Betty & James

Chapter 13: Mad Woman

August Summer's Point of view

After he asked to marry me near the swing. James has been constantly there for me and our baby. Since my parents disowned me, I've been living with James and his father.

Both of them are so kind and gentle. James sometimes looks sad. I remember how his hands held mine as we walk home that day he proposed to me. His hands filled with warmth and his fingers interlocked with mine.

He is beautiful.
Or I mean handsome, in many ways.
His flaws made me see how much he changed since the day I met him in the cafeteria.
How he would fight against the enemies of the people he loves. How his eyes sparkle when he looks at Betty instead of me. How his words may hurt but were the honest truth.

Inez and Ashton always got a chance to prank call or even annoy me. I kept telling them to get a life and stop spying on me.

Ashton was different from James. Ashton would often be a maniac and touch me everywhere when kissing me. He would be happy-go-lucky like a total corny clown. I hated him.

I hated him after he and Inez started gossiping around the school about me.

Most of the time I would end up in the library sleeping and the librarian would wake me up when the bell rang. Sometimes my parents would ask me to come back to them.

They just can't handle the fact that I'm going to be a mother so sooner than them.

I'm already 18... And they still treat me like a child. If only the world would stop revolving around my own mistake. Perhaps if I talk to Betty.

While in class. I watched James approach Betty. He wasn't looking alright. His watery eyes that he forced him not to cry.

She was there...
His first love.
His first kiss.
She should be mad at me not him...

I heard their conversation. When James went back into the classroom. He looked at me then looked at Inez. Inez talked to James... She handed me a paper written in Ashton's handwriting. As I read this I almost had the urge to cry. I crumpled the paper as hard as I can and threw it at her. "Gossip Bitch!" I shouted at her. James picked up the paper and almost read it until Mr. Markus got it from him.

"Fuck." I whispered to myself and James didn't hear me curse.

———————
After class... Mr. Markus made me remove my jacket to see the bump on my belly. "Mr. Robinson and Ms. Summers, what really happened a few months ago? We conducted an investigation into this case. You know that this school tries its best to avoid teenage pregnancies. It is your responsibility after you graduate to marry her. You might lose the chance to get a scholarship after this incident. Please explain to us why Betty Freeman ended up in a hospital. How August got pregnant because of you and how Inez is responsible for the rumors spreading."

James stuttered before he spoke clearly. "It's my fault sir. I and August got drunk after prom night. I and Betty broke up and her relationship with Dylan blossomed. Inez was spying on me and August while telling everyone on social media. Dylan, Ashton, and I got into a fight. Dylan knocked her out by accident. I never intend to fight them... I was protecting myself. I ignored August for weeks or maybe a few months. Then a week earlier I found out she got pregnant. It's my fault sir."

"I got a call from August Summers' parents. Mr. and Mrs. Summer told me that you can't marry their daughter."

James looked at me... He was lost for words. My parents... Why the hell they won't give me the chance to be happy for once?

"James, you should meet her parents before marrying her. You are both too young to become parents. Please abide by the rules of the school."

James put his arms around me. I could feel his heart beating fast. I didn't know what to do. I just stood there and did not mind hugging him back.

"The principal and guidance counselor will be here soon. Please wait for them."

The door creaked open. Betty was the first to enter the room. Followed by the principal named Mrs. Farvald and Mr. Andrew the guidance counselor and the class adviser.

"Why is she here?" James asked in a low tone of surprise. Mrs. Farvald is an elderly widowed woman who rarely is seen around campus because she always stays in her office doing files and records of students. She sometimes calls students in her office when it comes to detentions and warnings. Her platinum blonde hair and green eyes are pleasing enough to make you feel welcome in school. Now she wears a frown and her old rose formal attire shows how she fulfills her responsibilities around this campus.

"Betty is a witness. Both of you know that it is forbidden for students to be pregnant before they even graduate senior high school."

"I and August are going to be expelled?"
James was wide-eyed and in shock about what was happening right now.

"No, August won't be allowed in attending college until she gives birth to your child. It is certain Mr. Robison will be under observation because Ms. Summer's parents requested to see if he would be good for their only daughter."

James then turned to look at Betty. Betty didn't smile or frown. She brought herself up to look serious with pride and dignity.

"Ms. Freeman, tell us what do you think about this situation?"

"I feel like I am a mad woman who is angry about what my ex-boyfriend did. But I forgave him. He doesn't need to be in observation. He is a rightful person to marry August. Everything happened by accident."
Betty then smiled for once. I try to get my jacket back on so that they won't notice the baby bump anymore.

At the end of this month, Mr. Markus, Mr. Andrews, and Mrs. Farvald decided to do what Mr. Markus's punishment was.

Inez got a week's suspension along with her boyfriend. All of us graduated with flying colors.