The Deal...

The Deal...Roxanne

Izabella

I arrived home at half past four and immediately took a nap on the couch. My feet ached from the four hours of driving.

When I woke up it was a quarter past six. Wow. I felt great. Especially my feet.

I got up and took to notice that there was an extra pair of shoes by the door, which was now locked. I didn’t want to admit that I didn't lock that door when I came in; I just plopped down on the couch. I may have been asleep but I definitely would have heard the door open. I assumed it was my mom and went back to sleep.

After ten minutes, I gave up on the idea of sleeping on the couch and trudged my way up the stairs to my room. But when I saw my closed door, I paused. What was going on here? I never ever closed my door. Unless I wanted to be left alone which was usually never.

I began to turn the knob. Good news- it was unlocked. Bad news- I had no weapon in case there was a criminal of some sort behind the door. Oh, well.

I pushed the door open and screamed at the same time, trying to scare the intruder only to see the person on my bed screamed as well.

"R-Roxy? What are you doing here? How are you here? Why are you here?" I questioned as we both tried to catch our breath. I now took notice of how stiff and still she was. She was balled up, hugging her knees which were against her chest.

"It's nice to see you too," she mumbled without the sarcasm. I tilted my head in confusion.

"Um, Roxy, are you ok?"

"I'm fine," she lied and I sighed.

"Are you ok Roxy?" I repeated and she just blinked. I walked over to her and sat on the edge of the bed and studied her face. "Why won't you let me in?"

"How come you haven't been to work in the past week?" she changed the subject and I froze, not expecting her question.

"I quit," I whispered.

"Is it because-"

"Yeah," I nodded. She didn’t need to know about the twin robbing incident. “Now can you tell me why you're like this?"

"You know Johnny and I are dating?" That was the understatement of the year.

"For the past year? Yeah, why?"

"And you also know how strict my parents are?"

"Yes." Her parents were probably the most conservative parents I ever came across. They believed that everyone should live like them. No changes necessary involved growing.

"And how they said they would kick me out if I ever got pregnant?" All color drained from my body as I heard the last word leave her mouth.

"You're not though, right?" Roxy tucked her head into her arms as a response. "Roxy, I'm so sorry. You told Johnathan, right?" I asked as if the answer was obvious.

"Not yet. I haven't even told my parents. I was hoping I could hide it from them for a few months until I start to show. Or maybe even lie and tell them I'm just gaining weight. Hell, I'm not even sure."

"Woah, what do you mean you're not even sure?"

"I just missed my period," she said as she lifted her head.

"Ok, by how many days?"

"Six."

"Oh. You should get a test."

"What if I am pregnant Iz? I can't have a baby. I'm 18! My life is just starting!" She started to cry and I wrapped my arms around her in comfort, allowing her to cry on my shoulders.

"Hey, hey, hey," I whispered trying to soothe her. "You'll be ok."

"How do you know?" she sniffled.

"I just do. Look." I pulled her away wiped away her tears. "Just take the test. If it's positive tell, Johnathan. He needs to know that you're carrying his child."

"And what about my p-parents?" she stuttered.

"If they kick you out you can live with me in my apartment. Or maybe you and John can get a place together?" I suggested.

"And, what if he r-rejects it? I'm going to be alone! My kid's going to grow up without a father!" she bawled and I hugged her back.

"I'm so, so sorry Roxy. I can't imagine what you're going through."

"Thanks, Iz," she wept and I can feel tears in my eyes form as well. "I knew I came to the right person. I can't believe we weren't being careful."

"I'm going to get you a test first thing tomorrow morning, ok? And you can sleep over as well."

"Thanks, Iz," she repeated and I nodded. I opened my mouth to say you're welcome but Roxy's phone rung abruptly, interrupting me. She looked at the caller ID before dropping her jaw. "It's h-him."

"Want me to talk to him?" I offered and I nodded.

"Tell him that I'm not available," she said before I picked up and put him on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Hi, um Izzy. Is, um Roxy there?" John said awkwardly like he was nervous or something.

"No, um, she's, um." I looked at Roxy for help and she mouthed something. "In the bathroom," I said quickly. "She's um, not feeling so well?" Why did that come out as a question? I groaned mentally at myself.

"Oh no. Is she throwing up or something?"

"Um, I don't think so."

"Oh." He sounded relieved when he said that. Like he was hoping for her not be, but expected it. Maybe does know. Or at least, has suspicions.

"Can you give me a minute, please? I'm just going to check on her. See if she's alright."

"Yeah of course. Say hi for me?"

"Sure." I made sure to mute the call so I wouldn't have to whisper without him overhearing me.

"Oh my God," Roxy whispered. "He knows. And he's going to break up with me!" she wailed and I tried soothing her again.

"Try thinking positive Rox, maybe he doesn't know. Maybe he's just anxious or something." She seems to calm down a little after I tell her this. "Do you want to talk to him? Make our lie a little more believable?" I smiled and she nodded unmuting the phone.

"Hey baby," she sniffled and wiping the tears.

"Hey, are you ok?" I admitted, he did sound anxious and concerned for Roxy.

"Um, I'm not sure. I think I might be sick or something."

"Have you been throwing up lately?"

"Um, a little bit."

"Have you really been?" I mouthed to her.

"Three times," she mouthed back.

"Oh, that's too bad babe. Do you want me to come over and comfort you?"

"No, it's alright. I'm having a sleepover with Iz. We'll be alright. You don't have to drive all the way down for me."

"Are you sure? I want to make sure you get better.

"Iz can cover that," Roxy retorted back. "I mean, I know that I'm in the right hands."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed and rejected.

"Can I come up tomorrow?"

"Yeah. What time?"

"I don't know. Noon?"

"Ok yeah. Gives me time to clean up the place," he joked and we both smiled.

"It's always a mess," Roxy laughed and John's laugh filled the room.

"So, see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Night."

"I love you," John suddenly said and we both froze.

"I love you too babe," Roxy said back with a smile and immediately hang up.

"Was that the first time?" I guessed

"No, while we were having s*x for the first, we both said it."

"Ah. How many times?" I wiggled my eyebrows and Roxy giggled.

"I lost count after the third time," she honestly told me and my jaw dropped.

"When was the first time?"

"My 18th birthday. So, it wasn't illegal or anything. That way we could still talk about it with our friends and stuff."

"Ah. Makes sense."

"So, when are you going to lose yours? Or who to, I should say." I blushed and covered my face as Roxy laughed at my reaction.

"I don't know. I might just keep it."

"We'll see about that..."