Mil SO (Military Significant Other)

24. The New Guy

I woke slowly to the feeling of being cocooned and safe. I sighed and rubbed my eyes. Automatically, my hand went to my stomach. I felt a hand over my stomach that wasn't mine and that's when everything came flooding back to me.

Heath was home. I looked at the clock to see that it was time for me to get ready for school. I sighed and tried to move his arms from around me. He grumbled and held me tighter. This was probably the most sleep he's had in the last 13 weeks, but I had to go and he wasn't budging.

"Heath," I whispered as I touched his face gently. He grumbled some more and scrunched up his face adorably. I giggled and peppered kisses on his face. "Heath, I have to go to school," I said. His eyes opened as he groaned.

"No, stay home with me. I haven't seen you in months," he whined. I chuckled and shook my head before sitting up.

"I have to go to school," I said. He sighed and sat up as well.

"Who takes you?" he asked. I shrugged and moved around to get ready.

"Most of the time, I drive myself. Your mom let me use your car after you left. But sometimes, your mom or Nash will drive me," I explained as I ran the brush through my tangled hair. Heath wrapped his arms around my waist and sighed.

"Nash? He's still around?" Heath asked. I nodded.

"He went to community college and stuck around to help out. He's been a huge help," I explained. Heath didn't like that too much.

"I don't like how close you guys are," Heath said with irritation. I turned quickly and glared at him.

"You weren't here, Heath! I got kicked out of my aunt's house and I was having panic attacks weekly again. You should be thanking him, not condemning him," I said before turning back to the bathroom mirror. I finished getting ready in silence. When I was ready, I went downstairs and ate the breakfast that Piper set out for me. Looks like she left early today. I grabbed the keys off the hook when Heath put a hand over mine.

"I'll drive you," he said softly. I was in no mood to argue with him, so I just nodded. We got in his car and headed towards the school. I stared out the side window as the silence enveloped the car.

"I'm sorry, Iris," Heath said quietly when he parked the car in front of the school I brought my eyes to his.

"It's fine," I lied. He sighed and locked the doors.

"No, it's not fine. I was away for a while. I know that. I'm sorry I left you alone. I get why you are still... close with him. I don't like it, but I get it. Mainly, I'm just upset that I missed so much. I missed your first ultrasound and I wasn't there to comfort you when you needed it, and I'm sorry. I just don't want anyone taking my place," he explained quietly. I sighed before I kissed him gently. I let my hand rest on his cheek.

"No one could replace you, Heath. We're getting married and having a baby. I love you. And yes, at first I was mad and upset when you left me, but I didn't hate you," I said. He kissed me gently before he smiled.

"Go, before you're late," he said, lightening the mood. I nodded before I got out of the car and walked towards the school. Kaden and Brooklyn hooked their arms with mine almost as soon as I entered the school.

"What's going on?" I asked as I looked around at the suddenly excited teenagers. Brooklyn was practically bouncing on her toes.

"A senior just transferred here and you'll never believe who," Brooklyn said excitedly. I didn't know and I didn't really care, but I would humor her.

"Who?" I asked.

"Jesse Tylar," she squealed. My eyes bulged. Jesse Tylar was a mega movie/TV star, even bigger than Madison Rowe was... and she was already really up there. Jesse Tylar had worked with the likes of Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lawrence. He was huge and everywhere mainly because he was a triple threat. Not only could he act, but he could also dance and sing. He's released a total of 3 triple platinum albums since he hit the celebrity scene two years ago. What in the world was he doing here?

"I like that shirt," Brooklyn noted. I looked down to see she was talking about one of my newer shirts. It was a baby doll type of blouse, where it hid my small baby bump well. Some people at school already knew about my pregnancy, others didn't. It's not like I was broadcasting it to the world. As we passed the office, Piper stuck her head out.

"Iris, could I see you for a moment?" she asked. I looked to Brooklyn and Kaden curiously but they only shrugged. Kaden bear hugged me gently as I giggled.

"I'll see you later, little sis," Kaden said, before he walked off with Brooklyn. I walked into Piper's office to see the back of a guy. Piper smiled at me from behind her desk.

"Hey honey, how are you feeling?" she asked. I looked at her curiously.

"Fine," I said slowly. I knew she wanted something. She always called me honey when she wanted something but I didn't mind. She gave me her son and her home; I was fine with running errands and doing small things for her. In a way, she had become the mother figure in my life. The guy turned and I saw it was Jesse Tylar.

Eh, he's all hype.

I mean, don't get me wrong, he looked really good. He had dark windswept hair and dark eyes to match. He had brooding shoulders and a tall, fit frame. I just didn't see what the big deal was. He smirked at me like he expected me to faint or fall all over him. I only raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Would you mind showing Jesse around the school today. Maybe be his welcome buddy for the week?" she asked me. I shrugged.

"Why me?" I asked. She smiled and glanced at Jesse before looking back to me.

"Because you don't care," she said bluntly. I laughed. It was so true.

"Sure, mom," I replied. I'd gotten in the habit of letting that slip, but she didn't seem to mind. In fact, when it did slip, she got this look of love and pride on her face. Needless to say, it started slipping more and more.

"Ouch, I never met a teenage girl who wasn't a fan," he said, holding his chest dramatically like I actually hurt him. I rolled my eyes before I plastered a smile on my face and held out my hand to him.

"Hi, I'm Iris... not a fan," I introduced myself as I shook his hand.

"Hermosa chica, you're killing me," he said stumbling away from me. I rolled my eyes but found myself cracking a smile.

"I'll see you when I get home. Wish me luck babysitting the brat," I threw over my shoulder as I walked out of the office. Piper laughed as Jesse jogged to catch up to me.

"Hey! That's not very nice," he said with a fake pout. I shrugged and kept walking.

"I'm not a nice person," I lied. He looped his arm with mine as he fell into step with me.

"So," he drew out. " What's first," he asked. I pulled my arm out of his and headed towards my lockers.

"Find your locker," I said. He looked at the paper in his hand before turning it upside down.

Idiot...

"It says... 310," he said. I sighed and rested my head against my locker which was number 309.

"She did this on purpose," I muttered, before opening my locker and ignoring Jesse. His smile widened as he opened his locker. "You're lucky everyone is in class already or you would be mobbed," I said. He was silent for a moment before he frowned at me.

"Why don't you like me?" he asked bluntly. I chuckled at his face. He was really concerned about it. He looked hurt by the idea that everyone didn't fall all over him. I stopped laughing and turned to look at him.

"I just... I don't see the point. I don't know you, so I don't know what to like. People give celebrities this big hype, but their just normal people who happen to be talented at something... except Kim Kardashian, she can't do anything but spread her legs," I said. He laughed at that and shook his head.

"She's pretty cool," he defended with a smile. I sighed and shook my head at him. He completely missed my point.

"You're an ordinary guy who can do extraordinary things. Sure I'll give you your props, but I'm not dying to have your baby," I tried again. He leaned against the locker and gave me a genuine smile.

"You're pretty cool, you know that? You're... different," he said I closed my locker and sighed.

"So I've been told," I muttered as I started walking again. Jesse fell into step next to me and we got started.