Call Me Six

52: 'Six' -Tris

TRIS-

"I'm pregnant - and it's one of yours."

Maybe if I keep my eyes closed it will all go away. Maybe if I count backwards, I'll turn back time. Maybe if I pray, whatever force that placed me here will change their mind, and let me return back to the safety of oblivion.

"One of ours?"

"You don't fucking know who?"

I shook my head, my eyes still shut tight trying to block the tears.

"Fuck!" someone shouted and a crash of symbols followed. We're in the music room at school - a perfect place to break the news, I know.

"It's not mine."

"It's not mine either. No way."

"Well it's not bloody mine!"

A chorus of voices were shouting.  Six voices. Six boys. Six mistakes.

"It's! Not! Mine!"

"Shut the fuck up you dickheads!" Tobias' voice bellowed from behind me. His hands rested on my shoulders in a comforting fashion.

The room silenced. Only a slight shuffling could be heard as I assumed they sat down again.

"Tris," Tobias murmured, "You okay?"

I sighed, voicing a subtle "yes" and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, opening my eyes.

He was knelt before me, his large hands encompassing my own as that heartwarming ghost of a smile told me I was safe. "Okay," he nodded and sat next to me once again on the piano stool, his arms snaking around my shoulders.

Their faces. All of them went from lively to shattered in a matter of minutes.

Michael, Eric, Austin, Calum, Tate and Uriah. 

All of them looked as if the ground had just fell out from beneath them.

"Your girl is a fucking slut, mate," Tate scoffed and kicked over a music stand from where he sat slouched in the blue plastic chair.

"Shut it, asshole." I heard Tobias mutter beside me but not once did his grip loosen. He was still holding me - a comfort I in no way deserved.

"So what... Are we gonna have to wait nine weeks to find out who's it is?" Uriah asked, his head resting on his hands.

"It's nine months, stupid," Michael sneered. He stood by the door, his arms crossed right across his chest, his head resting back against the wooden frame as he stares at the ceiling.

"That's one option," I said. I was picking at the skin on my thumb, digging at it and carving out layers in a nervous habit.

"You're aborting it?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Deep breaths, I told myself. All you need to do is get through this and you won't have to talk to any of them again.

"It's clear none of you are ready to have a child. I'm not even ready, but I have to be," I started and for the first time since the news, all six of them looked at me. "If you want to - but all of you must agree - can walk out of this room and forget everything ever happened.

"We're graduating, this year. Everyone is going different places.

"You can all walk out this room and forget everything. No one finds out. No one has to do anything.

"Go. Live your lives. Be stupid teenagers and do stupid-teenager-things. Go have a normal life. Please.

"Accidents happen. Sometimes they change your life. I want- I need you to go and live.

"Michael; you're a bastard but a wonderful musician. Go make music and do what you love.

"Eric you got a sports scholarship! You could play professional if you truly wanted to...

"Austin, Calum... I'm sure you dorks will do great things.

"And shoot me if I'm wrong but Tate, you are a fucking asshole, there's no doubt about it. But people listen when you talk. You have that... I can't even describe it. But one day, you'll do it... You'll be someone.

"Uriah," I sighed. "You're such an innocent dork and- God! What happened with you and Marleen?! You two just... You were perfect. And I'm so sorry, Uriah.

"Please, all of you. Just consider the offer. You don't have to live with this. Nothing has to change. Go be young and free." I relaxed, my shoulders dropping and letting out a sigh.  All I can do is wait for them.

I know, they're getting the 'easy way out' - Michael especially since he'd already been given the 'fuck off and live' conversation last year - but truth be told, I want them to have that. I don't want them to be burdened with fathering a child when they can barely take care of themselves. And they say children are a gift, and they are, but sometimes, time just isn't right; so you must put on a harsh mask and make tough decisions.

This wasn't the plan. This isn't the lesson I wanted to teach. Quite frankly it's almost the polar opposite.

"Okay," Eric said. "You're crazy and I don't quite get it but you're selfless, Tris. I'm in on this wacky plan. Guys?"

"What he said."

"Ditto."

"I'm in."

"Same."

Everyone but Uriah ha agreed, all eyes were on him. "Could it really be any of ours?" I nodded and he sighed. "Okay, I'm in. Thank you... Tris."

One by one they rose, uttering soft thanks and leaving.

It was just me with Tobias by my side. I leant forwards and smashed my forehead into the piano keys, letting out a large clang of various notes.