Best of Women

Sebastian

A/N: I need to get back to NYC immediately so I can stand in Times Square and sing "Cheering for me Now".

I was in U.S. History class listening to Mr. Coe drone on about the Civil War. I was trying to pay attention, really, but how could I care about some old war when my girlfriend was pregnant?

We'd gone to my dad and he was supportive like I knew he would be. Carmen and I had talked already and she'd told me she couldn't abort the baby. I didn't like the idea either, but I also don't like the idea of being a dad at sixteen. We'd used protection every time, but still she'd gotten pregnant. What are the chances?

Carmen texted me that she was at the nurse's office. She was already having morning sickness. I knew I wasn't supposed to text in class, but I wasn't about to leave my pregnant GF hanging. I was about to text her that she should go home, but that might upset her. Her parents had kicked her out.

I was really hoping Dad would let Carmen stay with us, but I can see why he'd said no. I was still a kid to him. He didn't like the idea of a girl sleeping in my room with me. He didn't like the idea of me having sex. Well, I didn't like the idea of him having sex with Pippa, but when I brought it up it was 'inappropriate'. Whatever.

When the bell rang, I rushed down to the nurse's office to check on Carmen. She looked pale and miserable. Her body still looked the same; she wasn't showing yet. The nurse knew she was pregnant and was helping her get prenatal vitamins and appointments with Planned Parenthood.

I sat down on the cot Carmen was laying on and gently rubbed her arm.

"Hey, baby," I whispered gently as she looked up at me.

"Hey," she smiled at me.

"Feeling any better?" I asked.

"No," she said. "This baby's the size of a pea and it's already wreaking havoc on my body. What's it gonna do when it's full term?"

I chuckled a little but felt badly for her. Everyone would know she was pregnant soon, but no one would necessarily know it was mine. I wasn't going to hide it. I would man up to my responsibilities. I'd gotten her pregnant and I was going to stand by her side. If anyone gave her shit, I'd take them down.

"Why don't you go to my house?" I suggested. "You could take a nap and come back when you're better?"

She bit her lip. "Would your dad like that?"

"I think he'd understand," I said. My dad didn't want her living there, but I knew he sympathized about her parents' reaction. He wouldn't want Carmen suffering.

"Text him?" she requested. I pulled out my phone and shot a quick message to my dad. He said it was fine, but we couldn't be in my room alone. I didn't see the point of that, frankly, but I didn't argue. She was already knocked up.

"He said it's fine," I told her, holding my hand out to help her up. She grunted a little as she sat up. Carmen told the nurse she was going to my place and we'd cleared it with my dad. Even though it was against the rules, I kissed her goodbye and told her to text me when she got there. I gave her my key and watched her go.

I knew we were only kids, but I think we'd make good parents. It's not like we were drug addicts or alcoholics. We'd both come from good families. Well, thought we'd come from good families. I couldn't believe Carmen's parents. These things happened.

As I began walking back to class with a tardy pass from the nurse, I heard a scuffle down the hallway in the boys' bathroom. I may not be the greatest kid ever, but I don't think it's right for kids to pick on other kids. I made a detour and went in. What I saw made me seeth. A couple fifth grade boys were pushing my little brother around, laughing.