Baby Steps (PREVIEW)

Chapter 5

"Yes," I smiled. "It's lasagne night! That is my light at the end of this dark tunnel." Micah laughed at me, poking me in the stomach softly.

"That little thing is gonna have quite a meal tonight." We made our way down into the kitchen. I sat next to Iris.

When Micah and I left the clinic early she was confused. She was angry with me for not doing it, then angry at Micah because she thought he'd only showed up to convince me not to.

But the truth is, I had made up my mind before I even saw Micah. I want that little girl. I want her in that place with me. I want to hear her call me mommy. I want her. Regardless of what anyone thinks or says.

She gave me a small smile, so I guessed she wasn't upset anymore. I was glad.

"Alright you guys!" Mom says, sitting the glass pan of lasagne on the table. "Dig in." She lifted the cover, and I almost had a heart attack.

The smoke from the lasagne hit my face hard, almost like a slap, and when the smell filled my nose I almost gagged. "EW!" I yelled, hopping up from my seat swiftly.

"What?" My Mom asked, clueless.

"Is there a bug or something?" Dad asked. Micah and Iris gave me worried looks, and I held my nose shut.

"That smells so bad, Mom!" I cried.

"What? You love that smell. What happened?" She asks.

"I actually just threw up in my mouth a little," I said. "I am not eating this."

"Aria!" She shouted as I backed away.

"I have homework. Goodnight." And with that, I dashed up the stairs. I can't believe this baby just ruined this for me! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

I threw myself face first on the bed, burying my head into a pillow. Minutes later, my cell phone started to ring, and I swiftly swiped to answer. "Hello?"

"ARIA!" A gang of voices shouted, and I smiled to myself.

"Is this where we do that group phone call thing?" I asked amused.

"Yes, but most importantly, we have a party to go to!" Taylor says in excitement, and I roll my eyes with a smile.

"What party?" Oliveyah asks.

"The first party of the school year. I can't believe it took them six whole weeks to throw one! I've been DYING for some fun!" Bonnie says that, and I sigh softly.

"I don't really feel like partying guys," I state.

"I'm with Aria on this one," Oliveyah says, and that makes me smile.

"Come on you guys!" Taylor whines. "This is our chance for a break! Plus, Aria, Ian will be there! And you know you never pass up an opportunity to see him outside of school." I started to feel some kind of way when she said his name. I wasn't sure if it was good or bad really, it just felt weird.

"Please say no, Aria," Oliveyah says softly, and I feel like I should. I probably should take her advice and just say no, but I don't.

"I'll go."

"YAY!" Bonnie and Taylor says simultaneously, overshadowing Oliveyah's groan.

"Sorry, Olive."

"It's okay," she sighs.

"You and I can leave early, okay?" I suggest. "I just wanna talk to Ian."

"Okay," she replies.

"So when is it?" I asked.

"In two days! Friday." Bonnie says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. She just wants to be with her boyfriend.