SCHOOL OF LOVE

A/N: Warning! Abortion subject developed.

Ah, finally, let's the real drama begins. It's going to be hard for Wendy (who will be really affected), and Shelby because she can't tell anyone, not Scott, not even Brian because she owes the secret to her bestfriend.

RATING: T (just to be sure)

CHARACTERS: Shelby, Scott, Wendy, Luke, Walt, Jess, Mark.

SUMMARY: AU. Shelby, Wendy, Scott, Brian and the others are all in high school. Walt still exists, but is slightly different in comparison with the show. Elaine happened but is now out of the picture.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the original characters. The others are completely made up, unless my subconscious worked on things I saw on TV or something…

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Two Weeks Later

"Boring, boring, boring!" Wendy muttered as the teacher continued rambling again and again about Second World War. She couldn't help but feel tired and everytime she glanced at the clock, the time didn't seem to go any faster. She needed distraction and quick. "Hey Luke, doing anything interesting?" She whispered to him as he was sitting at the table in front of her. The blue eyed boy turned and smiled a little.

"Not really." He answered and she bit her bottom lip seductively.

"Maybe we could try sneaking out of the room and have some fun?" She suggested and Luke knew she wasn't going to like his response but didn't really want to disappoint her.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea." He said with reluctant even if all he wanted was leaving this class room.

"C'mon, what would happen to you? You have nothing to be scared of. Your father is the coach after all." Wendy reasoned and looked at him with a seductive rising of eyebrow.

"What about we wait until the end of the class and then go drink something?" He proposed and she looked at him boggle.

"You wanna go 'drink something'?" She made sure she had heard well, repeating his previous words.

"Yeah, I mean…unless, you have a better plan?"

"Yeah, I have one. I tell her I need to go to the bathroom and need someone to come with me and you tell her you'll do it." Wendy said with a small wink and his eyes widened at her proposition.

"We can't do that! Besides, the class is almost over."

"How long?" She asked and he glanced at his watch.

"Four minutes. Can you wait?" He asked and she nodded, slightly pouting, then thought of something.

"I'll do my best…but in that case, you're the one to pay the drink."

"We have a deal, Miss Barringer."

"Great." She exclaimed a little too loud and every student turned to her. The teacher narrowed her eyes at her and she smirked at her, before mouthing a 'sorry' and placing her hand under her chin. She hated that class and couldn't wait for the day to end, so she could go home and slide in her comfortable bed. She was exhausted and didn't really know why…after all, she hadn't even gone out of the week… but she had felt slightly nauseous in the morning…maybe she had caught a disease…

Two Weeks Later - Tuesday

Shelby stood in the middle of the room, absorbed by her thoughts. It had been now three months that Scott and she were going out together in secret and she was ready to have more with him than kisses and hugs. She wanted him to own her, and she to own him. She wanted to make love to the man she loved. Scott was coming over tonight, to would-be, help her with a homework but they both knew better than to try studying when they were together. She smiled to herself, walking to her closet and taking out a silky water green nightdress she would wear tonight, only for him. She put it on her chair and went to take her bottle of her favourite perfume, spreading it in the whole room, insisting on the bedding and her clothes, especially the nightdress. Shelby's face lit up when she heard a knock on the door. Scott was ahead of time, for once. She opened the door and found herself in front of a confused Walt. "What do you want?" Shelby asked with a voice that showed her disappointment.

"I'm sorry to bother you but-" Walt looked around the room and sniffed. "What happened in this room?"

"Oh, uh, I just wanted to deodorize it a little, it smelt musty." Shelby tried, biting her bottom lip, a bit awkwardly. She was hoping he wouldn't enter more and see what was lying on her chair. Only thinking about it made her cheeks reddening.

"Ah, uh, do you know where mom put her shopping list? I need it to go to the supermarket." He asked her with a sigh.

"Did you look in the office?" She suggested, closing the door behind her. She wasn't feeling too comfortable having him inside her room.

"No, I'll go see then." Walt said turning to go.

"It's either there or on the fridge, anyway." Shelby yelled after him. He turned back and offered her a small smile.

"Okay, thanks sweetie."

"You're welcome." Shelby smiled and re-entered her room to finish getting ready. She first untied her hair that had been held in a ponytail. She had loosened curls in it and really loved the volume effect. She re-did her make up, adding lipstick, eyeliner and mascara. She pulled off her pants and coat and replaced them with a mini black skirt and a plunging neckline brown top. She looked at herself in the mirror for a last time and then went downstairs, satisfied by her looks. She heard that the TV was on as she walked into the kitchen, taking a menthol perfumed chewing-gum.

"Wow Shelb, you look amazing!" Jess said to her sister as she entered the living room. Mark turned his head to look at his big sister and clasped his hands in approval. Shelby smiled brightly at them and spun on herself to show them.

"Thanks guys. Walt's gone?" She asked, looking around but not seeing anyone else. She knew her mother couldn't be here because she was working all night in the old people's home. But Walt, where was he? How was she supposed to spend time with Scott if she had to watch over her two siblings?

"Oh, he went to the supermarket. He said he wouldn't be long." Jess replied distractively as she was watching The Simpsons on TV. Shelby let out a breath of relief and sat next to her siblings, sighing once more. She began watching TV too, not really interested and anxiously checked her watch every twenty seconds. Scott was supposed to be already here since almost ten minutes. She hoped everything was alright with him…

A little while later

Scott nervously stood in front of the house, his hand clutching to a small box. He finally knocked after a few seconds of hesitation. He heard steps coming from inside and waited until someone opened the door. Shelby smiled at him and took his hand in hers, leading him inside quickly, as it was raining outside and she didn't want her clothes, make up and hairdo to be spoiled. "Hey, you're late!" She gently stated then kissed his lips quickly.

"I know and I'm sorry. I have bought a little something for you to forgive me." He said with a grin then handed her the box. That's when he noticed her appearance. His breath caught in his throat as he studied her body and face. She was plenty beautiful and looked a bit older with the make up. "God Shel, you look so…so 'wow', oh god I love you." He said too loudly for her taste. After all, Jess and Mark were in the room nearby.

"Sh!" She said placing a hand on his mouth. "Come on." She led him upstairs and to her room.

"What's that perfume?"

"You don't like?"

"Well…it's kind of too much if you want my opinion. What is it?"

"Nothing that matters to us. Come on sit." Shelby pressed him and pushed him on her bed. Scott looked up at her very surprised and watched as she straddled his laps, sitting on them, a leg on each side.

"Why don't you open my gift first?"

"What is it?" Could it be shoes or something? The box is too big for jewels. She thought to herself and anxiously looked down at it as he placed it on her hands.

"Open it"

"Okay." Shelby unpacked the gift and it revealed a striped box and looked at it in query.

"It's for you to put all the letters I'm gonna send you, once I'll be in college."

Shelby smiled and felt tears dropping from her eyes. "Scott…it's fabulous. Thank you." She brought a hand to his cheek and gave him an affectionate kiss. Scott wrapped his arms around her waist and fervently responded to her kiss. They pulled back and Shelby put the box beside them on the bed. She couldn't believe he was that serious with their relationship. After all, she knew how guys were…plus, they were only going out for three months. It excited her, but also made her slightly more nervous.

"Why did you dress up like this? Are we going somewhere?" He asked with some apprehension since he hadn't planned anything else.

"No…I just wanted to please you." She sweetly said, seductively fluttering her eyelashes at him.

"That you did." He replied with a small grin.

"Thanks. In fact, well, you know it's been three months today that we're together and I wanted to do something special for our anniversary." She told him with a sexy smile before going to her chair where the nightdress was still hanging. Scott's eyes followed her every move and went big when he saw what she was planning on wearing. He knew from this moment why she had insisted for him to come and what she had planned for them. She wanted the sex and he wasn't ready at all…

"I'm glad. Look, I can't stay too long tonight because Harmony has her first game and she wants me to be there. I guess you can understand?" He said quickly before it would be too late. Shelby looked into his eyes, a sad regard replacing the loving and excited one. There was a small moment of silence before she talked again.

"Scott…I…yeah okay, I can imagine how things would be if you didn't go…" She trailed off, trying to look brave and comprehensive.

"Um…I'm sorry; you took time to get ready and all…and it's our anniversary…" He started but she cut him off, not wanting to hear his apologizes.

"No, it's okay Scott. I understand."

"Thank you." He simply smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek. Then suddenly, he thought of something. He didn't want her to think what she had done didn't matter to him. Truth was that he was just so scared! But he didn't want them to be apart, especially not tonight. "Hey! Maybe you could come too!"

"I don't know…" She said less than thrilled about his idea.

"Please! That way we'd spend our time together even so." She made a reluctant face as they both knew they wouldn't spend time together as his whole family would be here too. "Please baby?" He pleaded with her, ready to go on his knees to beg. Shelby gave up as soon as he did his puppy dog eyes. She couldn't resist him and they both were very aware of this fact.

"Okay, okay! Maybe I should change then?" She asked him, but he vigorously shook his head, liking to see her in something else than her jeans and sweatshirt.

"No way! You look too pretty in this outfit. Stay like this." He almost ordered and she smiled at him.

"Okay, but do you think you'll be able to contain yourself and not kiss and touch me?"

"No, but that's nothing new…anyway for me, you're always that sexy." He complimented her as he knew it would make her blush. He thought she looked so cute when she was embarrassed.

"Smooth talker…" She said and mirrored his grin.

"That's why you love me, uh?"

"Yeah, c'mon." She took his hand in hers and led him outside her bedroom, but not before giving him a last passionate kiss.

"God, you feel so good." He whispered as they pulled back. He lost his head in her hair and placed soft kisses on the base of her neck. Shelby smiled to herself and laughed when he tickled her with his hands.

"We better go Scott!" She said between giggles, leaning a little to see what time it was on her clock. "Scott, it's almost 9. C'mon, we're gonna be late if we don't go now."

"Walt isn't even here yet. You can't leave your siblings alone." He reasoned and she gave out an exasperating sigh.

"Yeah, but we have to go before it begins."

"We could bring them with us?" He suggested and Shelby rolled her eyes at him, so he explained. "Look, Jess's friend with Harm and I'm sure Mark will be happy to see sport."

"Mark is only 4 Scott. Sport doesn't interest him."

"How would you know?"

"Scott, 4." She said trying to make him realize it was slightly early for a newfound passion.

"I was only 5 when I played my first game." He retorted with a small pout, sure to be right. After all, he was a boy too. He knew about those kinds of things.

"Scott…you know what this means? No privacy if we have them with us." She realized suddenly and Scott shrugged. He liked Jess and Mark so it wouldn't bother him that much. "But at least, Wendy wouldn't be suspicious." She added in a whisper and he shrugged.

"Wendy isn't suspicious. She doesn't know a thing and you know it. Besides, I think we should tell her about us. It's been a while since we're together and she just has to accept it." He added and Shelby bit the inside of her mouth, knowing he was right.

"I guess you're right…but I'm afraid of her rejection." She explained and he kissed her forehead softly.

"I know baby. Don't worry, it'll be fine." He reassured her and placed a hand behind her back, leading her to the living room where Jess and Mark were still sitting, watching TV.

"Scott! Over here!" Wendy yelled as she finally spotted him entering the gymnasium. "I thought you had something already planned?" She asked and before he could reply, she noticed he wasn't alone but in nice company. Shelby was walking beside him and she was looking very different from the other times Wendy had seen her. When they finally met her, Wendy took her bestfriend's hand in hers and made her swirl around. "Wow Shel, you look great!" Finally, as they were about to tell Jess and Mark they would all go to Harmony's first game, Walt had come back home so they had left without them, to Shelby's good surprise.

"Thanks." Shelby answered with a bright smile and smiled as she heard Scott sighing, tired of his sister's extravagant behaviour.

"What are you doing here by the way?" She asked and Shelby shrugged.

"Well, I wanted to see Harmony play her first real game and I met Scott in the parking flot." Shelby explained with a small smile, lying through her teeth. Wendy returned her smile and linked her arm with hers.

"C'mon, I have something I need to tell you."

"Okay. Uh, see you later Scott." Shelby said, giving him an apologizing smile, as she was being dragged to the restroom by a hurried Wendy. Scott shook his head amused by his sister's behaviour but a bit disappointed by the turn of events. All he wanted was to stay close to his girlfriend. "What's so wrong?" Shelby finally asked after Wendy had watched under every door if there was someone else than them.

"It's very important, okay?" She said nervously. Shelby nodded and took her bestfriend's hands in hers. "Promise me you won't tell anyone." She added and Shelby acquiesced quickly, fearing the worst.

"What is it?" She questioned her and Wendy looked up at her with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I might be pregnant Shel…" She blurted out and Shelby frowned, looking at her with eyes wide open.

"What? How did it happen?" She cried with great surprise.

"Uh, how do you think it happened?" Wendy said rolling her eyes at her. Shelby glared at her bestfriend: how could she be so irresponsible?

"Okay, I get it. Did you tell the 'father'?" She then asked and Wendy tittered.

"No, I'm not even sure yet…" She added and Shelby sat next to her on the bathroom perfectly cleaned floor.

"But don't you take birth control pills or something? What about condoms?" Shelby then asked, thinking that if at least she did, there might be more chances it was a false alert.

"Well, I just couldn't tell my mother I was with a guy and that we were having sex…" Wendy stated and Shelby titled her head to look at her face.

"Why not?"

"Well, don't tell me you would!"

"I already did." Shelby said with a small roll of eyes and Wendy's eyes grew big.

"What? Only for Lex? But nothing ever happened between you two!"

"I didn't know that when I asked her. That's what I call prevention." Shelby retorted and Wendy sighed, thinking arguing with her bestfriend wouldn't make the things progressing.

"The problem is still the same. What am I supposed to do?" She finally implored and Shelby glared at her as if she thought the question was stupid.

"Buy a pregnancy test of course."

"No, I couldn't Shel…what if someone recognizes me or something?" She asked with great anxiety and Shelby shrugged, slightly mad that Wendy was only thinking of keeping up appearances. She thought she was way too selfish and immature to be pregnant. That was harsh but very true.

"That's a risk to take." She responded with annoyance and ran a hand through her blonde hair…and telling she thought she was going to have a nice evening with her boyfriend, at the beginning of the day…

"Everyone would know I'm not a virgin anymore."

"And so, that's the truth after all." She said harshly and Wendy looked at her with a pitiful look. She couldn't do it…she couldn't go buy a test.

"Please Shel…could you…could you go buy it at my place?"

"Are you kidding me?" She asked incredibly and Wendy implored her with her eyes.

"No…please Shel! I'm desperate! I'd do anything to get it back at you!"

"Okay, listen; I know how to find one. My mother supposedly keeps a test just in case, for her. I'll take it, and I hope she won't realize it. Either way, I'll be forced to tell her the truth." Shelby explained her plan then thought of the father… "Uh, are you planning to talk to the 'supposedly' father about your state?" Wendy couldn't keep it to herself; she needed to tell the guy too, even if they weren't together anymore.

"No, and I'm not gonna do it."

"It's Brian, isn't it?" Shelby asked and winced at the face Wendy did when she did. Apparently…

"Hell, I hope."

"What?"

"Well, this other day, I found myself waking up in a complete stranger bed and god…I didn't even remember what we had done the night before…but well, I was naked and all…" She lied, as she well remembered the night at Luke's but didn't want anybody, not even Shelby, to know about it. She just couldn't.

"Okay, no need to go further. Look, meet me tomorrow at home at, um let's say, 11. We'll do it there." Shelby said then stood up; wanting nothing more than join her boyfriend back and forget about her bestfriend's big issues.

"Okay. Thank you."

"No need. That's why you call me bestfriend. I know you would have done the same for me." She said patting her back and hugging her quickly. She unlocked the door and watched as two girls entered the restroom glaring at them. She walked alone since Wendy needed time to fix her make-up. She joined Scott in the terracing and watched mid-absently the already started game. Scott discreetly held her hand, softly rubbing the inside of it with his fingers.

"Where is my sister?"

"Restroom, she's redoing her make-up." She lied and couldn't help but feel bad for lying to him. She knew that what Wendy had asked her was wrong and couldn't but wonder what her bestfriend would do if she was pregnant.

The Day After

Wendy went to the bathroom to do what had to be done. A few seconds later she reappeared with the stick and put it on the table. Sitting down next to Shelby they both sat in silence knowing that it would take a couple of minutes. When it became clear that more than a few minutes had passed Wendy gathered her strength and lent to look. "So?" Shelby anxiously asked looking carefully at her bestfriend's face to see if she could read any emotion on her distressed face.

"Wait, it is written you have to wait a few minutes before knowing." Wendy explained, and a look of panic crossed her face. "God what if I am?"

"Sh, everything will be alright." Shelby said, hugging her tightly.

"I couldn't-" She began then stopped when she heard the test beeping. "Please, look at my place. I can't do it."

"It's positive Wendy." Shelby said after a few seconds and Wendy broke down into tears, falling back in her bestfriend's arms.

"Okay, please tell me it's an error…" She cried and Shelby shook her head 'no', running her hand through her hair to calm her down.

"I'm sorry, babe. What can we do?" She asked her and saw the look Wendy gave her.

"No! No, it can't be!"

"Calm down please, just calm down." Shelby smoothly said, running a comforting hand on her back, doing slow circles.

"An abortion." Wendy blurted out and Shelby's head shot up as she said that. Wendy was young but…an abortion was so radical…

"What?"

"It's the only way; I have to have an abortion Shel. I'm only sixteen god, I'm such a slut!"

"Shut up Wendy, you can't say that. It wasn't your only fault. I mean, Brian…"

"No. You can't tell him."

"Are you serious?" Do you think it's the best solution?"

"Dead serious. I just can't let my parents or Brian know, or anyone else besides you. I don't even want to think of what Scott would do if he learned that his little innocent sister had been fucked by his bestfriend and found herself pregnant."

"About abortion…god Wendy, it's your baby…"

"Okay look, I'd be like 17 when I'd have the bastard, and anyway, it's not a baby yet, only an embryo." Wendy said with hatred and harshness and Shelby couldn't believe she was saying that of her child…even if it wasn't even looking like it would, it was still hers… Shelby wondered if she could even think of getting rid of a baby if she had one growing up inside of her…

"How can you say that?"

"Please Shel, just drop it, it's not a big deal." Wendy said tiredly and tapped the word 'abortion clinics' in the google search engine. She needed to find a place to make her abortion, and quick before she could get accustomed of the idea of expecting a baby.

"Not a big deal?" She cried as she thought she was insane. "You are pregnant Wendy."

"Yeah, I know that! But do you just imagine how constraining having a baby at 16 can be? I have no money, destitute, without job or planned carrier, no father figure for this baby, and I'm not even sure Brian's the father!" Shelby didn't say anything because she had no answers, she wasn't an adult, and she didn't know how to manage those sorts of things. At Shelby's silence, Wendy's sobs got even louder. "Shel what am I gonna do? I'm only 16, I'm not married and I can barely take care of myself, let alone a baby." Wendy pleaded and Shelby nodded, knowing it was true.

"Well you don't need to decide what to do yet, just take some time to think about what to say to Brian or whoever is the father." Shelby suggested and Wendy shook her head 'no'. Nobody would ever know about it. It was a mistake that would have to stay secret.

Next:

Wendy has made her decision.

What will Shelby do to help her?

Shelby/Wendy/Jill friendship.