The Essex Affect

"Alexander," Mum shouted from downstairs, "if you don't get your butt up right now, I will come up there and pour cold water on your head!" I grumbled at her loud nagging, and I pulled the covers over my head. I didn't want to get up out of my bed, and it wasn't because of me being tired. I got the perfect amount of sleep the following night, don't get me wrong. It's just that, today, I will be starting my last year of high school in a new high school. I would be attending Dulaney High which resided in Baltimore, Maryland. If I hadn't of gotten myself knocked up at Taylor Jardine's 18th birthday party, back home in Essex, I wouldn't have to deal with new school jitters.

Yes, I am pregnant -- three months to be exact. I wasn't proud to say I was pregnant at first, nor were my parents proud to say it. Hence why, to keep me from being humiliated and tormented at my old school, my family dragged ourselves out to the States to have a fresh start. But, now, I am more than proud to say that I am going to be a father at 19 years old. I know I can do it; I'm a pretty independent guy who can handle anything thrown at me, so this baby won't be too hard, would it?

As I got comfortable in my blanket-burrito, I heard loud footsteps collide with the steps and into my room. Soon after, my burrito was yanked off of me, and the cold air of my room embraced me in a bitter hug. "Bloody hell!" I shouted, trying to cover my body with my scrawny arms in an attempt to warm myself up.

"Bloody hell my ass, Alexander!" boomed my father, "Get your lazy ass up for school, now! You don't want to be late on your first damn day!" He didn't exit; instead, he remained standing at the side of my bed with his arms crossed. I turned my head slightly to shoot me a deadly glare.

"You know, cursing at your developing grand child will corrupt it." I spat in an attempt to get a rise out of him. He sucked his teeth, shooting back,

"Not getting your lazy ass up will corrupt it as well. Now, let's go." This time, he turned on the ball of his feet and exited my room. I pushed myself out of bed, stood up to have a good stretch, and proceeded into the bathroom where I would change and brush my teeth. I decided to put on some black jeans and a Beatles t-shirt. I thought this would give off a good enough impression to these kids I was going to meet today.

As I examined myself in the mirror, I noticed that the t-shirt I was wearing was gently hugging the tiny bump I was forming. I turned to my side and caressed it. I couldn't help but smile down at my growing baby. "I'm proud to show you off, you know that?" I whispered down to it, "I don't care what anyone says about you. I am proud to call you mine, and I more than proud to be your dad."

"Alexander!" Once again, mum decided to rip me from the goodness of my own peace, "We're about to leave! C'mon!" For some reason, that alert made the nerves finally set in. I began to feel queasy inside, and I even contemplated on using that as my excuse as to not go, but I knew it wouldn't fly. Sighing, I snatched a hoodie and my bag from my bed before retreating out the door with my mum and dad.

The school I would be attending was about 10 minutes from my home, so the ride was going to have me stew in my own brew -- great. I thought about what the people would say about my baby. Yeah, I said I wouldn't care, but I was just curious, y'know? I thought about what kind of people I could meet whether them being sweet, kinda in the middle, or just downright awful. I also thought about what the school looked like in general. I never got to have a tour of it, so I was in for a treat upon arrival. I was fucking clueless as to where I was going.

The wave of thoughts distracted me from the time, and before I could even react, I was pulling up to Dulaney High. I gulped at the sight of the school; it was fucking huge! Hundreds of kids were roaming around the campus, so I was assuming no one was allowed in school yet. Mum parked the car, and she looked back at me with a wide smile. "Well, here we are, Alexander! I know you're going to do great here!" Yeah, in your dreams, mum. I put the hoodie on my body and zipped it up only half way. Then, I snatched my bag before exiting the car. Right when I was about to shut the door and walk away, dad shouted,

"We love you, son! Have a fantastic day!" Somehow, his loud, barbaric voice got the attention of some of the students walking by, and they gave me the oddest of looks. Great, thanks for that one, dad. With that, my parents sped off and left me in the parking lot to rot. I slowly began to walk towards the campus where everyone was gathered at. I clutched my bag to my side along with one hand gripping onto my stomach. This wasn't for the baby, for I was feeling as sick as a dog. Everyone I passed look at me like I had two heads; they must have known I was different. Some girl looked at my hair, which was a vivid teal color, and gasped with a disgusted expression.

The bell rang throughout the field to allow everyone to enter the school. I tried to not drown into the crowd of teens that rushed to the doors. I was practically thrown into the school by them, and once I was fully inside, I darted to the main office. Thankfully, it was right down the hall from the entrance. I stepped in, out of breath. "May I help you?" a woman's voice perked up. I looked up to find the secretary looking at me with a sweet expression. I shakily walked over to her.

"U-Um, I'm new here?"

"Oh! You must be Alexander Gaskarth!" she cheered. She stood up and walked over to the office that was for Guidance. "Right this way, Mr. Gaskarth! In here is your guidance counselor along with your tour guide for today! He's going to be showing you to all your classes!" Tour guide? Really? That'll make me look even more like a fool. I tip toed into the guidance office to find an elderly woman sitting behind a desk with a skunk-haired kid beside her which I was guessing was my tour guide.

"Good morning, Alexander. You can have a seat right there." The woman pointed a wrinkled finger to the chair placed in front of her desk. I sat down and placed my bag in front of my tummy. "So, Alexander, I have your schedule and locker combination all right here. Beside me is your tour guide for the day, Jack Barakat. He's a senior, like you, and he also has the same classes as you do except for 8th period. However, he will show you where your 8th period class is for today, so you don't get lost." I nodded at her explanation. She handed me my paperwork. "Jack," she turned her attention to Jack, "show him to his locker before you take him to first period."

"Yes m'am." Jack nodded. He got up, and I followed suit. Jack and I exited the room and headed out to the hall. When we walked towards my locker, I stayed behind Jack to try and avoid conversing. But, of course, Jack caught on, stopped, and looked towards me. "Y'know, I won't bite." he chuckled. I let out a shy giggle.

"I'm nervous is all." I responded. When Jack started to walk again, I decided to stay at his side to avoid any more halting.

"So, where are you coming from?" Jack asked. I pinched my brows in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what school are you coming from?"

"Oh! Um, I'm coming from Essex Senior High in Essex, England. I'm actually near to the states." Jack soon became interested in my conversation.

"Wow, that's pretty awesome, dude. What's brings you to Baltimore, newbie?"

"We saw this place to be the friendliest place to move to. Plus, we just needed a fresh start." By the time it was Jack's turn to reply, we had made it to my locker.

"Well, here's your locker. Your combo is on the paper and all. Do you need to put anything in there before we head to your first period?" I shook my head. "Okay, then. Let's head to your first period. We have English Honors with Mr. Quinn. He's a pretty awesome teacher, so I know you'll enjoy him!"

Jack was friendly, and I honestly wanted to get to know more about him. I'd keep my story to myself until I felt comfortable on telling him. Or, of course, until he saw that I was three months pregnant.

Jack and I entered Mr. Quinn's room, and instantly, everyone looked at us with widened eyes and looks of curiosity and confusion. Mr. Quinn, on the other hand, was glowing ear-to-ear. "Ah, you must be our new pupil!" Mr. Quinn basically ran over to me and shook my hand roughly. I gave him an awkward smile and nodded. Jack weaseled his way over to his seat. "Welcome, Alexander! Why don't you tell the class a little about yourself before I seat you?" Crap, I hated these kind of things! I stood in front of the class with my knees quaking and sweat drenching my forehead.

"E-Erm, well, I'm Alexander, but I like to be called Alex, and I'm from Essex, England. I like music, and I'm.. really nervous?" A few kids chuckled at my last remark, and Mr. Quinn patted my back with a laugh.

"It's great to meet you, Alex. You can have a seat next to Jack, okay?" I nodded and quickly rushed to my seat. I plopped down and buried my face into my book bag. My cheeks were burning; I felt so stupid and embarrassed. I wasn't making the best impression at all. While I suffocated myself in my bag, I felt Jack lean over and whisper,

"Cheer up. Only 290 more days to go before summer vacation."

Notes

okay, so, bree and i literally decided, at 2:30 in the morning, to write up a new MPreg.

this isn't a sequel to A Love Like War. this is just a new story.

this chapter totally blows bc i didn't know what to write, but i hope you guys enjoy.

xoxo krys