Sunday August 31st [15 w 6 d]
I yawn and roll onto my stomach, groaning and then rolling to my back. Which is uncomfortable so I roll to my side. "Bell, stop moving."
"Sorry, I just can't get comfy." She rolls onto her side to face me.
"That bad, eh." I nod, annoyed. I haven't been sleeping well lately because I just can't get comfortable. "Hey Bell, do you think you're going to see your mom before you leave?"
"Oh, I dunno. She hasn't bothered calling me in two weeks. Why would I bother going to see her?"
"Well, you need to go and pack your stuff anyway. You're leaving tomorrow."
"I know, I just don't know. I don't really feel like seeing her. Or anyone."
"You've got to talk to them, sweetie." I ignore her and get up, despite it being 8 in the morning. I shuffle to the bathroom and start to brush my teeth, but it's cut short as I feel my 1 AM snack start to rise from my stomach. I drop the toothbrush and drop down in front of the toilet, throwing the contents up from my stomach.
I wipe my mouth, leaning my forehead against the toilet. This is the first time I've thrown up through the entire thing and I can say for sure that I don't like it at all. "You okay in there? I'm coming in." She opens the door and kneels down beside me. "Aw, honey, you okay?" I shake my head.
"No, I'm not okay. This is not okay. I'm not okay with any of this." I surprise myself and start bawling right there in the bathroom. Phoebe gathers me up in her arms.
"Oh sweetie, you're going to be just fine." I shake my head again.
"No I won't. You're not coming with me when I leave tomorrow. What am I supposed to do by myself?"
"Sweetie, don't say that. You've got friends there. You've got Keelan, remember? And Leona, too." I sniff. I haven't told Keelan or Leona yet. One because I wanted to in person. Two because I don't have an owl. And three because the neighbours don't know about me being magic and we'd like to keep it that way.
"How am I supposed to tell him? He's gonna freak. What if he leaves me?" She takes my shoulders in her hands and looks me in the eyes.
"You listen to me. Whether or not Keelan supports you in your decision, I am here for you. I'm behind you 100% of the way."
Monday September 1st [16 w 0 d]
"Bell!" I turn around to see Leona rushing toward me, her younger sister in tow. "Oh my God, it's been forever!" I chuckle.
"Leona, it's only been two months. Hardly forever."
"I know, but it sure does seem like it!" She lets me go and steps back, looking me over. "You look different. I can't place it, but there's something."
"I'll tell you all about it on the train. You gotta promise not to freak out, though." She just looks at me and then turn to her sister, Payton.
"Why don't you go find Sammy and I'll see you later?" She nods and skips off in search of her friend. Leona links my arm in hers, leading me to the train. "So missy, how was your summer? Do tell." I laugh, her energy is contagious.
"It was.. different. My mom finally got her business going and kept me pretty busy. I hung out with Phoebe and her boyfriend a lot, too. Nothing else too much."
"Wow, she finally got it, eh. My summer was so great! My parents surprised us with a trip to Italy and we spent a month there."
"That's awesome."
"Yeah, it was. Krissy was mad that she wasn't allowed to bring her laptop or her cell." We look in compartments until we find an empty one. I sit on the comfy seat and sink into it. Ahhhh. "So when do I get to know? I'm dying here."
"Pretty soon, me thinks."
"Can't wait. Have you seen Keelan yet?" I shake my head.
"Nope, not yet. I actually have to tell him too, and I'm kind of nervous."
"I'm sure it can't be that bad. You're not pregnant are you." My silence confirms her answer cause she jumps up. "You are! Oh my God, Bell!" A few people stop as they're walking by the compartment. I get up and shut the door.
"Shhh, Leona, keep it down." She sits, her hands over her mouth. "Yes, I'm pregnant. I'm 16 weeks today."
"That's almost halfway through." A pause. "It's Keelan's, right?" I shoot her a look as I sit back down. "Duh, of course it is. Oh my God, Bell. Keelan's gonna flip. Are you keeping it?" I sigh.
"Yes, I'm going to keep it. I wouldn't have told you if I wasn't going to. That'd be weird." She nods.
"Wow, do you know when your due date is? How are you going to continue school when you're huge? Do you know what it is yet?" All of my friends seem to have the annoying habit of rambling when they're excited.
"Shush, I can't think." She claps her hands back over her mouth. "I haven't really gone to a doctor yet so I dunno when I'm actually due. I'm going to tell the headmaster and a few teachers and will probably be tutored. I haven't really thought about it. And I dunno what it is yet. I'm going to get Madame Promfrey to tell me later." Leona nods again.
"Gosh, I'm so excited! I can't believe it!" I laugh a little and sink back into the cushions, the very comfy cushions. I soon doze off. It's already been an exhausting day.
24 August 2011
Mind Over Matter, Chapter 8
Instead of talking, Jarrod and I veg out, eat snacks and watch t.v. Just as I'm dozing out there's a knock at the door. I startle and almost fall off the bed. I rub my eyes and stand in front of the door without opening it. I'm not that stupid. A few minutes go by and I'm about to go lay back down when there's another knock, this time accompanied by a voice.
"It's Liz, can I come in?" I look through the peephole, wonder why I hadn't done it in the first place, and then open the door. I walk back to the bed and sit on the edge near Jarrod's feet. He'd been almost asleep as well when Liz knocked. "I'm sorry, I guess I woke you up. But I brought food." My stomach rumbles at the site of the Burger King take-out bag. "I had a feeling Jarrod would be here, so I bought extra."
For about ten minutes no one says anything as we all enjoy our food. I look at the alarm clock on the desk and am surprised to see it's almost 7 PM. Liz catches me looking.
"I know, I'm a tad late. Things went way over the time everyone thought it would."
"What was the meeting for anyway?" I gab a few french fries and stuff them in my mouth. Jarrod rolls his eyes at me.
"Well, I'm not allowed to tell you specific details. But it was basically about you and where you'll fit into the program."
"I thought she was already part of it?" Jarrod beats me to my question. Liz nods, looking thoughtful.
"She is, in a way. We usually need parental consent, since most of the kids are underage when they join up. But because of recent events, that's pretty much moot. Even if you weren't turning 18 in two weeks, after this I don't think your parents would let you go anymore." I shake my head. "Anyway, so we basically just worked out the legal side of everything." I nod.
"So what does this mean for me then?" Liz shrugs.
"We're not legally able to keep you from your parents. So if the police find you, then we can't stop them from taking you. But if they don't find you, well then that's not our fault." I snicker.
"I doubt they'll find me easily if I hang out here all day." Jarrod rolls his eyes. I give him a look. "What? I can hang out here for two weeks, easy."
"Yeah, right. You've been going stir crazy at home and you got to escape to school everyday. I bet you won't last through the first week."
"Is that a challenge?"
"You bet it is." We shake on it and then resume eating our french fries. Liz watches our exchange with mild amusement.
"What do you get if you win?"
"Hmm.. I'll have to think about that. What do you want Jarrod?" He looks at me oddly with a look I wasn't expecting. It makes my stomach flip. Before I can figure out the look, he smiles his Jarrod-smile and shrugs.
"I'll let you know when I win." Liz laughs. I glance over at Jarrod, wishing I could get into his head, but I don't know what he's thinking. And right now I doubt he'd volunteer to let me in. He looks over at me and smiles.
"Well, sorry guys, but I've got to get going. I have a couple things to do before I turn in for the night. Don't stay up too late."
"We won't. See you tomorrow Liz." She packs up the garbage and throws it out before leaving the hotel room. Jarrod and I are quiet for the first few minutes. I try getting in his head but no luck.
"So, uhm, what was that about?" He stretches and lays back on the bed.
"What was what?" I raise my eyebrows at him.
"That weird look you gave me."
"I never gave you a weird look." I roll my eyes and stand up, stretching.
"Yeah you did and you know it. Why won't you tell me?" I think Cause I don't want to and I'm in.
"Because it's not important right now." I shrug and walk carefully to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I still haven't quite mastered the ability to walking and talking in my body while in someone's head. Usually I'm sitting and not talking outwardly to the person.
I sit awkwardly on the floor and lean against the wall while listening in on Jarrod's thoughts. What I'm seeing pretty much knocks me for a loop. I try very carefully not to think while I'm in his head so I don't get him mad at me.
A couple years ago I listened in without him knowing and then accidentally answered him in his mind. Let's just say he was not happy with me and didn't talk to me for a while. I've learned since then to either not listen in at all, or do it very carefully.
I exit his mind and return to my own. Without thinking too much about what I'm going to do, I open the door and look at Jarrod sitting on the bed. He glances over at me as I open the door, but then his attention goes back to the t.v. I cross the room and sit on the bed beside him.
"What's up? You look weird." I look over at Jarrod and smile a little. He sits up. "You okay?" I nod. How had I not seen it? Am I blind or what? I grab the remote and turn the t.v off. "Hey, I was watching that you know." I roll my eyes.
"You don't even like football." He shrugs.
"Even if I don't, you can't just go around turning the t.v off when people are watching. Were you raised in a cave?" He grabs the remote from me. "You must be if you'd just go and do-"
"Oh, shut up. Don't you see I'm trying to do something here?" He looks at me oddly with one eyebrow raised.
"Do what?" I take a deep breath. Why am I so nervous? It's just Jarrod. I scoot closer to him, kneeling beside his right leg. I lean in closer to him, and he finally gets the hint, which I'm relieved about. I didn't want to have to spell it out for him. He leans closer as well, placing his hand against my jaw line. It seems to take forever, but our lips finally meet.
"It's Liz, can I come in?" I look through the peephole, wonder why I hadn't done it in the first place, and then open the door. I walk back to the bed and sit on the edge near Jarrod's feet. He'd been almost asleep as well when Liz knocked. "I'm sorry, I guess I woke you up. But I brought food." My stomach rumbles at the site of the Burger King take-out bag. "I had a feeling Jarrod would be here, so I bought extra."
For about ten minutes no one says anything as we all enjoy our food. I look at the alarm clock on the desk and am surprised to see it's almost 7 PM. Liz catches me looking.
"I know, I'm a tad late. Things went way over the time everyone thought it would."
"What was the meeting for anyway?" I gab a few french fries and stuff them in my mouth. Jarrod rolls his eyes at me.
"Well, I'm not allowed to tell you specific details. But it was basically about you and where you'll fit into the program."
"I thought she was already part of it?" Jarrod beats me to my question. Liz nods, looking thoughtful.
"She is, in a way. We usually need parental consent, since most of the kids are underage when they join up. But because of recent events, that's pretty much moot. Even if you weren't turning 18 in two weeks, after this I don't think your parents would let you go anymore." I shake my head. "Anyway, so we basically just worked out the legal side of everything." I nod.
"So what does this mean for me then?" Liz shrugs.
"We're not legally able to keep you from your parents. So if the police find you, then we can't stop them from taking you. But if they don't find you, well then that's not our fault." I snicker.
"I doubt they'll find me easily if I hang out here all day." Jarrod rolls his eyes. I give him a look. "What? I can hang out here for two weeks, easy."
"Yeah, right. You've been going stir crazy at home and you got to escape to school everyday. I bet you won't last through the first week."
"Is that a challenge?"
"You bet it is." We shake on it and then resume eating our french fries. Liz watches our exchange with mild amusement.
"What do you get if you win?"
"Hmm.. I'll have to think about that. What do you want Jarrod?" He looks at me oddly with a look I wasn't expecting. It makes my stomach flip. Before I can figure out the look, he smiles his Jarrod-smile and shrugs.
"I'll let you know when I win." Liz laughs. I glance over at Jarrod, wishing I could get into his head, but I don't know what he's thinking. And right now I doubt he'd volunteer to let me in. He looks over at me and smiles.
"Well, sorry guys, but I've got to get going. I have a couple things to do before I turn in for the night. Don't stay up too late."
"We won't. See you tomorrow Liz." She packs up the garbage and throws it out before leaving the hotel room. Jarrod and I are quiet for the first few minutes. I try getting in his head but no luck.
"So, uhm, what was that about?" He stretches and lays back on the bed.
"What was what?" I raise my eyebrows at him.
"That weird look you gave me."
"I never gave you a weird look." I roll my eyes and stand up, stretching.
"Yeah you did and you know it. Why won't you tell me?" I think Cause I don't want to and I'm in.
"Because it's not important right now." I shrug and walk carefully to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I still haven't quite mastered the ability to walking and talking in my body while in someone's head. Usually I'm sitting and not talking outwardly to the person.
I sit awkwardly on the floor and lean against the wall while listening in on Jarrod's thoughts. What I'm seeing pretty much knocks me for a loop. I try very carefully not to think while I'm in his head so I don't get him mad at me.
A couple years ago I listened in without him knowing and then accidentally answered him in his mind. Let's just say he was not happy with me and didn't talk to me for a while. I've learned since then to either not listen in at all, or do it very carefully.
I exit his mind and return to my own. Without thinking too much about what I'm going to do, I open the door and look at Jarrod sitting on the bed. He glances over at me as I open the door, but then his attention goes back to the t.v. I cross the room and sit on the bed beside him.
"What's up? You look weird." I look over at Jarrod and smile a little. He sits up. "You okay?" I nod. How had I not seen it? Am I blind or what? I grab the remote and turn the t.v off. "Hey, I was watching that you know." I roll my eyes.
"You don't even like football." He shrugs.
"Even if I don't, you can't just go around turning the t.v off when people are watching. Were you raised in a cave?" He grabs the remote from me. "You must be if you'd just go and do-"
"Oh, shut up. Don't you see I'm trying to do something here?" He looks at me oddly with one eyebrow raised.
"Do what?" I take a deep breath. Why am I so nervous? It's just Jarrod. I scoot closer to him, kneeling beside his right leg. I lean in closer to him, and he finally gets the hint, which I'm relieved about. I didn't want to have to spell it out for him. He leans closer as well, placing his hand against my jaw line. It seems to take forever, but our lips finally meet.
18 August 2011
Mind Over Matter, Chapter 7
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.
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.
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.
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