CHAPTER 14-The morning after

Manny POV

Jimmy and I were in love. So why did it get to last a few days? I walked up to him and kissed him.

"Jimmy, I was thinking, what if you called the school and told them you weren't coming?" I asked.

"Manny, I can't do that. Being a basketball star has been my dream since I was a kid, and I can't give it up because my girl will live far away." He said.

I nodded.

"But it's just that, well, long-distance relationships are really hard and you might meet some cool LA chick or something." I said, tears flowing.

Jimmy looked at me and stroked my cheek.

"Manny, I love you. So I'm going to end it right here. You and I are going to miss each other like crazy, so I would like you to be able to have fun dating someone else. I'm sorry. I'm going to miss you."

Jimmy walked away as I broke down into full-blown baby sobs.

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Ellie POV

It had been a few months since Sean and I had first had sex. But lately, I was starting to notice some changes going on with me. For one, I got sick in the mornings at first I had thought it was the flu, but after a long time I realized it had to be something else. On the way to school I had bought a home pregnancy test and stuffed it in my backpack. All I had to do was wait until lunch to sneak off to the bathroom and find out.

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Kate POV

Last night had been amazing. But today I had to face reality, and the reality was that I would be breaking JT's heart and maybe Manny's if Craig and I showed up together. I could only imagine the vicious things said about me if we became a couple. Craig couldn't get another girl to look at him for a year, and manny suddenly was the school slut who everyone despised. So on Monday, Craig and I would be friends, nothing more. It turned out to be a lot harder to do when Craig had brought me flowers, delivered them to my locker, and kissed my cheek.

"Craig, thanks." I said.

"It was my pleasure," he said, leaning for another kiss.

"Stop!" I said.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I looked at him sadly. The only way he was going to get this was if I gave it to him straight.

"Craig, last night was great. But I don't think we should become a couple. People would talk, and I don't think that...." I trailed off when I saw JT coming towards me.

"Craig, can I talk to Kate for a minute?" JT asked.

"Sure." Craig said, and he backed away.

"Kate I'm sorry. I was such a jerk. You were right. I did use you, but now I can be the boyfriend you deserve." He said.

I looked at JT, then at Craig.

"It would be nice to have a well-deserved boyfriend." I said.

I took JT's hand and we walked to class.

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Ellie POV

Finally, it was lunch. I was heading for the bathroom when I got side tracked by Ashley.

"Hey El, what's up?" she said.

I grabbed her arm and yanked it into the bathroom. I glance down the row of stalls, they appeared to be empty. I slowly reached into my backpack and pulled out the bag. Ashley opened it and gasped.

"Ellie!" She yelled.

"Ash! I don't know for sure!" I whispered.

"You and Sean were having sex? And you didn't use protection? Ellie, I can't believe this. I would expect this from Manny, but you?" Ashley shouted.

A toilet flushed and a stall opened. It was none other than the infamous Manny Santos.

"You're pregnant?" she asked in a soft voice.

"It's none of your business." Ashley said.

"Actually, Ashley, teen pregnancy is something I know a lot about. I was sure you would remember that better than anyone." Manny replied.

"Yes, I remember. You and Craig were going to have devil's spawn." Ashley snapped.

"Just stop! I need to take the test! Manny, how do you do this?" I asked.

Manny explained the ropes to me and I took the stupid test. After what seemed like eternity, it was time. I looked at the blue lines. I didn't know what it meant, and I was fumbling with the box, trying to see what it was. Manny touched my shaking hand.

"Ellie, you're pregnant." She whispered.

"No!" I shouted.

This couldn't be happening. This kind of thing doesn't happen to me. It happens to sluts, unlucky people. I fell on the floor with my head in my hands. Ashley sat next to me, and whispered soothing sounds. Manny looked at me with a quiet reverence.

"Ellie, listen to me. Get up, fix your make-up and eat your lunch. Nothing has happened. The only way you're going to get through today is if you pretend nothing happened." Manny ordered.

I nodded and got up. Ashley, deciding to be quiet for once, threw away the test.

"Meet me in the foyer after school. You can get through this." Manny said.

She left the room and I fished my eyeliner out of my bag.

"Ellie, are you okay?" Ashley asked.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" I said.

Ashley just bit her lip and stared at me in the mirror.

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Manny POV

I couldn't believe it. Ellie Nash was pregnant with Sean's baby. Emma would be so upset. But I think I need to be the one to tell her. I walked in to the MI lab and sat next to her.

"Emma, I need to tell you something." I said.

"What?" she asked.

"Ellie's pregnant. And Sean's the father."

Emma's eyes grew wide and she looked away. Liberty leaned over from her chair in the next row.

"Two teenage pregnancies at Degrassi? This is definitely something that needs to be brought to Mr. Raditch's attention." Liberty announced loudly.

Emma and I looked at each other in horror as everyone in class stared at us.

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Sean POV

I had just about to go to lunch when jay stopped me.

"Sean, I heard about Ellie. Sucks to be you." Jay said.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Ellie's gonna have a little Sean. At least that's what Alex told me." He replied.

"Well, it's a lie." I said.

It had to be. Wasn't it?

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Ellie POV

I was sitting outside in the foyer, waiting for Manny. I was going to have a baby. What was my mother going to say? And Sean? Something told me that Sean was not going to be jumping for joy. Then I saw Sean coming up to me.

"Ellie, are you pregnant?" He asked.

I stared at him.

"How could this happen? I can't be a dad! This can't be happening! I'm sorry, Ellie. I can't do this." He said.

He left and I stared after him. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I guess he didn't take it as well as Craig." Manny said.

"No." I replied, still staring after Sean.

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Kate POV

I don't know why I got back with JT. I was really depressed, and I guess it must have shown, because Marco came up to me asking what was up.

"Nothing." I replied.

"Yeah. Right." He said.

I blurted out the whole story, and it felt so good to get it out in the open.

"Well, I guess you have to ask yourself this question. Do you want to be loved or do you want to keep pretending to keep others happy?" Marco said.

I looked off into the distance. Craig. That was the only answer.

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