The Boy Next Door

Chapter 5

After my encounter with Carter at 4 in the morning, I groggily walked back to my house. As I walked back I couldn't help but smile. Sure Carter was the most annoying human being, but it was nice to have him back.

I walked in through the front door trying to be as quiet as I could. I made my way into my room only to see a figure sitting on my bed.

"Hello?"

"Well look who finally decided to come home."

"Mom?"

~•~•~

"Why are you walking through the front door at 4 in the morning missy?!" My mom snapped.

"I was just keeping Carter company like you suggested and the I fell asleep."

"How do I know you didn't fall asleep, on Carter, NAKED?!"

"Ugh mom! Do you really think I would do that with my best friend?" I said rolling my eyes, annoyed.

"Are you sure you're not friends with benefits?"

"Eww mom! Okay, first of all do you even know what that means? Second of all, I don't do that whole friends with benefits. We are either dating or not. I can't believe you would think so low of me."

"Well you have done it before ...."

"And that was the biggest mistake of my life. Out of anyone, you should know that. Besides you have no room to speak. I'm not as bad as you used to be. "

"Do not bring that up young lady."

"Don't call me that. I will bring it up until you explain what happened!"

"That is not important," she said burning holes into me with her eyes.

"Why can't you tell me?! I am your daughter for heaven's sake! You are the one who passed down bad habits and you can't even freaking explain yourself?!"

"Do we really need to talk about this now?" my mom said in a tired voice.

"Yes we do." I said through clenched teeth.

"Ok, ok. You are my daughter so you could use an explanation. Only a couple of weeks after my mom passed away there was a school party. My emotions were very unstable and I hadn't been making good decisions and I was hanging out with some shady people. Anyway, I went to the party and had too much to drink. I guess I was trying to drink away my sorrows. The rest of the night was a blur, but according to my friends, I went home with a guy named Cody and we made some horrible decisions. A few months later I realized I was pregnant. I was devastated. I had always wanted a child but not with Cody and not at the age of 18. I didn't want to get an abortion so I decided to have the baby but I put it up for adoption. Throughout the entire pregnancy, I was alone. Cody had ditched me because he was afraid. The only people who was with me was your aunt Karlie and James - my good friend. Finally, a little girl was born and I named her Hope. By naming her that, I was trying to remind myself that I still had hope and I could turn everything around."

"I did eventually get my degree in high school and I went on to become a therapist to help teenagers who are going through a tough time. Then I met your father and we lived happily ever after I guess."

"Mom I am so sorry. I didn't know."

"But I should have told you so you can learn from my mistakes."

"Yeah. Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Do you regret having the baby at 16?"