Here’s to Never Growing Up (teacherxstudent)

Chapter 3

"I don't know. Do you think it would look bigger by now? I mean, it's been two weeks."

I accidentally overheard the familiar, muffled voices as I exited the stall. Jackie quickly covered her belly and backed away from the mirror, making an opening to let me approach the sinks. Alex remained silent and smiled back at me once I greeted them.

Soon after, Jackie broke loose of her petrification and became agitated. It seemed like she wanted to say something, but brushing it off, I turned my back towards her to dry my hands. I'm not sure I want to know the details...

Not sure what to do with the awkward silence, I just walked out of the bathroom, being nearly jumped onto by Annie. My heart nearly burst out of my chest before it seemed to have stopped beating completely.

"What the hell?" we laughed out as I slapped her for frightening me.

"Em!" she quickly changed the subject with a huge sparkle in her eyes. "Wanna go to Water Country this weekend?" Annie jumped up and down excitedly.

"All the way in Virginia? Are you serious?" my eyes widened. "Awesome! Yeah, let's do it!" I quickly accepted, without even thinking of the piggy-bank surrounded by spider webs in my room.

As the two of us entered the Economics classroom, I greeted the teacher with a wide grin, hoping he wouldn't think twice of my appearance.

"Hey, stranger!" he replied with his strong New Zealand accent, crossing his arms jokingly. "I haven't seen you here in a while."

"Yeah," I scratched my head and laughed, nervously, "did you miss me?" I joked as I set myself down with my books, trying to escape from any explanations.

Mr. Whatshisface laughed and picked up a pile of papers before walking towards my seat. "No need to mention myself, but these worksheets certainly did." He set a textbook-worth of papers on my desk and I looked complainingly at him. "Don't be lazy. And ask Clara for her notes," he raised his volume, looking towards my friend "since Annie would much rather be talking to Parker instead of listening to me!" he laughed goofily as Annie sank into her seat.

Parker didn't budge, he just remained playing games in his phone. I'm not even sure if he heard the mockery. I wonder if the two love-struck Asian pigeons will ever admit that they like each other.

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As we sat down for lunch, Annie brought back the subject, excited for the weekend. I don't know where she suddenly got the idea of driving all the way to Virginia, but it sounds pretty cool to be away from our parents for two days.

"Em is in, so you guys wanna come too?" she nearly climbed onto the picnic table, seeming extremely enthusiastic.

"Virginia? Sounds cool, but what for?" Alex asked.

Too excited with the idea, Annie had forgotten to talk about the water park. "Water Country USA."

That was all I needed to say for her and Danny to immediately say "Count me in."

"Hey what are you guys talking about?" Jackie asked as she sat down on a spare seat beside us. However, agitated with all in her mind, she interrupted herself and anyone who tried answering her question. "Anyways. Hey, Em. Earlier in the bathroom... did you hear anything that I said?"

She does realize we're not alone, right? I smiled, "It's okay, you don't need to tell me if you don't want to."

"No, I want to." she paused and her cheeks flushed lightly. "The truth is... Jake and I... Well, we..."

"You think you might be pregnant?" I cut her off her misery.

Annie's eyes widened and so did Danny's, but in a complete different level. I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't know. On the other hand, Alex glared at me and I deduced from her look that I might've been a little too crude in my approach.

Jackie then nodded quietly. She fiddled with her fingers as I glared over at the jocks' table, receiving some winks and whistles. This made me roll my eyes and look away in disgust. I don't trust that guy. If he's just using her, I can promise that pretty Greek nose will be mutilated by my fist.

"You're not going to judge me?" she seemed scared but I comforted her with a smile and by shaking my head. It's not like I'm all that innocent either.

"Didn't you use protection though?" I raised an eyebrow. I'm not innocent, but I wasn't stupid either.

"I did but..."

"Then why would you even think of that possibility?" Jackie fell silent and my eyebrows furrowed questioningly.

"Her parents." Alex kept it short and sweet with a mature sigh.

"You told your parents?!" Annie and I erupted as Danny almost spat out his food. I then looked around to see everyone looking at me. My face boiled and I sank into my seat.

"No." Jackie whispered. "But they know I have a boyfriend and they've started acting suspicious, especially my mom. Yesterday she came up with the possibility of me being pregnant and I couldn't help it but thinking of it." she smiled as if it were a good thing.

"Why do parents always have to meddle with everything? It's your choice, so you can't let them rule over your relationships too."

"You know how they are..."

"Yes, and I also know that you are stupid enough not to fight and to let them kill your dreams." My last comment made her drop her head. I know I'm being mean, but she needs to know what she's giving up for their sake. It's way too much already. "Anyways, what will you do if you are actually, you know," I whispered, making sure no one else could eavesdrop "pregnant."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, will you keep it?" Annie had to clarify what I said even though I thought I had been clear enough.

"Yeah, of course!" Jackie responded without thinking twice. "I mean... I don't know if Jake will want to be a part of it, but my parents have also said that they would help me take care of it."

Her last comment made my teeth grit and I could feel a headache on its way. "So, is that your choice or your parents'?" I raised an eyebrow, but realized my question might have come out a bit too harsh as Alex shot a glare at me.

"What do you mean?" her eyebrows furrowed and I could tell she was getting a bit irate.

"I wouldn't keep it." Annie added, breaking the tense atmosphere that was forming.

"You mean you would put it up for adoption?" Jackie dumbly asked.

Danny face-palmed himself and laughed. "You i***t. She means she would have an abortion."

"Look at our parents, everyone's parents. They're the most boring and hypocritical beings ever, they're fake as f**k, and they only think of appearances, wealth, and status. Would you really want to turn out like that?" I added, laughing. "Times have changed, women are no longer expected to have kids, and I certainly don't want to give up my exciting life for a couple of munchkins draining away my energy and causing my hair to fall out and skin to wrinkle. No thanks, I'm fine like this." Danny and Annie laughed at my comment.

"Let's just talk about something else." Alex interrupted us with an air of responsibility. Our table fell silent before we moved onto some meaningless conversation.

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The next few days everyone noticed could tell something was not right about Jackie. Even I, who spent most of my time worrying about avoiding a certain jerk, noticed how she started to walk slowly down these corridors with her head down and eyes fixed on her feet. We grew suspicious. However, on the other side of the table, Jake seemed perfectly happy and pathetic as usual, goofing around with the other jocks as if he was completely oblivious of his girlfriend's cause of distress.

"Hey Jackie." I put on a cheerful act just to be turned down.

"Sorry, I better get to class." She walked past me with no expression on her messy face. Something was really wrong if she isn't putting as much makeup on as usual.

"How bad is it?" Alex asked, pausing beside me after witnessing the scene.

"Really bad." I sighed and glowered at the group of jocks fooling around with the popular girls. "I just don't get how he can't see the pain she's going through."

"It's really quite simple." I looked back at Alex as she spoke. "Do you really think he loves her?"

"I've thought of it, but I really don't want to believe that all guys are like that."

Alex sighed. "Just from hearing of what you and Jackie went through, I think I've lost complete faith on guys."

"Yeah... The only guy who doesn't seem to be a complete jerk is Danny... but that guy's in constant PMS." I joked and we both laughed but we knew we had to do something about this situation.

"Girls, you better get to class before you're late." An older hand rested on each of our shoulders. Turning around and seeing who it was, I threw a look of disgust at him before I pulled apart and walked away with Alex. Seeing the look on her face, he must've finally realized that I've told others of the truth. Thus, he is totally screwed.

"About your situation..." Alex started as we sat in the French room.

"Let's not talk about that." I opened my binder and pretended to write the assignment the absent teacher had left on the board. I could feel a sympathetic look on her face that I just wanted to erase. How much longer is it going to take until she starts treating me like she used to? Maybe I should have never told her about the incident. I'm just glad I didn't tell Mr. D. That look on his face would have killed me.

The sub then came in the room and I immediately buried my face in my arms as I saw who it was. f*****g Andrew Cohen.