Chapter 9 PREGNANT?

“Where have you been?” Maxine asked when I met her at the hall.

“I went into the men’s room.” I lied. I hate lying to her.

“Did you talk to Mr. Clark about your grades?”

“Not yet. Maybe tomorrow.” I answered. “Let’s go home?” I asked and placed my arm on her shoulder.

“Yeah, sure.” She smiled as she wrapped her arm around my waist and we walked into the parking area to where my car was parked.

I dropped Maxine in front of their house before I went home. She asked me to stay a little bit because she has something to say but I didn’t have the mood today. I just want to stay inside my room and take a rest.

“How’s school?” mom asked from the kitchen when she saw me entering the living room.

“Fine.” I answered shortly, throwing my backpack and plopping my body on the couch, lying my head on the headrest.

“I saw Justin’s mom this morning. She said that Justin failed in his Chemistry exam. What about you, baby? Did you pass it?” mom asked as she walked towards the living room and sat on the couch across me. She placed the plate with cupcakes and orange juice on the table at the center.

“Of course! The exam was really hard, but I was able to pass it.” I said as I picked a cupcake and took a bite on it.

I saw mom smiled, “I am so proud of you, Tyler. You’re a smart boy like your dad.”

Smart? I don’t think so. If only you knew, mom.

“Anyways, she also told me about a boy in your school who got his girlfriend pregnant. Is that true?” she asked again and I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of mom gossiping. I knew she wasn’t like that.

“Yeah, he’s from the other section.”

Mom heaved a heavy sigh. “Be careful, son. I know how much you love Maxine but don’t engage yet in pre-marital sex. You’re both young to become parents. You have to concentrate on your studies first. You should learn from my experience. I was seventeen when I had you…and it was not easy—“

“Mom!” I cut her off.

“Yes?” one of her eyebrows rose a fraction.

“Actually, there’s something that I would like to tell you.”

Silence fell. And then she asked. “What is it?”

“I’ll tell you but promise me you won’t get upset. And don’t tell dad about this.”

“Oh my god!” she rose from her seat, started walking around the living room and I just watch her calmed herself. Good thing she’s healthy or else I couldn’t tell her about my problem. “Okay, what is it? Tell me, son.” She said after going back to her seat.

“I did something bad, mom. I disappointed you and dad.” I said as I hung my head low.

“Oh, baby. Why did you do it?” mom was about to cry now.

“I don’t know. I’m just stupid.” I said pulling my hair out of frustration.

“Your dad will be very upset if he finds out about this.” my eyes widened. “But I’ll make him understand.”

“Really?” my face lit up. She will help me tell dad. “Thank you, mom! You’re the best!” I stood up and hugged her.

“So, is it Maxine?” she asked and I frowned as I pulled away.

“No mom, it’s not Maxine.”

“What?” she pushed me and I fell on the floor. “Then who is it? Tell me! Oh my God, Tyler! How could I tell Jackie about this? How could you break her daughter’s heart?”

“Mom?”

“What?” she asked, her eyes widened.

“What are you talking about, mom? I don’t understand you!”

“Tell me, who’s the girl?”

“What girl?”

“The one you got pregnant if not Maxine?”

“What? I didn’t get any girl pregnant, oh my god!” I said as I stood up from the carpeted floor and sat back on the couch.

“You did not?”

“Of course not! I failed in my three subjects and Chris suggested me to get a tutor. What do you think about it?”

“That’s it? You did not get anyone pregnant?” mom asked again and I shook my head.

She exhaled heavily and this time, it was her who walked to me and gave me a hug. “Oh, Thank God. I thought you did something terrible like that. Good thing you just failed in three subjects.”

And when she finally realized what I have told her, she pulled away from the hug and pushed me.

“What, Tyler? Three subjects? Oh my god!”

I was studying in my room when I received a text coming from Maxine. “Open your window, babe.”

I looked at my window, the venetian blinds were closed. It was always closed at night. I knew what I would see once I pulled up the blinds. It was Maxine waving at me in her cute pajama outfit.

I walked to the window and pulled up the blinds, and I was right. She was wearing a pink pajama while dancing on her bed. She blew kisses at me the moment our eyes met.

I dialed her number on my phone and she answered it right away. “Hi there.” She smiled. “Are you busy?”

“Not really. You missed me?” I smiled back watching her sat down on her bed, facing me.

“Yeah.” She smiled but then it faded away quickly.

“Any problem?” I asked and she nodded.

“I have to tell you something, Tyler.” She said softly.

“What is it? And why are you telling it to me over the phone? You could’ve tell me earlier.” I told her as I frowned.

“I’ve tried to tell you but you were deep in your thoughts like something was bothering you. I invited you to come inside the house, so I could tell you about it but you said you’re tired.” she pouted. I felt bad for being so insensitive.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that—“ I sighed. I couldn’t tell her about my problems. I don’t want her to worry about me. “What is it that you want to tell me?”

“I joined the ballroom dancing competition in Germany.” She whispered but I heard it loud.

“What did you just say?” I almost yelled. I couldn’t believe what she just said.

“You heard it right, Tyler. I’m leaving next week.”

“We’ve already talked about this, Maxine!” I yelled on the phone as I looked at her through my window. “You’re not going!”

“You know it’s my dream to join in a big competition like this, Tyler. Please…I want you to support me, this time.” She said, her eyes pleaded.

“No!” and with that, I hung up the phone and pulled down the blinds shutting my window off.