I walked slowly towards Ben, who had sat down on the stone steps just outside of the door. I sighed as I sat down next to him, and he turned his head quickly to look at me.
“Hey.” I said quietly, like he hadn’t just completely blown up.
“Cora,” he began. “Please tell me you were just joking about being pregnant.”
I stood up and lifted my shirt to show my protruding stomach. “Do I look like I’m joking, Ben?”
He stood up quickly, just like he’d done when I told him the first time.
“Have you ever heard of this thing called a condom?” He shouted at me.
“Have you ever heard of this thing called an inside voice?”
He chuckled quietly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He put his arms around my waist gently and pulled me against him.
“I’m sorry, Cora. It’s just... you’re so young, and you’re already having a baby. You are going to have that baby, right?”
“Of course.” I whispered, sighing quietly.
He pulled away from me gently and looked into my eyes. He stared at me for what felt like days. Eventually, he put his arms back around my waist, but it felt different. It didn’t feel bad, just not the same. He pulled me close against him again, and that felt different too. He began moving his head down towards mine. He pressed his lips firmly against my own.
What was I doing? Why wasn’t I pulling away? I couldn’t. I didn’t want to.
Ben didn’t kiss like Andy did. Andy’s kisses were soft, taking extra caution not to hurt me. Ben’s were rough and unforgiving. I knew I should probably pull away, but I just couldn’t.
Cora, what are you doing?! You love Andy!
I grabbed roughly at his arms, trying to push his lips off of mine, but the harder I pushed him away, the more passionate his kisses became.
God damn it.
I slowly pulled my knee back behind me, quickly pushing it up and kneeing him hard in the groin. I heard the air rush out of his body as he bent over in pain.
I ran inside, slamming the door behind me as Andy ran towards me.
“Are you okay?” He asked worriedly. “We heard Ben scream.”
I sighed. “I need to talk to you, privately.”
