Because I Love You

chapter ten.

Maria fell next to her ceramic sink while she cried hysterically. She couldn't believe that she- one of the prettiest and popular girls at school- was holding a positive pregnancy test. Her whole entire world was closing in and she couldn't do anything but rub her stomach and gasp for air.

She never felt so stupid before, actually telling Jake that he didn't need a condom. She did not want to admit it but he was the only one that has had sex with her that did not use one, he had to be the father. "No, it can't be," she said in denial. "I can't have Jake Montgomery father my child. I bet he's never had sex in his life and I can not have my child be raised by a man who created an accidental life after his first time. He's a nobody! I can't have somebody that no one knows about at school be the father of my baby," she exclaimed behind the tears. Maria felt that nothing could get any worse for her... until she realized that at one point she had to tell her friends, family, and even Jake what was going on. The trouble girl let out a loud sigh as she heard a knock on the door.

"Sweetie, is everything okay in there? Are you alright," said a sweet voice.
"I'm fine, mom," Maria said as she frantically threw everything in the small garbage next to her sink awaiting the moment when her mother barges in with authority. Fortunately for the not so fortunate girl, her mother replied with a worried "OK" and walked back to the family room. After Maria cleaned the area, and stared in the mirror. She saw a vulnerable girl who looked nothing like her. The girl who was foreign to Maria had tears streaming down her face, swollen and red eyes, and a expression revealing stupidity.

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The phone beeped once, then again as she waited for her best friend to answer. Maria felt as if she were about to throw up and it was not just because she was pregnant. What would she say? Would she tell her mom? What if the whole school found out by tomorrow? Before she could think of any other conclusions, the fourth beep was interrupted by the sound of Lexi's rather loud voice.

"Hello," Lexi said full of energy. Maria could practically hear her smile through the phone while she did the complete opposite. "Maria? You alive?"

"Oh," Maria said, realizing that she had not said anything yet. "I'm alive. Listen, are you home?" She prayed that Lexi would say yes because she did not know how much longer she could keep this all to herself, she would practically explode.

"Yeah, I'm home," she answered. "Why, what's wrong? Your issue of Teen Vogue didn't come for this month?" Maria rolled her eyes at that. This was such a bigger deal than missing a magazine issue but as much as she would hate to admit it, Maria did think that was the worst thing that could ever happen at some point.

"No Lex, don't be a bitch. You have to come over right now. I need to talk to you about something," Maria said in such a serious tone that Lexi could barely recognize her voice. Maria was close to tears.

"I'll be right there," Lexi agreed.

Just as she said, Lexi made it to Maria's house as quick as if Maria said she bought a new pair of wedges.

"Okay I'm here. What do you need to talk about? You sound really serious on the phone, Mar. Don't get me worried over nothing," Lexi commanded.

"Trust me. This is definitely not "nothing". Uhm..." Maria said anxiously as Lexi stared at her. "I really can't tell you. I think it'd be better if I showed you." With that, Maria grabbed Lexi's wrist, pulled her into the bathroom, and locked the door. She sat on the ground as Lexi followed her and rummaged through her trash can for the pregnancy test.

"I think I might faint," Lexi said in shock. "Who did this to you?!"

"Um... J-Jake Montgomery. But don't get mad at him, please! This is partially my fault because I told him that we could hook up and then he didn't bring protection and I told him he didn't need to use it and now I'm here. I should have just went on a real date with him like he asked," Maria explained with tears streaming down her face, once again.

"Oh sweetie," Lexi said as she consoled and comforted her friend, "don't worry. You can get through this."

"I don't think I can, Lex."