Confessions of the Fragile Heart

Chapter 8

I drove to school myself the next day. As usual I met Denver in the courtyard. He saw me and looked worried.

"Are you okay?" he asked after he handed me a coffee. I was sad I couldn't drink it. I nodded, but I couldn't bring myself to smile.

"Yeah, I'm just distracted today," I said. I debated whether I should tell him or not. I decided against it. "I think I'm going to head home early today after lunch. I still feel sick to my stomach."

"I'll go with you," he said standing. I placed one hand on his chest. He looked confused.

"I know you mean well and I love you but you still have school," I argued softly. "Tell you what, why don't you come over after school." He nodded and led me to our first class. I had a headache by third period. I managed to survive through to lunch. I toyed with my food a little. I was completely tuned out of everything except my own thoughts.

"Amber? Amber?" I finally heard. I looked up. Everyone was staring at me.

"Sorry what?" I said. Everyone looked worried about me. Well, everyone except Nick of course. Denver squeezed my hand gently. I gave him a sad smile. I mouthed 'sorry' to him and stood up. I headed out of the cafeteria and to my car. Denver followed.

"Amber, wait," he said. I turned around and looked into his mesmerizing gray eyes. "What's going on? You've been acting weird ever since we got back. Are you okay?" His hand held my cheek. I looked down and tried to hold back the tears that were forming behind my eyes. "Tell me the truth." My eyes became very watery. That was just the thing; I couldn't tell him the entire truth.

"I'm scared Denver," I whispered. He sighed. I wasn't giving him much to work with. "I don't know how to tell you. Just that I'm scared. I don't know what to do." The tears were flowing rapidly now. "I'm sorry." His arms wrapped his arms around me. I buried my head in his chest. Even though he had no idea what was going on, he comforted me anyway. It would have been easier if he were easy to hate. I calmed down after a long hard cry.

"What happened?" he asked calmly. I wanted to tell him, but there was no possible way I could. I shook my head and wiped my face.

"I want to tell you... but I can't. I'm sorry, Denver. I just-just can't," I cried. He looked confused.

"You can tell me anything," he said. I shook my head and avoided his eyes. He looked hurt.

"Please, trust me Denver. It would probably be best if- if you didn't know," I explained through blurry watery eyes. "Please don't be mad at me." He nodded. I knew he wouldn't be able to stay mad or upset at me. I could tell that he wanted to know, but that he wouldn't press for an answer. He sat me down in the car. He got the keys from me and drove me home. I cried the whole way. Denver carried me into the house. I could hear Heather's questions pour out of her lips. Denver didn't really know how to answer because he didn't know the answer himself. He laid me down on the couch. I stopped crying and sat up. Heather knew the answer by the way my eyes were red rimmed and watery. I just shook my head.

"Please, tell him," Heather whispered to me when he went into the kitchen to get me a wet towel. I shook my head.

"You know why I can't do that," I mumbled. Denver came in a second later. Heather had a look of knowing on her face. Denver wanted to ask, but he didn't. A week went by like this. I could only bear to go to school up until lunch. Either Denver or I drove me home after that. Finally, for the next month, I went to all of my classes. March was quickly approaching. Going into two months, I stuck to hoodies. A bump was starting to form on my stomach. I still hadn't told Denver about it, but every day, it bothered me. Monday, I walked into the school and headed towards the courtyard like I always did. Today was different. Many people were staring and pointing at my like I was a new shiny toy. There was a magazine in almost everyone's hand. I looked around confused. Claire walked up to me with a smile spread across her face.

"I knew there was something off about you, but I would've never guessed that you were the Michelson's daughter," she smiled. I shook my head.

"No, no this can't happen again," I said under my breath. "Why would you do this?" I asked angrily.

"I told you what would happen if you messed with Denver," she shot back before she walked away. I turned and burst out of the front doors. I jogged to my car. Denver was waiting beside it. My eyes started to water. He looked really mad.

"Denver wait," I started.

"So you decided to keep the biggest secret anyone could have from me?" he said angrily through his teeth.

"Denver if you would just listen to me," I tried.

"Well, it's good to know I can count on you for the truth," he cut me off sarcastically. He walked away without another word. I got in my car and drove, way to fast, back home. I stormed into the house and went straight to my room. I took out my suitcase and started to pack everything. Heather rushed up the stairs to my room.

"What happened?" she asked.

"It's happening again; only this time it's worse. Claire found out who I really was and told everyone who I am. It's all over the school and now Denver hates me for lying to him," I explained quickly. She sighed and stopped my hands.

"Leana stop!" she yelled. I stopped and looked at her with watery eyes. "You can't run away from your problems; first the baby and now this." I looked up and blinked back the tears.

"Please," I said softly looking back at her. "Let's just go back with my parents until we get all of this worked out. I just need space to think." She finally gave in and nodded. She packed as well and we took the first flight to L.A.. Our parents met us at the airport, but so did the paparazzi. I didn't care though. I rushed into my parents open arms and cried. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the flashing cameras around me. I couldn't care less. It didn't matter anymore. As soon as we got home, I sat on the couch, ready to explain. They sat in silence as if they knew I wanted to say something.

"They found out," I said. My mom shrugged. She knew there was more. "And I'm... I'm pregnant." They gasped.

"Leana," my mom sighed her disappointment.

"I'm sorry. It just... happened. I'm actually two months pregnant," I explained quietly. My dad buried his face in his hands.

"Was it Denver?" he asked. I nodded. "I'll kill him." He stood up and I stopped him.

"No, please don't do anything," I stopped him. He looked at me confused. I looked down. I still had feelings for him. No matter what happened, I realized that I would never stop loving him. I took my sweater off. My mom put her hand on my leg.

"Sweetie, does he know?" she asked calmly. I shook my head. She sighed and took her hand away. "We have to get you to a doctor today. Just to make sure everything is... okay." I nodded in agreement. My dad reluctantly grabbed the keys and we all headed to the hospital. Much like the airport, the paparazzi swarmed the hospital. I wished that I kept my sweater on me. My bump was exposed. I could hear the gasps of the paparazzi as they snapped their cameras, eager to have the story. Questions were flung my way.

"When did this happen? Who's the father? Where have you been hiding? How far into the pregnancy are you?" were only a few of the questions that were thrown. I decided to answer one.

"Two months," I said answering the last question. This only made the questions pour from the group. My eyes were still red rimmed. Once we got in the hospital, I was directed to a smaller room. It was too soon to see if it was a boy or girl, but they could see that it was a healthy baby. I fell asleep as soon as I got home.