The Way We Were

The Way We Hurt Anna

"It's been a month." Marcy said.

"I know." Artie sighed.

"She deserves to know."

"I know."

"So when are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know."

"Artman!"

"Boo Thang, she's going to hate me!" Artie didn't want that.

Marcy knew it would be a hard thing for anyone to accept. But Anna deserved the chance to try. "You gotta tell her."

Artie shook his head slowly as he looked away. "I know."

W.W.W.

Artie rolled up to Anna at her locker after school that Friday. He hoped she wouldn't make a scene but Anna was reserved. The likelihood of her acting out was low and that was what he was counting on. "Hey, Anna."

Anna was surprised. Artie usually called her Bo for Bo Derek. Was he alright? "Hey, Artie." She leaned down to kiss him but he turned his head. She worried. He had been pulling away for a while.

"We gotta talk." He cleared his throat.

She felt fear. "Is something wrong?"

"Let's talk over there." An alcove was nearby.

She closed her locker and put her backpack on to follow him. She sat on the wood and looked at him, scared. "You're scaring me. Just tell me."

He didn't play games and wouldn't start now. "San and Britt are pregnant."

"Santana and Brittany?"

"Yeah."

"But they're gay."

"Not as much as you'd think." His mouth twisted.

She was blown away. "So what's wrong? Why are you telling me?"

"Because I'm the father." He waited.

Anna didn't react for two seconds before she shot to her feet. "You got Santana and Brittany pregnant?!"

That was loud. Artie looked around as everyone in the crowded hallway turned to look at him. "Anna,-"

"You cheated on me?!"

"No!" He didn't want her to think that. "It was before we got together."

"So you cheated on Rachel?"

"No. We were broken up."

"In what window?! We got together two days after you broke up!"

"Babe,-" He tried to grab her hands but she ripped away from him.

"I can't believe this! I can't believe you! I hate you!" She ran away in tears.

His heart sank, even as he knew people were whispering about him now. Shit! Today officially sucked.