Storm Clouds

Chapter Four

"Its a baby boy, Mallory", the doctor had told me yesterday after school. I was quite happy knowing that there would finally be a boy in the family. Our family is really based on a long line of girls. I had only gained a little more than five pounds since the pregnancy, but my shape had grown more round and curvy. Connie is very excited about her upcoming nephew. She had even decided to help me think of names.

"Anything but Kellin Jr." I had told her. As I began to walked to the cafeteria, feeling like I could eat everything, especially the pickles I was ever so craving, I saw the two I would do anything not to see.

"Mmmm. I'm so happy you're here now, babe. How's little Kyle?", Kellin asked Chrystal, in between passionately making out against the lockers, with Chrystal enjoying every minute of it. I had attempted to wobble off as fast as I could, but Kellin must have seen me because soon he was waving me over.

"Oh hey, Mal. Don't you look stunning today. Have you met Chrystal?" He said while reaching up to rub my stomach and attempting to kiss my neck. I pushed him off with all my might, but turned around to see a furious, Chrystal.

"Umm... and who exactly is this?", she stammered. Her hair fell right into place. She was gorgeous, and I could see why any guy would want her, but at the same time, nothing good comes from cheating on people. It's downright wrong. I couldn't get myself to answer Chrystal's questions, but I'm sure she already knew what was happening. "Kellin, why are you doing her like this?! Come back and make out with me!"

What a snob, I thought as I stood back and watched all this happen, while others walked by. They had all been accustomed to seeing both affection and drama every day. "How's the pregnancy?", Kellin asked me. "I hope it's another boy. Is it?"

Chrystal clearly wasn't accepting Kellin's mess. "Who is she, Kellin? I hope there isn't more to this!"

I looked at her. She needs to know sooner or later, I thought. I nodded my head at Kellin, letting him know the final answer about his second child's gender, making his mouth turn up to a smile. I looked at Chrystal who was ready to explode.

"He cheated,"I said simply with a shrug. "While he was dating me, he cheated on me and got you pregnant, then did the same to me. That's what this is all about." I eyed Kellin whose smile had faded and he knew there was no denying what I had said. I glanced over at the angry blonde in front of me. Her face had gone red and looked liked she'd been through a storm. She slowly walked to Kellin. I watched as she stared him in the eye before slapping him hard across the face. He clutched his cheek and looked between us both with no emotion. He sighed.

"Look," he started. "How about we work this out? I'm sure this'll work-" he stopped, noticing that Chrystal stomped off. He looked at me with pleading eyes, before watching me follow after her.

"Listen here," she hissed as I caught up to her. "Don't you go thinkin' we're best friends now just because we're both in the same situation. We are not buddies or whatever you feel could be between us."

I stopped in my tracks. I felt my hormones raging on as her sentence rumbled through my head. Fine then, I thought as I grew angrier. Two of us can play it that game, bitch. It clearly wasn't my fault that this happened, and though I felt as though it was, she should get her mind on the right track and realize the real criminal in the picture.

"Please explain to me why you'd believe that I'd want to be friends, or even remotely close to a relationship of that sort with you." I placed a hand on my hip and glared at the back of her head. Chrystal stopped and turned around slowly towards me.

"Okay listen here, slut," she said. I raised an eyebrow at the term. "As I said, just because we're in the same boat doesn't mean we're friends here, okay?" I then noticed how my appetite was long gone and I no longer craved the salty-sour goodness of pickles. "I don't need you talking to me, nor do I need such an attitude from a hand-me-down like you." My mouth hung agape. She turned around and sashayed her way down the halls. And I'm the slut?! Ha! I rolled my eyes and continued my walk. I really need to fill Julia on this, I thought as I strolled back to the cafeteria, running my hand across the wall. Julia, who I had known since freshman year, was the closest person to me besides Connie. I could always talk to her about my problems and she would always listen. She had my back and stayed with me through thick and thin. As I reached the cafeteria I searched with my eyes and found Julia. The only problem was that I had to walk past Kellin. I maintained a calm expression as I walked past Kellin breezily and made it to Julia's table.

"Hi," I said as I struggled into the tight benches of the cafeteria tables. I forced a smile as I got comfortable. "How's school going for you so far?"I wanted to open my mouth and pour my heart out to her about what just happened, but I knew it would just cause depression.

"It's been going fine. We had a quiz in English, though." She slouched and let out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm sure you passed either way," I said attempting to comfort her. She smiled at me before growing worried.

"Are you okay," she asked. "You look a little off, if you get what I mean." I sighed. I opened my mouth to explain but instead burst into tears. I leaned my head on her shoulder as she silently pat my back.

"You don't have to tell me whatever's on your mind now," she said calmly. "You'll come around eventually." I continued to sob on her shoulder. "Things will only get better," she said soothingly - and believed her, but right now I felt like nothing good could ever happen to me again. I moved my head from her shoulder and to the table, as I could feel the hormones settling in. I sniffled, realizing I needed to seek help; help from someone who has seen everything. Mrs. Lancaster, I thought. Would she help me? Has she dealt with this situation before? Could she help me? I felt desperate. I felt tired. I felt alone. Even with Julia and Connie around, I was sure that this was one of the most solitary points in my life. I looked around the cafeteria and it felt empty like no one was there. I always wondered if the world had hated me. I had done my best to make sure that I treated people well and this was the thanks I received. I have to sit through the pain and suffering that I had done my best to avoid. I loved the unborn baby I carried around inside of me, and I would anything and everything to make sure he could get the best of the best, but I never knew it would hurt so much. The bell rang and I sighed as I cleaned my tear streaked face.

"Bye, Julia," I said as I headed off to class.