Next day, Friday. 4:45 pm "Here you go" Owen said, handing me an invitation. "Thanks" I respond. "But what is it?"
"An invitation to one of my friends pool party. It's Saturday, at four." Owen kept talking but I wasn't listening. The only thing that was going through my mind was the fact that I didn't know how to swim. I know right, what kind of 16 year old doesn't know how to swim. I mean even if I could swim, I wouldn't get in the pool. I wouldn't be able to pull of a bikini lookin' like this. No way. "You're coming right?" Owen questions, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Huh?" I reply back. "You're coming to the pool party, yes?" "Erm no." I say, not even putting any thought into the question. "What? Why not?" He frowns.
"I mean, if you haven't already noticed, I'm a beached whale. I can't wear swimmers let alone go to a party."
"Come ooon" Owen says, carrying the 'o'. You're seriously not even showing that much. And besides, this might be your last party before the baby arrives. Pleaseeee" he whines.
"Why do you want me to go so bad, don't you have all your friends there? People are just going to be mean and stare at me anyway" I say, looking at the ground.
"I don't want you stuffed up in this house all the time. Come on, have some fun while you still can. And just ignore them. You shouldn't care what they think." He says with a pleading face.
That's easier said than done. But I give in. "Fine, I'll go." "Great! It'll be fun" he smiles whilst walking off." "Yeah, a blast." I mumble under my breath.
Saturday. 3:50 pm "Ugh, why do I have to go to this stupid pool party" I mumble to myself, throwing all my clothes on the floor. I have nothing to wear. "Come on baby, why do you have to make it so hard for mummy to put pants on?" I say in a quiet, gentle voice, holding my stomach. I flop back on my bed and sigh in discomfort. Seconds later, Owen comes barging in and I spring up. "Knock much." I say in an agitated tone, and fall back on the bed. "Seriously Amelia, you're not even ready. We're leaving in 15." "I'm not going." "Amelia not this again. Why not?" "Because I have nothing to wear!" "He picks up a dress from the floor and throws it at me. Just put this on." I hold it in front of my face. "Ew. I'm not wearing that." "Amelia." Owen gives me a death glare. "Ugh fine!" I groan, sitting up off the bed. "Uh buh-bye" I say, shooing him off with my hand. "Make it snappy" he responds, exiting my room.
I put my blue one piece swimmers on and chuck a white and pink dress over the top. I slide my white sneakers on and throw all my necessities into my brown bag and throw it over my shoulder.
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(19 weeks pregnant)
20 minutes later we pull up at the party. The door is already open and jam packed with people. Owen bro hugs his mates as I shyly walk behind him, unsure of what to do. "Hey Owens lil' sis!" One of Owens mates says, giving me a hug. "Hi" I shyly respond, looking up at him. Damn he was tall. "Drink?" He questions. I smile and nod. He keeps his arm around me as we make our way through the crowd and into the kitchen.
"So, what can I get you? A beer?" "Maybe something that doesn't have alcohol in it." I chuckle as I point at my belly. He snaps his fingers. "Ah, right.. sorry." He pulls out a lemonade and shows me with a questioning look on his face. I smile and take it from him. "Thanks" I say. He cracks open a beer and leans against the counter. "So, who's the baby daddy?" He ask with a laugh. I didn't want to tell him, I don't think anyone knew it was Hunters, except for Owen. "No one you know." I smile as I sip my drink. "Aye yo bro, come check this out!" One of his friends yells from outside, breaking our eye contact. "Hey I'll catch up with you later." He smiles, running out to his friends. Great. Just me, myself and I. Everyone was already going crazy, and it was only 4pm; I can only imagine what's it's going to be like once it gets darker. I'm sitting on a chair at the kitchen table on my phone when a familiar voice interrupts me. "Nice dress. Really shows how fat you are." I turn around, it was Ashley's posse. Of course they had to be here. I roll my eyes and push past them to get outside. I'm just going to find Owen and tell him I'm not feeling well. I push through the crowds of people and try to find Owen, but have no luck. I see some of his friends sitting on the edge of the pool and walk towards them. "Hey gu-" I cut myself off when I see that Hunter is there with them... and of course Ashley had to fricken be there too! "Oh hey Owens sis. What's up?" I nervously fiddle with my fingers. "Um have you guys seen Owen anywhere?" "Ah nah, sorry. Everything alright?." "Oh yeah! Great! Just um need to um get home.... I have an um assignment due tomorrow... gotta get it done yah know!" Ugh what was wrong with me? It's like I don't know how to speak to people. "Freak." Ashley laughs. I look at Hunter and fiddle at my fingers. "He's my ride that's all. But you guys don't know where he is so all good I'll just keep looking thanksss byeee." I ramble on and turn around. Ugh, seriously Amelia, get it together. "Hey wait! I'll give you a ride if you want." I turn back around and see Hunter jump out of the pool and grab a towel. "You know, if you urgently gotta finish that assignment." He adds. I hesitate; because the last time I talked to him was when he came to my house to apologize. "Seriously Hunter? Baby come on, you don't even know her." Ashley cuts in. Hunter just looks at her and then looks back at me. "Okay" I respond. "Cool, let me just grab my things." He says.
~~~~~ "Just take a turn here." I point. "I know, Amelia." "Okay now take the next left." "Amelia, I know okay. I've been to your house many times." He says loudly. He turns his head and smiles broadly at me. "Gawd you're right, I'm sorry." I feel my face go red. I cover my face with my hands and laugh a little. "I've missed you Amelia. You know I meant everything I said about me wanting to be in the baby's life. And if you let me, I want to be in yours too." I wasn't sure what to do. My brains telling me no, I'll just get hurt again; but my heart is telling me something completely different. I want to be with him. I want things to work out. I take his hand in mine. He looks at me as a sigh of relief washes of his face. It was kind of a relief for me too. It was the release valve that we both needed. Maybe things would be okay after all.
