Maya's now twenty five weeks and things are getting harder for her to each day. Things like bending down to get her shoes, or even sleeping became difficult. As much as she tried she couldn't get comfortable. There was always this feeling of butterflies that kept her awake, and it was finally starting to get to her.
It certainly didn't help that things were tense between her and Josh since their fight in the elevator. She hadn't truly forgave him because it still stung, but one day something clicked inside her head. She was becoming a mom and she can't just stay mad at the father of her child. It's not good for the either of them or the baby.
In the middle of the night while they both slept, well more of Maya being uncomfortable while he slept soundly, she tapped him. "Josh," she whispered. He stirred a little, but didn't wake up. "Josh," she said again, but this time louder.
Josh woke up slowly, his brown hair out of place as he looked over at his girlfriend. "What time is it?" He groaned.
"Doesn't matter. I need to talk to you," Maya answered quickly.
Josh rubbed his eyes and sat up, so that he wouldn't fall asleep as she talked. "Now?" He asked.
"Yes now!" Maya exclaimed. "It's important."
"Okay," Josh yawned as he looked at Maya with sleepy eyes.
Suddenly, Josh felt Maya's lips on his. She hasn't kissed him in weeks and he really missed it. "I love you. I'm done being petty and being mad at you. It's not good for us or the baby. I know that because I can't stop this butterfly feeling and its probably my nerves or something? I don't really know but that's how I truly feel." Maya laughed and placed her hands on her stomach. "That's funny. The butterflies got stronger when I kissed you."
Josh was still in a daze from his kiss. His lips slightly swollen from how hard she kissed him. "Butterflies?" He asked. Maya nodded. "Kiss me again," Josh ordered.
"Okay," Maya answered skeptically. She leaned over slightly and kissed him again. The feeling getting storing again. She pulled away abruptly. "It got stronger again!"
"I think those butterflies were the baby kicking," Josh concluded. He placed his hand on her lower abdomen and kissed her again. He felt it. The little flutters that have been keeping Maya awake.
They fell into a routine. Josh would wake up first, make some food for the both of them, and shower. Around the time that Josh showered Maya was just getting up, struggling to get out of bed. Maya always got dressed first, since that was just about her hardest task of the day.
This morning though, she was having extra trouble. None of her bras would fit. Josh, who always walked into the bedroom at some point to make sure Maya was actually up instead of wallowing in bed walked in to find her bra less and their room in a mess. "Whoa," he breathed as he looked at the tornado of clothes that hit their room. He looked up from the floor to see Maya looking through more drawers. "Whoa," he said as he saw Maya. He pointed at her chest and asked, "Have they gotten bigger?"
"Shut up!" Maya yelled. "Give me one of your shirts," she ordered. "I'm gonna be late."
Josh hastily handed her one of his shirts and watched her put it on, content at the moment. Maya turned to him as she grabbed her keys off the dresser. "I'm gonna grab my food to go. Remember we have to go back to the furniture place and actually get stuff this time."
"Alright," he answered. "Love you babe!" He called out as he heard her walk out the door.
A minute later Maya walked inside again mumbling, "I forgot my shoes."
Maya stood at her locker grabbing her books when it was shut closed abruptly. "Hi Maya," Missy said in a faux tone. Maya rolled her eyes and shoved a book in her bag. "You know your gonna have hard time sitting inside those desks."
Maya just ignored her and looked through one of her books, trying to find her language arts homework. "Why aren't you responding?" Missy asked.
"Look Missy," Maya began as she shut her book closed. "I'm a pregnant teenager with no job and an apartment. My boyfriend is in college and can't seem to find a job. I was already an angry person before I was pregnant and you can just imagine how angry I am now. I've moved past being sad and sorry for myself so you can stop trying. I am tired, my feet are swollen, and not one of my damn bras fit. What you say literally has no effect on me. Now if you wanna say something intelligent, talk to me. If not, stay away."
Maya opened her textbook again and continued to finger through it when Missy replied. "Okay. I'll admit Hart despite being pregnant you have balls. No one would have said that to me. Look, don't tell anyone I said this but I actually like it when we banter." Maya looked up and raised an eyebrow at her. "It's my favorite part of the day."
Maya scoffed and closed her book and started walking off. Missy rolled her eyes and followed her down the hallway. "Sure I'm a bitch, but I can be nice Maya. I'm deciding to be nice to you. I can be an honest friend Maya, something you can't get from your regular group of friends."
"What makes you think that I need you as a friend?" Maya asked, finally answering her.
Missy stopped her as she continued to walk and faced her. "I see the way they baby you Maya. You must feel like your suffocating."
Maya pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you get out of this?"
Missy shrugged. "I don't know. A real friend I guess. I know a lot of people don't like me so acting the way I do makes it easier."
Maya thought carefully before she answered. "Meet me outside when school lets out. Josh and I are getting some furniture at eight so we can hang out or whatever you wanna call it until then." Missy nodded and smiled softly. "You better not be screwing with me Bradford!"
"I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a liar Hart."
Maya stopped by her locker with Riley at the last bell. "Want to hang out tonight?" Riley asked.
"Can't," Maya answered as she shut her locker closed. "Josh and I have to head back to the furniture store." The thought of telling Riley that she was hanging out with Missy tonight crossed Maya's mind. "Plus I have some work I need to get done with my partner for health," Maya lied.
"Okay," Riley replied, slightly disappointed. "Well I'll just see you tomorrow. Bye Peaches!" Riley called out as she began to walk away.
As Riley walked away Maya released a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. While readjusting her bag Maya walked out of school to meet Missy out front.
Missy was standing there with her phone in hand as she looked around for Maya. "There you are!" She exclaimed as she spotted Maya walking towards her.
"I'm here," Maya said, smiling.
"Awesome. So where do you want to go?" Missy asked.
"I was thinking my place. I'm pretty tired," Maya admitted.
Missy nodded. "Lead the way."
Maya unlocked the door to her apartment and walked in slowly waiting to here what Missy would say. "You gonna say something?" Maya asked as a minute had passed.
Missy looked around at the emptiness of the place and stepped forward. "It's...quaint." She said slowly. "Do you have any furniture?"
"In the bedroom," Maya replied. "But when Josh gets home we're getting some at one of his friends store."
"Cool." The awkwardness set in and the two stood there in silence. Suddenly, Maya busted out laughing, startling Missy. "What's so funny?" Missy asked.
Maya gestured between them with her hands. "Us. Are we seriously trying to be nice to each other? How in the world does that work?"
Missy shrugged her shoulders and looked at Maya. "I don't know, but I was hoping we could at least try."
Maya raised an eyebrow at Missy. "Okay I'll try."
Missy walked around the apartment and looked at everything. "It must be cool living on your own," Missy admitted.
Maya followed Missy as she walked through the apartment. "I guess so. I just wish it weren't under these circumstances."
Missy stopped walking and turned around to face Maya. "I understand what you mean. Not wanting things to be this way at this time."
Maya shook her head. "If you're talking about those things Zay said, I know they aren't true. You really don't have to explain yourself to me."
Missy shook her head. "Yes I do." Missy took out her phone and pulled up a picture of a little boy. "This is my son." Maya looked up at her with a shocked look on her face. "Remember when I disappeared during sophomore year? That's what was going on. I was so quick to think that I could handle myself and that I was better than everyone else when I really wasn't. I hurt someone in the process of all of this, making his life ten times harder."
Maya stared at Missy, entranced by her words as if they were a painful song. "You know Charlie Gardner right?" Maya's jaw dropped. "Yep. I convinced him that I liked him all for some stupid bet and I slept with him. I told him it was a bet right after we had sex and he was furious. Swore never to talk to me again, and I was fine with that. I really was and then I found out I was pregnant at the tender age of fifteen. My parents kicked me out as soon as they found out and Charlie made me move in with him."
"Really?" Maya said, feeling sorry for the auburn haired girl.
"Things between me and Charlie were tense, but we've slowly grown to being friends. It was hard, but I felt like I should tell you all of that," Missy explained.
"Why?" Maya asked, getting angry. "Why would you tell me all of this letting me know that you've gone through this? That seems pretty cruel. Even for you Missy."
Maya turned to walk away, but Missy grabbed her arm softly. "Please Maya," she begged. "Just let me finish." Missy took a deep breath. "I was jealous. Simple as that. See, I knew you'd have the support of people around you. I didn't and I guess I just wanted someone to feel as alone as I did. I'm insanely sorry."
Missy finished talking and Maya instantly wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you for telling me," she whispered. Maya pulled away and looked at Missy. "What's his name?"
Missy laughed. "Aaron. Aaron Caden Gardner. He's literally my entire world." Missy looked at the picture one more time before placing her phone in her pocket. "Honestly, I feel alone at school despite that fact that there are people who follow me around constantly. I just really want a friend. One that I haven't slept with and lied to. A real friend."
Maya smiled and pushed a hair behind her head. "Well you have one in me. That's for sure." Maya hugged Missy one more time and whispered. "By the way, I forgive you and I'd love to meet Aaron one day if that's okay with both you and Charlie."
Missy nodded happily. "Of course. Do you think you and Josh have time before you guys go to that furniture place? My place is not far from here actually."
"Sure. I pretty sure we'll have enough time," Maya answered.
"Oh!" Missy exclaimed. "Before I forget. I work at this nursery at Charlie's church and they're looking for someone to hire. We just take care of the babies and stuff. I usually work there right after school and they let me keep Aaron there during the day while both me and Charlie are at school." Missy took out a business card and handed it to Maya. "Just call them and you can start working soon. I already told them there was someone just like me who need the help." Maya looked up at Missy. "And before you ask why, its because I would have really loved if things could have been easier for me. So I want to make things easier for you too."
Missy's phone started to ring and Charlie's face popped up on the screen. "I have to take this," Missy said. "I'll text you the address. I really hope you stop by Maya."
Missy answered her phone and left the apartment. Leaving Maya with a new friend she never thought she would have.
A/N: I never leave author's notes for this story, but I just wanted to wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July!