Keep Holding On

Chapter Six

School without Haley by my side doesn’t feel like school at all, it’s more like hell. Everybody seems even meaner without her there to share sarcastic comments with. Luckily though, the days seem to fly by until it’s been a week of nonstop vandalism, despite the principal’s efforts to end it, hurtful words, and rumors that are spinning out of control. Apparently, not only am I pregnant but I’m also a h****n addict.

My phone rings as I walk down the hall, “Hello?” I ask, already knowing it’s Mom.

“Hey Hun, I’m right outside.” She says.

“Okay, I’m on my way.” I tell her before pressing the ‘end’ button. Today is my first doctor’s appointment and I can’t wait. I jog over to her and hop into the warm car, “Hey.” I say breathlessly.

“Hey, how was school?” She asks.

I shrug, in all honesty it was crap. “Same as usual.” I respond.

She shakes her head and pulls away from the school. My doctor’s office is only a couple minutes away so it doesn’t take long to arrive and get checked in. I pick up a magazine about motherhood and wrinkle my nose when I see an article about stretch marks. I’m definitely not looking forward to those.

Mom laughs when she sees my face and looks down at the article, “It’s all a part of being pregnant, Ellie.” She tells me.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” I respond, flipping the page.

“Eloise Danford.” I hear from one of a nurse holding my file. Mom and I stand and follow her through the clinic until we reach a standard room with two chairs and a cushioned table that I assume I’ll have to sit on at some point during this appointment.

The nurse quickly checks my blood pressure and temperature, concurring that both are average. Mom and I play the ‘I Spy’ game for the next ten minutes, laughing at how awful we are. The doctor, Dr. Mills, knocks on the door and shakes my hand with her cold one. Why do doctors always have cold fingers?

“Hello.” She says with a polite and happy smile, “Now which one of you two is Eloise?” She asks, checking her charts. Then she giggles and goes, “Well being as the chart says that you’re seventeen, I’m assuming it’s you.” She says, pointing at me. Mom and I laugh as I nod.

After a few preliminary questions, Dr. Mills has me get on the table and lie back as she pokes around my body, observing things I know not of. “So when did you start thinking that you may be pregnant?” She asks after telling me to sit up again.

“Um,” I start counting the days, “About two weeks ago? I realized I hadn’t gotten my period and took a test the same day.” I answer.

She nods and jots something down on her form. “When was the last time you had s*x and when do you think you conceived?” She asks.

“Well, since it’s the only time I’ve ever done it, I’m assuming it would be about two months ago.” I say, chuckling.

She nods and makes another note in the file. “And when were you expecting your period?”

“Approximately two weeks after it happened.” I tell her, not knowing the dates for sure.

She makes a few more notes before standing and moving to the cupboard in the room. “I’m going to ask you to the bathroom down the hall and fill this with your urine please.” She says, handing me a small cup. I groan, thinking of all the ways this could go wrong. Instead of arguing, I nod and make my way to the bathroom. When I return, she’s already put on some latex gloves and takes the container from me.

“I should be back in about twenty minutes with the results.” She says kindly before walking away.

“I hate peeing in cups.” I grumble, making Mom burst out laughing.

“Well I don’t think anybody truly enjoys it, Elle.” She says giggling.

I roll my eyes and smile, “Whatever.”

The time seems to pass at sloth speed until Dr. Mills finally comes back in. “Well, the test shows that you definitely are pregnant. I’m giving you some prenatal vitamins you need to take each day, don’t forget, and a few really great OB/GYN’s you can contact as your permanent doctor for the pregnancy. You’ll want to make an appointment for once you’re around 12 weeks. Then you can have your first ultrasound and see the baby.” She says, handing me a sheet of prescription paper without any prescription on it.

I thank her and tuck it in my pocket as she stands to go. “Good luck with the pregnancy.” She says smiling as she walks out the door.

“Well that was fun.” I say softly as Mom and I head back out the way we came.

“Oh yes. I almost forgot what all happens at these appointments.”

Before we go home, we stop by the grocery store to get not only the vitamins on the list, but also some junk food for me. It’s all I’ve been wanting for the past few days.

***

At school the next day, I’m sitting next to Haley in the only class we have together. Even though we can’t talk, I slip her a note. ‘Saw the Dr. yesterday. Def pregnant.’

I watch as she smiles a huge smile and writes back, ‘I’m happy for you, even if it’s bad timing.’

I nod and whisper thanks before shoving the paper in my pocket and focusing on the lesson.

At lunch, I’m walking through the cafeteria to the empty table I end up sitting at when find myself falling to the floor. I land on top of my tray and get food all up and down the front of my shirt. I hear a gasp from above me and look up to see Alexia, looking fake concerned, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I guess I just don’t see sluts when they get in my way. They’re not worth my time.”

I roll my eyes, severely pissed now. It’s too soon in the pregnancy for that to affect me too much, but that could have been bad a couple months from now. From beside me, I hear, “Seriously Alexia? What the hell?” I turn to see Haley standing there, looking as pissed as I feel.

“Its’ okay, Hales, she’s not even worth it.” I say, pushing myself up from the ground and dusting off spaghetti that’s now a part of my outfit.

I walk out of the cafeteria and make a B-line straight for the office, ready to report yet another incident. This is getting to be too much for me.

At home, Mom about has a fit and falls in it. “This is getting out of hand, Cliff.” She says to my dad.

“I know, Mel, but what are we supposed to do about it?” He asks helplessly as I sit in front of them in a clean shirt. Mom’s pacing back and forth with her hands on her hips.

“I think we should move.” She says suddenly. My eyes shoot up, widening as I notice how serious she is.

“Move?” Dad asks, as confused as I am.

“Yes, move. We always talk about moving closer to Dan and Penny. Now’s our chance. Plus, I was looking into it and the school that April goes to actually has a daycare in the building for the teachers and when I contacted them, they said that they take student’s children too. Elle has the grades to go there and it’d be a healthier environment for her. Also, the father probably goes there too and she’ll have the chance to tell him about his baby.” Mom rambles at high speed. “Ooh, and April’s there for support, since stupid Trinity’s forcing Haley to abandon you.”

“Melody, calm down, you’re being hasty.” Dad says calmly, holding out his hand. She walks over and grasps it in hers.

“I already talked to a real-estate agent and he found us a nice home only a few minutes away from Dan and Penny.” She says, looking at him hopefully.

Dad lets out a harsh laugh, “You’ve got this all figured out, don’t you?” Mom nods, “Well what about my job then?”

“Well you already drive twenty minutes in the right direction anyways, and the new house is only about forty five minutes away. What’s adding on five minutes?” She asks.

Dad shakes his head and laughs. “Give me the night to think about it.” He says, smiling fondly at her.

I stare at them with wide eyes, “You mean we could move to a place where I won’t get tripped or called dirty names?” I ask hopefully. At this point, Haley is the only thing keeping me here and she isn’t allowed to talk to me anymore.

Mom nods enthusiastically, “Wouldn’t that be nice, Ellie?”

I nod, now completely hopeful that Dad says yes. He looks at me carefully, “You’re saying that if we packed up to move tomorrow, you’d be fine with that?”

“Yeah, I would actually.” I say softly, staring at my hands. “It’s hard enough being pregnant without all the hate going on. If they were only talking, I could deal, but they’re writing things on my locker and pushing me in the halls, and tripping me in the cafeteria. I don’t know how anybody could treat somebody like that… well actually I do. They’re all afraid of Alexia, like she could actually do something to hurt them if they disobey her.”

Dad sighs, running a hand down his face, “Well in that case, I don’t see how we can continue living here. Are you sure about this Sweety? It’s a pretty hasty decision.” He says, looking concerned.

I bite my lip, “I think it’s necessary.”

“Okay then. Looks like we’re moving.” Mom starts jumping up and down, clapping her hands excitedly, “Oh good! I’ll call Richard and tell him the news. He said we could move in as soon as we were ready, so I think we can pack over this weekend and the rest of next week then move in next weekend, what do you guys think?”

Mom’s the most impatient person in the world, so Dad and I agree, knowing that Mom will be like the energizer bunny while packing and will no doubt have everything ready by the end of next week.

***

I haven’t had a chance to talk to Haley yet. It’s Friday now and no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to find one moment where we’re alone. I slip her a note as I walk to the trash can in the class we have together. ‘Meet me in the bathroom at lunch? Important.’

I see her nod on my way back to my seat and I sigh, relieved that I’ll get to tell her in person.

Two classes later, she walks in the bathroom and rushes to me, “What’s up? What’s wrong?” She asks.

“I’m moving. Tomorrow. “ I tell her, gripping her arms in my hands.

“What? Like tomorrow tomorrow?”

I nod, feeling sad. “But why?” She asks with a frown.

“It’s actually getting dangerous for me to stay here, Hales. I’m going to the same school as April. They’ve got a daycare in the school for teachers and students and I’ll really need that next year.” I tell her , feeling far too adultish for my own good.

“But tomorrow? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She asks, yanking me forward into a tight hug.

“I’ve been trying to tell you all week! I thought this would be better said in person.” I explain.

She nods, “You’re probably right, it’s just not much notice, you know?”

I agree, “I know, but I only found out last Wednesday.”

She shakes her head, “You mom never could stand to wait.” We both laugh. “I’m coming by to see you off tomorrow, no matter what. And maybe now that you’re not going to be around to ‘tempt me’ my mom will let me have texting back so we can still talk all the time.” She says hopefully.

“I hope so.” I tell her, squeezing her again. “I’m going to miss you.” I say sadly.

“I will too, but you’re right, this is best for you and the little life sucker in there.” She giggles, pointing to my abdomen. I roll my eyes and pull away. “I guess you should be going if you don’t want Alexia to tattle on you.”

She grins, “Love you, see you tomorrow.”

“See you later.” I respond, feeling happy for the first time in a while.

***

The next morning, the moving company my parents hired arrive with a huge truck just waiting to be filled with our junk. It doesn’t take long until they’re ready. I anxiously take out my phone and check the time. I told Haley to be here by 10:30 and it’s already 10:45. Just as I’m about to give up and call her, I see seemingly unathletic friend running down the street, arms flailing and all.

“I’m here!” She yells from down the block. I laugh and run to meet her, “I was so worried you wouldn’t make it.” I tell her.

“Of course I made it.” She says between heaving breaths.

“Why were you running though?” I ask.

“My mom said that I could go, but then she took my car to ‘get the oil changed’. I think she just wanted to create obstacles for me.” I grin and pull her with me to my parents.

“Haley, you made it!” Mom says, smiling as she pulls Haley into her arms.

“I wouldn’t miss seeing you guys off for the world, Mrs. D.” Haley says grinning as she moves to my dad.

“Well it was good to say goodbye, kiddo, but the movers are off the clock by one, so we need to go.” Dad says with a frown.

Haley nodded, “I understand. I just wanted to say bye.”

I sigh as tears fill my eyes and I crush Haley to my body, “I’m going to miss you so much.” I whisper.

“Nah,” She giggles, “You’re going to be so busy making new friends and enjoying a school where nobody judges you that you won’t even notice.”

I shake my head, “You’re wrong. I will notice.”

“We’ll see.” She says knowingly before stepping back and waving us off. We get in the car and I watch the figure of my best friend get smaller and smaller through the rear window.