The Deal...

The Deal...Breakups

Roxy

I woke up with a sudden blow to my stomach. I gasped and ran to the toilet, head first. I groaned as I emptied out my stomach. I heard footsteps approaching and I lifting my head to see a yawning Iz.

"Sorry, did I wake you up again?" This wasn't the first time I've thrown up in the past 10 hours. I think I’ve gotten up at least three times, waking up Iz all those times as well. No wonder she was yawning.

"Yeah. I think I got like two hours of sleep." She yawned again and so do I. I wiped my mouth and flushed the toilet before rinsing my mouth. "I'm really starting to think you're pregnant."

"Yeah," I agreed with a frown. I looked at myself in the long mirror above the sink and counter. My hair was all over the place and I was wearing a tank top and shorts that I borrowed from Iz. "Can you still just get the tests. So, I have proof?"

"Yeah. I'm going to get dressed and head the drug store. I'll be back in like 10 minutes, ok?"

"Yeah. Thanks," I said as Iz left. Right after she does, I place a hand over my tank top. Then under it. My stomach feels like a rock, yet still soft at the same time. I turn 90˚ as I see in the movies. It does look slightly bigger than usual.

"Hey," Iz said startling me. She was now wearing a pair of shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt. "I'm going out now. There's cereal and eggs downstairs if you're hungry," she tells me.

"Ok thanks."

"See you soon." I heard her walk down the hall, jogged down the stairs and sped walk outside to her car. I heard her engine start and her drive away. I left the bathroom and walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Eggs or cereal?" I asked myself. My stomach growled in response. "Eggs it is then." I opened the fridge and begin to make scrambled eggs for Iz and myself.

As I was sliding Iz's eggs on a plate, I heard her walk through the door.

"Welcome back," I grinned as she walked into the kitchen.

"Can I tell you something?" she asked as she placed a clear bag on the counter.

"Sure, what is it you need to share?"

"I quit my job."

"You did? Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen there in a while. I mean I only work half as you do, but still. Was it because of Isaac?" I wondered and she nodded. "When?"

"About a week ago? A little more I think."

"Oh."

"There's more. That night, I had my last paycheck in my hand I got mugged."

"What?! Did you call the police?!"

"I couldn't."

"Were you too scared? We can go now, Iz. Maybe even get your money back."

Iz shook her head and let out an emotionless laugh. "You don't understand."

"Explain to me what happened," I pressed.

"I was walking out and then these two guys came to be. I recognized one of the guys from the graduation party. The other one was his twin. I thought the one at the party was the evil twin. It was his brother. He was the one he wanted, I'm sorry, needed the money. So, I handed it over," she explained.

"Iz, no offense, but I thought you were smart. You’re going to become a criminal defense lawyer after all."

"You just had to be there Roxy. I don't expect you to understand. If you would have seen his face, the anger in his eyes, the anxiety in his brother's eyes, you would have done the same thing."

"The first thing I would have done is defend myself in any way, then called the cops, or even called Isaac, if I was that desperate."

"The good news is, I'm applying for a new job at a Starbucks on campus," she told me and I sighed.

"That's good, I guess."

"You're not going to tell, are you?"

"Only if you don't tell my secret," I laughed and gestured towards my stomach. "Well, I'm going to take these and get ready. You don't mind if I borrow an outfit of yours, do you?"

"Go right ahead. And thanks for the eggs." She nodded and I walked to the bathroom, with the tests in my hand.

Once I was done, I showered and picked out a simple outfit from Iz's closet. I slipped on the tank top and shorts and my converse that I wore and my little bag before eating the eggs and leaving, but not before grabbing the tests and saying bye to Iz. The drive to Johnny's was a little of a drive, but it was worth it. He was going into his second year of college while I was going into my first, plus he owns an apartment and I stay there whenever I can. Although, senior year was hard. I didn't see him as much as I'm able to now. We rarely saw each other. He came down on his breaks and I went up every time someone offered me a ride, which was like once a month. Sure, we facetimed and texted, but it's not the same.

A few hours later. I arrived at his apartment. I checked my phone and saw I was early so I called him.

"Hey."

"Hey. I'm like around the corner and was wondering if you had your coffee yet? I could stop by Starbucks and get you one?"

"No, actually I haven't. That would be great, thanks, babe. I love you."

"I love you too, bye."

It took me like three minutes until I was able to cross the street, and another 10 or so until I was able to get my order and another five until I get back Johnny's street. I sighed. That was New York for you. It was not terrible, but it was not great either. I entered the building and tapped on Johnny's door with my elbow. I waited for like, four seconds but when the door does open I'm greeted by the worst face in the world.

Johnny had bags under his eyes, it looked like he's been up all night. He has blue boxers on, his short hair is a complete mess and he just looks awful.

"Babe, are you alright?" I wondered.

"Yeah, I was just up all night," he said and held the door open for me. I stepped in and turned back around to face him.

"Oh. Well, if you want an hour or so to shower and put some actual clothes on, you can go ahead, I can totally wait," I said as I handed him his coffee but placed mine along with my bag on the table.

"Sure I guess. I'll be out in a little while." He walked down the little hall to the bathroom and within a few seconds, I hear the water on. I sighed and sit on the little couch that was a few feet above the wooden floors. I pulled out my phone and call my mom.

"Morning mom," I said right after she picked up.

"You're alive," she laughed. "I was so worried when you didn't come home last night. I thought I told you to tell me when you're spending the night at John's?"

"You did mom. But I didn't spend the night at Johnny's. I was actually at Iz's," I told her.

"Really? That's nice. You two haven't had a sleepover since freshman year."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just calling to tell you I'm actually at Johnny's now and I have some news."

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" I sighed as I knew she would say this. She would always assume I was pregnant, and every time I would tell her no. Not this time.

"Yes, mom. Or at least, I think I am. I missed my period a few days ago, been throwing up and I took a test a few hours ago," I told her in a whisper so Johnny wouldn't hear.

"And?"

"I didn't check yet. I want Johnny to be the first to know."

"You know the rule, Roxanne." I gulped as she said my full name.

"Yes, I know mom."

"We still love you, but, this is a thing you shouldn't have for us to depend on," she explained and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm just scared mom," I whispered.

"We know. And we promise, just because you're not going to be under our roof doesn't mean we don't support you. We love you very much, Roxanne."

"Just promise you'll be there mom. Especially if he isn't," I whispered as I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

"Of course." I heard the water shut off immediately and I jumped.

"I got to go now. I'll call you when I'm leaving."

"Ok sweetie, bye."

"Bye, mom." I wiped the tear from my eyes and rubbed my nose. I waited another five minutes before Johnny came out with a tank top and beige shorts. He wet hair styled the side, his bags were a lot less noticeable. He sat next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he pressed a kiss against my cheek. I smelled his minty breath and scent as well and I smiled at it.

"So, what's up?" he wondered. I turned to him and opened my mouth but he beat me to it. "Rox? Why are crying? What's the matter?" He lifted me on his lap and I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck and I cried into his shoulder. He soothed me I pulled back after a few minutes.

"I might be pregnant," I whispered and Johnny turned into a statue.

"Do you know for sure?" he asked after a moment of silence. I reached over on the table and pulled out the tests.

"You tell me," I sniffled and handed him the tests. He glared at it before taking it and looking at the result. He didn’t say anything and I immediately knew the answer. "I am, aren't I?"

"You are."

"You won't leave me and the baby, will you?"

"I'm not even out of my teens and I already got my girlfriend pregnant," he murmured.

"You know my mom will kick me out," I reminded him.

"I knew it," he suddenly said. I look at him with a confused face. "Last night on the phone. I don't know if you could tell or not, but I was acting weird. I just had this suspicion that I had gotten you pregnant. It was the reason why I couldn't sleep last night," he explained.

"Johnny please," I sobbed. "I don't know what to do! My mom will kick me out, I don't know if you're accepting our baby or not, I won't have anywhere to live after today, I just need to know if you love me enough for me to live with you and let the baby live here as well."

"I can barely afford food for myself. What makes you think I can take care of you, me and a baby?"

"Just tell me what to do," I begged.

"Abort it," he suggested.

"You want me to kill my own flesh and blood?" He just nodded in agreement.

"You'll do this if you love me."

"What about you loving me?" I wondered. "So you wouldn't let me live here with your child?"

"Rox, do you hear yourself. We're too young to be taking care of a newborn. You don't even come here that often."

"Oh, I'm sorry that you live hours away from me. You know what?" I got up from his lap, taking the tests and gathered my things. "We're done."

"You don't mean that," he chuckled.

"I may be pregnant, my mom may be kicking me out, but at least I know that she'll be there for the baby."

"You don't know that."

"I know you won't," I retorted. "Lose my number, don't call, text, nothing. We're done." I slammed his door and I ran outside. I was about to open my door when a hand stopped me.

"Are you seriously breaking up with me because I won't accept it?" he whispered.

"There are other people who break up with their boyfriends even when they cheat," I whisper back. "But I gave you another chance."

"I thought we were past that?"

"Let go of me, Johnathan."

"What did you call me?" I never called him by his full name, and vice versa.

"I said let you," I growled out and he blinked before letting me go. I opened my door and started my car. I heard a tap on my window and I groaned before rolling it down.

"Goodbye, Roxanne."

"Bye Johnathan."