When You Least Expect It

29

My head is still reeling from what I heard that night. I haven't spoken to Whitney yet, I'm still waiting for the right time. Instead I talked to Ashley Grace, Jason and Riley, Taylor... Basically anyone that I thought would listen. They all agree that I need to give her a chance to explain and I know they're right. It's only fair that I get her side of things, though I worry about what she will have to say.

My phone dings, it's a text from Sam, who I haven't seen nearly enough of lately, asking me to come bowling with her. I've spent so much time isolated in my room just going from class to work and back I feel like it would do me some good to get out so I agree.

A half hour later I meet her outside the bowling alley, she looks great as always. As I walk up she greets me with a hug. I open the door for her and we step inside. It's loud and smells of greasy food. Exactly what I needed to get out of my head.

She beats me the first round but I'm starting to feel much better. The second round I whoop her and she calls me a cheater. She is one of the most laid-back females I've ever been around. I'm afraid of making a fool of myself when I'm around her, but she really is great. We order a basket of fries to share. We're having a great time trying to figure out if we should play another round or find something else to do. That is until my phone buzzes and it brings me back to reality. A text from Whitney begging to talk.

I guess Sam could see how much it upset me, she snatches my phone and demands we take a few selfies. On the last one she kisses my cheek. The surprise on my face reads through the picture. Snatching my phone back I start to tickle her, she yelps "Derek don't! I'm not responsible for what happens when you tickle me!"

I laugh, my worries about Whitney quickly forgotten. We spend another hour just enjoying the most unhealthy food and talking. Eventually, she says she has to get back to the house to get to bed. She has an early class. I agree giving her a quick hug before we part ways.

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Breathing in the cool night air I feel relaxed for the first time in a while. Still my mind turns back to Whitney, I like her I really do but how do you just look past something like that? Lying about something so serious. Not only to me, but my friends. I guess before I make any decisions about it I just need to talk to her and figure it out from there.

Before I talk myself out of doing just that, I walk to her place. My heart is pounding as I walk up the steps but I suck in a deep breath and knock anyway. A girl opens the door, I think her name is Linda, she rolls her eyes when she sees it's me. "What?"

"Uh, is Whit home? I need to talk to her."

She steps back letting me in, "She's upstairs. She's been trying to call you ya know."

"I know."

Ignoring her I head up to Whitney's room. It's been so long I barely remember which one is hers. Hesitantly I knock, "Whitney, it's me. Can I come in?"

I wait with my hands in my pockets holding my breath. I really don't want to have this conversation, but I know it's long overdue. After another minute I knock again, this time I can hear her rustling around. The door jerks open, it looks like she's been crying or asleep. Maybe both. "Hey, I think we should talk."

She nods closing the door behind me as I step inside. Her room is a mess, clothes tossed all over the floor, her bed unmade. This is very much unlike her. At least I think it is, I'm not sure I really know her at all. I clear my throat waiting for her to say something. She doesn't, she just sits on the bed and crosses her legs looking everywhere but at me.

"Can I sit?"

Whitney shrugs her shoulders so I just sit on the floor in front of her. "What do you want to talk about Derek?"

"Honestly I just want to know what happened. If what Travis said was true. If..." I pause for a minute to collect myself, "If there is any chance that baby could've been mine?"

Tears pool in her eyes, "Yes Derek. It was all true. I'm positive that it wasn't yours though. The timing wouldn't add up. It was there before we ever went on our first date. I just didn't know it yet. If there is anything I am sure of through all of this, it's that it wasn't yours."

Relief floods through me. I still hate the reason she did what she did but knowing it wasn't a part of me helps. "Why didn't you just tell me Whit? I'm here for you, you know that. I don't understand why you would keep such a big secret from me. I have no problem with you getting an abortion. That's your right as a woman. I just wish you could've been honest with me. Is that why you stayed with him?"

"I don't know. I guess I didn't tell you because I knew what my decision was going to be and I didn't need any more opinions. It's not something I wanted. I didn't mean for it to happen." A tear rolls down her cheek and I just want to hold her in my arms. "But yes, that's why I stayed. He said he was going to tell everyone what I did. I know it was what I wanted but I didn't want anyone to judge me. That's when he started treating me like shit all the time. He would tell me I was disgusting and I would come running to you..."

"Ok... Did Travis actually mean to hurt you then? Or was that a lie to make me feel sorry for you?"

She shakes her head, "He was being rough with me because he was angry. He was drunk, we both were honestly. I was walking away and he jerked me back. I tried to jerk my arm from him but I fell, I heard my shoulder pop. Then when I was leaving I tripped and fell into my dresser."

I sigh, "Whitney... You lied to me. You had my friends ready to hunt him down thinking he hurt you. That was such a big secret to keep from me. How do you expect us to have a chance at a healthy relationship if you aren't honest with me? Babe, Whit... I swear. I wouldn't have thought badly of you for wanting to make that decision, I just want you to be honest with me."

Her head tilts and she stares at me, "A relationship? Seriously? You would still consider being with me after all this? I thought you were done with me; you've been ignoring me all this time..."

"I know, I'm sorry for that but I had to take the time to get my head around all of this. I should've had the respect to get your side of the story first I know. Just thinking I could've been responsible for a pregnancy and then you having to go through all of that alone... It hurt me, but yes, I think we could still have a shot if that's something you'd want."

A big smile spreads across her face before she jumps on me knocking me back. "Derek, are you kidding me? Of course I still want you!"

Laughing I flip her over onto her back, "The only thing I ask is that you're always honest with me, ok? I'm here for you no matter what. You just have to talk to me."

Raising her head off the floor she kisses the tip of my nose and nods. Things start to heat up as we roll around the floor making up for lost time. She tries to pull my shirt over my head but I stop her and she pouts. I kiss her softly but shake my head, "I'm sorry baby but I don't have protection."

"I really do hate condoms though Derek, they smell disgusting." She whines.

"Are you on anything?"

I can see her wheels turning but she answers truthfully, "No. Birth control gives me breakouts and makes me gain weight."

"Sorry babe. We can't take any chances, but I'll go pick some up tonight."

Sticking that bottom lip out she grumbles, "Can I see you tomorrow then?"

I laugh and catch that lip between my teeth before standing and helping her up off the floor. "Yes, you absolutely can."

Wrapping my arms around her I give her a big hug. I honestly did miss her. She begs me to stay the night but I know where that would lead so instead I give her a smack on the butt and head back to my place promising that I'll see her tomorrow.