Captivated Hearts

Chapter 9

Arya got home that night around eight. She didn't want to deal with anything her mom might say or try and put in her head so, she went straight to her room.

Her stomach had been growling since she got home but she couldn't bring herself to eat anything even though she was so hungry. Her eyes were blotchy and heavy from crying and the only thing she could think of as she walked through her bedroom door was going to sleep.

She hoped more than anything her dad would get there on time today but as always, something came up and he had to push it back to tomorrow morning. When he had told her the plan, she was more than upset that she couldn't get out of her mother's house any sooner but was more upset that she would be missing the last few days of her senior year. Her and Bella had made so many plans for the summer before they went to college and now, they couldn't do any of that. All the dreams she had were crushed.

Even though her moving wasn't the only reason her and Bella couldn't hang out and it was also because Bella had to just share everything Arya told her with the world, she was still going to miss her, even if she hated to admit it.

Everything was going to change, even if she tried her hardest to deny it, she knew that she was going to be alone. If she didn't want a boyfriend now, how would she explain to her child in the future where they came from or even who their dad was.

The thought made her sick to her stomach just as she fell into her bed. She kept getting up a few times here and there to run into the bathroom, where she lifted the toilet lid and pulled her hair back to avoid getting puke in it each time she relieved herself.

She fell to the floor relieved the most recent time, clutching her stomach, a tear rolling down from her eye and for just a moment she felt like she just wanted to disappear. Maybe it was a good thing she wouldn't be here the last few days of school or in this house where she knew she wasn't safe.

Arya had been so tired of fighting for a long time, but she never thought the reason she would stop fighting so hard would be because her mother was kicking her out now that she was knocked up.

She had always wanted to be better and be the mother her mom never was to her and now that she had that opportunity, she was so scared and felt more alone each time she thought of it.

There was a knock on the door, breaking Arya from her thoughts. Arya got up to unlock the door and her mom stepped in. Her mom's dark brown hair was in a sloppy bun, her green eyes were beaming at Arya as if they were plotting something but, her expression was blank, making her wrinkles much more visible to the surface. Her mother's arms were crossed over her plum-colored robe, and for a moment she just stared at Arya.

"Are your things all packed? Anything you aren't taking I'm getting rid of." Her mother said bluntly.

Arya's heart pounded in her chest; she knew what was coming. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she knew what this was and as much as she hated to remind herself of how mentally abusive her mother could be, she was more than aware of her intentions even if she hadn't said anything.

Then there was the other side of her mother. The one that got so angry she would beat Arya to a pulp if she spoke one wrong word.

Her mother hadn't ever put her hands on her until after her father left, almost as if all the anger she had for her father was something she could easily take out on her.

If she spoke one wrong word, she'd be beat to a pulp. So, growing up, she tried to stay as quiet as she could in hopes she could save herself from the troubles that would come with how often she said the wrong things.

"Yes." She spoke with confidence, hoping her mother wouldn't notice the discomfort in her tone.

"You know you won't have to go if you just get rid of the baby. We can pick up plan b tomorrow or schedule an appointment with a doctor. Maybe even put the thing up for adoption if you'd like." Her mother smiled slightly, almost as if her idea was so wonderful.

The thought of getting rid of the baby hadn't crossed Arya's mind once. She knew that this was her mistake, and she needed to hold accountability for this. She wasn't in a situation where she couldn't take care of the baby. Financially, she was doing well for a high-school senior.

In a few days she was going to be eighteen and she'd be more than capable of taking care of this baby even if it was hard. There was no need for her to give up on her baby that hadn't even been born yet.

"No. I'm keeping it. Getting pregnant was my mistake but, it shouldn't mean I'm supposed to just get rid of it." Arya said bluntly, trying to keep her cool.

Her mother's brows furrowed, and her nostrils began to flair.

"God you're so immature Arya. I don't know where I went wrong with you." Her mother shook her head.

Arya's eye twitched, and before she could stop herself, she flipped.

She was so tired of her mother thinking she could say whatever she wanted without their being a consequence. Especially because if Arya had suggested an abortion, she would have still called her immature and kicked her out on the streets.

"I'm going to be a much better mother than you are. All you care about is your asshole of a boyfriend. Why are you even up here talking to me?!"

Her voice began to raise, and tears began falling from her face out of anger.

"Don't you have to go back to drinking like you always do? Leave me here to take care of myself like I am five years old again. You're nobody to me!"

Her mother winced in pain, almost like she had been stabbed in the heart and had it ripped from her body. Arya got up from the floor and pushed passed her mother and into the bathroom where she slammed the door.

She didn't hear her mother move for a while but instead of going back into her room she stayed in the bathroom, closing the door behind her. When Arya heard faint cries coming from her room, she thought about running to comfort her mother but, she knew she had caused this pain and was somewhat happy with it.

Although Arya was upset about her mother's reaction, she knew she did the right thing letting out how she felt even if it was just a little bit. She hoped more than anything her mother would come in and tell her she changed her mind, tell her that she could change but she knew that wouldn't happen.

She wished that her mother would help her get the knife to make this sandwich but, she knew she wouldn't ever show.

No matter what she was going to be alone and more than anything she hoped something would change when she went to the Outer Banks.

Arya hoped she would meet a friend or friends because she couldn't do this alone and she knew that but, who would help her. There wasn't anyone her age who would be willing to help her. Her dad was going to be all she had and even then, she was sure not even he wanted to help, he was just forced to.

Bella would be off to college by the time the baby was born, and she would be left with nobody. Nobody would be there to hold her hand in the delivery room and tell her everything would be okay and that it would all be worth it. Nobody would be there on Mother's Day to tell her she's doing an amazing job as a parent like in the movies.

Unlike all the princess movies she had ever watched, she knew she wouldn't ever get her happy ending because of the mistake she had made.