Not Everything Is What It Seems (Book I)

That's when things change

As soon as the words slipped through my mouth I regretted them all.

“What?!” Everyone shouted in unison.

I so didn’t want to say that Emma was pregnant, but I couldn’t help myself and now it was too late to go back in time. I ignored Matt’s fall on the pool and diverted my eyes to Em, who was at the table with the other girls. Her puzzled stare was fixed on me and my heart tightened inside my chest. “I-I’m sorry..” I whispered, but I’m almost sure that Emma didn’t hear me. She stood up abruptly from her chair and ran towards the inside of the house, before I could make any move. The guys went to help Matt, since he was too shocked to even get out of the pool by his own will, and I just stayed there, not knowing exactly what to do.

“You shouldn’t have said anything..” Brian said as he approached me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I know.. but.. it just came out.”

He shook his head disappointedly and headed to the pool, where Zacky and Johnny already were. “Dude, are you okay?” I heard Zacky ask in a concerned voice.

“Don’t know, man.. I don’t know..” Matt answered, making me look at him. He was soaked wet and his face was blank. I felt horrible. I needed to do something about the mess I had caused. Turning around to the backyard door, I decided to talk to Emma. Once I stepped inside the house, I searched for her in the kitchen, in the living room, in the bathroom, until I saw a closed door. I took a deep breath and knocked on it. No one answered.

“Emma?” I called.

“I don’t wanna talk to you!” She shouted through sniffs.

“Please.. I’m sorry.”

“No! You ruined everything!”

“I have to talk to her.” Matt’s voice echoed on the hall, followed by some footsteps. I looked over my shoulder and he was coming still wet, with Brian closed behind.

“Just calm down.”

“Where is she?” He asked me hurriedly as they reached my side.

“In the room..” I replied, with shame pouring out of my words. I didn’t even dare to look him in the eye. He pushed the door open and made himself in. I tried to get in the room too, but Brian pulled my arm.

“What are you doing?” He asked, confused. “You’ve done enough, don’t you think?”

“Let me go!” I released my arm from his grip and when I turned to the door, it was already closed. “Damn..” I sighed.

“Let them alone. It’s nothing to do with you.”

“Of course it has!” I snapped. “I fucking screwed things up!”

“But there’s nothing you can do now.”

I growled frustrated because I knew that Brian was right. “I hate myself.” I buried my face in my hands, shaking it.

“Yeah, you kinda have reasons for that.”

I looked up at him in disbelief. “Really? Oh thank you very much.. That’s exactly what I needed right now.” I said sarcastically, before storming out to the living room.

“Annie..”

I came to a stop and faced Brian again. “Annie what?” My voice sounded shakier than I wanted, but it was not easy to speak while fighting back tears. “I’m feeling bad enough, okay? I don’t need you to put your finger in the wound even more.”

“But it’s true. You shouldn’t have said anything to Matt.”

“I know!” I shouted again, as tears finally escaped from me eyes. “Stop saying that!” I moved to the couch and sat there, feeling completely defeated, crushed and hurt. My sobs intensified, I didn’t know if it was due to the anger I felt or due to Brian’s attitude towards me. I needed his support now, even if what I did was wrong. After a moment of silence, he took a seat next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me onto his side.