Keeping Secrets From Brother ✓

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Justin was in the kitchen eating something for breakfast. We had fifteen minutes to spare before going to school. I was sitting on the bed feeling a little nauseous. I wonder if I'm coming down with something. I always end up getting sick from school. Flu season is coming soon as well.

I looked on the floor and saw my pants from yesterday. I noticed the money sticking out of the pocket. I leaned over and grabbed the cash. I never did find out how much Joe gave me. He probably gave me all ones. I counted through the money and my jaw dropped slightly. Joe gave me two hundred dollars! I'm shocked he gave me that much. Although, it does bother me he gave this to me. I feel awful.

A feeling in the back of my throat arose like I was going to throw up. I covered my mouth with my arm trying to get rid of the feeling. After it subsided a thought popped into my head. I shook my head thinking it was impossible. I stuck the money in my pocket and went to the calendar that sat on the dresser. I flipped to the month of September and began counting the days.

I gritted my teeth after counting more than twenty-eight days. I'm late for my menstrual and that is not a good sign. It's been eighteen days since Joe took me in his van. I was due several days before then. It's possible I could be pregnant.

What if I am pregnant? I can't have a baby! I'm only fifteen. If Ernest knew he would kick me out of the house. What would Eli or Justin think of me? I'm afraid to think about it. Justin is already rejecting me; he would never talk to me again if he found out.

I can't jump to conclusions. I may not be pregnant at all. Maybe I'm just really late. I find that unlikely. The only way to find out is to take a pregnancy test. I wonder if I could tell Charity about this. She already knows what has happened. I feel like crying again, but I don't think I can. My eyes burn from crying yesterday. They're already red and puffy.

My name was called from the other room. I knew that was Justin telling me to hurry up because we have to go. I closed the calendar and grabbed my bag. I made sure to have Charity's MP3 player and Eli's sweatshirt that I took yesterday. I ran out of the room and outside to the car. I didn't look at Justin or say anything to him. If his wish is for me not to talk to him, then so be it, I won't say a word.

I tapped my fingers on the door handle the whole car ride. I was trying not to vomit and on top of that my stomach hurt from being uneasy about the pregnancy. My throat is burning from the anxiety. It's frightening not knowing what's in store for me. Even if I knew, I would probably still be scared.

After a few minutes passed I glanced at Justin. One of my fears was that Justin would hate me for telling him lies. It feels like it came true. I don't know why, but Eli is compassionate with me, Justin isn't. Lately Justin has been quick to anger. He doesn't stop to think why I do it, not like Eli. My brother doesn't want to hear an excuse, he wants the truth.

Justin pulled into the school parking lot. As soon as he came to a stop, he cut the engine and got out of the car quickly. When I got out I saw Charity walking toward me. She yelled hello to Justin but he ignored it and continued walking. She looked at me and rolled her eyes.

"The least he could do was say hi back." She said and pushed her long hair out of the way.

I walked into school with her. "He's mad at me, don't take it personally." I went into my bag and grabbed her MP3 player. I slapped it in her hand. "Can you please take this before I forget?" I said.

She smiled brightly. "It's good to have this back." She said. "I've you missed you so much." She whispered to it.

I covered my mouth with my hand as I walked to my locker. I waited for the sensation to subside and took in a deep breath.