THE BIG NEWS
951 Words
AVA
I staggered back in disbelief when my eyes caught the faint pink lines forming.
I sat in front of my vanity with the test tube in my hands. Tears ran down my cheek.
I cried until I became dizzy—the kind of tears that leave your throat dry. I cried until sleep took over me.
I don’t remember climbing the bed.
I don’t remember hiding the test.
What I do remember is the way my chest felt like it was going to split in two, and my breath shortened. It wasn’t pleasant. Not the types you see in movies where the girl wipes her face silently and still looks beautiful.
I looked ugly, my eyes were puffy, my makeup had smudged, and I pressed my face into my pillow praying it was all a dream.
I told myself I’d handle it tomorrow. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe I could do another test tomorrow, maybe if I wake up it might all be a dream. I was in between trying to sob silently to avoid my parents hearing, and then sleep dragged me.
I left the test tube on my vanity.
The sound of my door opening jolted me. The morning sun filtered through the curtains making me squint my eyes.
“Still asleep?” She scoffed. “No wonder dad thinks you’re a waste” Her sharp voice pierced through my skull.
I groaned, rolling over the blanket. “Get out.”
I heard her heels clicking, as she walked inside.
Who wears heels very early in the morning? Oh, sage does.
“What is this?” Sage asked, walking towards my vanity.
“Don’t touch that. Get out sage” I said, tone sharp.
“Oh my goodness!” She said, mockery lacing her tone.”You’re pregnant?”
“Please! Drop it.” My voice cracked.
“Does dad know? Does mom know?” She asked smiling menacingly. “Oh they’re going to love this surprise,” she said.
“I said drop it!” I yelled. I was out of my bed, and my bare feet were now against the cold floor.
“Who’s the father Ava? Or you can’t tell? Oh my God! How many were they?” She said giggling.
“You’re saying rubbish. It’s not mine.” My jaw clenched so hard.
“Then is it mine?” She asked, walking towards the door.
“You’re more than a disgrace.”
Before I could stop her, she was already out the door.
“Sage!” I screamed. But she was already gone. Her eager footsteps down the steps.
I stood in the center of my room waiting for the aftermath.
The shouting started in less than a minute.
“AVA!!” My father’s voice thundered throughout the house. “ GET DOWN HERE NOW!”
My legs wobbled as I walked down the stairs. I was a complete mess. I caught Sage’s stare from across the room, leaning against the wall near the kitchen.
My father stood at the center of the living room, the test box clutched very tight in his fist. He scrunched his face in disgust. The silence was loud, louder than the one at burials.
“What the hell is this Ava?” my dad asked, he's gaze boring into mine.
I stood there, staring at him holding back a sob. I didn’t trust my voice.
“I knew you weren’t useful, but this? I didn’t raise you to become a “ he became quiet as soon as he spotted my mom standing by the doorway.
“I’m sure she doesn’t know who the father is.” Sage chirped in, causing my father to throw the test tube in my direction.
My mother was quiet. Her silence hurt more than his outburst.
“Who is the father?” He asked, his face turning red from rage.
“I don’t know” I murmured.
The slap hit harder than anything.
“You disgrace me! You disgrace my name! My household.”
My mother was still quiet. Her gaze was fixed on her foot. I was madder at her than I was mad at Sage.
“ I will not have you have that bastard in my house and ruin my name. First, you refused to study law and instead chose fairy tale writing. Now you have decided to ruin your life by getting pregnant? And to make things worse you don't even know the father?”
“My life, my choice.” I managed.
He scoffed. “Okay then. You're done here.”
“What?” I wasn't surprised at his action, I had always known this would happen sooner or later.
He snapped his hand towards the security standing at the door. “Throw her out of here. I don't want to see her face ever again.”
“Dad” I breathed.
“Out,” he yelled.
Pack her things here and at the dorm.” my father shouted.
The two guards bundled me, avoiding my eyes.
“I don't want her in this city.” then he turned his eyes to me. “ if I see you in this city, or if any reporters catch a whiff of this, I would forget that you're my daughter,” he said, his tone flat.
Sage walked behind him, smirking at his back watching the guards drag me out.
I stared at my mother with pleading eyes, but she did nothing.
“Mom” I cried out.
She turned and walked away, all because she wanted to be a perfect wife.
I kicked and screamedmed, but all fell on deaf ears.
In the blink of an eye, my life was crumbling.
- Writer
