Someone Else's Happy Ending, Chapter 1

Wednesday July 23rd [10 w 2 d]

I shake my head, refusing to believe what I'm seeing. This is not acceptable. I'm way, way...way to young for this. I stare down at the little white stick, looking at the small pink +. I grab my cell and dial Phoebe's number, my best friend from the age of 4. Pick up, pick up, pick up... "Hello?"

"Phoebe! I need to talk to you. Can you come over?" I hear muffled conversation through the line.

"Sure, I can be right over. Are you okay?" I feel the tears start to spill over.

"No, I don't know. Please, just get here."

"Okay honey, Gabe's coming with me. I'll be there as soon as I can." I hang up without saying goodbye, tossing the phone on my bed. I can't sit still so I pace around my room. I can't believe this. This can't be happening. Why didn't he use a condom? I'm going to kill him. He's dead. Oh my God, I'm too young for this. I'm really going to kill him.

My thoughts are interrupted by a presence at the door. "Nathan! How many times have I told you to stop creeping up on me like that?" My oldest brother shrugs.

"Sorry, Bell." As he gets a good look at me concerns flutters through his face. "You okay? You look like you're gonna be sick." I laugh in my head. If only you knew.

"No, I'm fine. I'm just waiting for Phoeb's to get here." He looks skeptical but doesn't push the subject.

"Oh my God, Bell! Where are you!" I hear the front door slam shut and Phoebe bound up the stairs. Nate gets out of the way just in time as she bursts in and shuts the door behind her. "Spill. You sounded so pathetic on the phone."

"Where's Gabe?" She waves her hand absently.

"I left him downstairs with your brothers. You're avoiding me. You called me for a reason. What's going on?" I smile inwardly, knowing I called the right person. Tears threatening to start falling, I simply point to my bed side table. She walks over to it and picks up the white stick, confusion and then realization crossing her features. She walks over to me and takes me in her arms. My tears finally fall as she gives me a comforting hug.

"What am I going to do!" It comes out completely inaudible because I'm crying too hard.

"Shhh...don't worry, honey. We'll figure this out. Do you know how far along you are?" I shake my head. That hadn't actually even come to mind. "Okay, don't you worry! We'll call someone, we'll do something. We'll figure this out!" There's a quiet knock at the door and Gabe's voice floats through.

"Hey girls, am I allowed in?" Phoebe looks at me and I nod slowly.

"Just, um, let me wash up." She hands me the stick she'd been holding. I look at it with distaste and drop it in the wastebasket as I walk by. I shut the bathroom door behind me and turn on the tap. I can hear Phoebe talking to Gabe through the closed door. No doubt she's filling him in. I splash water on my face and take a look at myself in the mirror. God, I look terrible.

"Hey, you okay in there?" I quickly turn off the water and dry off my face, opening the door to see a worried Phoebe.

"Yeah, I'm okay." She clicks her tongue. She only does that when she knows someone is lying. "Okay, so I'm not as okay as I say I am."

"We're here for you, sweetie. We'll get through this." I look over at Gabe sitting on my bed and he nods. He and Phoeb's met five years ago when he moved into town. Both of them were lonely, what with me being away at Hogwarts and him not knowing anyone, so they became friends out of need. They started dating two years ago and have been going strong ever since. I'm jealous, but no one knows it. "Hey, are you listening?" I snap back to see both of them staring at me.

"No, what?"

"I was just asking you when your last period was?" I glance at Gabe, who looks very uncomfortable. I don't blame him. I don't wanna talk about it and it's my period.

"I don't know, I don't remember." Just then my mom pokes her head in my room.

"Oh hey guys, you staying for supper?"

"I was actually thinking of staying at Phoeb's house tonight." Phoebe nods and my mom smiles.

"Don't stay up too late. Bell you've been so tired lately. I hope you're not sick." I smile thinly.

"Naw, just studying for the new year, you know." She smiles as if my answer solves everything. I catch myself thinking 'If only you knew' for the second time today.

"Okay, you girls have fun. Bell, remember you've got a dentist appointment tomorrow at 12." I nod, although I completely forgot. I make a mental note to write things down more often. She pops back out and shuts the door behind her. Phoebe suddenly springs to life, jumping around my room.

"Oh God Bell. What are you gonna tell your mom? What are you gonna tell your brothers?"

"Bee, I don't think you freaking out is helping her any." Thank you, Gabe.

"You're right. You're totally right. Oh my God. Okay, pull yourself together! We're going to go to my house and call the clinic that's across town." She starts going through my dresser, throwing things on to my bed or putting them back in the drawers. She fidgets and talks to herself when she's nervous. I don't know how Gabe can stand her when she gets like this.

After she packs me up for what looks like a month, we head to her house. I'm glad she only lives three blocks over. I can feel my energy draining quickly. I make another mental note to invest in a motorized scooter.

"Okay, so Bell? You listening? I'm gonna look up the number and we'll call right away. I can talk to them if you want. You can just sit there and you won't have to do a thing." I zone her out as she rambles on and on. We finally get to her house and she recruits Gabe to haul my luggage down to the basement. It was converted into her room a couple years ago when her parents announced they were having another baby. She'd been the only child for 14 years so it came as a big shock to everyone.

"Anyone home?" Nothing. "Perfect. Where's the phone book.." She looks around for the phone book as I flop down on the living room couch. Her endless energy is exhausting. "Oh! Found it!" She plops down at my feet with the heavy book and her cell. She dials and is put on hold for 10 minutes. 'This is ridiculous! When are they going to - Hello! Yes, I'm fine thanks. Yes, I need to schedule a pregnancy test. As soon as possible, if you don't mind. No. I got a positive this morning on a home test. I have no idea when it was. Uh huh." She cups the receiver with her hand. "All they've got is tomorrow morning at 9 and then they're booked for two weeks." I groan but nod. Yuck, 9 AM. "Sure, that's fine. Annabel Leed. September 1st. 16. Yep, you too. Bye now." She snaps her cell shut and drops it on her lap. "People!"

"Well hun, I've got to go. My sister's soccer practise starts in an hour and I'm supposed to driver her."

"Okay, I'll call you tomorrow." Gabe gives her a kiss then leaves the room, shutting the front door behind him. Phoebe looks at me, concern showing on her face.

"I'll be fine. Let's see what they have to say tomorrow." Phoebe shrugs and shakes her head, giving my leg a pat. Yep, we'll see tomorrow..

Someone Else's Happy Ending; Prologue

I'm not much of a story teller, never have been really. One day I woke up and decided I would tell it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly of it all.

It all really started when I met him on my 11th birthday. Waiting in line for our names to be called so we could be sorted into the house we'd belong to for the next 7 years. My new friend Leona nudged me, pointing to a boy a few people ahead of us. I was instantly taken by this boy and silently hoped we would be in the same house.

I waited for what seemed like forever until my name was called. "Annabel Leed." I walked up to the hat on a stool and sat down, having it placed on my head. It twitched and called out "Ravenclaw!" I stood up and walked down to the table that was clapping wildly. I was sad that Leona didn't make it with me, as she was placed in Hufflepuff.

I sent her a small wave before getting to know my new housemates. I had almost forgotten about this new boy until I saw him walk up to the hat. "Keelan Richards." I turn his name over in my mind, already liking it. To my delight and surprise he's also placed in Ravenclaw. He walks over and sits across from me. I smile and stare openly. He looks back, flashing his perfect smile.

We instantly became best friends and hung out together at all times. Being in the same house made things much easier. Somewhere along the lines we developed more than friendly feelings for eachother, becoming an official couple in our 4th year.

We were known as "the couple to be". Everything went smooth sailing until the summer between our 6th and 7th year. This is where you all catch up to me. My life up until now was incredibly normal. But sometimes things don't come out the way we plan and life takes unexpected turns.

Mind Over Matter, Chapter 5

My eyes are closed, my head is back, my fingers are running through his hair. His long hair? Oh well. He moves down my body, undoing my pants with his hands, his hand rubbing my..

"Oh God!" I sit up and smack my face then I reach over and smack Jarrod. "Jarrod!" He grunts and opens his eyes.

"What?"

"You know what I was just dreaming about?"

"You woke me up to tell me what you were dreaming? It's 4 AM Gem. Go to sleep."

"No really. You wanna know?" He sighs.

"What?"

"I was dreaming about Renee."

"Hey, what you do in your spare time is none of my business. Doesn't mean I want to hear about it."

"Shut up. That's not all." He sighs and sits up beside me.

"Well, go on then." I hit him again.

"Want me to explain your dream to you, or would you rather guess what I was dreaming about?"

"What, you mean.."

"Yes. I was dreaming I was you. How weird and gross is that? And Renee? Seriously Jarrod?"

"Like I can control what I dream about."

"But ew, to dream about that, and with her of all people, tonight, while I'm here? Ew." He yawns and lays back down, covering his head with a pillow.

"Sorry, I'll try to keep them PG." I roll my eyes and lay on my stomach, falling back into a, thankfully, dreamless sleep.

I open my eyes and rub my forehead, wondering what woke me up and getting my answer when my cellphone rings. I dig it out of my pocket. "'Lo?"

"Gemma, finally. I've been trying to call you for an hour now." I look at the clock. It's almost noon.

"Sorry. I was sleeping."

"So I figured out." There's a pause.

"So you rang?"

"What? Sorry, yes. Do you think you could be ready for me to pick you up soon? I have a meeting at 1."

"Sure, I can do that."

"Good. Anywhere you'd like to be picked up?"

"How about my house?"

"Aren't your parents there?"

"Not yet. My mom doesn't get home until after 2."

"All right. I'll meet you there in half an hour."

"Sounds good. Bye." I hang up and sink back into the pillows. I wonder if my parents went to work today. Or if they have someone scoping out the place. I sigh and get up, running my fingers through my hair a couple times. Just then my phone dings, telling me I have a new text. Or should I say ten new texts, once I look at my inbox. I sigh, decide to deal with them once I know what my day is going to entail, and grab my stuff to head home.

I have to climb back out Jarrod's window since his grandma stays home during the day, which sucks cause it's day light and he's got neighbours, but I manage it and am walking down my street toward my former home ten minutes later.

I hide across the street behind a bush and peer around it to scope out the house. I look in my bag at the stuff I packed last night. A pair of jeans, a few pairs of socks and panties, two t-shirts, toothbrush, brush, wallet, and the books I stuffed in. I can buy new clothes later, but there are some things I'd like to get while I'm here now that I won't have a chance to get later. I don't know why I didn't think of packing them last night.

Oh well. I quickly cross the street and drag my key out of my back pocket while heading to the back door. Less chance of someone driving by and seeing me. I open the door and sprint up to my room. I don't know why, but I'm surprised to see everything how I'd left it. Some part of my expected everything to be cleared out the moment my dad knew I was gone.

I dump everything from my bag to my bed and then repack it, taking a bit more care this time. I get down on my stomach beside my bed, push random things out of the way, and grab for the box tucked into the corner. It holds everything I value in my life, which isn't all that much. Mostly little trinkets from my childhood.

I pull the box out and sit with my back against my bed. I look down at the box in my lap, running my hand over the top before opening it. It holds a letter I'd gotten from my grandmother before she passed 4 months ago. I haven't yet read it. Part of me wants to hold onto her as long as I can, and I feel like if I read the letter, that'll be it and she'll be gone for good.

I jump as my cell buzzes in my pocket. It's Liz.

"Hey, I'm upstairs in my room. I'll be down in a minute."

"Okay, well hurry please. I postponed the meeting by an hour but I can't do more than that."

"Okay." I hang up and shove the box in my bag and stand up, hiking the strap over my shoulder. I replace my phone to my pocket and glance around my room for, what I hope, to be the last time in a long time.

Mind Over Matter, Chapter 4

I decide to actually go to the library. If I'm going to try to fool them, at least for a little while, I should do a good job. Besides, spending half an hour at the library will help calm me down. I call Jarrod on my way there, telling him to meet me. He said one of his brothers is sick so he called his parents to come home, so I don't have to worry about his time restraints anymore.

When I get to the library I make a show of looking around for some books, picking at random and sitting at a table farthest away from the front desk. I dig through my bag until I find the paper with Liz's phone number on it. I'm not exactly sure what to tell her. I can't go back to my regular school, but until my birthday in two weeks, I can't go to my new one either. Maybe Jarrod can hole me up in his room until then.

I dial Liz's number and tap a fingertip on the table. "Hello?"

"Hi, Liz. It's Gemma."

"Oh, Gemma, hi! How are you?"

"I'm, uh, good. I've run into some trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"After you left my dad and I had a fight and I'm in the process of, not running away exactly, but I won't be going back after tonight."

"Oh dear. What happened?" I glance up at the librarian. She's giving me a look.

"I can't explain it now. But if my dad calls, you haven't talked to me, okay?"

"I can't lie for you, Gemma." I sigh.

"I've gotta go, but just don't mention that you've talked to me, please?"

"Okay... As long as you tell me what's going on."

"I'll call you later. Bye." I hang up and shove my cell in my bag just as the librarian walks by. I sigh again and lay my cheek on the table. It's been a long day. 20 long minutes later Jarrod finally shows up. I stand up and sling my bag over my shoulder, following him out of the library and into his car. He starts it without saying anything. "I need to go to the bank."

"Why?"

"My dad's gone mental so I'm leaving. I need to take the money out before he freezes the account." Jarrod drives me to the bank, where I take out all of my savings. It sucks that I have to take it all out, but if I can stick with the school long enough, I won't need it anyway.

"So where are you going to stay, Gem? I can't hide you in my room."

"I don't know. Until my birthday I can't go anywhere. I'm just glad it's two weeks away and not months." Jarrod nods while turning a corner. Just then I think of something. I take my cellphone out and dial Liz again. This time she answers on the first ring.

"Hi Gemma. So can you explain now?"

"Has my dad called you?"

"Yes, about three times." I roll my eyes.

"Okay. So I said some not nice things, and he said some not nice things, and he basically disowned me. He said once I'm 18 I'm not welcome at home, so I left." I see Jarrod's shocked face out of the corner of my eye. I nod my head to say 'I know, tell me about it.'

"Oh, I'm sorry, Gemma. There's nothing I can do? Talk to him maybe?" I snort.

"No. I wouldn't even try. But now my problem is, I have nowhere to go. None of my friends can keep me for two weeks, and I can't go anywhere until I'm 18 without parental consent. I'm stuck."

"Well, I would offer to let you stay with me, but I have to be back in North Carolina in four days." Shit. "Well, hold on, do you have somewhere to stay tonight?"

"Yeah I'm sure I could find a place."

"Okay, let me call my boss and I'll do some rearranging with my schedule."

"That'd be great. Call me tomorrow."

"Bye Gemma. Take care of yourself." I close my phone and smile at Jarrod.

"One night wouldn't be a problem, right?" He groans.

"Gemma, come on. I don't know. Casey's sick and I have school tomorrow."

"Then just sneak me in. It's not like I haven't stayed there without them knowing before." He's silent but I know I've won. Despite the circumstances, I feel great. This is just the escape I've been looking for, and it's only 12 short days away.

Instead of going straight back to Jarrod's house we drive around for a little while. Just to give my dad time to scope out his house and see for himself I'm not there. Jarrod drops me off a block from his house so that I can climb in through his window. I'm glad he's on the first floor. Once inside I kick off my shoes and flop down on his bed. I get a text from somebody but leave it until later. I'm too tired to worry about it right now. I mean to stay up and wait for Jarrod, but end up falling asleep within minutes.

Mind Over Matter, Chapter 3

An hour later I'm sitting on my living room couch, squished in between my parents, across from Liz Wood. She's just explained why she flew all the way here to talk to me. Apparently I participated in a nation wide acting thing last year, and out of my entire state, I was the only one picked. I've always been interested in becoming an actress, so it's pretty convincing. Liz even has a separate brochure for the "school" I'm going to. I look at it and do a mental eye-roll. It's looks too jazzed up and fakey to me, but my parents seem to be buying it. They might actually let me go. I can't believe this.

"So, Mr and Mrs Slate. What do you think? Gemma is an exceptional actress. I wouldn't want to let this opportunity pass her by." I glance up at my dad. He seems to really be considering it.

"Please dad? At least let me try it out? If I don't like it I can always come right back." He sighs and looks over at my mom. She shrugs and looks down at me. To my surprise, she smiles and squeezes my shoulder.

"I vote yes." Yes! I smile over at Liz. My dad might be the man of the house, but he knows when my mom makes up her mind, there's no which way about it. I jump up and do a little dance around the room. Now that I know I'm going, I'm really excited.

"Okay then, Gemma, you can go. But on one condition." I stop mid-jig and look at my dad. "You need to finish out the semester here first. You can leave after Christmas."

"But, that's two months away! That's not fair." He stands up and lets the brochure float to the coffee table. There's no room for argument.

"Take it or leave it, Gemma." I cross my arms and glare at him through narrowed eyes. Bitter old bastard. A moment of happiness from me and he has to ruin it. Like always.

"I'll take it." I stomp up to my room without another word. I can't believe him! I rip my phone from my pocket and dial Jarrod.

"Yeah, hey?"

"Hi."

"Uh oh. They said no, eh?" I slam my door shut and sit heavily on my bed.

"No, they said yes. But I can't go until after Christmas!"

"What? That's crazy. That's over two months away."

"I know. That's what I said. It's just like him." Just then there's a knock at my door.

"Gemma, let me in."

"Sorry Jarrod, I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye." I hang up and call my dad in. I cross my arms again.

"Stop with the theatrics Gemma. I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to finish the semester here."

"Yeah cause you're not the one going. I can get my stuff transferred and finish it there."

"Wouldn't you rather be here for your sister's birthday?"

"Why? So I can watch the kids you invite over while you're at work and mom's up nursing a hangover? Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not a built-in baby sitter." That struck a nerve and for a small second, I'm afraid he's going to hit me.

"Until you adjust that attitude of yours, you're not going anywhere."

"I'll be 18 in two weeks. After that you can't tell me shit."

"Well if that's how you feel then as soon as that day comes, you are no longer welcome here." Without giving me a chance to say something, he turns around and stalks out of my room. I stare after him, in some state of shock. Did he really just disown me? Well if that's how they feel then there's no reason to stick around tonight.

I quickly pack a bag with things I'll need for the next few days. Clothes, toothbrush, cellphone, money. I've had a savings account since I was 10 and there's over $2,000 in it. I just need to get to a bank tonight before my dad has a chance to close it. I sit for a few minutes before calling Jarrod, trying to collect my thoughts. I ignore my mom when she calls me down for supper. It would be the perfect time to get out without anyone noticing.

I creep down the hall and peer over the railing. Everyone's in the dining room eating. I make my way back to my room and dial Jarrod again. "Hello?"

"Hey, I need you to come pick me up."

"I thought you're not allowed out. Are you finally free?"

"In a manner of speaking. Look, I just need you to come get me. I'll explain everything when I see you okay?"

"I can't make it out now. My parents are having their date night, remember?"

"Shit, right, I forgot. You can't get someone to watch them for half an hour?"

"Well. I guess I could ask my grandma. But I can't be long or I'll get in trouble."

"Okay, that's fine. Meet me at the corner."

"I'll be there in 10."

"Thanks, Jarrod."

"Yep. Bye." I shut my phone and grab my bag, wondering how I'm going to get out the door. From the dining room you can see the front door. A sudden inspiration has me stuffing random school books into my bag. I do a double check and then walk down the stairs. I'm putting my shoes on as I'm stopped.

"Where do you think you're going?" I slip my shoes on and look at my dad.

"I'm going to the library. There's a couple books I need for a project I'm doing in English."

"Not happening. If you're not going to eat dinner you can go back to your room."

"Would you rather me fail then? It's due tomorrow."

"Just let her go, Darren. Gemma, you call when you're done and your dad will go get you." I open the door and flash my dad a smile that my mom can't see. He's about to grab for my arm but I run outside before he can get me, not stopping until I'm 3 blocks away from the house.