You Leave Me Breathless

[Trinity]

In came the last week of November, and a Monday. I’d always hated Monday’s – they’re a reminder that the weekend is a lot further away than it was before. But oh well. I’m working tonight, but only 9pm-2am, so it’s not so bad. Peyton’s working 8pm-2am, and she’s just got back from Frank and Mikey’s place. I’ll admit, she’s spent pretty much every night there since she and Frank finally got together. I don’t know how Mikey can sleep!

We all know what my sister’s like, let’s be honest here.

So at around 11am, I woke up. Pretty good for me, actually. Last night was a late one at work, 4am, and I’d been glad of the sleep. I could probably sleep for longer, but there was no point in wasting the day. I’d found that constantly doing something, like washing up or cleaning, kept my nicotine cravings at bay. I’m still not close to being over them, but I’m trying. Especially since I’m as bitchy as hell when the cravings kick in and Mikey seems to take the brunt of it.

Speaking of Mikey, my cellphone buzzed with a text from him.

You awake babe? Xo

Rolling my eyes, I smiled slightly.

Yeah. You okay? Xo

I poured myself a cup of coffee, stirring it lazily with a small spoon as I waited for Mikey to reply. He didn’t take long.

Yeah I’m fine. I’ve got something to ask you. Promise not to freak out? Xo

I frowned slightly. What was so bad that it would make me freak out?

Uh, sure. I promise xo

I left the kitchen and sat down on the sofa, taking a sip of my coffee. I was a bit nervous for Mikey’s reply now.

My mother wants to meet you. She suggested lunch, today? Xo

“What the fuck!” I hissed, dropping my phone onto the couch

Running a hand through my messy blonde hair, I groaned.

“What’s wrong?”

I shrieked a little, holding a hand to my heart as Peyton spoke. Her eyes widened in panic at the position of my hand, but I shook my head, indicating that wasn’t the problem.

“Mikey’s mom wants to meet me. Today,” I grumbled

“Why’s that a bad thing?” Peyton frowned

I looked up sharply at her, narrowing my eyes.

“Do you not remember who we are? When has a parent, let alone a mother, ever accepted us? I love Mikey, and I don’t want that ruined by some snooty mother who doesn’t think I’m good enough for her beloved son,” I scowled

“Surely she’ll see how much you’re in love and she’ll like you?” Peyton offered

I just grunted, taking a big gulp of my coffee. Then my phone started ringing. It was Mikey. With a sigh, I picked it up.

Trinity: Yeah?
Mikey: I told you not to freak out. You’re freaking out, aren’t you?
T: Of course I’m fucking freaking out, Mikes!
M: But why?
T: Mothers don’t like me. They never have, and they never will
M: My mom isn’t like that, I promise. She’s really cool
T: She won’t like me
M: Can’t you at least try? For me?

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

T: Fine
M: Thank you! I’ll pick you up in an hour
T: And you can’t say I didn’t warn you
M: You’ll see when you meet her. Love you!
T: Yeah, yeah, love you too

I hung up the phone, resting my head in my hands.

“Let’s get you ready!” Peyton said cheerfully

I just grimaced. Peyton laughed and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of my seat and down to my room. Great. This lunch is going to be awful.

*

Mikey parked the car outside a little Italian restaurant, smiling at me. I attempted a smile back, but I’m sure it looked more like a grimace. With a sigh, I pulled on my long black coat over my white tube top and black denim skirt, tying my purple neck scarf around my neck. Mikey handed me my purple handbag.

“Don’t worry, she’ll love you,” he reassured

“I doubt that,” I muttered

Mikey chewed at his bottom lip but got out of the car. I followed him, and he locked it before taking my hand in his. I stayed silent as we walked into the restaurant.

“Way, table for three?” Mikey smiled

“Ah yes, one of your party is already here. Follow me,” the waiter nodded

I gripped Mikey’s hand tighter. She was already here? I ran my finger through my straightened blonde hair, forcing a smile onto my face. We eventually came to a table where a blonde woman was sitting.

“Michael, darling!” the woman beamed

“Hey mom,” Mikey grinned, pecking her cheek

“And you must be Trinity,” the woman smiled

“Yes ma’am,” I nodded

“Call me Donna,” the woman chuckled

I just nodded again, smiling slightly. So far, so good. Mikey pulled my chair out for me, and I smiled up at him in thanks, sitting down.

“Well I might as well start with the interrogation now!” Donna said cheerfully

“Mom,” Mikey sighed

“Don’t worry I’ll be nice,” Donna laughed

I gripped Mikey’s hand under the table to show my panic.

“So how old are you? Where are you from?” Donna asked

“I’m 22. I don’t know where I was born, but I spent 7 years in Boston before I went in the child foster agency,” I said softly

“Foster agency? What happened to your parents?” Donna frowned

Mikey squeezed my hand in encouragement. I’d told him about our parents a few weeks back.

“My mom abandoned my sister and I straight after my sister was born. I was 9 months old. And my dad committed suicide when I was 8,” I explained honestly

I’m not going to lie to her. If she doesn’t like the truth then that’s her problem.

“Wow, I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard your childhood must’ve been,” Donna said sympathetically

I was pleasantly surprised. Never before has any mother shown a positive response to finding out Peyton or I are foster kids.

“Yeah, it wasn’t great. My sister and I stuck together though, and we got through it,” I admitted

Then the waiter arrived and took our drink and food orders. I ordered the pasta carbonara and a glass of white wine.

“How did you meet Mikey?” Donna smiled

“I met him through Lindsey, actually,” I smiled back

“Gerard’s wife?” Donna asked, shocked

“Yeah. We met in a bar on my first night here, 5 months back in June, and then we met again on my sister’s birthday in July, again in a bar. That was the night I met Mikey,” I explained

“We’ve been dating 3 months, mom,” Mikey said warmly

“It took you an entire month to get the balls to ask this beautiful girl out?” Donna scolded

Mikey blushed deeply, making me laugh. She's so much fun - this is turning out so much better than I could ever have hoped for! The three of us talked for a while longer, before Mikey’s phone started ringing.

“It’s Frank. I should probably get this,” Mikey sighed

“Sure,” Donna nodded

Donna waited till Mikey had left the table, already mumbling into the phone, and had walked away to look at me.

“I can tell you love my son, Trinity, and I can tell you’re not the type of girl that loves easily. So thank you. I’ve never seen him this happy before,” Donna said honestly

“I’ll admit, it was a struggle to come to terms with my feelings, but I do love your son. No-one’s ever meant so much to me, other than my sister,” I said shyly, blushing slightly

“I would never have expected Mikey to so seriously date a girl like you. Blonde, blue eyed, stunningly beautiful, smart...and a heartbreaker?” Donna mused

“I won’t break Mikey’s heart. He’s changed me,” I said softly

Donna just smiled, sensing how true my words were. Then Mikey rejoined us, looking scared shitless.

“You okay?” I frowned

“Uh yeah. I’ll tell you later. It’s not really restaurant talk,” Mikey said tightly

I raised an eyebrow but nodded, trusting him. It must be something important.

“Now, I’ve brought some baby pictures of Mikey that you just have to look at,” Donna smiled, reaching for her purse

*

[Peyton]

I hunched over the toilet seat, heaving. The contents of my stomach spilled from my mouth, making me groan. This was the second day in a row that I’d been sick. I’d kept it from Trinity, knowing she would only fuss over me. I didn’t need that. Another heave. More sick. When I felt stable enough to stand up, I did so and flushed the chain. I rinsed out my mouth with mouthwash and wiped my face clean. It’s official. I look like crap. Luckily Trinity left 10 minutes ago, so she doesn’t have to see me like this.

And if my day wasn’t going badly enough, the doorbell rang. With a groan, I got to my feet and stumbled out of the bathroom, out of my bedroom and to the front door. It was Frank.

“What’s wrong? You look awful,” Frank frowned, stepping into the apartment and closing the door behind him

“Wow, thanks,” I muttered, tying my hair back from my face into a low ponytail

I snatched the bag of skittles from his hand and emptied the contents into my mouth. I don’t care if he wanted to eat them.

“I’m serious. Are you ill, or something?” Frank persisted

“I’ve been throwing up for the last two days, yeah. Trinity doesn’t know though, she’d only fuss,” I nodded

“Throwing up?” Frank paled

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Yeah, throwing up,” I nodded again

“Peyton, are you on the pill?” Frank asked worriedly

“Not at the moment, my last pack ran out a few weeks back. But why’s that a problem? You’ve been using condoms...haven’t you?” I frowned

Frank just shook his head, and my world seemed to freeze. No. No, I can’t be...what he’s suggesting. I just can’t!

“I’m gonna ring Mikey,” Frank babbled

“He’s out at lunch with Trinity and his mom,” I said, shaking my head

“He’ll know what to do,” Frank insisted

I just sighed and went back into my room, lying on my bed. Frank followed me in and sat down next to me. He pulled out his phone and dialled Mikey’s number, putting it on speakerphone.

Mikey: I’m at lunch, Frank
Frank: I know, but this is important
Mikey: What’s wrong?
Frank: I think Peyton’s pregnant

Wow, he had to say it bluntly, didn’t he! I hope Mikey’s not around Trinity right now. The shock on his face would make Trinity nosy. I know my sister.

Mikey: A-Are you sure? How do you know?
Frank: She’s been throwing up for a couple of days, and we haven’t been using protection
Mikey: What?!
Frank: I thought she was on the pill and she thought I was using condoms. What do we do?
Mikey: Shit, Trinity’s going to flip
Frank: Don’t worry about her! What do we do?!
Mikey: Go buy some tests. At least 5. That’s all you can do for now
Frank: O-Okay. Thanks
Mikey: I’ll tell Trinity after lunch and we’ll come by the apartment
Frank: I’m at Peyton’s now
Mikey: Okay, we’ll go there. Good luck!
Frank: Thanks, I’m going to need it

Frank sighed and ended the call. He ran his hands through his short dark hair before looking at me.

“We screwed up, huh?” Frank said with a weak smile

“I might not be pregnant, Frank,” I reminded him

“Still,” Frank mumbled

A wave of nausea hit me, and I quickly ran to the bathroom, hunching over the toilet. Frank came over and rubbed my back as I threw up again. I was glad I’d tied my hair back. Once I was finished, I flushed the chain, wiped my mouth and rinsed with mouthwash again.

“I’ll go get those tests,” Frank said softly

And with a peck to my forehead, Frank left me alone in the bathroom. This could well be the worst day of my life. The worst.