To Capture A Ring

Making Amends

Jordan's POV

It's been 3 whole weeks since Stella told me about her pregnancy. Things for us weren't going too smoothly. Things have been very rough. She has been very moody and mean. I’ve been working a lot of extra hours at work trying to avoid Stella as much as I could by picking up as many extra shifts as I could. One night, about two weeks ago, Stella let it slip that I might not be the dad, so since then, I’ve been keeping my distance from her, only talking to her about the baby. She agreed to do one of the paternity tests that are done by taking the blood from the mother. It's safe and noninvasive, and we're hoping to have results any day. My parents were pushing her parents for that, since she's legally still a minor, they have a say over all of her care. I've been supportive of her and helped her as much as I can. I've been putting money off to the side just incase the baby ends up being mine, but a huge part of me doubts it's even possible, because the last time we did things is estimated at about two weeks before she ever even got pregnant. I think about Tatiana often. I think about all my friends often. I haven’t really spoken to anyone lately. I’m just taking my time processing things in the only way I know how. Alone. I did tell my parents about the possibility of being a dad. I also told them there is a possibility I would not. They have been trying to be very supportive during this time.

I decided to send Tatiana a text to see how she was doing. We hadn’t talked since that day at Burger King when Stella first told me. I miss the way things used to be. Easier. I was happier. “Hey, Tati. What’s been up?” I typed on the keyboard on my phone screen and then hit send. Now I wait. I waited impatiently for about 10 minutes before I decided to grab the keys to my car and go for a drive to clear my head. I grabbed my car charger and walked out of my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. My parents weren’t home, so I sent my mom a text before heading out to the driveway where my car was parked. I opened the door, and got on, turning the key to start the engine just as my phone notified me of a text. I quickly pulled it out of my pocket and unlocked it, looking at the screen. It was a text back from Tatiana. I clicked on the message to open it, and all she replied with was “Um, hi. Uh, nothing. You?” I sighed. I guess that’s a start in rebuilding at least a friendship. So I tapped away on my phone's keyboard, firing back a text. “I’ve been working a lot. I’m out for a drive, and thought maybe you’d like to join me?” I waited before leaving to see what she would say, so I knew what direction I would head. After a few minutes, my phone once again dinged. “I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea, but I guess if you want me to.” She was skeptical, which I can understand, but I excitedly typed back “be there soon” and then pressed send before putting the car in reverse and backing out of my driveway and heading straight to Tatiana’s house.

After the short drive over, I pulled up in front of her house and saw Tatiana on her front porch with Markie and her sister Brianna. Tatiana stood up and came over to the car. Both Bri and Markie followed her. Tatiana got in, Markie and Bri just stood there for a moment before Bri spoke. “You hurt her, then I hurt you. Ok?” I nodded my head and then she walked away. Markie and I did our bro handshake, and then I drove off after checking to make sure Tatiana was buckled. She stayed quiet looking out the window while I drove. After a few minutes, I pulled up to the park, and got out. She followed my lead, and we went over to the swings and sat down. “Stella told me the baby might not even be mine.” I blurted out, after catching her, looking down at her feet. She looked up at me, looking me in the eyes. “Oh wow, I’m so sorry.” She spoke softly. The first time I'd heard her voice in 3 weeks, it was like music to my ears. “It’s okay. I’ve been catching her talking to guys for like the last year. Just couldn’t figure a way to leave. Then I met you. You shook my world up like a storm.” She giggled but didn’t say anything. “Even if the baby is mine, I don’t want that to stop us from getting to know each other better." she nodded her head taking in everything I said. "I'm just afraid to start a relationship with you, Jordan. A baby requires a lot of time and attention. You have your job, and having a baby requires a lot of money, you have school. Even if you're not with Stella, you'd still have to deal with her for a long time. A baby is a huge commitment. I just don't see where I'd fit into the equation. You need to figure everything out on your own end before you should even start something new with me or anyone else, because in the long run, someone is going to get hurt. That isn't fair to anyone involved." she ranted. "I know, I agree. We did one of the paternity tests, through the mother's blood. We're waiting for the results in the mail. It really should be any day. But just because we have feelings for each other doesn't mean we can't be friends." she let out a big sigh "I guess, but I don't think we should hang out alone anymore for now. If you want to hang out with me, I'd prefer it if we had someone with us, it would probably just be easier that way." I nodded my head in acceptance. "If it's best for you, then it's best for me." she skidded to a stop on the swing, standing up, she came face to face with me. "It sadly is, but we still have time right now. But it's only for a few more minutes. Tomorrow things will be our new normal." I closed the distance and gave her a soft but passionate kiss on her lips. It wasn't a goodbye kiss, it felt like more of a see you later kind of kiss. She smiled as we pulled away from each other. "Take me home, please" she said with a forced smile and a weak voice. I could tell she was getting ready to cry by the way her eyes looked glossy, but I decided to keep my thoughts to myself, as I walked towards the car, and pulled the door open once I got to it. I waited for her to get inside and buckled before I pulled away, driving in the direction of her house.

Normal POV

We drove in silence. My brain was going what felt to be a million miles a minute. My thoughts were racing around in my head, quicker than a tornado on the wide open prairie. I know I'm doing this torture to myself, but I have to protect my own heart, my own feelings from hurt that could potentially come out of the situation. Once we find out the truth of whom the baby's dad is, only then will we potentially be able to start a relationship, but until then, it was best we cut everything off now before diving any deeper. "Tatiana, we're here." Jordan broke me from my thoughts. I didn't realize we were at my house, and he already had the car parked and turned off. "Thanks for the ride, and the chat. Do you want to come in and hang out with Bri, Markie, and I?" the edge of his mouth upturned slightly as he spoke "I'd like that. Thanks."

I was the first one to unbuckle my seat belt and get out of the car. I walked around it and waited for him to do the same. Once he was out, we both crossed the street and walked into my house. My younger sister Mikayla was the first to spot us and yelled "Tatiana and Jordan are here." announcing our arrival to the entire house. Walking quickly past her, I lead him upstairs to Brianna's room, where I know her and Markie are. I knocked lightly on her bedroom door, and then stood back to wait for an answer. "Who is it?" I heard my sister's muffled voice from inside the room. "Tatiana and Jordan." I called back. After a few seconds, I heard the lock click, and the door opened. She swung it open all the way to allow us both to enter and then shut it behind us. Markie was lying down on the bed staring at the ceiling. Music was lightly playing on my sister's stereo. Her laptop was laying open, on the floor with YouTube pulled up. She had candles and incense burning, and the room smelled very good until I got a whiff of something strong and skunk like. I covered my nose as I watched Markie take a drag from what looked like a cigar that smelled like skunk, and then he passed it to Bri. "That smells disgusting, what is it?" I shrieked, making both Bri, and Markie laugh at me as I sat down on the floor next to Jordan and buried my face in his chest taking in the scent of his cologne. "It's pot." was all Bri said making Markie laugh more as he held it out to Bri to have some, and then she held it out to me. I shook my head and held my hands up "Nah, I'm good." She turned and offered it to Jordan, who gladly accepted it, taking several puffs before handing it to Markie and then laying back on the floor, accidentally pulling me with him. I heard Brianna start uncontrollably giggling, and soon everyone in the room was giggling.

"Bri, I feel funny." I said nervously. "You probably inhaled some of the smoke and got a contact high." Bri calmly explained. I felt my eyes grow wide with fear. I don't want to be high. I didn't even smoke that stuff. "So Jordan, we're going to the field this weekend to go camping, you should come. A bunch of people are going, and there is going to be a ton of booze." Markie sounded excited. I remained quiet waiting for Jordan's answer. "Yeah, I'm down bro." was all he said. "I'm going to go lay down, goodnight guys." I said, standing up and slowly making my way out of the room as everyone called their good nights behind me. Once I got to my bedroom, I didn't even bother changing into my pajamas, I just laid down in bed as the room spun, and closed my eyes, drifting off into a deep sleep.