The Empty Desk

Chapter 2

I stared at the beautiful, young girl staring back at me. She wasn't smiling. But, I wasn't either.

Certainly, as many young pregnant girls do, I'm not planning on aborting the baby. I will also certainly miss my fit body. I cared for it, I did 2 hours of cardio everyday, maintaining my body figure very healthy. I also thought about all the stares I'd be receiving. This was a mistake, and people had to realize that. Either way, I will stand strong and proud, with my head high. Slowly, I lifted the hem of my shirt, exposing my abdomen. Gently, I stroked my belly. Tilting my head a little to the side, trying to see every possible angle, I'll miss this.

Today I wore a grey, striped hoodie with light, nude pink shorts. On my feet, the white sneakers I've wore for about 2 years now.

I walked past my door, pacing through the corridors which walls were filled with numerous pictures of me and my family. I looked at every single one of them. I reached the entrance of the kitchen. I managed to fake a smile to my younger sister who was already seated at the wooden table. I went behind her and ruffled her chocolate brown hair. She tensed up a bit and smiled wide at me, cheeks full of what appeared to be Honey Bunches of Oats. I took a seat besides her and poured milk into my cereal.

My fake smile only lasted so much. I was a truly happy girl, but I couldn't find any happiness to my situation. True I was having a baby, I was giving birth to life! But... There's a moment for everything. At my current age, being pregnant, isn't the wisest thing.

"Good morning!" My over-enthusiastic father announced as he entered the kitchen.

"Good morning." My sister, Mona, and I said in unison. It was sad to think that my dad's happiness was going to turn into disappointment once I tell him. I glanced down at my stomach, for some reason I kept doing that. When this comes to light, everyone's faces are going to change.

Dad came around and kissed Mona on the forehead. He walked a little more and gabbed my head with both hands, implanting a long kiss on my scalp. I smiled to myself in response.

"Well, I'm off to work." He said walking towards the door. "Behave at school." He remarked as he shot us a concerning smile.

The door closed and the house was calm once more. That short period of time was more than enough for me to finish my cereal. I stood up and grabbed my black bag.

"Hurry up." I called on my sister as I stepped out of the house into the driveway. I got into the driver's seat of my 2010, blue Honda Civic. I had gotten it as a gift for my 16th birthday. I started the engine, turned on the A/C, turned up the radio. I laid back a little bit, enjoying the cold breeze as I waited for Mona.

Shortly after, the card door opened. The car's temperature increased by the smallest percent.

"Did you brush your teeth?" I asked.

"...Yes" She muttered.

"Right." I replied focusing my attention to the road through the review mirror.

I wished that car ride would've lasted longer. Because what felt like 2 seconds after, I was seated on a school desk. I was anxious. I didn't know if I wanted to look at him in the eye! None of that matter when he walked in.

"Good morning." He announced, seeming so calm and confident. He set his bags, took out his books and began writing on the board with a green, EXPO white board marker. I stared at his back from my seat, unintentionally recalling how his nude back muscles glittered from the sweat.

"Open your books on page 287 ..." He commanded once he finished writing the lesson's objectives. "Go ahead and read lesson 2; silent reading." He added, sitting down on the teacher's desk and opening his computer.

Many people rumor that when he stares that much into his computer, he is watching nude pictures or adult content. A while back, some said a guy named Mitch, took a look into his browser history and saw some weird stuff. But, I have never heard of a Mitch and that's just a rumor. Either way, once I asked him and he told me that when he stares that way at his computer, He's probably going over the lessons' contents or reading some other physics book.

I looked around, everyone's heads were fixed into the black, printed words of the book. I crossed my arms over the desk, covering the yet to be open book. I raised my sight to look at Joshua, who was staring at his computer once more. Just as soon as I landed my gaze on him, he noticed it and directed his eyes to where mine were. His expression didn't flinch, even when my face was totally down. He would always know when something was wrong with me and ask me if I was doing okay. He barely tilted his head a little.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I rolled my eyes at nothing and opened my book. Maybe reading would help distracting me from my thoughts.

That barely helped only that when I finished reading, the thoughts came back; I'm a fast reader. It took me about 20 minutes! I could noticed how people were still half-way through the lesson. I sighed to myself, grabbing my head with my hands as my elbows were set on the desk.

Physics was interesting, but my pregnancy topped everything. I'm pretty sure it has happened before. That a teacher impregnated his student, I mean. But, it wasn't cool either way. This wasn't just my fault, I wasn't suffer the consequences alone. He was also dragged into this. That was the only thing I selflessly wanted, for him not to have anything to do with this. I wonder what's it going to be like 5 months from now. March is barely starting. If everything goes fine, it'll be due November. But, how are people going to look at me then? Well, I'm pretty sure those are the consequences of my actions.

The bell rang and I purposely spend a little more time packing my things. As everybody headed out the door, I approached Joshua's desk.

I stood there, staring down at him sternly. Slowly, that face turned into concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked focusing all his attention on me. Finding no use on lying,

"No..." I replied half spinning my head. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

He sighed and then looked back at me.

"I stayed up thinking last night. I have a few questions." He mentioned. I nodded embracing for the questions.

"You are not going to abort it, right?" He inquired.

"Absolutely not"

"Have you consider putting him— or her, up for adoption?" He asked.

"Actually, I have not. But, adoption is such a big compromise. I don't want him or her to feel abandoned. What if she or he never gets adopted?" I said, suddenly noticing my negativity.

"If you don't want to, it's okay." He remarked. I waited for him to say something. I was literally putting all my weight on him. I depended on him, on what he was about to say, on the decision he was about to make. But, he said nothing.

"So what? What are we going to do?"

"We will have to say the truth."