Midnight:
Chapter 5:
John's Dorm
February 15th
4 PM
Ever since the first date with Alexander, John had been seeing him off and on outside of classes. They both had a heavy workload this semester and found ways to compromise through texting one another in between classes.
John grinned as he pressed send, replying to the latest message before setting down his phone. He turned to his laptop, looking at everything in front of him. A small sigh escaped his lips as he leaned back in his chair. The last thing he wanted to do was work on this paper but, alas, it was one of the last things he needed to get done before their school break in a couple of weeks.
As soon as he began typing his phone began to ring. A quick glance over and he frowned, seeing Martha's name on the screen. Letting out a small breath, he hit answer. "Hello?" He began softly. It had been months since he had last spoken to her and he wasn't sure how she was going to react to him answering the phone after months.
There was a small pause as John braced himself for any reaction from her. "John?" She didn't sound angry or upset, just surprised. "I've been trying to call and text you for months."
John frowned, turning in his chair and staring down at the floor. "Sorry," he let out a small sigh as a hand came up and raked through his hair. He wasn't sure what else to say. He didn't want to tell her that he was purposely ignoring her, but he also didn't want to lie to her.
There was a pause and he could hear Martha sigh before she began speaking again. "I've had so much I wanted to tell you."
John frowned as he listened to her speak. "Then tell me now?" He asked as he sat back in his chair. He turned in his seat to face the computer. It looked like he was going to be on the phone for a while and might as well try and get work done
Another pause and he could tell, even over the phone, that Martha was thinking about it. Thinking about letting it all out right then and there of everything she wanted to tell him, everything she wanted him to know. "Not over the phone," she spoke but moments later. "I was thinking I could come up to your school for a visit this weekend if that's okay."
John drew in a breath. That was one of the last things he wanted. He had plans with Alexander this weekend, both of them taking a well needed break from their plans. "Martha," he began moments later.
"No," Martha cut him off. "Do not blow me off, not again John. This is really important. We need to talk."
John let out a breath, nodding as he turned away from his computer screen. "Fine, but we're not meeting on campus." He didn't want either her or Alex to run into one another. He needed to keep his two worlds separate. He wasn't ready to let everything out just yet. "I have a couple errands to run this Saturday, can we meet at a diner or somewhere?"
"Fine, whatever. I'll meet you at the diner, just text me that morning so I know which one I'm going to please."
John nodded. "I can do that. I'll see you then?"
"Yes, bye John."
John sighed as he hung-up the phone and threw it onto his bed. He sat back in his seat, turning to the computer on his desk in front of him. Suddenly, the assignment that he had due didn't seem as important to him. Sighing, he stood up from his chair and made his way over to the bed, picking up the phone he had just lobbed across the room.
Quickly, he pulled up Alexander's number and typed out a quick text. Hey, something came up with my family. I can't meet this weekend.
It wasn't a lie. Martha and her family were as close as family. His father was always inviting them to any sort of family function they had since they were in high school.
Alexander's text came back quicker than he had thought. If Alexander was upset, he didn't seem show it over texts. Okay, rain check then?
John replied with a quick message before turning back to his work. Sooner or later he was going to have to be honest with either one of them, but right now, he wanted to keep them as separate as he could.
Revolution Diner
February 17th
12 PM
John stood outside the diner; hands shoved in his sweatshirt pockets. He looked around, keeping an eye out for Martha and anyone else that he knew that could possibly be walking by. Finally, he spotted her.
"John!" She waved, a smile gracing her face. He glanced over her, noting how she was dressed up. She glanced over him once, seemingly a bit disappointed, but she didn't say it. She kept the smile on her face, taking her hand in his. "Have you been waiting long?"
John shook his head as he kept her hand in his, letting her lead the way inside the restaurant. "Not at all, perhaps a few minutes but nothing too long."
As soon as they entered the diner, the hostess took them to their seats. Martha smiled and thanked her, and John just gave her a smile. "So," John began after a moment before looking over at her. "What's so important that you couldn't tell me over the phone?"
Frowning, Martha looked over her menu at him. "Can we order first please? I just don't want to get into this when we first get here."
John frowned right back at her. "Martha."
She ignored him and flagged down their waitress with a smile. "Hi, we're ready to order over here." The waitress nodded, taking out her pen and pad of paper, ready to write everything down. "I would like a diet coke and the fish and chips." The waitress nodded before turning her attention over to John.
John frowned before he glanced down over his own menu. "Yeah, I'll just have a water and a cobb salad." He said as he handed back over the menu, glancing over at Martha once again as the waitress left. "Now are we going to talk?"
"Why have you been ignoring me?"
John blinked once, frowning a bit. "You mean since after Thanksgiving break?"
Martha nodded. "Yeah, you didn't join your family for your semester break at Christmas time. I'm not stupid John, I thought we had something nice over there." She reached out to place her hand over John's. He wanted to retract his hand but left it there. "We're getting married and we should be honest with one another."
Her words stung a bit. He wanted to be honest with her. He wanted to open up right then and there, tell her everything and break up with her but he just couldn't, not now. It wasn't the time nor the place. "I'm sorry, Martha. I got caught up with things here. It's not you."
Martha frowned, letting out a small sigh. John could tell that she didn't believe him but wasn't going to call him out or anything. She just smiled and nodded, looking up at the waitress brought their drinks. She thanked her before turning her attention back over to John. "Anyways, that's not all I wanted to talk to you about."
John rose an eyebrow. "What else is there…?"
Martha bit her lip, glancing down at the table. She took in a deep breath before looking back at him, small smile on her lips. "My family is going away during the time that your schools spring break is, and I wanted to invite you to come with us." Her shoulders shrugged. "It's just a weeklong trip to Hawaii but I think it would be fun."
It wasn't his ideal plan for spring break, but it was going to have to do. He didn't see his father letting him out of this one as they did for Christmastime. "Fine, I'll go."
Martha frowned. "You don't sound very happy. Are you alright?"
John nodded. "Yeah, sorry. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately."
Martha nodded as she took a sip from her drink. "There's one other thing too.
"Yes?
"John, I'm pregnant."
John frowned as he stared at Martha for a long moment. "Excuse me?" He asked, voice soft, unsure if he heard her right in the first place.
Martha let out a soft sigh of her own. "We're having a baby. I'm not showing yet and that's another reason I've been trying to contract you as well."
John wanted to ask a million questions. How did she know he was the father? When did she find out? Had she told his family? Of course, he wouldn't say that, especially imply that it wasn't his. He knew Martha had never been anything but faithful, unlike himself.
Instead of waiting for a reply from him, Martha kept talking. "I told my parents, they're a little disappointed but nonetheless excited. They've talked to your father and they've all agreed to move the wedding up."
Blinking, he looked up at her, frowning a bit. "But we're supposed to get married after I'm finished with school and that one be for another year or two. When do they want to move it up to?"
"I know," Martha spoke as she gave him another small smile. "But that was before the baby and you know them and where we're from, have to have a proper wedding and everything before the baby arrives."
Before John could ask the next question, the waitress brought their meals, setting them down in front of them. He looked up at her, giving her a smile. "Thank you," he told her as she turned and left before his attention drifted back over to Martha. "When? When do they want to move the wedding to?"
"June, I think." Her shoulders shrugged. "Or late May. I know they want to give you time to end your semester so it's probably in June. My parents and your dad are the ones planning it. It's just all I know." Martha smiled at him a moment later, glancing down at her food before looking up at him. "We can talk about it later, for now, let's eat, yeah?"
John nodded as he began eating as well.
John's Dorm
2 PM
After finishing his lunch with Martha, they parted ways. She needed to turn around and drive back home right after to take care of business. He said bye, promising to take her calls and call her more often in return.
He shut the door to his room behind him, feeling like a phantom as he sat down on his bed. His head was swimming, and everything seemed too surreal. He took his phone out of his pocket and had Marta's number pulled up, quickly sending a text: Did you know?
It didn't take long before she responded: Yeah, I did. I'm sorry.
He threw his phone over to the chair before he laid down, turning his back to the door. His eyes stung with tears, biting his lower lip.
Everything was changing too fast.
AN: I'm finally in a place where I can write again. I hope you all are staying safe and healthy!