overheard her as I was walking to my locker. Why does it matter?" Emma asked closing her locker sliding her textbook into her messenger bag
"I guess it doesn't, I just don't see Miranda as someone who would fight over the phone"
"I guess not, anyway we should get to class or we'll be late" Emma observed looking at her watch
"Your first project will be an independent piece, create something that comes from your heart, something that means a lot to you, something that tells a story" Ty explained pointing to various sculptures around the room "Yes, Emma" his voice stuttered as he said her name
"We can do whatever we want?"
"Whatever or whoever inspires you" His eyes scanned her body a small smile crossing his face as he recognized the shirt she was wearing from when they met "I can show you some past designs students did if you'd like"
"Sure" Emma said getting to her feet shuffling over towards his desk where she watched him type a few sentences
"I know we haven't talked since that awkward first day, but we should. I want to talk to you, I need to talk to you, meet me in the parking lot after school. I can give you a lift home after we talk" He finished typing and glanced up into her gorgeous green eyes "Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you Mr. Perez" Emma said giving him a quick grin before returning to her seat
"Excuse me!" Miranda shouted throwing her hand into the air as she heard her ringing phone "May I use the bathroom?"
"Fill out a pass"
She scribbled the pass quickly running from the room grabbing her phone from her pocket.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Rivers?"
"Yes, did you rerun the test?" Miranda asked hoping for a better answer
"We did, and I'm sorry but we came up with the same answer. Whether or not you want to accept it you have chlamydia"
"What does this mean? What do I have to do?"
"Luckily chlamydia is a common STD in teens and is easily treated with the right medication, but I have to inform you, it would be best if you told your sexual partner or partners of your diagnosis so they can be treated as well"
"It just keeps getting better and better!"
"Tori! Over here" Jess called waving her hand in the air signaling Tori over to their usual table as if she had forgotten where they always sat
"What's got you so energetic?" Tori laughed sliding her tray onto the table
"I heard you kissed a certain someone today! Spill!" She demanded leaning her head on her hands her elbows resting comfortably on the table
"So I kissed Miranda, big deal"
"It is a big deal! Mori forever!"
"You're such a weirdo" Tori giggled taking a forkful of her mashed potatoes
"But you love me anyway"
"But I love you anyway" Tori repeated watching as Miranda walked slowly over to the table choosing the chair that was furthest away from both her and Jess "Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing much" Miranda lied her fingers playing mindlessly with her phone "Excuse me for a second" She said suddenly jumping up running across the lunch room "Liam we need to talk"
"About?"
"That thing were not supposed to talk about" Miranda whispered pulling him out into the hallway
"I thought we agreed not to talk about it"
"This is kind of important"
"What?" Liam whined longing to return to the lunchroom to be with his girl
"I have chlamydia, and I had it when we slept together which means…."
"I have it to" Liam finished angrily "I guess I should call the doctor"
"I'm really sorry"
"So am I" Liam frowned pulling his phone from his pocket "Damn voicemail" he whined as he spoke quietly into the phone
"Where have you been?" Jess asked as Liam returned to the table Miranda not far behind him
"I was getting lunch, the line was long" Liam lied passing Jess some of his food
"Is there any ketchup?"
"I can get you some" Liam grinned kissing her gently on the cheek as he rose to his feet
"Thanks"
"Whose phone is that?" Emma asked hearing the faint sound of a ringtone
"I think its Liam's" Tori observed seeing his phone flashing in his bag "Should someone answer it?"
"I'll get it" Jess said reaching for his phone "Oh it's the doctor!"
"You don't really need to answer that do you?" Miranda asked worried knowing no good could come from this
"It might be about Jamie. Hello?"
"Is this Liam Cavanagh's phone?"
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
"I'm answering a voicemail Mr. Cavanagh left for me a few minutes ago concerning that fact that he thinks he may have chlamydia"
"Excuse me?"
"Chlamydia it's a type of STD"
"I'm aware of what it is!" Jess said angrily dropping the phone forcefully onto the table
"They were out of ketchup, but I got you some mayonnaise. Is that okay?"
"What the hell Liam!" Jess screamed getting to her feet kneeing Liam in the crotch
"Damn it" He whined falling to his knees "What was that for?"
"Who is she?"
"What?"
"Who the hell are you screwing? Who do you think gave you chlamydia!?"Jess yelled causing all eyes to focus on the scene which was unfolding
"I can explain" He pleaded slowly getting to his feet wincing in pain as he did "It was a mistake"
"Who? Liam! I didn't ask what you thought about it I asked who you slept with"
Liam's eyes moved towards Miranda, seeing as she shook her head no her own eyes filling with tears "Just some girl"
"I can't believe you!" Jess screamed punching him in his face causing him to fall to the ground as she lifted her leg to kick him again only to be stopped by Emma and Tori who pulled her away from him "I can't believe you!" she repeated as Liam stumbled to his feet holding his still broken wrist in pain "Get the hell away from me! I never want to speak to you again!"
"Jess please" He begged holding back his tears "Please try and understand"
"All I understand is that when I was pregnant and doing nothing but thinking about you! You were out screwing girls and getting yourself full of STD's!"
Miranda sat still her eyes never moving from Liam's knowing that he shouldn't be taking all of the blame but afraid to get involved. Afraid of losing her friendship with not only Jess, but Tori, Emma, and Noah all of them becoming very close over the past few months. She was afraid if she spoke up now it would only make things worse, maybe it was the right decision to stay quiet but then again maybe it was the wrong decision.
Question (answer in reviews): How did you feel about Jess brining her badass behavior back? Did you miss badass Jess?
