Chapter Twenty-Two

Being back at school after everything that happened was strange. People kept staring and whispering as if they knew what Jason and I went through. I knew they didn't so I was even more confused. When our last class came, I changed into my bikini.

"Blake!" Samantha jumped to my side. "I'm glad you're back."

"Me too." I smiled.

"This may be weird, but can I see it?" She smiled brightly. I looked to her slowly.

"See... what?" I raised an eyebrow as I grabbed my towel.

"The reason you've been gone for a week! Everyone says you got knocked up by Jason and he purposed because of it and you got married in Vegas. I was told that you got bit by a shark after Brice pushed you into the ocean." She bounced on her toes as she went on.

"Vegas?" I felt disgusted. I always felt that people who got married in Vegas were people who wanted a fast wedding surrounded by casinos. I knew nothing about Vegas, though. I turned my leg, showing her my calf. "We definitely WOULDN'T get married in Vegas."

"Whoa!" She knelt down, looking at the large pink scars from Bartholomew who had bitten me. "How come it's almost healed?"

"I heal very quickly." I folded my towel.

"Come on, girls!" Coach called. We walked out of the locker room to the pool.

"Well, if you were pregnant with Jason's baby, what would you name it? I bet your child would be so cute." She walked with her hands behind her back.

"Why do you think Jason got me pregnant?" I frowned as I stretched with her.

"You and Jason are- Jason!" Samantha jumped up from her stretch.

"I heard my name." He stated, looking at both of us. I smirked, continuing to stretch. How was she going to play this off? "What are you talking about?"

"Your baby." She blurted. She didn't even try to lie. Jason's eyes filled with shock as he looked at me. I started laughing knowing there was no way I was pregnant.

"Jason, we never had sex." I snorted, standing. "Calm down."

"Yeah, it's just a rumor that Blake was pregnant and you got married in Vegas." Samantha shrugged.

"Vegas?" He made a face that looked like he smelled something bad.

"I know, right? I hope that's not where we go to get married." I replied without thinking.

"To get married?" The color in his face drained, causing me to freeze. No one spoke for a long moment. "You're right. I'd like to get married on the beach." My heart spasmed in my chest as I smiled up at him.

"Alright, class. Today is a free day. Remember the rules." Coach told everyone. A familiar face approached us.

"Brice, don't ruin this moment." I exhaled deeply, looking into Jason's eyes.

"I just wanted to say that I'm surprised to see you wearing a bikini with your baby bump showing." Brice looked my body up and down. His words made me feel self-conscious, making me look down at my belly. It was a little bloated because it was almost that time of the month for me. "Or you could just be fat." I looked up to see him shrug. Jason turned to him as I sighed. The moment was ruined.

"Say that again. I dare you." Jason glared.

"I'm just pointing out that she put on weight. I get it. You like big girls, thunder thighs and all." Brice smirked as if he has been told a joke. I felt like someone had stabbed me in the chest.

"You're wrong, Brice. Blake has one of the sexiest bodies I have EVER seen! She hasn't gained any weight at all. In fact, she lost some." Samantha defended.

"Well, you're a whore and a lesbian." He revealed. She gasped. Her secret had been released. Jason grabbed him by the back of his head, bringing their faces close together.

"Listen to me, you dirty scumbag. If you EVER disrespect Blake or ANY other woman again, I will drown you in this very pool." Jason threatened aggressively in a low voice.

"I don't believe you." Brice grinned.

"Oh, you will. Just wait. A gay guy as prickly as you will learn." Jason released him, speaking loud enough so everyone who was near us could hear. Brice looked around, surprised and embarrassed. His face turned bright red. What was the problem with being gay? Maybe Jason was just revealing Brice's secret because he revealed Samantha's.

"W-well, you're gonna protect those fat freaks?!" He backed away from us, looking around.

"Alright. Lets walk." Jason grabbed him behind the neck again. "You'll learn to respect others." Brice tried to pull away, but Jason threw him over his shoulder and jumped into the pool. Thirty seconds went by then a minute. I was hiding my stomach with my arms, now worried that I really did seem fat. I felt really uncomfortable in my swimsuit and by the time Brice finally came up for air, I was making my way to the locker room. Once inside, I grabbed my clothes.

"Blake? Blake, stop! Don't pay attention to what Brice said. He was lying!" Samantha touched my arm.

"Get away from me, Samantha." I looked down at my shirt in my hands. She was silent for a moment.

"Is it because I like girls?" She picked at one of her nails as I looked up. I heard the door open and I figured it was the female coach.

"Samantha, I truly don't care about what you are. It's your life." I told her. "But I feel ashamed of myself and my body. I don't want to be seen."

"You shouldn't care about what others think." Jason's voice startled me. "Samantha is right. You do have an amazing body. Own it." He smiled at me, but it faded quickly as he looked down. I looked, wondering what he was looking at, to see blood seeping through my bikini bottoms. Humiliation filled me and I grabbed my clothes, rushing into a shower stall. I changed quickly

"You shouldn't be in here, Jason! You can get in trouble! I-I'll meet you out there." I yelled. I was lying, but it made him leave.

"Here." Samantha handed me a tampon under the short shower curtain. After a few moments, I came out and pulled my baggy hoodie from my locker. I slipped it on over my shirt.

"Don't tell Jason that I went home." I said in a low voice. I slid my shoes on and left school grounds, headed home.