Different Is Good

Chapter twelve

Lindsey awoke before Stevie in the morning, the sun hadn't even risen yet. He simply laid there, smoothing Stevie's hair and kissing her forehead. Lindsey knew that this would be his last moments alone with her.
"Good morning" he whispered, kissing her temple. Her eyelashes fluttered and she turned to cuddle into his side in her sleep. "You're so beautiful."
Lindsey kissed her honey hair, holding her against him. "You take care of Mommy," Lindsey spoke to her stomach, "Okay, Sara?"
He knew he wouldn't get an answer back but was certain things were going to be okay. He unlocked the door so her parents wouldn't be suspicious and carefully climbed out the window per Stevie's request.

A little while later, Stevie woke up, humming with satisfaction because of her gorgeous slumber. She touched the bed next to her and sat up, realizing Lindsey was gone.
Letting out a sigh she stretched, touching the place where he had slept, "I love you..."

Her mother knocked on her door almost as soon as those words left her mouth, "Tee, who are you talking to? Why is the door locked?"
"No one, and it's just stuck" Stevie said, getting up to open the door. It genuinely was stuck as she realized Lindsey must have unlocked it in his way out.

"It's time to get up, honey. We have to get you packed to leave."

"Alright. Let me change, then maybe we can get started after breakfast. I'm starving!"
"I'm taking you to your appointment today as well," Barbara told her, "I'll arrange breakfast."
"Thanks, mama." Stevie shut the door and went through her closet choosing an outfit.
Stevie didn't know if a dress or pants would be a better option for the appointment...she had never been to one before. "Fuck it," she grabbed a pair of pants off the hanger and a floral blouse
Putting them on, she realized there were getting snug. She frowned, there were her "fat" pants, when she was bloated from being on her period or on thanksgiving from her mother's heavenly pies. The blouse was alright for now but she knew that shopping trip her mother promised was definitely in order before she went off to school.
Stevie chose the other pair of stretchy pants, slipping then on and sighing in relief as they felt amazing. "Breakfast is ready!" Barbara called upstairs a
"Thank you!" Stevie called. "I bet you're hungry too, sweet baby" She stroked her belly. "Let's eat."

She went downstairs and sat down at the kitchen table. Chris and her father were already sat down and her mother was making up plates.
"I've got it, Mom," Stevie took her own plate and fixed her own plate. "Good morning," Stevie said softly, she was afraid to look at her brother and father
"Morning" her father said, not looking up from his newspaper.

"Yeah, morning" Chris said.
"How is school?" Stevie asked her brother, trying to make an effort
"You'd know if you were there." Chris said and hurt Stevie's feelings.
"Have you asked anyone to prom?" Stevie tried to ignore the ache in her heart
"No, everyone is talking about you and Norman Bates. I'll be lucky if I'll ever get anyone to go anywhere with me again."
"Chris...it can't be that bad?"
"Oh isn't it? You disappear and I'm your gopher, fetching your work from school to bring back to you. You've gone into hiding and don't let anyone but the freak know where you are. There are rumors. You're so selfish you don't even realize what everyone else has to deal with covering up for you, you only think of you and your life. What about me?" Chris shouted, standing up from the table. "You've made me as much of an outcast as your stupid boyfriend was."
Stevie sat at the table, utterly shocked, "Chris...I'm sorry... I didn't mean for any of this to happen!"
"Of course you didn't, because you never think. I covered for you so many times, Stevie, and I've gotten in trouble for you. I'm tired of everything being about you!"
"What can I do to make it better?" Stevie stood to approach him

"Just leave already!"
"I'm leaving after my appointment"

"Not soon enough!" Chris stormed off and Stevie watched him leave. Yes she and Chris had spats here and there but never like this.