Chapter 10: Family

Justin's POV: Dad sent me over to check out a new sandwich place called The Late Night Bite. I got to the restaurant and started to look at their menus, I start to take video when suddenly a gorgeous blonde girl walked up to me. You know these are takeout menus, Right? I'm an artist, an "Australian menu artist." 'Justin says in a really bad Australian accent' Really? I didn't know that was a profession. So would you like something? Ah yes, I'll have one of your Shrimp on the Barbie Sandy-Wiches.

You know you were doing well with that whole Australian thing until you said Sandy-Wiches! They... they, don't say that? No but I still think you're cute; I'm Juliet. I'm Justin. 'Justin and Juliet quickly hit it off and started talking. Juliet's parents didn't approve at all. 'Anyways Justin felt for Juliet something he had not felt for any other girl in the past; though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Justin eventually got Juliet's parents to approve but his parents were the hard part; though eventually got through to them too. Justin and Juliet have been going strong for about a week now, though things are about to get strange for Alex.

1 Month Later...

Alex's POV: There all done! Wow Alex this place looks amazing! 'Theresa Says to Alex' well here's your money. Thanks Mom! So, Alex I've been rather curious, why are you doing all of this? Oh, no reason just want to help! Mmm-hmm with you there is always a reason. OK look I just wanted to start saving money.

You?! You want to start saving money Uh-Huh sure! I'm serious Mom! OK Alex, I'll believe you if you tell me what you're saving for. Oh, I can't I'm sorry, it's something personal. Something personal huh? Alex honey look you know you can talk to me if anything is wrong right?! I know Mom, it's just I really can't tell you I'm sorry.

'Before anymore awkwardness could start Harper walks in the door and saves the day. Harper hey what are you doing here? Don't you remember I said I was coming over today. Oh, yeah! I'm sorry I just have a lot on my plate right now and I'm super stressed out. Well, how do you feel? I don't know it's been 3 Months and I don't really feel that different besides the cravings starting.

'As Alex and Harper are talking, Justin and Juliet walk in the door. That movie was so fun! Yeah I didn't even know movie dates could be that fun. 'Harper goes downstairs to not make the situation weird. Hey guys, sounds like you had fun! Oh, yeah! Juliet and I went to the movies and hung out there for hours. Yeah, the guy at the front desk yelled at us and said "If you are not here to watch a movie then please vacate the premises".

Hey Juliet you okay what's wrong? I-I smell Baby 'Alex thinking' oh, no! Juliet's sense of smell I completely forgot, oh crap. 'Alex is freaking out trying to think on how to distract Juliet so she wouldn't know it was her. Uh what do you mean you smell baby? Oh yeah you remember how I mentioned how my sense of smell was really good, well I can also smell girls when they're pregnant.

You must be smelling someone on the street 'Alex says to throw suspicion off of herself' yeah maybe? But it smells closer than that a lot closer like it's in this room. Well, that's just impossible. 'Juliet notice's Alex being very squirmy and jittery and finally realizes what's going on, you know what Alex you are completely right it must be someone else in the building.

'A massive wave of relief washed over Alex' okay I am going to go upstairs shower and get ready for our dinner later tonight. 'Justin runs upstairs to shower' Oh, My God, You're Pregnant! Shhhh keep it down! Oh, your family doesn't know do they? 'Alex shakes her head and sits down with Juliet' please don't tell anyone okay. Hey don't worry Alex my lips are sealed; but just out of curiosity why don't you want to tell your family. Because I'm nervous and I'm scared about how they might react besides I'm just not ready yet.

Well, does anyone else know? Just Harper. Alex, I promise you I won't tell anyone. Thank you, Juliet- hey no problem I'm a vampire I know secrets like you would never believe. Hey Juliet you ready?! Yeah let's go 'Juliet looks back at Alex and smiles before leaving.'

Hey uh can we talk for a second? Yeah sure! Look it's probably none of my business but every time I come around, I've noticed that everyone kind of walks on eggshells around Alex; like the slightest thing and she'll break down.

'Justin sighs' listen Juliet- I knew it I overstepped I'm sorry I... No, no, no, no, Juliet you're fine, look you're right we do take it easy with Alex. Why though? 'Justin sits down and explains everything to Juliet' I... I don't even know what to say.

It's not really something I like to talk about or Alex rightly so. Oh, Justin I'm so sorry- no Juliet please don't apologize its OK. My god I... I can't even imagine going through something like that, I... is it okay that you're telling me this? Yeah, of course we're close enough now to not hide anything from each other! No Justin seriously is Alex OK with you telling me this?! Juliet listen we both trust you okay! I wouldn't have told you about it I didn't okay.

A few hours later Alex is sitting down on the couch with harper when she gets hungry. Hey I'm kind of hungry- alright so what are you craving? Ice cream. 'Alex gets up and goes to check the freezer for ice cream' Aha! there you are.

'Alex grabs a spoon and starts shoveling ice cream into her mouth' you know what would make this even better! Pickles. Wait what?! 'Alex grabs the pickles out of the fridge and starts scooping ice cream on to the pickle. Oh, my gosh Harper this is so good! Eww Alex you actually like that? Mm-hmm "youmightnotthinkitbutitsactuallyreallygood!" 'Alex says with her mouth full' what? 'Alex keeps eating going through all most the whole jar of pickles, it all stays down for the first ten minutes until.

'Alex's stomach growling' Alex are you okay? 'Alex covers her mouth with her hand and shakes her head no; Alex quickly runs to the bathroom and starts throwing up. Harper follows her in to see if she can help. Alex you OK? 'Alex continues vomiting for a good 5 minutes but eventually settles, then Alex falls asleep watching tv.

'Another week passes and nothing interesting happens, well until now. I don't see why it's such a big deal! It's a big deal because you're keeping secrets from us. So What? Everyone keeps secrets! Yes but you're keeping them from us Alex. Of course I'm keeping secrets look what you guys are doing- don't try to shift this on us.

Ugh why are you getting so mad about this? Because you swore you wouldn't keep stuff from us anymore! No I didn't I said that I promise not to try to kill myself anymore; but I never said anything about not having secrets. Ok then fine you can keep your secrets; because you're grounded for a month.

Wha... MOM! And no cellphone give it. This isn't fair! Well Alex life's not fair. UGH I HATE YOU! Alex storms off and slams her door. Oh, Jerry did we do the right thing? I... I don't know I mean look what happened last time we got into a fight with Alex. I know that's why I'm worried; maybe I don't know, maybe I should go talk to her.

'Justin walks in the door feeling quite happy, "A feeling that would fade very quick." Hey, Justin where's Juliet? Oh we called it a night. Its only 5:00 o'clock? Yeah but she said that she was getting a little tired so... hey where's Alex this is her tv time. Your sister, Dad and I got into a fight and she went to her room pretty upset.

Oh, man that bad, huh? Yeah, well I was on my way up maybe I could talk to her for you. Justin that would be great thank you. No problem Mom. Ugh stupid parents, why can't they just understand? 'Alex puts her hand on her stomach sits down on her bed and starts crying.'

I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I don't even know if you can hear me, I'm sorry, you... you deserve a better parent than me. A better Mom, I've been so worried about myself through life but now I have you to think about; and the worst part is that, I don't even care about you. I think I hate you, in fact I know I do, I have hate in my heart and your the reason, or maybe you're not, maybe I just need someone to blame, and it's you. I... 'Alex continues crying she reaches her right hand over and grips something, it's the test she took; Alex grips it hard and just cries.

'Justin walks near Alex's room and hears noise. Justin gets closer to realize that it's the sound of Alex crying. Without hesitation Justin enters Alex's room slowly and sees her crying on her bed. Justin sits down next to her. Are you okay? 'Alex holds up the stick in her hand' "I'm Pregnant" she says through her tears.

Without any words Justin puts his arms around Alex and comforts her. Alex hugs Justin not even knowing what to say. They both stay for a few minutes before both standing up; Alex starts wiping her face of tears while Justin waits for her to be more stable before asking any questions.

'After Alex is done wiping her face 'Justin asks his sister in a soft voice' so... uh... how long have you known for? Around 2 and a half months or so 'Alex replies' OK 'Justin says back' so... uh who else knows? Harper knows, Juliet too... oh my gosh! what happened last month makes so much sense now.

You haven't told Mom and Dad yet, huh? 'Alex shakes her head' Max either? No but I think we both know that was for the best. Yeah! Alex look I really can't even start imagine what's going on in your head right now or with your body, but I really think you should tell everyone.

But I understand if you don't and I'm not going to force you but... no you're right I have to tell everyone, I can't keep this a secret anymore it's too much stress. I'll help you... if you want? That would really be nice! OK whenever you're ready, let's go.