A/N: Italicized writing is Amber thinking.
Eventually, we all got up and took a walk around the park before heading our separate ways. Buffy and I lingered in front of the Spoon - where we had separated - for a while before she pivoted on her heel and dashed into a baby boutique I never knew existed. I think she didn't know I was watching her, but I always linger, I can't help but keep watch to make sure she doesn't get hurt. I started the rather short walk home, and ten minutes in I had to stop. My ankles and feet felt like they were pushing against my boots. I groaned and kept walking home.
When I got home I went straight upstairs to take off my shoes and bra. I put on an oversized sweatshirt from a San Francisco trip and exercise leggings. I packed a bag for incase Mum kicked me out when I told her the news and took it downstairs, placing it by the door and wandering into the kitchen.
I took a cookie off the cooling rack and promptly dropped back onto the counter. Hot! My brain screamed at me.
"You do that everytime," Jade said sassily, shaking her head. I rolled my eyes and twisted my shiny, blonde hair into a bun, securing it with chopsticks that were on the counter.
"You know when Mum will be home?" I asked her as she meticulously moved cookies from the cooling rack to a plate on the breakfast bar.
"She said her las client is coming in and leaving at five," she paused to rescue a cookie from falling. "So, I'm guessing she'll be home 5:45-6."
"Ok, I'll make dinner. I have news." I turn and grab pasta and sauce from the pantry. I boil the pasta, heat the sauce, crumble the meat into the sauce, dinner is cooking.
I think of all the possible scenarios. Worst and best case. I make sure my bag is by the door just incase.
Mum got home just as I took the pasta off the stove and pour the red sauce over it. I divy out the portions and place them on the table as she comes in and takes of her jacket.
"Amber! Jade! I'm home! Oh, do I smell dinner?" she called from the foyer.
"Yep. in the kitchen. Amber cooked, she has news." Jade called as she finished setting the table.
"Oh, pasta and meat sauce, yumm. What's the news? " she asked, dropping her purse onto a barstool.
"Let's eat first," I say, gesturing to the table and sitting down. But I was too nervous to eat. I pushed my food around my plate and drank about seven glasses of water. I was so busy being busy that I didn't notice Mum and Jade finish eating.
"News?" my mum asked patiently.
"Desert?" I asked, stalling for time. This was beginning to seem like a bad idea through and through.
"News. now, Amber," she said, her voice stern all of a sudden.
"Ok. Promise to let me tell my story and not get mad?" I ask, shakily laying my foundation.
"We can do that, darling," my mum says sweetly. So I took a deep breath and began.
"Mum… Jade, I'm...I am...I'm...I'm pregnant. But as you promised let me explain-" I begin in a stutter but finally blurt it out, but Mum cuts me off.
"No need to explain, Amber. You just went out and ruined your life! You are bloody fifteen. Why? Why, Amber? Why? You have no future. Bloody mess you're into now. Bloody mess," she said, looking me dead into the eye.
"Mum, you don't understand. There's more to it," I said, adopting a pleading tone.
"What more could there be?" she screamed. She took a breath and lowered her voice, but it was still spitting with anger. "Amber, you screwed up. There is no way, no way, you can convince me that there is more to this story. You're pregnant. I'm not allowing an abortion; so you either have to deal with the agency or the bitter life of a teen mum. There is nothing more to this story, Amber."
I looked at Jade with piercing plead for help. "I DIDN'T DO THIS! YOU AREN'T LISTENING? THERE IS MORE," I yelled, tears beginning to fall as I push out of my chair and let it clatter to the floor.
"Mum, it's true. You didn't listen," Jade tried to say.
"OUT. AMBER OLIVIA OUT NOW. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW, I CANNOT HAVE MY DAUGHTER LOOKING UP TO A SLUT," she yelled, standing up gracefully and pointing a red fingernail towards the door.
I turned without a word and ran out of the house, only stopping to grab the bag I packed and my phone. Before I slammed the door I heard my mother speak, 'Don't be like her, baby, don't turn out like that.' I slammed the door and ran.
I didn't stop when I started crying again. Or when my nose started dripping. Or when people started staring. I didn't stop when I noticed I was barefoot. Or when when I felt like throwing up or when I could barely breathe anymore. I only stopped when I was safely on Mrs C and Mr H's porch.
Selfishly, I was glad that Andi and Bex had moved back in with the older Macks because if I was going to say here I would need at least a room, not just half of Andi's bed.
Just saying.
