The reply comes back almost instantly.
Where are you?
I hit reply.
Nevermind where I am right now. Can you meet me?
Ten minutes go by without Jarrod replying. I almost send him another one when he texts back.
Yep but not for long. I'm in deep for keeping you here lastnight. Where do we meet?
I look at the wall and think about where to meet him.
Comma Coffee on W 4th St.
His next reply come faster than his last.
I'll be there in 15.
While I'm pulling on my hoody I wonder if this could be a trap. I grab the key card off the desk and shove it in my back pocket while I stuff my cell in the other one. I'm about to leave when I change my mind and grab my bag. Never know if it could be a trap, and I need to be prepared.
I step out of the hotel, almost expecting an ambush of some kind. I chuckle to myself at how anxious I am. I'm sure I'll feel better once I talk to Jarrod. I walk around the hotel slowly, looking around for a car I recognize. I don't see any, so I walk a tad faster. Instead of waiting for Jarrod in the coffee shop, I wait until I see his car pull into the parking lot. Once he's parked I sprint across the lot and tap on his window. He jumps and looks over at me before unlocking the door. I climb in and shut it.
"I'm assuming you don't want to sit in here?" I shake my head and he puts the car in gear, pulling back out into traffic. "So, where to?"
"I need a drug store." He looks over at me.
"Why?" I roll my eyes.
"I can't really go around with my hair like this can I? I need to dye it." His eyebrows raise as he turns left.
"So, what do you want to talk about?"I peer over at him through narrowed eyes.
"It seems someone turned me over to this program in the first place." I think "Oh shit" and I'm inside his head. I hadn't told him I was doing it, so he doesn't know I'm in here. I watch his replay as he thinks about all the searching, the phone calls, meeting Liz. I exit his head and shake mine. I really hadn't wanted to believe it. "Why?" He sighs.
"You're not happy Gem. You complain all the time about your life and your family. I thought I was doing the right thing in contacting these people. It seems like your only shot at a happy life." If I'd been the weepy type of girl, I would have teared up and thanked him for his understanding. Such as it is, I'm not, and I don't. Instead, I sit stonily in the passenger seat as he drives around, looking for a drug store. He finally finds one and I get out of the car, slamming the door. I realize I'm upsetting the only person I can really trust, or so I'd thought, but at the moment I just don't care. He betrayed me and my secret, so he deserves it.
I get back in the car a few minutes later with my newly acquired hair dye, some junk food, and two bottles of coke. "Back to the hotel."
"Where's that?"
"Beside the coffee place."
"I hope you're not paying for that." I shake my head.
"Liz pulled some magic and I've got a room until my birthday."
"I can't believe they're doing this. You'd think they would ship you back to your parents."
"I know, but I'm not complaining. Oh hey, my dad texted me lastnight. He said if I don't contact him within 12 hours he's freezing my account and cutting off my phone." Jarrod chuckles as he changes lanes.
"Well, seeing as your phone is in working order, I assume he didn't."
"He probably tried to but it's been in my name for over a year. I switched it over when I got my first job."
"Smarty." I smile, a little sadly. Jarrod notices and sighs. Sometimes it's like he can read my mind as well. It's silent for the rest of the drive to the hotel. Once there I lead him up to my room, tossing my bag on the bed and unloading the pop and snacks into the mini fridge. "Not bad." I shrug and sit beside Jarrod on the bed, kicking my shoes off. "So, what do you wanna do?" I think about it then grab the remote.
18 August 2011
Someone Else's Happy Ending, Chapter 3
Saturday August 16th [13 w 5 d]
"Annabel, wake up! Mom wants you downstairs in 20 minutes." I throw a pillow across the room and it hits my door. It's been almost 4 weeks since I found out and I'm still nowhere near knowing what I want to do. I've been spending almost every waking minute with my mom, helping her with her business. Apparently the first few months are the most important. I keep wondering what she's gonna do when I leave in three weeks. "Annabel! Get your ass outta bed!"
"Okay! I'm getting up." I roll over and almost fall out of bed, shuffling to my bathroom. I turn on the shower and take a very short one, washing up in record time. I look down at my belly, placing my hands across it. I haven't started to really show yet, but there's a definite bulge.
"Bell? You almost ready? I wanna get to Diagon Alley before noon."
"Yeah mom, I'm almost done." I was the only sibling that had received their Hogwarts letter so far. My oldest brother Nate is 20, Jordan is 18, I'm 16, Freddy is 13, Mark is 12, and Leon is 10. We'll know next year whether or not Leon will get in to Hogwarts. Everyone used to be really jealous but they don't care anymore.
I finish up in the bathroom, opening the door to my room. What I see completely surprises me. My mom sitting on my bed, holding a small white stick. Uh oh... "What is this? No, never mind, I know what it is. When was this taken?" I look around my room.
"Um, a month ago?" She drops her hand into her lap, shaking her head.
"How far along are you?"
"Almost 14 weeks." She looks at me in disbelief.
"Were you planning on telling me? You're leaving in 3 weeks Annabel. Were you going to keep this a secret until you came home with a baby?" I shake my head.
"No, I was going to tell you. I just didn't know when. You've been so busy with your business you hardly think about anything else." I go over to my closet, picking out my outfit for the day.
"Claire, we've got to get going."
"We'll talk about this later." Disaster #1 averted. Disaster #2 pending. Just as I'm trying to pull up my pants my cell phone rings. I pick it up and hold it with my chin, in search of a pair of pants that fit.
"Hey Bellie. What're you doing today?" I ignore Phoebe as I try to do up another pair of pants. "Hullooo, Bell? Did you hear me?" I settle for track pants.
"I'm going to Diagon Alley today, remember?"
"Oh shoot. Gabe's working and I have nothing to do."
"Why don't you come with me? I'll probably need the emotional support, me thinks." I change my search to a shirt that's not too tight.
"Why, what happened."
"My mom found out. I was in the shower and she found the stick in my garbage."
"Oh shit. That's not good. You should have told her." I grunt in annoyance.
"When was I supposed to do that? Oh hey mom, Greenfield cancelled and Parks moved their appointment to next week, oh and I'm pregnant, would you like another coffee?"
"Good point. Well, I dunno Bell."
"Annabel, could you come down to the kitchen for a minute?" Here comes Disaster #2.
"I gotta go. I think she just told Charlie. Hurry up and get over here."
"Okay, my dad left me the car so I'll be over in a few minutes. Bye." I flip my phone closed and toss it on my bed before pulling a t-shirt over my head. I grab my purse and the supplies list, slipping on my shoes and heading down to the kitchen. What I see doesn't surprise me. My step dad Charlie and my mom sitting at the table.
"Could you sit down please Annabel." I cross my arms.
"I think I'd rather stand, thanks." My mom sighs.
"We were just trying to decide the best course of action to take."
"Trying to decide? Don't I have a say in this?" She shakes her head.
"No, I don't think so. You're not equipped for this Annabel. You don't know what you're getting yourself in to."
"I don't think you have the right to tell me what I will and will not do."
"Don't yell at your mother." I turn to Charlie.
"I can yell at whoever I damn well please. I'm keeping this baby and you two will have no say in it." Just then I hear Phoebe knocking at the door. She opens it and steps into the kitchen.
"Today's not a good day, Phoebe. Maybe you can see Annabel tomorrow." I turn back to my mom.
"No. Phoebe and I are going to Diagon Alley without you. Then I'll be staying at her house." I notice that Mark and Leon are eavesdropping in the living room as I leave, slamming the kitchen door behind me.
"Annabel, wake up! Mom wants you downstairs in 20 minutes." I throw a pillow across the room and it hits my door. It's been almost 4 weeks since I found out and I'm still nowhere near knowing what I want to do. I've been spending almost every waking minute with my mom, helping her with her business. Apparently the first few months are the most important. I keep wondering what she's gonna do when I leave in three weeks. "Annabel! Get your ass outta bed!"
"Okay! I'm getting up." I roll over and almost fall out of bed, shuffling to my bathroom. I turn on the shower and take a very short one, washing up in record time. I look down at my belly, placing my hands across it. I haven't started to really show yet, but there's a definite bulge.
"Bell? You almost ready? I wanna get to Diagon Alley before noon."
"Yeah mom, I'm almost done." I was the only sibling that had received their Hogwarts letter so far. My oldest brother Nate is 20, Jordan is 18, I'm 16, Freddy is 13, Mark is 12, and Leon is 10. We'll know next year whether or not Leon will get in to Hogwarts. Everyone used to be really jealous but they don't care anymore.
I finish up in the bathroom, opening the door to my room. What I see completely surprises me. My mom sitting on my bed, holding a small white stick. Uh oh... "What is this? No, never mind, I know what it is. When was this taken?" I look around my room.
"Um, a month ago?" She drops her hand into her lap, shaking her head.
"How far along are you?"
"Almost 14 weeks." She looks at me in disbelief.
"Were you planning on telling me? You're leaving in 3 weeks Annabel. Were you going to keep this a secret until you came home with a baby?" I shake my head.
"No, I was going to tell you. I just didn't know when. You've been so busy with your business you hardly think about anything else." I go over to my closet, picking out my outfit for the day.
"Claire, we've got to get going."
"We'll talk about this later." Disaster #1 averted. Disaster #2 pending. Just as I'm trying to pull up my pants my cell phone rings. I pick it up and hold it with my chin, in search of a pair of pants that fit.
"Hey Bellie. What're you doing today?" I ignore Phoebe as I try to do up another pair of pants. "Hullooo, Bell? Did you hear me?" I settle for track pants.
"I'm going to Diagon Alley today, remember?"
"Oh shoot. Gabe's working and I have nothing to do."
"Why don't you come with me? I'll probably need the emotional support, me thinks." I change my search to a shirt that's not too tight.
"Why, what happened."
"My mom found out. I was in the shower and she found the stick in my garbage."
"Oh shit. That's not good. You should have told her." I grunt in annoyance.
"When was I supposed to do that? Oh hey mom, Greenfield cancelled and Parks moved their appointment to next week, oh and I'm pregnant, would you like another coffee?"
"Good point. Well, I dunno Bell."
"Annabel, could you come down to the kitchen for a minute?" Here comes Disaster #2.
"I gotta go. I think she just told Charlie. Hurry up and get over here."
"Okay, my dad left me the car so I'll be over in a few minutes. Bye." I flip my phone closed and toss it on my bed before pulling a t-shirt over my head. I grab my purse and the supplies list, slipping on my shoes and heading down to the kitchen. What I see doesn't surprise me. My step dad Charlie and my mom sitting at the table.
"Could you sit down please Annabel." I cross my arms.
"I think I'd rather stand, thanks." My mom sighs.
"We were just trying to decide the best course of action to take."
"Trying to decide? Don't I have a say in this?" She shakes her head.
"No, I don't think so. You're not equipped for this Annabel. You don't know what you're getting yourself in to."
"I don't think you have the right to tell me what I will and will not do."
"Don't yell at your mother." I turn to Charlie.
"I can yell at whoever I damn well please. I'm keeping this baby and you two will have no say in it." Just then I hear Phoebe knocking at the door. She opens it and steps into the kitchen.
"Today's not a good day, Phoebe. Maybe you can see Annabel tomorrow." I turn back to my mom.
"No. Phoebe and I are going to Diagon Alley without you. Then I'll be staying at her house." I notice that Mark and Leon are eavesdropping in the living room as I leave, slamming the kitchen door behind me.
14 August 2011
Someone Else's Happy Ending, Chapter 2
Thursday July 24th [10 w 4 d]
I swing my feet a little as I sit on the exam bed, waiting for the nurse to return. It's already been confirmed by her that I am indeed pregnant, she's just gone to get a bunch of stuff for me. I catch Phoebe looking worriedly at me again. I appreciate her concern, but I hate sympathy. I got enough of that growing up with 5 brothers.
"So, Annabel? Here I've got some papers for you to sign, some to look over, and lots to take home. We're going to schedule an ultrasound to see how far along you are because you can't remember your last period. They're pretty booked but I was able to squeeze you in for next week. Does Wednesday work for you?" I nod. "Perfect. If you could just read over these and sign them we can go over some other things." I skim the papers I'm supposed to sign, give them my signature, and hand them back to Lisa, the nurse.
"What exactly happens in an ultrasound?" Even though Phoebe's parents had their baby a year ago, she refused to take part in anything to do with it, including ultrasounds.
"That's a good question. They'll explain it all to you on Wednesday, but Annabel will dress into a paper gown and lie on a bed similar to the one she's sitting on now. The ultrasound tech will squirt some gel onto your abdomen and use a little instrument to see the baby inside your belly. From there she'll be able to tell you approx how far along you are and approx how big the baby is. Depending on the tech, they usually give you a picture or two, if you'd like one. When they know approx how far along you are, depending, from there you can decide if you'd like to keep going with the pregnancy or terminate it. We don't normally do abortions after 20 weeks, so you'll have lots of time to decide what you'd like to do." She reaches for more papers. "Here's some information you can take home with you. If you have any question you can call me here." She hands me her card along with about 50 sheets of brightly coloured paper. "That's all for today, you're free to go."
5 minutes later Phoebe and I step out of the clinic. I just want to go home and sleep all day, but my dentist's appointment is in an hour and a half. We decide on an early lunch and then head to Phoeb's house. I flop down on her bed, intent on getting a bit of sleep. I'm just dozing off as the phone rings.
"Hello? Oh hi Claire. Yep, she's right here. Want me to give.. Oh all right, sure. Yep, we'll see you tomorrow." She hangs up the phone and sits down beside me. "Good news, the dentist office called your mom and cancelled your appointment. It's set for tomorrow at 1 instead." Thank God.
"Good, I was so not looking forward to that. All I wanna do is sleep." She rubs my arm.
"I know, honey. The nurse said you'll be more tired than usual early on so to get lots of rest." I groan and roll onto my back, placing my hand on my stomach.
"I dunno how I'm supposed to rest. My mom's been going on and on about her business opening next week for months and how she'll need me to help her. My brother's can't be arsed so I'm stuck helping."
"We'll figure something out, don't you worry."
Wednesday July 30th [11 w 2 d]
"Annabel Leed? My name is Jessica, if you just want to come on back with me." Jessica leads me to a small change room with a paper gown and a little bench. "If you want to remove everything but your undergarments and put the gown on, I'll be in room 4. Is there anyone with you today?"
"Yeah, my friend Phoebe Peters." She leaves me in the small room to dress into the gown. Once I'm done I seek room 4 and open the door slowly.
"Come on in, Annabel. Just lie down for me." I lay on the table. I must be clearly uncomfortable because she smiles.
"Just relax. It's a much better experience if you're relaxed." She grabs a paper sheet, pulls up the gown to expose my tummy, and tucks the sheet into my panties.
"Why don't the gowns just have a big hole in the front?" Jessica laughs as she squirts the gel onto my lower stomach.
"That's a good question. Would be much easier, huh." As she moves the thing across my stomach I look up at the ceiling. There's small posters all over the room. Reading about safe sex doesn't make me feel much better. Little too late for that, eh? I lay there for what seems like ages until she finally moves the monitor so I can see it. "Here's your baby." I look at the screen, seeing the makings of a baby. "You look to be about 11 weeks along already." I just look at her.
"11 weeks? Shouldn't I have known way before this?"
"Most times, but not always. Especially if you're not tracking your periods regularly. A lot of women don't get any symptoms at all well into their second trimester." Oh. "Would you like me to call in your friend?" I nod. She clicks a button and asks the receptionist to send Phoebe in. A minute later she opens the door and takes a seat on the stool beside me, taking my hand. "I was just telling Annabel here that she's about 11 weeks along. The baby is growing nicely and is right on track."
"Can you tell the sex, yet?" She shakes her head.
"Not until about 20 weeks. And even then it's never 100% certain. Would you like a picture?" I nod, not really knowing what to say. I don't even know if I want to keep it yet. She prints a picture and hands it to Phoebe. I look at it while she cleans the gel off my stomach and pulls the gown back down. "That's it for today. Your obgyn will most likely schedule another ultrasound close to 20 weeks if you decide to keep going with your pregnancy. Best of luck, Annabel."
I leave the room with Phoebe behind me, staring at the picture. She waits for me while I dress back into my clothes. I dread going back home to my mother as she'll definitely want me to help her with her new business. I was the only one left because my brothers are all hopeless. Not for the first time I wish I had a sister. Maybe then I wouldn't have to do everything all the time.
Phoebe hands me the picture as I step out of the little room. "I told Gabe we'd meet him for lunch during his break. That all right?" I nod, opening the door to the outside. Truth be known, it wasn't all right. None of this was.
I swing my feet a little as I sit on the exam bed, waiting for the nurse to return. It's already been confirmed by her that I am indeed pregnant, she's just gone to get a bunch of stuff for me. I catch Phoebe looking worriedly at me again. I appreciate her concern, but I hate sympathy. I got enough of that growing up with 5 brothers.
"So, Annabel? Here I've got some papers for you to sign, some to look over, and lots to take home. We're going to schedule an ultrasound to see how far along you are because you can't remember your last period. They're pretty booked but I was able to squeeze you in for next week. Does Wednesday work for you?" I nod. "Perfect. If you could just read over these and sign them we can go over some other things." I skim the papers I'm supposed to sign, give them my signature, and hand them back to Lisa, the nurse.
"What exactly happens in an ultrasound?" Even though Phoebe's parents had their baby a year ago, she refused to take part in anything to do with it, including ultrasounds.
"That's a good question. They'll explain it all to you on Wednesday, but Annabel will dress into a paper gown and lie on a bed similar to the one she's sitting on now. The ultrasound tech will squirt some gel onto your abdomen and use a little instrument to see the baby inside your belly. From there she'll be able to tell you approx how far along you are and approx how big the baby is. Depending on the tech, they usually give you a picture or two, if you'd like one. When they know approx how far along you are, depending, from there you can decide if you'd like to keep going with the pregnancy or terminate it. We don't normally do abortions after 20 weeks, so you'll have lots of time to decide what you'd like to do." She reaches for more papers. "Here's some information you can take home with you. If you have any question you can call me here." She hands me her card along with about 50 sheets of brightly coloured paper. "That's all for today, you're free to go."
5 minutes later Phoebe and I step out of the clinic. I just want to go home and sleep all day, but my dentist's appointment is in an hour and a half. We decide on an early lunch and then head to Phoeb's house. I flop down on her bed, intent on getting a bit of sleep. I'm just dozing off as the phone rings.
"Hello? Oh hi Claire. Yep, she's right here. Want me to give.. Oh all right, sure. Yep, we'll see you tomorrow." She hangs up the phone and sits down beside me. "Good news, the dentist office called your mom and cancelled your appointment. It's set for tomorrow at 1 instead." Thank God.
"Good, I was so not looking forward to that. All I wanna do is sleep." She rubs my arm.
"I know, honey. The nurse said you'll be more tired than usual early on so to get lots of rest." I groan and roll onto my back, placing my hand on my stomach.
"I dunno how I'm supposed to rest. My mom's been going on and on about her business opening next week for months and how she'll need me to help her. My brother's can't be arsed so I'm stuck helping."
"We'll figure something out, don't you worry."
Wednesday July 30th [11 w 2 d]
"Annabel Leed? My name is Jessica, if you just want to come on back with me." Jessica leads me to a small change room with a paper gown and a little bench. "If you want to remove everything but your undergarments and put the gown on, I'll be in room 4. Is there anyone with you today?"
"Yeah, my friend Phoebe Peters." She leaves me in the small room to dress into the gown. Once I'm done I seek room 4 and open the door slowly.
"Come on in, Annabel. Just lie down for me." I lay on the table. I must be clearly uncomfortable because she smiles.
"Just relax. It's a much better experience if you're relaxed." She grabs a paper sheet, pulls up the gown to expose my tummy, and tucks the sheet into my panties.
"Why don't the gowns just have a big hole in the front?" Jessica laughs as she squirts the gel onto my lower stomach.
"That's a good question. Would be much easier, huh." As she moves the thing across my stomach I look up at the ceiling. There's small posters all over the room. Reading about safe sex doesn't make me feel much better. Little too late for that, eh? I lay there for what seems like ages until she finally moves the monitor so I can see it. "Here's your baby." I look at the screen, seeing the makings of a baby. "You look to be about 11 weeks along already." I just look at her.
"11 weeks? Shouldn't I have known way before this?"
"Most times, but not always. Especially if you're not tracking your periods regularly. A lot of women don't get any symptoms at all well into their second trimester." Oh. "Would you like me to call in your friend?" I nod. She clicks a button and asks the receptionist to send Phoebe in. A minute later she opens the door and takes a seat on the stool beside me, taking my hand. "I was just telling Annabel here that she's about 11 weeks along. The baby is growing nicely and is right on track."
"Can you tell the sex, yet?" She shakes her head.
"Not until about 20 weeks. And even then it's never 100% certain. Would you like a picture?" I nod, not really knowing what to say. I don't even know if I want to keep it yet. She prints a picture and hands it to Phoebe. I look at it while she cleans the gel off my stomach and pulls the gown back down. "That's it for today. Your obgyn will most likely schedule another ultrasound close to 20 weeks if you decide to keep going with your pregnancy. Best of luck, Annabel."
I leave the room with Phoebe behind me, staring at the picture. She waits for me while I dress back into my clothes. I dread going back home to my mother as she'll definitely want me to help her with her new business. I was the only one left because my brothers are all hopeless. Not for the first time I wish I had a sister. Maybe then I wouldn't have to do everything all the time.
Phoebe hands me the picture as I step out of the little room. "I told Gabe we'd meet him for lunch during his break. That all right?" I nod, opening the door to the outside. Truth be known, it wasn't all right. None of this was.
08 August 2011
Mind Over Matter, Chapter 6
Just as I'm shutting the car door I spot my dad's car rounding the corner. "Oh, shit." Liz looks quickly at me.
"What?" The windows aren't tinted. If he gets close enough he'll be sure to spot me.
"Uh, nothing, just drive." She looks in the direction I am and it clicks. She starts the car and drives down the street like someone just driving through. I sink down in my seat a little as we pass by my dad's car. I look in my mirror to see him pull into the driveway. Almost ten minutes go by before either of us say anything.
"So, here's how I've got this worked out. The school is going to pay for a hotel room for you until you're of legal age to leave the state. This didn't come easy, Gemma. They do not approve of you running away, but I convinced them that if you'd stayed at home, you wouldn't be able to be a part of the program." I nod.
"Thank you, for whatever you said to get them to do this." She nods like it was no big deal. "I'm curious.." She glances over at me, telling me to continue. "How do you know I'm telepathic?" She smiles a little shyly.
"Actually, your friend Jarrod." My eyebrows shoot up.
"What?"
"He, uh, found the program and contacted us. Told us what you can do. We were skeptical at first, since what you can do doesn't follow the normal telepathy pattern, but decided it was worth a shot at finding out more. After all, why would he expose you, and himself, if it wasn't true?" She glances over at me and I look out my window. Jarrod? That can't be true. He wouldn't betray me like that. But.. he had been all for me trying the school out. He doesn't normally cheer for something like that, especially when he knows so little about it. Hang on..
"What do you mean, what I do doesn't follow the normal pattern?" Liz glances at the dash. It's almost 1 PM.
"I'd love to explain it all now, but we simply don't have the time. I promise, though, that I'll answer any and all questions you have after my meeting. Right now I really only have time to get you a hotel room." I nod. That was fine. That'll give me time to research this so called "program" a little more. As much as an out as this was, I wasn't about to jump two feet first into this from the little information I'd been given by a woman I don't know.
A few minutes later she pulls into the parking lot of the hotel. I was kind of disappointed we weren't leaving the city, but hey, if they wanna pay for one of the more expensive hotels, I'm not complaining. This will also give me a chance to talk to Jarrod face-to-face before I leave. I still can't really believe he'd do something like that, but I guess I'll find out.
I follow Liz into the hotel lobby, where she books me a room right down the hall from her own. She collects the key card and hotel information packet and leads me up to the third floor, room 303. I toss my bag on the bed and sit heavily beside it while looking around. It's simple enough. One queen sized bed, a desk with a lamp on it, t.v, closet, bathroom, bedside table also with a lamp, and a mini fridge.
"So this will be your room for the next couple weeks. Until your birthday, anyway. You can leave, but that's at your own risk. Same goes for friends coming here. I expect you'll want to talk to Jarrod. That's fine, so long as you don't give him the room telephone number."
"I've got a cell." She nods and looks around.
"I guess that's it. I wish I could stay and help you settle in, but you probably just want to be alone. I'll call you when the meeting is over so don't stray too far if you leave." I nod.
"Fine with me. I'll probably just hang out and watch t.v. Am I allowed to order room service?" Liz smiles and she readjusts her purse.
"Sure, but don't overdo it. I'll bring back something to eat, since it'll be coming to supper by that time." I nod again and make a show of laying back on the bed and picking up the remote. She shakes her head, looking amused, and shuts the door behind her as she leaves.
As soon as she's gone I toss the remote aside and dig my cell from my pocket. Time to check my texts. Five of them are from Jarrod, two from another friend at school, two from my mom, and one from my dad. I sigh and start with the ones from Becca.
where r u? every1s freakin out. txt bck.
wtf is goin on gem? txt me ASAP!
I decide to read Jarrod's before replying to her.
Do you know what's going on yet?
You're probably not awake yet are you?
Text me as soon as you can okay? Your parents are at the school freaking everyone out.
Garden Hose brought me in for questioning. How detective does that sound? Anyway, I cracked. I told them you spent the night at my house and have no idea where you are. I'm sorry.
Gemma text me back asap. My parents are flipping out.
I sigh. Poor Jarrod. I hadn't meant to bring him into this. I read on to the ones from my mom.
Gemma, please, your dad didn't mean whatever he said. You know how he gets. Come home and we'll fix this okay?
Sophie keeps asking for you. She wants to know when you're coming home.
That one pulls a bit. I feel bad for leaving Sophie with my parents. I brace myself and open the one from my dad. The one I'd received last night.
If I don't hear back from you within 12 hours I'm freezing your account, cutting off your phone, and notifying the police and the school. Everyone will be searching for you and I'll be damned if you leave this city.
I snort. Well, news to him, I already took everything out of my savings and my cell phone is under my name, so he can't close it if he tries. The police are going to be a problem though. I'll just have to hole up here until my birthday. I open a new text window and send the following text to Jarrod;
We have some talking to do.
"What?" The windows aren't tinted. If he gets close enough he'll be sure to spot me.
"Uh, nothing, just drive." She looks in the direction I am and it clicks. She starts the car and drives down the street like someone just driving through. I sink down in my seat a little as we pass by my dad's car. I look in my mirror to see him pull into the driveway. Almost ten minutes go by before either of us say anything.
"So, here's how I've got this worked out. The school is going to pay for a hotel room for you until you're of legal age to leave the state. This didn't come easy, Gemma. They do not approve of you running away, but I convinced them that if you'd stayed at home, you wouldn't be able to be a part of the program." I nod.
"Thank you, for whatever you said to get them to do this." She nods like it was no big deal. "I'm curious.." She glances over at me, telling me to continue. "How do you know I'm telepathic?" She smiles a little shyly.
"Actually, your friend Jarrod." My eyebrows shoot up.
"What?"
"He, uh, found the program and contacted us. Told us what you can do. We were skeptical at first, since what you can do doesn't follow the normal telepathy pattern, but decided it was worth a shot at finding out more. After all, why would he expose you, and himself, if it wasn't true?" She glances over at me and I look out my window. Jarrod? That can't be true. He wouldn't betray me like that. But.. he had been all for me trying the school out. He doesn't normally cheer for something like that, especially when he knows so little about it. Hang on..
"What do you mean, what I do doesn't follow the normal pattern?" Liz glances at the dash. It's almost 1 PM.
"I'd love to explain it all now, but we simply don't have the time. I promise, though, that I'll answer any and all questions you have after my meeting. Right now I really only have time to get you a hotel room." I nod. That was fine. That'll give me time to research this so called "program" a little more. As much as an out as this was, I wasn't about to jump two feet first into this from the little information I'd been given by a woman I don't know.
A few minutes later she pulls into the parking lot of the hotel. I was kind of disappointed we weren't leaving the city, but hey, if they wanna pay for one of the more expensive hotels, I'm not complaining. This will also give me a chance to talk to Jarrod face-to-face before I leave. I still can't really believe he'd do something like that, but I guess I'll find out.
I follow Liz into the hotel lobby, where she books me a room right down the hall from her own. She collects the key card and hotel information packet and leads me up to the third floor, room 303. I toss my bag on the bed and sit heavily beside it while looking around. It's simple enough. One queen sized bed, a desk with a lamp on it, t.v, closet, bathroom, bedside table also with a lamp, and a mini fridge.
"So this will be your room for the next couple weeks. Until your birthday, anyway. You can leave, but that's at your own risk. Same goes for friends coming here. I expect you'll want to talk to Jarrod. That's fine, so long as you don't give him the room telephone number."
"I've got a cell." She nods and looks around.
"I guess that's it. I wish I could stay and help you settle in, but you probably just want to be alone. I'll call you when the meeting is over so don't stray too far if you leave." I nod.
"Fine with me. I'll probably just hang out and watch t.v. Am I allowed to order room service?" Liz smiles and she readjusts her purse.
"Sure, but don't overdo it. I'll bring back something to eat, since it'll be coming to supper by that time." I nod again and make a show of laying back on the bed and picking up the remote. She shakes her head, looking amused, and shuts the door behind her as she leaves.
As soon as she's gone I toss the remote aside and dig my cell from my pocket. Time to check my texts. Five of them are from Jarrod, two from another friend at school, two from my mom, and one from my dad. I sigh and start with the ones from Becca.
where r u? every1s freakin out. txt bck.
wtf is goin on gem? txt me ASAP!
I decide to read Jarrod's before replying to her.
Do you know what's going on yet?
You're probably not awake yet are you?
Text me as soon as you can okay? Your parents are at the school freaking everyone out.
Garden Hose brought me in for questioning. How detective does that sound? Anyway, I cracked. I told them you spent the night at my house and have no idea where you are. I'm sorry.
Gemma text me back asap. My parents are flipping out.
I sigh. Poor Jarrod. I hadn't meant to bring him into this. I read on to the ones from my mom.
Gemma, please, your dad didn't mean whatever he said. You know how he gets. Come home and we'll fix this okay?
Sophie keeps asking for you. She wants to know when you're coming home.
That one pulls a bit. I feel bad for leaving Sophie with my parents. I brace myself and open the one from my dad. The one I'd received last night.
If I don't hear back from you within 12 hours I'm freezing your account, cutting off your phone, and notifying the police and the school. Everyone will be searching for you and I'll be damned if you leave this city.
I snort. Well, news to him, I already took everything out of my savings and my cell phone is under my name, so he can't close it if he tries. The police are going to be a problem though. I'll just have to hole up here until my birthday. I open a new text window and send the following text to Jarrod;
We have some talking to do.
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..
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..
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