Trapped

19

May

Erik arrives at school in a white shirt and jeans with a sweatshirt wrapped around his waist. Mark has been taking me to school since it's on the way to his work, and I didn't want Erik to waste gas when I am closer to the school anyway. I stand by my locker, our meeting spot.

"Someone is looking handsome today!"

He hugs me. "Why, thank you, beautiful."

"I can't believe today is the day seniors take their last walk in this school."

"I can't believe you are pregnant and in high school."

"Shhh. I don't want people knowing."

He looks down at my stomach and laughs.

I slap his shoulder. "Stop on what you are thinking right now."

"Sorry, sorry."

"You are so mean sometimes!" I say, laughing.

"Oh, you love me!"

We stop our silly business.

"Oh... I have been meaning to talk to you about this baby..."

"Wanna skip?"

"Okay, you know that's beyond stupid. We skipped enough times this year."

"And...?"

"Since Mark is kinda my guardian now, he will be informed."

"Okay, and my dad will be informed and both of my parents will be pissed."

I try and consider it.

"Come onnnn." He begs.

"Well, you gave me no other choice too."

He gets hyped with excitement and grabs my hand, and we rush out.

We ran to his car and drove out so fast out of the parking lot and reached the beach. I took my shoes off once my toes reached the smooth, grainy, not-so-warm sand. We located a place to sit and watched the water.

"So... I think I want to keep this baby."

He smiles. "Really? I am gonna be an uncle!"

I giggle, leaning my head on his shoulder. "You are really liking this baby thing."

"Well yeah! Wait- is that bad?"

"Hmm... No. It's crazy and hard to think I am going to be a mom." I get the shivers. "Holy shit- I am going to be a mom."

We both laugh, and I end up crying.

"What if I am a terrible mom. What if I don't give my baby the stuff it requires. What if-"

"Ellie Ellie. You are going to be a marvelous mom. You are already a great daughter, friend, student, citizen, and what's one more to be great at?"

I smile, nudging him. "Always got to lighten up everything."

He opens his arms. "What can I say- That's my job."