What If?

Chapter 5

The day seemed like a blur to Alice. Even Math, her despised subject, went by extremely quickly. She was so excited to be spending her summer with FP and her friends, even if Hermione was drifting away from her. Then, the final weight that she needed lifting off her shoulders was telling her parents about the baby. She really wasn't looking forward to that conversation.

As soon as she heard the bell, Alice gathered her things and waited at the front of the class for Mary. When they were ready, they headed out of the classroom and towards the front doors, glad to be free. As they got out into the open, they saw FP and Fred hanging by the stairs. Alice rushed over to FP and kissed him excitedly, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

" We're finally free baby!" FP grinned at his girlfriend as his hand slid around her waist.

" No more assignments, essays, exams. I can't think of anything better." She smiled, kissing him again.

" Now, we're being let into the real world," Fred said, " Full of mortgages, bills and job applications."

Mary rolled her eyes.

" Let's not think about that now. We have a summer to look forward to!"

Walking out of the gates, along with other students, they said their goodbyes as Fred and Mary turned left and Alice and FP went straight ahead. They walked past the Keller household and the Mantles and the ridiculous Blossom mansion. When they got to Alice's house, FP stopped her before they got to the front door and kissed her goodbye.

" See you later," he said as Alice kissed him again.

They were both so engrossed in each other that they didn't hear the front door opening.

" Am I interrupting something?"

Alice's eyes widened as she jumped back. Her mom was standing in the door way, arms folded and smiling. 

Smiling.

That was a good sign.

" Bye," Alice whispered to a grinning FP as she made her way to her mother.

When the door closed behind them, Mrs Smith turned to Alice.

" Why didn't you tell me?" 

Alice shrugged.

" I thought you'd be annoyed. You never seemed to like FP."

" That was your father. I always liked FP more than that Hal Cooper."

" Do me a favour and don't tell Dad. I think I want to tell him myself."

Her mother nodded.

" What happened with Hal anyway?" 

" Uh," Alice thought of the first thing that came to her head, " he was too controlling." 

She wasn't lying completely, just hiding a big detail.

" Okay honey, I just wish you'd said something."

She gave her daughter a hug. Alice was glad that her mother was so understanding.

" I'm going to the carnival later with FP, Fred and Mary. Could you drop me off at Pops?"

" Of course."

Alice thanked her, gave her another quick hug and ran upstairs to get ready.

***

After spending ages searching through her closet, Alice finally put on jeans and a black crop top, tying a flannel shirt around her waist. No more pink. No more flowers. She was finally turning back into her old self again. Alice caught a glimpse of her serpent jacket, on a hanger at the very back. She looked at it for a second, reached out to get it but stopped herself.

She chose to leave the serpents. Abandon them.They wouldn't let her come back, even if she wanted to.

Pulling on some black boots, she touched up her lipstick and headed downstairs.  When her mom was ready, they headed out the front door and set off for Pops.

***

FP, Fred and Mary were already at Pops when Alice arrived. Before she left the car, she gave her mother a hug.

" Do you want me to pick you up later?" Mrs Smith asked.

" Thanks mom, but I'll probably stay over at Mary's."

" Or FP's?"

Alice blushed, as she saw her mom begin to smile, and got out of the car. When FP saw her, his face lit up. He walked over to her and pulled her into a tight hug. Mrs Smith rolled down her window.

" You take care of my daughter FP."

" Will do, Mrs Smith."

She smiled at FP and drove off. FP grabbed Alice's hand and pulled her over to Mary and Fred, who were in deep conversation. FP clapped Fred on the back.

" You guys ready?"

Fred nodded and laced his hand into Mary's. Summer was finally here.