Not Like Before

Chapter 21

Trigger warning
Warning: Mature topics such as:
Sex (a little more detailed than something I'd normally write but nothing crazy)

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Laura's POV

So apparently, the reason I'm back in Georgia is because I got myself knocked up in Ohio and got an abortion, then moved back here so no one would know.

Pretty crazy and I've never had sex but I guess Haleigh knows everything right?

Who even slut shames anymore? Aren't we all about female empowerment? I gotta say, between the bitches at my old school and Haleigh I'm not feeling very empowered.

And it's affecting my relationship; I am 17 years old and I'd love to...you know but I feel like I can't even make out too hard because I'm scared I'll be shamed for it.

"Laura could you come up and do number seven?" Mrs. Rolka asks. Shit. I forgot I was in chemistry class.

I do the problem with ease and go back to my seat. Zay looks bored out of his mind and Chandler is asleep. The girl who sits beside me is chewing her gum loudly and playing on her phone under the desk. When I sit down she looks up.

"You're with Bradley right?" She asks, gesturing towards where he's sitting on the other side of the room.

"Yeah, why?" I ask.

She sighs and sets down her phone.

"I just wanted to let you know, I went out with him over the summer. He's probably really sweet and talks about your future together doesn't he? And buys you your favorite candy from the gas station every time he goes "because it made him think of you" right?"

"Yeah, so?" What's this girl on about? I hate when people do this. The classic "my relationship with him didn't work out so I bet yours won't either" conversation with any ex girlfriend ever.

"He was really sweet with me like that too. I really thought he was the one. But then I told him I wasn't ready to have sex and he dumped me the same day. Over text." The girl, who I'm now remembering is named Clara, said seriously.

I don't believe that.

"Did Haleigh tell you to say that?" I ask.

"Who's Haleigh?" She asks, and I can tell by her expression that she isn't messing with me.

"I'm not trying to get in your business, I just wanted to warn you before he does the same thing to you. There were girls who told me not to date him and I didn't believe them, I really wish I had." Clara sighs.

Oh shit, is my boyfriend a douchebag?

"Thank you for telling me, I'll talk to him." I mumble.

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Chandler's POV

"You remember when you told me I was a good kid?" I ask Mr. Addams. I'm laying on this couch he has in his office (he's really on his way to becoming a real therapist) and tossing a stress ball up in the air.

"I've told you that lots of times over the past four years, I'll need you to be more specific." He says, not looking up from his computer.