I opened my eyes, and for a moment, I was con-fused about where I was. My room was never this big, and the window faced into an alley, so while light came in, it was never bright enough to have me squinting my eyes. Even the bed I was laying on was different.Then I remembered. I wasn't home, I was in Min-nesota, staying at my grandma's.I slowly got out of bed, wincing when I felt an ache in my back. I'd been a little too enthusiastic with chores yesterday. I felt sorry for my grandma who had to put me up because I was avoiding my own graduation. I'd finally told Mom about the pregnancy and we'd both decided it would be best if I hid before I got too big.My stomach had finally started to bump out a little bit. I was only in my third month still, so I wasn't too big, but at least my family knew about me. Mom had helped with the school, though I was still worried about high school and if I'd have to repeat the year.As I walked into the bathroom, I grumbled to my-self about my
The house was noisy, but it was a different noise from before. This time, I preferred it to the quiet. I walked downstairs to find Dad hurrying around."What's up?" I called as he rushed by me, and I headed for the fridge to pull out a carton of milk and take a few gulps.Dad stopped at the kitchen's entrance. "I'm meet-ing Brenda and the wedding planner in a while and I can't find my car keys. Have you seen them?"I shrugged. "Did you check your clothes from last night?"He paused, then ran off to check. I just sighed and shook my head, then looked around for breakfast. The cupboards were getting empty and there wasn't much left in the fridge, but I found an almost empty box of cereal and decided to have that with milk."Don't forget the groceries!" I shouted at Dad.I got a muffled sound to confirm he heard me, and it just made me laugh as I sat at the dining table.We'd come a long way from just a few weeks ago. Mom had moved out of the house, having agreed to the divo
Even though I'd practically waited until last mi-nute to make the decision, in the end, I did turn up for the wedding. Because it was happening by the beach in LA, I had a bit of a drive ahead of me all the way from Minnesota. I knew where I was going, though, and I had a car. It was Mom's big day, and I didn't intend to miss it.When I was close to where we were supposed to meet, I parked against the curb to call Mom to confirm. I was supposed to be meeting her at a hotel, but this was my first time in LA and I needed directions."Anita! Where are you?"I sighed. "I'm close, at least. Can you tell me the name of the hotel and how to get there?""Sure. Where are you now?"I looked outside and tried to describe to her where I was. After she figured out the street I was on, she gave me the instructions."Hurry up and get over here," she said with a hap-py laugh. "I have a dress waiting for you. It stretches, so I think it'll fit you, but I can't say it will be comfortable."
I arrived with Chanel just in time to get seated be-fore the music came on and the ceremony started. Be-cause we were a little late, we found seats closer to the back. I could have looked for seats closer to the front seeing as I was the son of the groom, and Chanel seemed to want me to do so, but I hung back instead, and I was glad that I did. If I hadn't, I might have missed seeing Anita hurry in to look for her own seat."Is that Anita?"Chanel's voice was incredulous, having noticed Anita as well. I didn't have any intention of moving, everyone had already settled down, but she still clutched at my arm as if I was ready to fly to Anita's side. I couldn't follow her, I was left a little stunned because I wasn't sure if she would make it in time for the wedding, but I did stare at her until she sat down, and I couldn't see her as clearly. The wedding started then, so there was no way for me to move over to talk to her."Whatever it is you're thinking, don't even dare!" Chanel h
"Everything must be so amazing, there," Grandma sighed. "I wished I could have come with you. My own daughter's wedding and I can't even be there.""Mom understands why, Grandma. Don't beat yourself up over it. Anyway, I sent you a bunch of pho-tos and videos, and Mom will send you plenty more, okay?""So, did you meet him there?"I took a little longer to reply this time.When I'd been hesitating about coming to the wedding, Grandma figured out there was more I wasn't telling her and encouraged me to get everything off my chest. Even if she couldn't be fit enough to make the trip down, she was determined that at least one of us would be there for Mom on her big day. So, I told her the truth about Evan, and it was her insistence on me talking to him, and going to the wedding regardless for Mom's sake, that got me off my ass and on the road here.Now that I was here, though, I couldn't help think-ing I'd made a mistake. It was nice seeing Mom all hap-py, but I was so nervous a
My heart was pounding because he caught me by surprise. The little courage I'd tried to talk myself into deflated just like that, and I stared at him like a deer in the headlights, wishing I could just run away."You were talking about me, right? What do you have to tell me? I can let you speak first.""Evan..."His eyebrows arched. "Would you rather I go first? Because I've got plenty to say to you and a lot to ask. Starting with why you disappeared on me without saying anything to me first."Evan went silent, clearly waiting for me to start. I fidgeted, twisting my fingers together, my heart beating so loud I could hear it, and I wondered if he could, too.He's already here, and there's not much time, so just say it.It was getting dark, and I hadn't checked if she'd already left, but Mom was supposed to head out with Carl, so they could catch their flight. I'd be going back to the hotel room soon, and Evan would probably head home."I'm pregnant," I blurted.The mome
I looked around. Quite a few people had already left, so while the partying wasn't entirely over yet, it was winding down. Dad and my new stepmom hadn't left yet, but they were happily lost in each other. No one would miss us if we left now."Come with me."I took her hand in mine and pulled her behind me as I headed for the hotel. "Wait, Evan!" She yelped, trying to fight against my hold. "Where are we going? They'll get worried if we just disappear-""They're busy," I cut in. "Just stop fighting me, Anita. You should have come to me on your own, like hell I'm going to let you just run away."She struggled a minute longer, before resigning to go along with me. We stopped by the reception desk, so I could get us a room."I-I already h-have one..." Anita said quietly."I'll take care of it in the morning."I got us the room using my credit card, then I led her upstairs. She must have meant the room her mom was using, or it was one her mom booked for her, and I didn't wa
The first thing I was aware of was how warm I felt. Next, was the soft body in my arms. I blinked my eyes open and stared at Anita's face just a few inches from mine.We'd fallen asleep with the lights still on, but I could tell it was daytime already. A part of me wondered what the hell I was doing. She was holding me just as tight, and I could feel the press of her stomach against mine. She was pregnant, and she'd kept it from me for six months. She approached me at that party, knowing who I was, but I couldn't blame her for that, because I was the one to initiate it, and I didn't think about contraception when I chose to fuck a stranger in someone else's closet.She had lied to me, kept things from me, but right then, all I could feel was relieved that she was there with me, because I'd missed her so badly. I pulled one arm from around her to brush her hair away from her chest, freezing when she flinched a little."Mm."I watched as her eyes fluttered, her body squirming