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Chapter 5 - Return to School

The sound of my alarm pierced through the quiet morning, pulling me from a restless sleep. My eyes fluttered open, heavy with exhaustion. School. I groaned, the weight of it settling on my chest as I stared at the ceiling. After the weekend, after the party, after the kiss with Justin—it all felt surreal, like a dream I was waking up from. But unlike dreams, the consequences didn't disappear in the daylight.

I forced myself out of bed, pulling on a hoodie and jeans, something loose and comfortable. I glanced in the mirror, running a hand over my slightly rounded belly. You couldn't really tell yet, but I knew. And soon, so would everyone else. The thought made my stomach churn.

As I headed downstairs, I could hear my mom moving around in the kitchen, the clinking of dishes and the soft hum of the radio. I considered sneaking out without breakfast, but just as I reached for the door, her voice stopped me.

"Mia, you need to eat something."

I froze, my hand hovering over the doorknob. "I'm not hungry."

She appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her brow creased in concern. "Skipping meals isn't going to help, honey."

I sighed, knowing she was right. I couldn't afford to be careless now, not with everything going on. So I sat at the table and forced down some toast, even though the knot in my stomach made it feel like swallowing rocks. She didn't push any more, and I was grateful for that. We hadn't really talked much since the day I told her about the baby. I think she was still processing it, like I was.

The walk to school felt longer than usual, each step bringing me closer to the inevitable questions, the whispers, the stares. Tara had texted me the night before, asking if I was okay after the party. I hadn't responded. I didn't know what to say.

When I got to school, it was like stepping into a different world, one where everyone else's lives hadn't been turned upside down. The halls buzzed with chatter, lockers slamming, and friends catching up. For a moment, I stood at the entrance, watching it all unfold as if I were on the outside looking in.

I spotted Tara by her locker, laughing with some of our friends. She waved when she saw me, and I mustered a smile, making my way over.

"Hey, Mia!" Tara greeted me with a grin. "How are you feeling? Recover from the party yet?"

"Yeah, I'm good," I lied, leaning against the locker beside her. "Just tired."

"That kiss with Justin though!" one of the girls chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement. "That was seriously hot. Everyone's talking about it."

My stomach twisted at the mention of Justin. I'd replayed that moment over and over in my mind, wondering if it had meant something more. But now, hearing them talk about it like it was just another party hookup, I felt a pang of confusion. Maybe it hadn't meant anything. Maybe it was just a game to him, like it was to everyone else.

Tara nudged me. "I think Justin likes you. You should text him."

I forced a laugh. "Yeah, maybe." But inside, I knew it wasn't that simple.

The bell rang, and we all headed to class. I could feel eyes on me as I walked through the halls, whispers trailing behind me. Maybe it was just paranoia, but I couldn't help but think that everyone knew. It wouldn't be long before the rumors started. High school was a breeding ground for gossip, and once the news spread, there'd be no going back.

In class, I tried to focus, but my mind wandered. Every conversation felt distant, like I was hearing it through a fog. The teacher droned on about something—I wasn't even sure what. I stared out the window, lost in thought, when a note landed on my desk. I unfolded it slowly, my heart racing.

"Are you okay? You seemed off at the party. - Justin"

I blinked, staring at his familiar handwriting. My chest tightened. He had noticed. But what was I supposed to say? That I wasn't okay? That my whole life was spiraling, and I didn't know how to stop it? I quickly folded the note and stuffed it in my backpack, pretending I hadn't seen it.

At lunch, I sat with Tara and the others, but I couldn't keep up with the conversation. Their talk of weekend plans and homework felt so trivial compared to what was happening in my life. My phone buzzed in my pocket—another text from Justin.

"Can we talk?"

I stared at the screen for a long moment before slipping the phone back into my pocket. I wasn't ready to face him, not yet. Not when everything felt so uncertain.

By the time the final bell rang, I felt drained. I shoved my books into my backpack and made my way to the exit, eager to escape. But just as I stepped outside, I heard Justin's voice behind me.

"Mia, wait up."

I froze, my pulse quickening as I turned to face him. He looked the same as always—confident, a little too sure of himself—but there was something different in his eyes, something softer.

"Hey," he said, walking up to me. "You've been avoiding me."

I shifted awkwardly, pulling the strap of my backpack higher on my shoulder. "I've just been busy."

"Right." He looked at me for a long moment, like he was trying to figure me out. "Look, about the party... I didn't mean to make things weird. I just... I don't know. I kind of like you, Mia."

His words hit me like a wave, and for a second, I didn't know how to respond. I had imagined him saying something like that, but hearing it out loud made everything more real.

"I..." I hesitated, feeling the weight of my secret pressing down on me. "Justin, there's a lot you don't know."

He frowned, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. I wasn't ready to tell him. Not yet. Maybe not ever. So instead, I shook my head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. I'll see you later, okay?"

He looked like he wanted to say more, but after a moment, he just nodded. "Yeah. Sure."

I walked away, my heart heavy with the weight of everything I couldn't say.

4o