Chapter 34

April 13, 1996.

The next morning, Donna Bishop is driving into Summer Bay. After spending several months in Canada, she has decided to return to the town she grew up in. Donna got her old job back at Summer Bay High as their school counsellor, but she was to move into a brand new home.

As Donna got out of her car, she noticed Stephanie walking by.

"Hi." Stephanie said.

"Oh, hi." Donna greeted back, smiling.

"You new in town?" Stephanie asked her.

"Actually, I've returned to the Bay." Donna replied.

"You've lived here before?"

"I grew up here." Donna told Stephanie.

"Nice." Stephanie said. "So, what's your name?"

"Donna Bishop."

"I'm Stephanie Mboto."

Stephanie and Donna shook hands.

"So, what do you do with yourself?" Donna asked.

"I'm in Year 11 at Summer Bay High." Stephanie replied.

"You'll see me there." Donna told her. "I'm resuming my role as school counsellor."

"But school doesn't go back until two weeks from Tuesday." Stephanie said.

"I know that students are on holidays now." Donna said, laughing.

Stephanie managed to laugh as well.

"We should catch up later today." Stephanie suggested.

"Sounds good." Donna said. "I'll just have to organise this house."

"Take your time." Stephanie said. "I'll see you later."

"Bye."

Once Stephanie left, Donna entered her new house.

Meanwhile, the mood at Pippa's house was tense.

"Mrs James should be coming around to get you after breakfast, Kerri." Pippa told her.

Kerri just grunted.

"And Jack, no funny business either." Pippa said to him.

"Whatever." Jack said angrily.

"Grow up, Jack!" Tiegan snapped at him.

"Yeah!" Sally said.

"Tiegan, I need to talk." Kerri told her. "Can we go upstairs?"

Tiegan and Kerri went upstairs.

"What is it?" Tiegan asked her.

Kerri showed Tiegan a pregnancy test. "I took this last night." she said to Tiegan.

Tiegan was totally gobsmacked.

"It's positive!"

"I haven't told Jack yet." Kerri said. "I was going to tell him this morning, but Pippa dragged me out of bed before I had the chance."

"This is crazy." Tiegan said.

"Jack and I really love each other." Kerri said, now choking up. "I don't want to raise this baby on my own."

For once, Tiegan felt sorry for Kerri.

"Tell him before you go." Tiegan said.

"Tell me what?"

Kerri and Tiegan turn around and saw Jack standing near the doorway.

"I'll leave you to it." Tiegan said before she walked out of the room.

"Jack, I'm pregnant." Kerri told him.

"No way!" Jack said, not believing her.

"Look at this." Kerri said, showing him the pregnancy test.

Jack's heart sank. He didn't know what to think.

"I'm gonna be a dad?" he asked Kerri.

Kerri nodded.

"Man, they can't break us up!" Jack said.

Kerri started to cry as Jack hugged her tight.

"I don't want to raise this baby on my own, Jack!" she sobbed. "I'm so scared."

Jack continued to comfort Kerri. His anger towards Pippa was manifesting.

Later, Selina is at Northern District Hospital's mental health unit.

"Excuse me? Which room is Melanie Dolan in?" Selina asked one of the nurses.

"Room 19." the nurse replied.

Selina entered the room and saw Melanie sitting on the bed.

"Hey, Mel." Selina said.

Melanie turned around sharply. She was still upset with Selina.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" she demanded. "Haven't you ruined my life enough already?!"

"I understand that you're upset because Jerome dumped you, but I'm not here to gloat." Selina calmly told her. "I'm actually here to visit you."

Melanie's face started to soften. "For real?" she asked.

"Yeah." Selina replied.

Soon, both girls started walking outside.

"How long are you here for?" Selina asked.

"Until the doctor gives me the all clear." Melanie replied. "I'm starting at Yabbie Creek High after the holidays."

"A fresh start for you." Selina said.

"I'm really sorry for giving you and Jerome hell." Melanie said, looking remorseful.

"Don't worry about it." Selina told her. "Jerome's gone to the Gold Coast now."

"You mean he moved away?"

"Yeah."

Selina got out her packet of smokes from her beach bag.

"Cigarette?"

"Since when do you smoke, Selina?" Melanie asked her.

"Since yesterday." Selina replied.

"Light it up." Melanie ordered.

Selina and Melanie then started smoking together. For Selina, she was glad that she cleared the air with Melanie once and for all.

Back at Pippa's house, Kerri was packing her things into Helen's car. She was going to her new foster family in Tweed Heads.

"I'll miss you all." Kerri said to them.

"We'll miss you too, Kerri." Shannon said.

Kerri hugged Shannon and Sally before ruffling Sam's hair.

"Tiegan, I'll miss you." Kerri told her.

"Same here." Tiegan said, giving Kerri a hug.

Stephanie walked over at this point.

"Are you just leaving?" Stephanie asked Kerri.

"I didn't think we'd get to say goodbye." Kerri said, laughing.

Stephanie hugged Kerri before saying, "Keep in touch, Kerri."

"I will."

"Are we ready to go, Kerri?" Helen asked her.

Kerri looked over at Jack, who was sulking.

"Let me say goodbye to Jack." Kerri said.

Kerri walked over to Jack.

"Jack, try and smile." she told him.

"I'm gonna miss you." Jack said.

"Me too."

Jack and Kerri shared one last kiss.

"Kerri, time to go."

"Bye, Jack." she told him.

Kerri saw Pippa come out and glared at her.

"Good luck with everything, Kerri." Pippa said.

"Go to hell!" Kerri told her before getting into Helen's car.

Pippa looked hurt as Helen and Kerri drove away. But not as hurt as Jack. He was completely devastated. The one girl that he truly loved was now gone.

NEXT TIME...
- Stephanie's friendship with Donna grows
- Jack rejects Pippa
- Tiegan becomes concerned when she smells smoke on Selina's clothes