The Journey of Becoming Olivia's Mother

Chapter 4

My eyes scanned everyone one by one as they looked over their notes for the final minutes before the exam and I smiled.

Right now, the only thing I am allowed to think about is my goal; getting these exams sorted. I was determined to get those good grades whether the devil liked it or not and so far I'm doing great.

This was the final examination and then freedom at last!

Well, for everybody but me anyway. I will have to face one of my greatest fears; my father. As I look down on my cavernous stomach, I couldn't help but wonder if I was going to be able to get away with it.

What if he kicks me out of the house? Okay, that would be crazy of him to do so I'm not even going to think of that possibility. But, really, what will happen if he rejects this, rejects me?

The class door opened and everyone straightened up putting their notes away expecting the three supervisors to walk in with the Math's exam. Instead, the assistant principal walked in with a serious look on her face.

You'd think the entire class would've ignored her and continue reading but this woman is a complete bitch when it comes to going against her will and disrespecting her in any form or way.

Her eyes searched the entire room intently and finally, they found my curious ones.

"Miss Isabel Williams? In the Principal's office. Now."

My blood froze. What the hell?

"But the exam is about to begin-" I started with a shaky voice only for her to throw me a hard glare. I heard a couple of laughs accompanied by curious whispers as I stood up leaving my pencil case behind.

Closing the door behind me, the last thing I saw was Amanda's worried expression.

----------------

Mrs. McSweeney showed me a seat right outside the Principal's office and returned to her desk leaving me to create the craziest scenarios in my mind.

I have never been to the Principal's office without a reason unless it was for an upcoming award or program in school which might interest me. I couldn't help but think of the worst.

The door to the Principal's office opened and with a sharp breath intake I looked up only to meet Mrs. Maria coming out with a few files in her hands. Waving at Mrs. McSweeney she made a move to walk away when her eyes met mine.

"Isabella? Aren't you supposed to be sitting an examination at about," she lifted her wrist to look at her watch, "now?"

Before I could open my mouth to answer her question, Principal Daly came out and called for me to come in.

"What's going on?" my favorite music teacher asked as I stood up to go into Principal Daly's office.

"Actually Mrs. Papadimitriou, your presence might be needed for this. Miss Williams, come in and have a sit."

I did as I was told and took a seat opposite the huge desk filled with piles of papers. This can't be good. Why else would he need the presence of a teacher?

"Am I in trouble for something, sir?" I inquire nervously. My fingers were shaking under the desk and I tried my best to control my breathing.

"Miss Williams, some information was brought to my attention by another student, and whilst the school respects the student's right to confidentiality -and this confidentiality will be respected, of course. Nevertheless, the parents or the student is responsible for notifying the school of their pregnancy."

My breathing stopped. Literally. Or was it my heart?

It felt like the office was spinning and there wasn't enough space for me.

"What?" Mrs. Maria's voice came like a whisper behind me. She dropped the files she was holding and came to sit right next to me. "Isabel-"

"Failure to disclose a pregnancy may result in the student unknowingly putting themselves and/or their unborn-child in danger. Do you know what that could mean for the school and for the rest of the students?" Principal Daly's voice was stern and cold as ice. He has never spoken to me like this before.

"Hold on a minute, Richard, who gave you this information?" Mrs. Maria was quick to snap back at him.

"It doesn't matter, Maria. Is it true Miss Williams?"

Looking down to hide my tears and shame, I slowly nodded. Under the desk, I felt a hand reaching to hold my shaking one and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I believe it is her choice if she wants to disclose that to the school's authorities or not."

"Of course, there is no liability or responsibility for the student's pregnancy, parental care, miscarriage, or other complications which may occur on the school's premises. But Miss Williams must inform the school to take the right measures."

"What kind of measures?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

"Each case is considered on an individual basis and recommendations of the student's doctor are also taken into account. In this case, when organizing alternative examination arrangements, Miss Williams may need to sit the examinations with a medical certificate stating that it is safe for her to do so. Then, a separate examination room will be provided for her."

By the time he had finished talking my mouth was opened wide in shock, "but exams are almost over!"

"Exactly! She's not even showing yet meaning she's probably not up to two months! She's in her final year and only but a few days left for her to graduate. This is unnecessary."

"These are the school's protocols. I don't make them up." he defended himself fixing his tie.

This is a disaster. I probably already have everyone's attention seeing that I was called into the Principal's office. Sitting the exam in a different class all by myself will only make the suspicions grow.

I'm doomed.

"Richard, this is Isabella we're talking about." my teacher's voice lowered as she gave the Principal a long look. "You out of all people know that she's been nothing but a perfect student, never disappoints. Not in her exams and assignments and certainly not on the awards she's brought from the choir competitions."

The Principal looked at me and back at Mrs. Maria.

"Maria, I can't-"

"Save it for someone who will actually believe that." she snapped.

My Principal gulped and avoided her eyes looking at the papers on his desk. He took a pen and wrote something on a paper before him before signing it.

"Take," he handed the piece of paper to me, "give this to the supervisors in the exam hall, I believe Mr. Brown is one of them. They'll let you sit the exam for the time you've already missed and for an extra hour and a half."

The tears streamed down my face as I looked down on the paper:

'The student should be allowed the full two hours of the exam and an extra hour and a half for the time missed. Cause of lateness: an emergency call from the student's father.'

"Mr. Daly thank you so much, I-"

"You'll miss your exam, dear. Go, we'll talk about this later." Mrs. Maria gave my hand another gentle squeeze. I looked at her with awe and gratitude as she nodded understandingly.

I quickly wiped my tears with the back of my hands and muttered thank you multiple times making Principal Daly's lips slightly curve upwards.

I knew at that moment that I will forever be grateful for that change of heart.

--------------------------

I really hope you are enjoying the book so far, there is so much more to come. Feel free to leave a comment and vote! - Imani xx