Anti-Academy

Beneath the Surface

The next three days go nothing like I had first thought they would. I had expected Max and Marie to spend some time with me. That we'd veg out in front of the tv and binge a Netflix original series and junk food.

That's not what happened. Max apparently was on food patrol because he stuffed me full 3 times a day. He also brought several mandatory snacks to my room. He would literally watch me eat it to make sure I ate everything like some weirdo!

Mother had used the rebellious attitude card telling them I had been slacking  on my studies and gotten behind!

Why would I possibly want to stop studying?! Seriously? I'm confined to this house 24/7 literally. I'm even "homeschooled"...more like self-schooled. If I'm not studying then I have to suffer Mother's punishments.

I don't have any friends. I don't actually even know how to talk to anyone my age. Wouldn't have a clue what's current and couldn't care less what kids my age are into. I have more important things to care about like SURVIVING. I'm not even allowed out of the house and the times I've snuck out she's caught me. Believe me, SO NOT WORTH IT.

So YES! I'm studying it's up to me to learn everything I need to know to be successful if I ever get out of this house.

It's the most ridiculous thing she's EVER said and they believed her. I thought they actually knew me. I guess I was horribly wrong.

A soft knock sounds on the door before it's cracked open and Marie pokes her head through.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure." I lay my pencil down as I sit up in bed.

Marie walks over and sits on the edge of my bed. She looks around studying my room. There's no disgust or disdain on her face as she takes in the bare space I call mine.

It has a single bookshelf with an old radio resting on top. Across from the shelf is the tiny window that looks outside. You can see the woods at an angle but mostly it looks out at the houses that are in line with ours.

"I'm sorry this week isn't what you thought it would be." She looks at me as if waiting for me to deny it or make excuses.

I do none of that, instead I shrug it off. "Nothing's like I thought it would be. Why should I expect this to be different." I look out the window and wonder, not for the first time, if I ran away would anyone care enough to look for me.

I think it'd be a relief not to have to keep appearances any more; to not have to try so hard.

I look at Marie's grief stricken face. She's not sobbing but there are tears in her eyes.

"Marie?! What's wrong? Did I say something? I'm so sorry I didn't mean it that way!!! I never mean anything I say!!!" I'm panicking for sure but I have no idea why she came to my room or why she's so tearful. I must have done...said something. I always do something.

"Sang, I... I've made a huge mistake." She starts to sob and puts her hand over her mouth, closing her eyes. "I think..." she whispers, "I think I might be pregnant."

My panic subsides and I feel excitement for the first time in forever. A baby. I've never even seen a real baby before.

"Oh, Marie! Don't cry!! It'll be ok. We'll figure everything out. There's nothing that we can't do."

"Sang, I can't do this. It's a baby. I don't have anything to give a baby! Max is gonna freak out. He's gonna be so mad. Sang, what did I do!? How could I do this to him!?" Marie grabs my hands in hers like a vise grip. "He'll be so disappointed. I should've known better."

I wrap my arms around her shaking shoulders. "Marie. Before you panic so much don't you think you should try a testy thing? Those are pretty accurate right? Once you know for sure. We'll think of a game plan, ok?"

"I did one of those, Sang!!! How can you believe I didn't think of those!? It had the little pink plus sign. What am I gonna do?!" She starts pushing her hair back and adjusting her clothes nervously. "I'm a wreck. I can't be a mom!! I'm not even ready. I'm so young!? What about all the things I wanted to do?!"

"Marie!" I take her face in my hands, "Take a deep breath!"

"Yes, Ok! I'm doing that." She takes a few exaggerated breaths before she actually takes a real breath. I can tell when she actually comes back to herself. Some of the worry and fear fades.

"You can do this! If this is what you decide you want. You'd make a great Mom. Whatever happens I'll always be there." Marie smiles at me before jumping into me for a hug. She starts laughing and I start to fear hysteria has taken over again. But when she pulls away it's just happiness in her expression.

"You always know exactly what to say Sang. I love you so much... GAH!!!" She pulls out her phone and I see AJ programmed in for the number that's calling.

She rolls her eyes before answering using one hand to wipe under her eyes as she talks, each word clipped and short. "AJ. What do you want? I'm with my sister right now and your bugging me." I've never heard sound so stern before. I watch her closely. There's a slight blush to her cheeks and a smirk to her lips despite her tone.

There's a long pause before she says anything again. "It can't wait? I was serious about being with my sister..." pausing she looks at me apologetically, "FINE, yes I'll be there. I'll text Max to swing by and grab me before he heads that way. He has the car." Pause, "No! I don't want to ride with you! Hello?! AJ! Ugh that son of a donkeys uncle. Sang! He hung up on me."

"Sounds like he's perfect for you."

"Perfect for...What? Sang! He so arrogant and rude!! He thinks he knows everything. Always trying to boss me around!!! But then, he's so sweet." She sighs dramatically. I thought that only happened in the movies. "Sang, last month I had the flu. I was so sick I felt like I was going to die!!" I roll my eyes. Marie always was dramatic, I'm glad that hasn't changed. "But Max was out of town and I couldn't get ahold of him. Then AJ showed up and spent all weekend with me. He took care of me and well...yea you probably guessed AJ is the father. I mean I'll go to the doctor to make sure but if I am... he is it. I don't know what's going to happen."

There was a sadness in her voice that wasn't there before. This AJ better step up and not break my sister's heart or I'll break his face...well I'll get Max to break his face.

I grin, "Everything will work out Marie. I'm certain of it. But if you don't want to have to explain why a strange guy picked you up you better head outside now." 

"Oh my gosh! Sang. You're a life savior. I definitely don't want to face Mom!!!"

She rushes out and makes such a loud noise I run to see if she fell down the stairs. I look out my door to see her shoving a very handsome guy back from the front door and down the front steps yelling at him.

I can't help laughing. I really hope she never changes.