I Was Doing Just Fine Before I Met You.

I bit my cheek, ignoring the fluttering in my stomach at the obnoxious sound of his laugh continuing to fill my ears. Crossing my arms over my chest self-consciously, I silently watched him continue to hold his side while he stood up straight again. He breathed in, shaking his head and letting it out as he bent over to snatch his hat from the ground. I watched him pull it back over his hair before he looked back down at me.

“You almost got me.” He whistled, stepping all up in my space again.

I frowned, keeping my arms crossed as he slipped his hands back over my sides. I looked up at him, turning when he moved to lean down and shaking my head. I looked back over when I felt him lean back up, watching him bit at his lip rings for a few seconds as he studied my face.

“Wait…” He trailed off, the amusement dropping from his voice right away. “You serious?”

“Does it look like I’m not?” I replied, tucking my fingers into my elbows. “Why would I tell you I’m pregnant if I wasn’t?”

He licked his lips, face paling as the words sunk into his thick skull. I stayed silent, watching as he shook his head to himself after a few more seconds.

“Wait.” He frowned, raising his hands from my hips and back to press behind his head.

I bit my cheek, trying not to think about the way his shirt is probably raising up. Shaking my head, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and felt my body tense more the longer he stayed silent.

“What the fuck?” He drawled, making my eyes snap back to his. “The condom broke?”

“We didn’t have one.” I reminded, feeling my cheeks flush when his face scrunched up even more.

“You’re not on the pill?” He questioned slowly, watching me shake my head slowly. “What the fuck? Why’d you let me-”

“I was really drunk.” I defended, scowling when he continued to look at me like I’m stupid. “I obviously didn’t have good judgement. I mean, I slept with you.”

“Ouch.” He pouted, dropping his hands to his chest. “Way to hurt my feelings.”

“I didn’t know you had any.” I shot back, surprised at my sudden confidence.

“Damn, you’re fucking feisty.” He noted, pressing his hands back into my sides like I didn’t just insult him. “I like that.”

“Okay, did you miss the part where I told you I’m pregnant?” I repeated, raising my eyebrows.

“What the fuck do you want me to do?” He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I’m not try’na be a daddy unless it’s yours.”

“Your disgusting.” I grimaced, unfolding my arms to push his chest. “I don’t want anything from you, I just wanted you to know I’m getting an abortion. I don’t know, my friends made me feel like I shouldn’t do it without telling you first and-”

He stepped back a step, keeping his hands on my hips while he continued staring down at me with confusion written all over his face. I shut my mouth self-consciously, feeling heat rush to my cheeks once more when he licked his lips.

“Cool.” He cut in, slipping his fingers through my beltloops.

I gasped, pressing my hands flat over his shoulders when I was forced into him. I looked up, jolting back a bit when he leaned down. I sucked in a breath, feeling my heart pound in my chest when his hot breath hit my lips and found myself curling my fingers over his hoodie despite my mind telling me to push him away.

“You don’t care?” I whispered, feeling my back press back into the wall.

“Fuck no.” He breathed, the coolness of the two rings through the left side of his lip pressing into my skin. “Abortions are good.”

I let out the breath I was holding, closing my eyes when he pressed a hot kiss to my lips. I relaxed a little and shut my mind off, letting his lip slip between mine while I breathed in the smell of his cologne. He hummed, pushing his hands between our bodies and digging his fingers in the band of my jeans.

“Alex.” I gasped, turning my head as he pulled at my button.

I panted, grabbing his wrists as his lips trailed back over my neck. I bit my hot lip, cursing at myself when the burning tingles ran through me at his simple touches. I jumped, shoving his hands away when the shrill of the bell filled my ears. Realization of what I almost just did hit me and my heart thudded hard in my chest while I hurriedly pressed my hands into his chest.

“What the fuck?” He complained, stumbling back from the unexpected force.

“I can’t be late.” I mumbled awkwardly, pulling at the hem of my t-shirt as I caught my breath.

“I only need like five minutes.” He muttered, attempting to pull me back in. “C’mon, s’not like I can get you more pregnant.”

“No way.” I frowned, pushing his face back with my palm. “I shouldn’t have even let this happen in the first place.”

“Seriously?” He pouted, breathing heavily.

“Seriously.” I nodded, slipping by his side and pushing the door open.

I practically leaped back into the hall, thankful to find it still empty. Clearing my throat, I ran my hands through my hair and casually glanced behind me. Alex walked out, twisting his hat a bit before he was reaching behind him. I watched him silently, feeling my gut twist weirdly as I got further away. Swallowing thickly, I turned my back on him and continued walking towards the end of the hall. I took in a shaky breath, slowly letting it out while I shook my head at myself. I just told him that he got me pregnant and that I’m getting an abortion and he didn’t care just like I knew he wouldn’t. All he wanted to do was get into my pants again and I almost let him.

“Yo, hold up.”

I slowed my pace, looking behind me to see Alex jog a few steps to catch up to me. I stopped and spun around, staring behind him as people started flooding the hall from the lunchroom.

“Make sure to take care of it, yeah?” He called, breaking my focus on the stampede about to rush through.

I furrowed my eyebrows, staring up at him silently until he rolled his eyes and held his hand in front of my face. I blinked, taking in a hint of green before my hand was pulled out in front of me. I dropped my gaze down when he slapped the money down into my palm before closing my fingers over it. I gawked, looking back up at him incredulously only for him to shoot me a wink.

“See ya’round, Jake.” He smirked, smacking my shoulder before he turned towards the crowd coming towards us. “Yo, Stacey!”

I stood frozen in my spot, watching him walk across the hall and over towards the girl that was sitting in his lap about twenty minutes ago with my mouth wide open like an idiot. He flipped his hat backwards, leaning down to talk in her ear while his hands automatically slipped over her sides just like he did with me seconds ago. I rolled my eyes, turning my back on them before I could see anything else. Frowning, I tried to ignore the stupid spout of anger bursting through me and busied myself with turning the closest corner. I tightened my fist, feeling the bills crumple inside as I turned into the first class on my right and right over to my assigned seat.

“Woah, what the hell happened?”

I rolled my eyes as I passed Parker’s desk and slid into my own cold seat. I slammed my hands down on my notebook, barely noticing all of my things set out for me already as hot tears burned the corners of my eyes.

“Jack?” Parker pressed, gently squeezing my forearm. “What did he do?”

“Nothing.” I muttered, opening my hand over my notebook and exposing the folded fifty dollar bills. “Looks like he’s paying.”
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I sighed heavily, trying to keep my annoyance to myself as I slumped back into the comfy cushions of the black sectional in my family room. I leaned my head back, blindly reaching into the large bowl of pretzels in my lap.

“I mean, I’m with Parker.” Lynn commented from her spot across the couch. “You told him you’re getting an abortion and he gave you money for it. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Yes, it’s a good thing.” I agreed, frowning at the flip in my gut. “I don’t know why I feel angry, okay?”

“You’re definitely angry because he had no feelings about it.” Cassadee jumped in, nudging my knee with her foot. “I mean, I’m pissed about it. How can somebody get someone pregnant and have no remorse or feeling?”

“Uh, he’s a fucking douchebag.” Parker repeated, making me roll my eyes.

“Honestly, I shouldn’t have let you all inside.” I scoffed, shoving a pretzel into my mouth.

“Hey!” Cassadee protested, kicking my knee slightly harder. “You’ve been teary eyed for the past few hours, of course we’re gonna follow you home!”

“Not to mention we decided to stick around to avoid your death.” Lynn reminded, popping her gum obnoxiously.

“Oh God.” I grumbled, chewing slowly as my body tensed up. “I forgot I have to tell them.”

“Definitely if you’re planning on trying to make another appointment tonight or tomorrow morning.” Lynn recommended. “Chelsea’s listening out for your call until they close tonight at nine.”

“Can we go back to why the prick giving you money made you upset?” Parker questioned, crumping the empty bag of Cheetos in his lap. “I’m surprised the dickhead even gave you anything, let alone two hundred bucks. Where did he even get it from? His ass?”

I scowled, regret filling me briefly as I thought back to when I told Parker about Alex giving me money and telling me to make sure to take care of it. I’m confused about why I cried over it too so how am I supposed to explain it to them? I don’t exactly want to tell them I almost slept with him in a janitor’s closet and I definitely don’t want to tell them he called me Jake. How is he going to tell me he couldn’t forget my name and then call me a completely different name not even ten minutes after?

“He’s probably loaded.” Lynn guessed, bringing me back out of my head. “I mean, he’s got loads of tattoos and piercings.”

“He could just have parents that give him money.” Parker pointed out.

“That’s pretty much the same thing as being loaded.” Lynn argued. “Mommy and Daddy buy him anything and everything he wants. Either that or he’s a drug lord.”

“Nobody is a drug lord.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes at the suggestion. “We’re not living in a stereotypical fantasy, okay? People actually have real jobs, like waiters or baristas, or even concessions at the movies.”

“Jack’s right.” Cass sided, popping the tab of her Pepsi open. “I work at the carwash every summer and occasionally my mom’s office over breaks.”

“Okay, but do you carry two hundies on you?” Lynn interrogated, raising her eyebrow.

“I carry my bank card?” Cass offered.

“Alex is not a drug lord.” I concluded, stuffing my hand back in my pretzel bowl. “Who even cares how he got the money? At least it’s in my pocket now. My parents would bring me back just to kill me again if I told them I’m getting an abortion and they have to pay for-”

I shut my mouth, feeling my heart thump hard in my chest when Parker’s eyes widened while Lynn’s chomping paused. I froze in place, biting my lip anxiously and glancing at Cass through the corner of my eye. She cringed, lightly nudging my kneecap subtly. I gulped, hearing nothing but the pretzels in my hand drop back in the bowl as I awkwardly twisted to look over the back of the couch.

“I hope I didn’t just hear that word come out of your mouth, Jack Bassam Barakat.” Mom warned, frozen in the doorway with a box of pizza in her hands.

“Uh.” I stammered, looking back to Cassadee for help only for her to shrug helplessly. “What uh. What word?”

I flickered my gaze back to her, feeling a kink start to form in my neck from how I had to twist in order to see her reddening face.

“I think it’s time for your three to head home.” She announced, backing out of the entryway and turning into the kitchen. “Now!”

I jumped, shoving the bowl in my lap to my side as I hopped up from the couch. Cassadee rolled from her place, flattening her shirt down while Lynn slid off of her seat. I gulped, the anxiety rising higher with every passing second while Parker got up and slipped his shoes back on.

“Sorry dude.” He frowned, clapping his hand on my shoulder as he pulled his keys from his pocket.

“It’ll be okay.” Cassadee reassured, pulling me into a tight hug.

I nodded, lightly patting her back before she pulled away.

“At least you’ll be able to call Chels sooner and get it over with.” Lynn whispered, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Text us later.”

“Oh God, don’t leave me.” I pleaded, biting my lip.

I turned, following behind the line they formed on the way back to the front door. I held my breath, slowly trailing behind them as we passed through the kitchen and into the foyer until we got to the front door.

“You know we’d stay if we wouldn’t be killed too.” Parker apologized.

“Yeah.” I nodded, holding the door open.

I sighed, feeling spit pile to the front of my mouth once they all stepped out on to the porch. I swallowed thickly, quietly shutting the door behind them only to hear the clicking of Mom’s heels that I missed earlier. I held my arms over my stomach, staring down at the white snowflakes printed on my red socks when I heard them stop.

“Jack.” She called sternly, making me reluctantly look up from under my bangs. “What the hell did I hear just then? And come into the kitchen. Pizzas for dinner.”

I tried relaxing, only making my shoulders tense more as I dragged my feet across the smooth wood floor of the foyer and into the cold tile of the kitchen. I watched her slip her heels off, silencing the room completely as we walked towards the kitchen table. I closed my eyes, sending a silent prayer towards the sky before forcing myself into my usual seat at the table.

“Well?” She pressed, placing a plate in front of me before she opened the box up.

I grimaced, the smell of greasy cheese making me sick instead of ecstatic like usual.

“What is it?” She frowned, pressing her hand to my forehead. “And why would you say something so sick to your friends?”

“I don’t know…” I trailed off, furrowing my eyebrows. “Sick?”

She sat down in her seat across from me, pulling a slice of pizza on to her own plate. I pressed my lip together, almost hearing my stomach gurgle unpleasantly over the pounding of my heart in my ears from the oily grease coating her fingers after touching the crust.

“All I heard you mention was abortion.” She admitted, frowning slightly. “Were you debating with Lynn again? Was she trying to make you think that’s okay?”

“What?” I gawked, feeling the nervous spit piling back to the front of my mouth. “What’s okay?”

“No, honey.” She laughed lightly. “Are you sick? I’m just making sure Lynn isn’t trying to force you to have the same opinion. Abortion is not something to be proud of.”

“If someone is pregnant, they should have a choice.” I blurted, watching her blink back in surprise. “I mean. If they’re not ready or it was an accident-”

“If you aren’t ready for consequences of sex, you shouldn’t be having it.” She interrupted, taking a bite of her pizza. “Grab a slice before it gets cold.”

“What if you were raped?” I suggested, cringing at the horrible topic. “Would you want a reminder of that?”

“If you were raped, then you can give the baby up for adoption.” She rebutted, raising her eyebrows. “Rape is a terrible, terrible thing. I wish that would never happen to anyone, but if it were to happen and end in a pregnancy then something beautiful is being brought from some darkness and an innocent baby shouldn’t have to suffer from that. There are always other options.”

I slumped, frowning down at my empty plate as guilt weighed in my gut.

“What brought this on?” She questioned, making my heart rate pick up again. “Jack?”

“I’m uh.” I stuttered, hesitantly looking over to her face. “I’m-”

“Jack.” She called in warning, watching me through nervous eyes.

“I’m pregnant.” I shot out, squeezing my eyes shut to avoid the look on her face. “I didn’t mean for it to happen and I need you to be with me to get the abortion because I’m a minor and-”

“Woah woah woah.” She said loudly, stopping my rambling. “Did you just. You’re telling me that you’re pregnant?”

I kept my eyes closed, hesitantly nodding my head.

“Jack!” She gasped.

I jumped, popping my eyes open at the sound of her hands slamming into the wooden table. I blinked fast, the burning behind my eyes growing quickly while my lips quivered.

“I need to make the appointment tonight.” I rushed out, biting my lip as my vision blurred.

“You’re actually…you’re pregnant and you’re asking for an abortion?” She asked, a look of shock written over her face.

“I can’t be a parent!” I exclaimed, bringing my hands to wipe the corners of my eyes. “I need to finish high school and go to college and get somewhere in life.”

“When. How did this happen?” She interrogated, ignoring me completely. “Where did you even-oh my God. Is Parker the father?”

“What?” I choked out, coughing on my spit as I shook my head. “No! Gross!”

I kept shaking my head, blinking back the tears fighting to fill my eyes while I held my hands over my hot cheeks. She frowned, staring back at me in confusion before realization crossed her face. She huffed, sitting up straight. She brushed her hair behind her ears and I saw her nose twitch, successfully making me more anxious.

“You lied to me, Jack Bassam.” She stated, pointing her finger at me. “I can’t believe it. This happened when you asked to spend the night at Parker’s didn’t it?”

“I’m sorry.” I squeaked, covering my eyes with my sweating palms. “He pressured me into going to this party and I ran into this popular guy and he made me some drinks and-”

“You accepted drinks from a stranger?!” She exclaimed loudly. “Why would you do that!”

“He didn’t drug me!” I retorted, feeling my face flush even more at the memory. “I didn’t. He. We just had a one-night thing and this just happened.”

“Well, this is not something you’re going to solve by getting an abortion.” She informed.

I dropped my hands from my face, coughing from the lack of air getting into my lungs when I looked over her straight face. My stomach fell into my ass and shook my head, watching my vision blur in front of me.

“Mom, no.” I whimpered, biting my lip. “You can’t-”

“I can and I will, Jack Bassam.” She cut in, shaking her head at me. “You decided to have consensual sex and either tried to be protected or you were unprotected and now you have to deal with the consequences.”

“This is my body, mom!” I sniffled, shaking my head. “You can’t choose for me. I need a parent to get the abortion!”

“If you’re still a minor, you don’t get to make this choice on your own.” She concluded, pushing her chair from the table. “You’re going to face the consequences and go through the pains of pregnancy, Jack. I will not let you participate in something so horrid. Now, whether you keep the baby or decide to use an alternative that doesn’t involve a clinic downtown is up to you.”

“I have the money.” I tried, all of her words just going in one ear and out the other. “He gave it to me for this!”

“Well, when your father gets home, we’ll take it back to him.” She finished, pulling a slice of pizza from the box and dropping it on my plate. “Eat up.”

I gaped, staring at her as she turned her back on me. I blinked slowly, feeling arm tears slip from the corners of my eyes as she waltzed out of the kitchen. Sniffing hard, I pressed my hand over my mouth to stifle any sounds. Squeezing my eyes shut, I took in a shaky breath and ignored the smell of the pizza while my stomach filled with butterflies. Butterflies that didn’t seem nervous or sick.

Notes

Hey all, thank for the love on previous chapters! I love reading everyone’s thoughts!

Also, I know it’s not likely for anyone’s mother to practically force their teenager to be pregnant, but this is all fiction and I’m making Jack’s mom very different to how she is in my other stories. Any who, sorry for all the sensitive abortion talk. None of it is my real opinion or anything, I just needed to add some conflict into it to show bits of both views.

I hope y’all still enjoy!!

PS. Sorry for any grammar mistakes! I just wrote this up and posted it without actually going through...which I'm guilty of a lot.