Believing You and Me

After school and an intensive cheer practice, that resulted in Acey spending five minutes puking in the locker room. Roxie had gone home with Garrett, leaving Acey just a text message and stuck being alone on her drive home. She felt scared and nervous. Ever since Music Club, Acey couldn’t get John’s words out of her head. She planned on how to get ahold of Mrs. O’Callaghan. But how to do so without messing up her schedule so her parents won’t know?

How will she ever pull off this pregnancy without her parents knowing?

Acey tried to push her thoughts out of her mind by putting on the Incubus CD Roxie left in her car. Hearing Brandon Boyd’s voice calmed her, only slightly, until she got towards her neighborhood. Stellar came on and Acey bit her lip, her hormones going crazy and tears threatened to leak from her eyes. It’s been hell this whole week, how is she even standing? Then this song, her wish for a boy she loved to sing this to her and dance with her to this song might never come true. Who would ever want a teen mom?

She pulled up to her house and noticed a silver car in the driveway. It wasn’t her mother’s black SUV, it’s definitely not her father’s red Infinity and it’s obviously not Acey’s blue BMW. Then she gasped, turned off her car in front of her house and stared at the large place she’s called home for years. She’s home. Alana’s home. “Fuck.” Acey groaned as she got out of her car with her bags. A part of her wished she could of taken longer to do her hair after practice. Maybe put make-up on, maybe she shouldn’t have eaten so much at lunch. I’m feeding for two, just the thought made Acey choke back tears.

She opened the faux wooden door and heard the squeal of her elder sister, Alana Brae Walker. The perfect child wrapped her arms around Acey, smelling of expensive perfume and more expensive clothes. When Alana let Acey go, Acey noticed the large diamond ring on her left ring finger. Oh God, that’s why she’s home. “Acey, baby, I missed you so much! Ugh, the east coast needs you. You would love shopping in New York, oh! I brought you a present.”

Alana moved from her spot with Acey to go get a few bags. Their parents sat in the living room on the leather couches with a boy she’s never met before. That must be the perfect fiancé, she thought. Alana returned with two large bags. “We can go up to your room and you can try them on. Then I could do your make-up and hair, just like the old times. Oh! We’re going out to dinner, to Daddy’s favorite place, so let’s dress up!”

“Sure,” Acey mumbled but deep down she really wanted to ask ‘what old times?’ The two sisters walked up stairs, instantly Acey put her shoes in her closet and Alana sat down on Acey’s bed, which actually used to be her bed, Alana smiled.

“So you’re still under Miss Cav’s spell, huh? Trust me, cheerleading only got me so far at Yale, half the cute boys there weren’t in to cheerleaders.”

“Well I’m not going to Yale, am I? I’ll be going to Arizona State with Jack and still be second best to you,” she spat out like there was no filter between her mouth and her brain. Acey’s eyes widened as she looked to her sister’s shocked face.

“You’re second best to me? Are you even serious? Mom and Dad love you more than me, you’re the baby.”

“You’re not home, you wouldn’t know all the scrutinizing I’m under. God,” she raised her hands in the air for emphasis of her anger. “Do you know what they’d do if they knew I’m pregnant? I’d be out on the streets.” Then there was the split second her heart stopped beating. Air lodged in her throat. Acey clamped her hands over her mouth and Alana stared at her sister blinking slowly.

Acey started crying, falling to her knees and Alana got off the bed to hold her baby sister. Sure, growing up they both envied each other in their own way and they never got along. Alana regrets it. Being four years older, Alana believes that her and Acey should be the best of friends. This is why she’s going to help Acey out the best she could. To make up for all those years she’s caused Acey pain.

“We’re going to get you through this, Acey, I promise. I’ll say it’s mine, Adrian will understand everything. You’ll love him, actually,” Alana laughed as she rubbed Acey’s back. “He’s not exactly mom and dad’s favorite. He’s in this band.”

Acey felt a laugh leave her lips. “Yeah? So is this baby’s daddy.”

“Ah, see, this baby will come out a rocker. No matter who’s taking care of it.” Alana smiled to Acey and brought the crying girl to smile. “Adrian’s going on tour and that’s why I’m here. I have this new place downtown, I could tell mom I’m preggers that’s why I wanted to be home. Oh, I should go get Adrian before I get ahead of myself.” Alana stood up quickly and Acey nodded.

“I’m just gonna try on those clothes you got me,” Alana smiled and wiped the tears from Acey’s face.

“It’s going to be okay. And you can tell me all about that rocker boy later.” Acey rolled her eyes and went through the bags of thinks Alana got her as Alana went downstairs to get Adrian. Acey picked out a really cute dress and found a pair of Jeffrey Campbell’s, thankfully in a matching color. She couldn’t help but to smile at how nice and thoughtful her sister is being. Quickly Acey changed before Alana knocked on her door and brought Adrian in. He is definitely not someone that Mr. and Mrs. Walker would like. His hair is longer than Mr. Walker would like. He has a nose piercing that Mrs. Walker would have ripped out if either of her girls got. Overall, Acey just felt surprised that Alana is dating him and engaged to him.

“Thank God you saved me,” he told Alana with a wide smile on his face, Alana just laughed.

“Well now you gotta save Acey here.” Adrian looked over to his soon to be sister-in-law with curious eyes. What did his fiancé mean by saving Acey? Acey bit her lip and avoided Adrian’s stare as Alana walked up to her baby sister and placed a hand on her stomach. “Acey’s pregnant.”

“Wow, congrats,” was Adrian’s reply with a large smile that made Acey laugh slightly. “Who’s the father? Oh let me guess, a stud? I mean you wouldn’t have anything less, just like Lana here.”

“You’re such a dork,” Alana laughed but moved her hand to Acey’s shoulder. “As you know, babe, I got the apartment downtown and well, I’m going to ask mom and dad if Acey could visit, a lot, to help me.” Adrian’s brow furrowed but his girlfriend kept talking. “I’m going to mask Acey’s pregnancy as mine.”

Adrian looked taken back for a moment and in that moment Acey wanted to run to the bathroom. Fear racked her body but Alana kept a firm grip on her shoulder looking at her fiancé. Waiting for his answer. But then his face broke out into a wide grin that made the ends of his eyes crinkle, to show a full wide smile. “Oh thank you!” He ran up to his soon-to-be sister-in-law and hugged her tightly.

“You’re welcome?” Acey couldn’t figure out why he was thanking her and hugging her so tightly until she looked at the tears in Alana’s eyes. “What’s wrong?” She asked feeling so left out. Adrian let go of Acey and his lips pursed into a straight line.

“I can’t have kids, just not fertile enough,” Alana told her sister, sadness well in her voice and facial features, Acey got a feeling that she’s doing something right. Maybe this thing growing inside of her is actually a good thing.

“Well then, now you’ll have a baby,” it was a nice moment between the sisters and Adrian until Jack Hansen walked through the doors.

“Hey babe, your parents asked me to come to dinner with you guys and well we’re leaving in five minutes. Oh hey, this must be Alana!” Instantly as the footballer walked through the doors in slacks and a button up shirt, though covered by his Letterman’s jacket, Acey felt sick. She wanted to scream for him to get out. She wanted to cry and tell him the truth. She looked to Alana for some sort of help but Alana wouldn’t know.

Alana shared a look with her baby sister, one that she didn’t understand fully but she didn’t like Jack. Maybe that’s why she acted cold towards him and just shook his hand. “You must be, uh, Jack was it? Hi.” Jack furrowed his brow towards the older Walker girl as she turned from Jack, winked to Acey and took Adrian’s hand. “We’ll be downstairs.” Adrian looked confused as he and Alana left the room. Almost as asking who the hell is this kid?

“Well, hey there mama,” Jack wrapped the short girl in his arms before kissing her temple. She smiled but it all didn’t feel right. Her mind went to John. “Ready to go?” Acey nodded and the couple started walking downstairs, where the family was gathered, and the Walkers plus Adrian and Jack left in three cars. Jack blasted music and drove erratically, which not only annoyed Acey but worried her at the same time. This is the man she’s choosing to lie to, about having a baby with, instead of owning up that she cheated.

The ride to Luigi’s felt longer than the usual twenty minutes, Acey tried just so hard to not think about John when her boyfriend is right next to her. The family walked into the restaurant together, no need for reservations as the hostess in the front took a few menus showing the family to their usual table. Jack held the door for Acey and pulled out her chair for her trying to show off that he’s a great guy but Adrian did the exact same for Alana. Acey ignored Jack as he talked to her father about football and how great the season went, even though his team only one two or three games. Not that Mr. Walker would even notice.

Acey ordered a water, earning an approving look from her mother, as Jack ordered a coke and the rest of the family got wine. Dinner passed by slowly for Acey as she couldn’t help but think about everything that wasn’t this dinner. She thought about John, the baby inside of her, Alana’s plan and how awfully annoying Jack Hansen is to her. What has gotten into her? Acey couldn’t even understand her new thoughts about her boyfriend and the other boy she hooked up with.

Her phone vibrated in her lap, instantly she picked it up and read the text under the table. hey is this acey walker?

yes, whos this? She read the number over and over trying to see if it was familiar but couldn’t place it. She almost asked Jack if he knew but the unknown person texted her back.

hey its john ocallghan, i got ur # from jack if thats cool. i was wondering if i could give u something later… Acey’s breath felt caught in her throat as her heart beat faster. John wanted to give her something? Why did she feel so excited.

sure, im at dinner but ill text you when im done? She left her phone in her lap, waiting for a reply as she ordered her small meal and watched her mother look at her approvingly, once again, for making the “right choice.” Inwardly, Acey cringed just because if her mother knew what was really going on with her, there would be no approving look. There would be horror or shame or disapproval or all of the above on Mrs. Walker’s face while looking at her youngest daughter. Acey also couldn’t help but think about John and her sudden change around him. He’s still the boy who knocked her up. He’s still that “badass” who picks on poor nerds for fun. He smokes. He’s in a band. Why does she even like him? Especially when she has a nice boy sitting next to her. A boy who’s a football star. A boy that Acey doesn’t know has cheated on her multiple times and is also texting someone under the table.

sounds great :) Even the little text smiley brought a smile to Acey’s face. Maybe she should give John a chance.