Two-Months Later

~*Page*~

  Two months went by very slowly. After my father died in the car accident, it seemed like the problems I had before his death were insignificant. Even my baby seemed not to matter for a while. I was so devastated and confused. Taylor stayed with me for a week after the funeral and I escaped my problems by fucking him as often as I could. It was a way for me to forget about my dad and everything else that was bothering me. He never complained, of course, and I don't think he even thought anything of it.



  I stood in line for the concession stand at the movie theater, six months pregnant and dazed. Cheyanne and I had decided to ditch our afternoon classes at school to see a movie. School was so pointless to me, especially since I was suffering from Senioritis. Anyways, I stood in line looking at the menu for something to order.
  "Nachos are my favorite thing to get," a male voice said from behind me.
  I turned around slowly to find a very attractive-looking guy who I guessed was around twenty or so. He has short brown hair that was spiked, but not the spiked that you notice right away. He had beautiful green eyes and he was a lot taller than me. He was dressed in a black sweater and khakis and I noticed he had two earrings in his left ear and a lip ring.
 "Thanks for sharing." I laughed and he did also.
 "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help but notice the look of confusion on your face."
 "You're never indecisive about what you eat during a movie?"
 "Not particularly. I usually know what I want and just go for it. That's the best way to do things," he said with incredible decisiveness. I was impressed.
 "Oh, well that's very admirable," I said politely and turned back around.
 "I'm sorry. My name is Caleb, but everyone calls me Cale. I usually don't just start talking to people like that," he said, extending his arm for a handshake.
 "It's cool. My name is Page. Nice to meet you Cale."
 "You too. So, are you here with anyone or are you just a loner?"
 "I'm here with my best friend Cheyanne. She's sitting down in the theater. Are you here with anyone?"
 "My girlfriend . . ." he replied.
  My heart shouldn't have sunk when he said that. I shouldn't have cared. A nice and attractive guy like him would have a girlfriend or be gay for sure. Besides, I had a boyfriend.
 By that time, it was my turn to order.
 "I'll take nachos, a small popcorn, Reese's Pieces and a bottled water, please," I said, feeling no shame as I ordered so much food. I was craving more than that. The cashier then looked at Cale.
 "I'll take a Diet Coke and nachos," he said.
 "We're not together . . ." I replied.
 "It's okay. I'm paying." He winked.
 "No, it's okay," I told the cashier.
 "Just let him pay," she recommended.
 "Oh, my God. Seriously, I don't usually eat that much! I'm eating for two, if you haven't noticed," I explained.
 "OH! Are you serious? I thought you were just a little disproportionately big around the stomach area," he joked sarcastically.
 "You still talked to me even though you knew I was knocked up," I stated quietly.
 "It's not like you have the plague," he commented. "I'm sure you get evil stares and sympathetic looks from everyone. I don't know your circumstances, but I'm pretty sure you don't need anymore shit from anyone. I'm not going to just add on to your problems."
  "Thanks," I smiled. He paid for our food and we walked aside for the next person in line.
  "So, is the father around?"
  "Yeah," I answered.
  "That's good." He said it in a way that made me believe he really thought it was good.
  "Thanks so much for paying. I feel really bad . . ."
  "Don't feel bad. You should learn to accept favors."
  "You should learn not to talk and pay for complete strangers," I said as I gathered my food. "But, I'm very thankful for you paying for mine."
  "I would ask you for your number or something, but seeing as I'm with my girlfriend, you're probably still in a relationship, and oh yeah--you're pregnant, aren't you? I don't think it's appropriate for me to get your number."
  I giggled and felt the blood rush to my face.
  "No, it's not. Besides, you're just trying to talk to a pregnant girl because it's obvious she puts out," I cracked.
  "Hey! That's pretty funny. How'd you know? All joking aside, I would have talked to you even if you weren't pregnant."
  "Thanks, I think."
  "Yeah. Well, I want to see you again sometime. I'm in a band called QRP. . ."
  "What does QRP stand for?"
  "We don't know. We just think it sounds cool," he replied. "Anyways, we perform in the New York area quite a bit. Come to one of our shows when you get the chance. I'd love to see you there."
   Shit! It would be my luck to meet another musician.
  "What do you play?"
  "Lead guitar and I share lead vocals," he responded.
  "Cool. Thanks again, Cale."
  "No problem, Page. I wish you well with everything," he smiled and walked away.
   I couldn't believe what had just happened. How could I be six months pregnant and be hit on by a gorgeous guy?

*   *   *

   "Happy Birthday, baby," Page smiled as she walked into Taylor's bedroom. She found him lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.
    "Hey! Page, what are you doing here? Oh, my God! Look at you . . ." he exclaimed while jumping out of bed. He had just been lying there, contemplating what he should do for the day. He had no idea that Page was going to be in town, but he was overjoyed to see her.
   "Look at me . . ." she echoed.
   "Look at your belly!" He gave Page a hug and felt her oversized stomach.
   "I know. Isn't it huge? I still have three months to go."
   "Wow. It'll go by quickly, don't worry," he said gently.
   "So, eighteen year old, how does it feel to be legal?"
   "I don't know. It's just like yesterday, except I have you here which makes it perfect."
   "Aw! You're sweet," Page smiled. They kissed and then Page sat down on his bed. "I haven't been in your room in a long time, dude."
   "I know. So what is everyone doing?"
   "Not much, actually. Your mom, Zoë and Mac came to pick me up and I think I saw Avery eating cereal in the kitchen. I guess everyone else is asleep. Oh wait, I saw your dad heading for his office."
    Taylor nodded along with her and made sure there was no change in her after she mentioned his dad. When he saw that she was okay, he continued.
  "Well, I am so hungry. I don't know about you. Maybe we can go out for breakfast . . ."
  "Taylor, you forgot that I am six months pregnant. We can't be seen together."
  "Oh, yeah. Shit! Why can't I go out to breakfast with my girlfriend? This fucking sucks."
  "Taylor, calm down. It's okay. I don't feel like going out right now anyway. I'm kind of tired . . ."
  "Well, you're tired right now, but what about later? We can never go into public together? Page, I want to be with you out in the world. When the baby is born, I want to go out and not be afraid someone will see me. I'm tired of all this . . ."
  "Come on, Taylor, You know that your career could be over once they see you with a kid."
  "It's already over."
  "No, it isn't."
  "Shit! Don't try to sugar coat it. We're over and done with."
  "Please, don't talk about it. It's your birthday."
  Page and Taylor stared at each other.
  "I'm going to take a shower. Wanna come?" he asked with a devilish smirk on his face.
  "Nah. I'm going to sleep," she said while crawling into his bed.

~Later that evening~

 "Page, just come on," Taylor persuaded her.
 "No. Taylor, I'm just going to watch this movie with your brother and sisters. Have fun at your party."
 "It isn't a party. We're all just going to be hanging out downstairs and stuff."
 "Good. I'm not going to miss anything. I'll be hanging out here. Besides, my back hurts."
  Taylor started rubbing her belly. They were sitting on a sofa in their family room.  Jessica glanced at them every now and then, but Avery, Mac and Zoë were enraptured with the television.
  "Some of my friends want to see you."
  "Why? So they can see how fat I am?  If they genuinely care to see me, I'll be right here."
  "Fine. Will you at least come when we do the cake?"
  "I already did the cake thing with your family."
  "Ugh, never mind. Just stay in here. If I had known you were coming, I would have cancelled this little get together. You're more important to me than this."
  "Sorry," she shrugged. He pecked her and got up to go greet all of his friends.
   Page thought about going to hang out with them, but stopped short remembering that she was not in the mood to deal with stares and whispers.
   "Hey there," Zac beamed, walking over to Page. He hadn't seen or talked to her since the funeral, and when he'd woken up earlier, she was sleeping and then he went out with a friend.
   "Hey Zac! What's up?" She smiled, struggling to sit up.
   "Man! How's my nephew doing?"
   "Haha! Don't be too sure it's a little boy," she giggled hugging Zac. "My brothers are hoping for a boy, too."
   "It's weird seeing you pregnant."
   "Can you guys shut up?" Mac screamed.
   "You shut up, butthead," Zac said throwing a pillow at Mac. Page and Zac walked into the kitchen.
   "So, anyway, how have you been?" Page asked him.
  "Pretty good. Kathy is away visiting her aunt out in California. She said she really likes it there."
   "I'm glad. She needs some stability and peace in her life."
   "So do you," he said. He felt sorry for Page. He felt sorry for her being with Taylor especially since he knew about Lindsey and the other baby.
   "I have peace. My baby brings me peace. Just thinking about her makes me calm and serene."
   "Her?"
   "Or him," she winked.
   "So, how's school and everything?"
   "Well, aside from all of my friends talking about college and prom, I'm good."
   "I'm sorry."
   "I'm not. It's okay. It doesn't bother me all that much."
   "Taylor said you're taking a year off and then going to college."
   "Yeah, I am."
   "That's cool. So, why aren't you out with him and everyone?"
   "I don't feel like it. I want him to have fun. I don't want to be the center of attention and I don't want to have to deal with ignorant people."
   "That is understood, but Taylor's friends aren't like that. I think you should be with him. I doubt he's having fun anyway. He's probably thinking of you."
    Page smiled and thanked him for persuading her to go be with Taylor. They walked together down to the basement where everyone was chilling.
   As soon as they walked in the room, Page felt the stares and whispers that she didn't want to deal with. Taylor was talking to some friends, but abruptly stopped upon seeing Page.
    "You decided to come down after all," he said loudly.
    "Thanks to your little brother," Zac added.
    "Thank you, Zac," Taylor said happily.
    Page recognized some people, but most were complete strangers. She spotted some people drinking and smoking.
    "Taylor, I can't be down here with this shit," Page said rolling her eyes. "I can't believe your parents are allowing this."
   "They don't care. Besides, they aren't coming down here."
   "Well, I'm going back upstairs," she said turning around.
   "Go upstairs then," Taylor said.
   "I am. Have fun smoking and drinking," she said over her shoulder. People were quiet and watching her every move. "What in the fuck are you staring at?" Page asked the people looking at her. "Get a fucking life."
   "Page, what is up with you?" Taylor questioned.
   "I'd rather not go there right now, okay?"
   "Fine, we'll talk upstairs," he replied. They walked upstairs and out onto the deck of his house.
  Page began as soon as they shut the door behind them. "You can go on living a normal life while I have to give up everything. You're smoking down there!"
  "I can smoke if I want to. Page, I'm sorry that you're jealous of--"
  "Oh, no! I'm not jealous of you, Taylor. I just don't think it's fair that I have to be pregnant and you can just go on being you. I bet you haven't even told most people about me being pregnant. Everyone I know knows I'm pregnant because it's obvious. I can't lie about it. I can't hide it, either."
  "Do you want me to buy a fucking shirt that says 'I got my girlfriend pregnant?' I can't help it if women get pregnant and men don't."
  "Why don't you give up smoking? Why don't you give up parties? Why don't you stop drinking? I had to stop all of that shit."
   "Get real, Page," Taylor laughed incredulously.
   "I am real. I even found some weed in your room. I'm not having my baby around that."
   "I don't do that shit anymore. Matt left it over here."
   "Whatever. Listen, who knows what other secrets you're hiding from me! I don't even care. Have fun at your party. Happy eighteenth fucking birthday," she said angrily.
   "Did Zac tell you something?"
   "Tell me what?"
   "Did he?"
     Page sensed Taylor was hiding something from her. She played along, pretending Zac had told her.
   "Yeah," she said sadly. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to be sad about the news or angry. She didn't even know what the news was.
   "I'm so sorry, Page. I was going to tell you about her and everything, but I wanted to wait until the baby was born and then your dad died, so I didn't want to add on to that either."
   Page froze. Taylor had cheated on her, she was sure.
  "I'm gonna kill Zac," he said angrily.
   Page began to feel pains in her lower stomach. She grabbed her stomach and screamed.
  "Oh, my God! What's the matter?"
  "I'm feeling sharp pains," she exclaimed. "Shit!"
   Taylor took his cell phone from out of his pocket and dialed 911.