The Neighbor

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Time Flies...

It's been four weeks since everyone's world was turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Two cases of assault, one case of molestation, and a case of murder all in one day. Bernice and Jubalee returned to school after missing an entire week. They returned to a school that mainly supports them, and a few just stare and whisper. Bernice tries to ignore being looked up and down daily but, it's hard when you feel hundreds of eyes on you where ever you move. She still has a weird limp because of an injured cervix and she hates it. People watch her closely like they're expecting her to crack at some point. As for JJ, her face is healing, but slowly.

She does her best to avoid pictures and she often hides behind Michael when she notices someone looking at her. Her parents were irate when they came home and they vowed that if they have business trips, that the girls will stay with Mother Katherine until they get back. They were going to stop working a traveling job all together but, Jubalee convinced them to stay because they both worked so hard to get their positions. As for Chris and Kameron, the girls won't be seeing them for awhile. They are both in Juvenile Detention! Tyrone's family reached out to Bernice and apologized for their sons wrong doing and they forgave Jermaine. They even offered to set up a child support plan just incase Bernice does turn up pregnant. Even though Bernice is filthy rich, Tyrone's family still thinks they should support her in some way...

"Okay Jubalee, it's all in the wrist. Play scale pattern one and try to make no mistakes. Remember, if you do mess up, never stop. Keep going. Okay?" Jubalee's band teacher instructed. It was scales test day in her band class. Jubalee was the last one to go and she was extremely nervous. "Come on babygirl...you can do this..." Michael smiled at her. "Okay..." Jubalee took a deep breath and began to play. Jasmine,Bernice, Michael and Jermaine nodded as they listened to Jubalee play her scales on the snare drum, switching to the keyboard. Her teacher nodded as he graded her on his IPad. Jubalee finished and Michael clapped. "Stop it Michael!" Jubalee giggled. "Jubalee...that was perfect!" He clapped. "Alright class, for the rest of the time, 20 minutes, you can do what you want. Good Job today." He smiled. "Good job Babygirl! You were so nervous! I tried not to laugh at you." Michael giggled as Jubalee sat beside her. "Shut up." Bernice leaned on Jermaine's shoulder and sighed. "Are you okay love?" Jermaine asked her. She shook her head and ran out of the room. Jermaine ran after her. "Oh no..." Michael sighed and rubbed his head. "There's no point of even making her take a pregnancy test y'all." Jasmine growled. The Band teach, who knew what was going on called the nurse to the girls bathroom.

Jermaine sat outside the door and listened in horror as he heard her weep and throw up. The school nurse, Ms. Robinson, came speed walking down the hall with her nurse bag. "Hello Jermaine...is Bernice in here?" She asked urgently. "Y-Yes ma'am...." Jermaine said. "Come on." The nurse held the door for Jermaine as he slowly walked into the girls bathroom, praying that no other girl was in there but Bernice. "Miss Burns?" The nurse called out. "I'm in here Ms. Rbbinson." She said breathlessly, unlocking the stall door. The nurse popped on her gloves and went into her bag. She pulled out a spare toothbrush. a mini bottle of mouth wash, and two ClearBlue pregnancy test and Jermaine cringed.

"Okay baby. Freshen up, and then I need you to take both of these test for me to make sure one test isn't botched, okay? Me and Jermaine are gonna step outside and when you get the results back from both test, holler for us." She said. Jermaine held the door for her and they both left out. "What's happening Brother?" Michael asked. He was standing outside of the door the entire time. "I don't even wanna say it." Jermaine said. "Where's Jubalee? Jasmine?" Jermaine asked. Jasmine stayed with Jubalee. She's like really stressing right now and I told her it'll be best if she stays in class." Michael whispered. "She still blaming herself?" Jermaine asked and Michael nodded. "Oh yeah...I've tried to tell her it isn't but...she ain't budging man. It's killing her slowly." Michael sighed. "Ms. Robinson?" "Yes Jermaine?" "What do I do if she does end up pregnant?" He asked, looking at his watch, trying not to cry. "You love her don't you?" The nurse asked. "Yes ma'am! With all my heart!!" He smiled. "Stay with her. Support her. Be her source of happiness these nine months. She gonna need it once she gets further along IF she's pregnant." She smiled. "Jermaine...Ms.Robinson?" Bernice called out. The two of them ran in and Michael sat on the floor outside the bathroom door.

Bernice, who was confused, sat both pregnancy test on a napkin on the counter. "What do you see?" Ms Robinson asked, almost afraid to look. "I see two lines on both test Ms. Robinson." She said. She saw the color leave Ms. Robinson's face as she looked at Jermaine. "I'm so sorry Bernice...You're pregnant..." Bernice fell to her knees and Jermaine was suddenly filled with rage! Michael heard all the noise and ran in. "What happened?!" Michael asked, pulling Jermaine to him. "BROTHER, CALM DOWN! What happened?" Michael said. Jermaine sniffed and jerked away from Michael. "LOOK AT THIS SHIT MICHAEL! TWO LINES! SHE'S PREGNANT! MY GIRLFRIEND IS PREGNANT!" Jermaine hit the counter and Bernice just sat on the floor, holding her stomach. Jermaine left the bathroom crying and Michael looked down at Bernice. "Damn..." Soon, Jubalee came in and she knew what happened. "B...I am so sorry..." She covered her face and she and Michael neeled infront of her. She was starring into space with a blank expression. Her emotions so scrambled until she couldn't even react. "Bernice?" Michael asked. "I'm going to be a mother. I have a baby growing inside of me from a man who forced me and died. My baby's father is dead. Jermaine killed him. I'm pregnant. I'm not ready to be a mother..." She was just mumbling random stuff at this point, clearly sliding into an attack.

"Baby, can you get Jermaine please...she needs her medicine like, now..." Jubalee said, shaking Bernice, trying to get her to snap back. She was in the first stages of an attack. If she didn't get her medicine, soon she would go into a rage. The Nurse just stood there with tears in her eyes. Everyone was upset. "I'm gonna call Dad o come get you okay? You need to lay down. I'll bring your Homework and class work." Jubalee grabbed her hand and Bernice slapped Jubalee's arm hard. "BERNICE?!" Jubalee hissed. "Get away from me! I HATE YOU! You have EVERYTHING AND I HAVE NOTHING! IT'S NOT FAIR!! ALL I HAVE IS JERMAINE AND NOW THIS BABY! MONEY CAN'T BY HAPPINESS! MY LIFE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT DISAPPOINTMENT AND DEPRESSION! I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH YOU!" Jubalee teared up.

Even though she knew Bernice had no idea what she was saying, those words still hurt. Jermaine opened the door and Bernice ran to him. "Can I take her home Ms. Robinson?" Jermaine sighed. "Yeah, I'll cover for you...I'm so sorry y'all. God." She said, slowly shaking her head. "Jubalee? Babygirl...you look flushed! What happened?" Michael asked, helping her off the floor. "She told me she hates me. She said she would rather die than live with me." Michael shook his head. "You don't believe that, do you? That isn't her talking babygirl. Remember, mental issues make you say stuff you don't mean baby. Ugh...it's so much going on! Just come on...we need to go. The final bell's about to ring." Michael held her hand as they walked hand and hand out of the bathroom. "I can't believe my best friend hates me Michael." Jubalee sighed. "Baby, Bernice is sick...she can't control what she says. Don't take that comment to heart." Michael whispered to her. "You're right Michael." She sighed.

*Bernice's POV*

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I don't want this child. I didn't plan for this child. I'm not ready for this child. What am I going to do? I have to juggle pregnancy, school work, and trying to cope with losing my father all at once?! Abortion is out of the question and so is giving my baby up for adoption. My only option is to go through with this pregnancy! I can't do it y'all. I can't. I'm gonna be the death of Jermaine with all this bullshit! I am. Jubalee too...I just want to get better! Not for me, but for Jubalee...and Jermaine.