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A few days have passed since I left Warren standing at the bus stop. Being home with my parents is nice, but every day is a struggle. They took the news much better than I thought they would. They are not happy about it by any means, but they don’t hate me, which I was most afraid of. Mainly they are just worried about me.
All I want to do is sleep, cry, or both. My mother does what she can to console me, but I know it’s futile. The only person I need and want is the one person I refuse to see right now. I just can’t get over what he said to me, the words hurt me too deeply. Not to mention that for the last three years, he thought I cheated on him.
Why didn’t he just talk to me? All he had to do was ask, and I would’ve told him the truth.
I absentmindedly cradle my stomach, like I’ve been doing ever since I found out. I haven’t been to the doctor yet, but I did take three pregnancy tests, and every one came back positive. Curling up a little more on the couch, I think about what it will feel like when my belly grows, what it will feel like when the baby kicks for the first time…
“Hey, sweetie,” my mom’s voice drags me out of my daydream. My head snaps up just in time to catch her walking into the living room. I sit up, pulling the blanket a little tighter around me. I can’t seem to stay warm these days.
“What’s up, Mom?” I ask when I see a stack of papers in her hand.
“I just printed out some information you might want to look at,” she shrugs, before taking a seat next to me.
“What is it?” I take the papers and start to look over them, quickly realizing that these are applications for grants for colleges.
“This one is for a grant specifically for single moms.” She points at the top paper. “The next one is an application for financial aid at the local community college. I know it’s not Blackthorn, but you can still go to school, honey. Your dad and I will help you in any way we can. Being a parent doesn’t mean your world has to stop.”
My heart clenches in my chest. Damn you, Mother. Looking up from the papers, I say, “I know it doesn’t stop, but I should be working and saving for when the baby is born. College is still an option, but not until the baby is older.”
“Harper,” my mother starts, and I already know what she’s going to say, so I politely cut her off.
“Mom, I’m not going to take any money from you and Dad. I’ll figure out a way to make things work, but it won’t be by taking from you.”
Even though I know she wants to say something, she doesn’t. She just presses her lips into a firm line and puts the papers on the side table next to the couch.
The awkward silence that follows is interrupted by the doorbell ringing.
“I’ll get it,” my dad calls before my mom even makes a move. A few seconds later, he pops back into the room, but he’s not alone. Valerie is hot on his heels, a desperate look in her eyes. Dear god, what happened? I feel the question burning at the tip of my tongue. Valerie never comes to visit my parents, which means she knew I would be here, which means…
“Hi,” she squeaks, and my mother jumps up to greet her, a wide smile on her face. Wrapping her arms around her, she pulls my cousin into a tight hug. “Hey, Aunt Marie. Sorry, I haven’t come to visit in so long,” Valerie admits shamefully.
“It’s okay, I know you’re busy with work and stuff. Come in, sit down. Do you want some coffee? Something to eat?” My mom bombards her with questions while my dad disappears into the other room quietly.
“Just some coffee would be great,” Valerie smiles. My mom nods and scurries away and into the kitchen. As soon as both of my parents are out of earshot, I pin her with a glare and bombard her with my own questions.
“What’s wrong? Why are you here? Did something happen?”
“Harper, I feel like this is all my fault. If it weren’t for me using your insurance, this whole mess never would’ve happened.”
I frown, “Val… it’s not your fault. He should’ve talked to me.”
Valerie nods as if she understands, “I know, but still if it weren’t for my stupid decisions, you and Warren would still be together.” She sounds sad, beyond sad. Kinda, like me.
“I don’t know if Warren and I can fix what we had.”
“You two belong together.” Her eyes dart to the floor, “The truth is, I’ve always been kind of jealous of you. What you and Warren have is special. Don’t throw this away. He wants to take care of you and the baby.”
