Never Again

‘Mom… Dad… I’m pregnant…” The words slipped off of my tongue like molasses, only bitter. I couldn’t believe I was one of those girls. I’d only had sex once in my entire life, and that one time just happened to be a huge mistake. I was at a party, drunk (of course) for the first time in my entire life, and met the most charming boy in the whole world. He really made me feel like I was the only girl alive, and it was amazing sex. I mean the kind people live their whole lives searching for, but it had huge consequences. I was now facing them.

“WHAT?!” My dad yelled. It startled me, my dad never yells at me. Ever. I’m an only child, and up til now life has been an ongoing practice session for getting into a good college. I could literally see the disappointment in both of my parent’s eyes, and the furry in my dad’s. I knew he was close to exploding, but I couldn’t speak. “I’m… pregnant…” He shook his head, and began rubbing his head at the hairline of his crew cut. My dad has been a marine since he was my age; he joined early to get out of a bad family situation. He slowly started to calm down, no doubt his military training kicking in. “Bay… I just can’t believe it.” My mom spoke softly, saying each word slowly. I blinked back tears. “I’m so sorry… to the both of you. I didn’t mean to… it just happened and now… I don’t know what to do…” My dad hugged me close to him. “It’ll be okay Bay… we’ll deal with it. Go to your room for now, so your mom and I can talk…” He let go and I floated up the stairs, thinking about that night and wishing it’d never happened. Then I got the text I’d be dreading. It was from him. “When did you want to meet? I have band practice so it’ll have to be soon.” I sighed and wrote back. “Now. At the park, I’ll be there in 10 minutes.” I got up, slipped on my boots and coat and slumped down the stairs.

My parents weren’t exactly happy with me leaving but I told them I needed to get some fresh air so they let me go. I mean really, I’m already pregnant, what else could I get into? I was sitting on the swings when he pulled up. My heart literally stopped beating. I could barely breathe.

“Hey Alex…” I stumbled over my words as he sat next to me. He smiled a crooked grin that made me want him all over again. This is something I really don’t need, obviously. “Hey there beautiful, I haven’t seen you since that party. What’s up?” He nudged me with his hip. I bit my lip, hard. “I have to tell you something and you’re probably not going to like it.” He was still grinning. “Come on Orton, spit it out.” I shook my head. “Firstly, my name’s not Orton, I mean it is but that’s my last name. My first name is Abbigale. Secondly, the reason I think you should remember my first name is because I’m pregnant and it’s yours. I know you’re probably going to deny it and honestly I don’t blame you if I could I probably would but I thought you should know anyways.” I was crying when I stopped speaking. “Uh… shit…” He spoke in a whisper, almost to himself before running his hands through his hair and looking over at me. I wiped my face off, not believing that I was crying in front of him or that I was having a baby with a person I’d only spent a total of four hours around. “Look, I understand if you want nothing to do with me or the baby, but please don’t tell me you’re going to and then don’t go through with it. Be sure you want it, him or her I guess, before you say anything else.” As I finished speaking I realized he was now squatting before me, smiling into my eyes, and before I knew it his lips were against mine. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe, all I could do was kiss him back. I knew I’d probably regret it later, but I let myself back into the comfort of his charm. He pulled away slowly and grabbed my face on both sides. “I’m not going anywhere… I know we don’t really know each other but we both made that baby, not just you. I’m not leaving you now, I promise.” I nodded and bit my lip.

He walked me home after we were done talking. I didn’t think it was too good of an idea because my dad was probably still fuming and meeting the boy that knocked up his “precious daughter” probably wasn’t a good idea at the moment but Alex wouldn’t take no for an answer. When we reached my door step, he pulled me around to face him. “I just want you to know, Abby, that I have every intention of getting to know you better. I really do, and I’m going to be here for you and that baby, but I have a girlfriend.” My heart sank, I couldn’t believe it. “Oh… well then… I guess that’s all right.” I said before letting go of his hands and walking inside.

I spent the rest of the night in bed, crying over the huge mistake I’ve made. We made, I guess would be the more correct term. I was just about to fall asleep when my phone started ringing. It was Travis, my best friend and recently ex-boyfriend. We broke up the night I slept with Alex, ironically enough it was because I wouldn’t have sex with Travis. That was the reason I drank so much, trying to bury the awful feelings that went along with ending a four year relationship. I expected him to be calling but I couldn’t answer, not now. He’d find out soon enough just like the rest of our graduating class. That’s when it hit me. “Shit, tomorrow’s the first day of school.”