Chapter 6: Shai

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by sheocake

by sheocake

"Shai. I need to talk to you."
"Shai, please call me back"
"Shai. Text me as soon as you get home. Please"

My phone buzzes for five minutes straight as Theo repeatedly messages and calls me.
"7 UNREAD MESSAGES." , my phone says. I watch as my notifications blow up, but I don't move.
" 9 MISSED CALLS."
"4 NEW VOICEMAILS."

Something isn't right. Theo is using correct spelling and grammar. He never does that when he texts. A bead of sweat trickles down the right side of my forehead. I dread the messages are about what I think they're about.

I feel guilty when my phone finally stops chiming. I know exactly what he wants to talk to me about. What am I supposed to do? I feel bad ignoring him, but what was I going to say if I picked up? He's probably pissed right now. I'll have to deal with this later. I return to washing the dishes at my parents, trying to take my mind off Theo. Just stay calm, I tell myself. You'll get through this. But you'll need help. You have to come clean.

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I reach our home and stop slowly before reaching for the door. What will he think of me? What did I do? I cover my face with my hands and stay still for a while. I remove my hands and open the door.

"Theo?" I call. Nothing. "Theo,". After the second time, I see him run out of the hallway and face me. His face is nothing I have ever seen before. His eyes are red and swollen, as if he had been crying. His forehead is unusually straight; without any wrinkles. His mouth is in a straight line. Nothing is moving. I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to do or say. Finally, he's the one to say something.

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what? What are you talking about?" I lie.

"Don't lie to me Shailene. Do not lie to me. Not now." His voice is getting louder.

"Theo, I-"

"WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME?" Theo screams.

"Theo... don't do th-"

"STOP! WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME YOU BOUGHT A TEST? THAT YOU TOOK IT? THAT YOU WERE PREGNANT? WHEN?"

His face convulses and I see tears creeping out of his eyes. His mouth has turned to a frown, and I stay frozen. I do not move or say anything. He curls his fingers into fists and shakes them in front of his sad face. He is turning red, and I am pale. He lets out a great groan of frustration and he rushes past me, out the door. I don't process any of this right away. A couple seconds later, I start crying. My back sliding down the now closed door. I cry and cry until what seems like hours pass by.

What have I done?