by Laiza Millan
"Stop it!" Jenna snapped, slapping Emma's hand away. "Get your own popcorn."
Emma scowled and tried to grab a handful of those delicious treats, but failed.
"Why are you being mean to me?" She said it in a joking way as she continued to reach for more.
"Shut up." Jenna hushed her, "Commercial's done. I want to know who this Castiel angel guy is... he's cute."
Emma rolled her eyes, but remained quiet. They were in the middle of a really good part when her cell phone rang, earning her an annoyed hiss from her friend.
Throwing her a sheepish smile, she answered, "Hello?"
"Hello, may I speak to Emma Collins?"
Emma stiffened. "Yes, this is her."
"Hi Miss Collins, This is Lisa from Doctor Melissa Huck's office. I've called to tell you about your test results!" The person in the other line sounded so happy.
Too nervous and scared to hear what the results were, Emma remained quiet, pictures of babies flashing in her head.
Is she pregnant? Damn it, what if she is? She can't handle it! Drake would kill her. Her parents would kill her. She could feel her own heartbeat increasing. Damn, what is she going to do if she is?
Oh, she can see it now!
Her dad shouting, calling her irresponsible. Her mother crying, saying how she broke her trust. Tom and Jason giving her those sorry looks she despises. And Jenna... her nonstop 'how could you be so stupid!' rant.
Emma took a deep breath, feeling her own heart banging her ribcage. But then again, what if she's not? If she's not then she's freaking out for nothing!
"Emma?" Jenna's concerned voice broke her mini panic attack.
"Miss Collins? Are you still there?" Lisa, who was still on the phone, asked unsurely.
Emma took a few more seconds before sighing. "Y-yes, I'm sorry. I'm here. What's the verdict?"
Even though she wished to be a mother someday, she just wasn't ready now. But whatever happens, happens, right?
Please...don't let me be pregnant, please don't let me be pregnant...
"Congratulations, Miss Collins!"
Oh hell no. Please no.
"You are going to be a mother!"
The food inside her stomach decided to travel back up her throat, causing her to vomit for the third time that day.
Chapter 3
.
"Here are all the books and magazines I could find, Emma," Jenna sighed heavily, dumping a pile on the ground beside her. "I never realized how much work it is to be pregnant."
Emma chuckled as she reached forward to grab a random book. "Thanks, Jenna. You've no idea how much your support means to me."
Jenna placed a hand on her friend's knee, "I'm always here for you, Emma. You know that."
"Thank you," Emma said gratefully, giving her hand a squeeze.
"I'm sure Jason and Tom are, too," Jenna said knowingly. "That is, if you decide to tell them."
Emma's grateful feelings decreased as she sighed heavily. "No, Jenna. I can't tell them yet, please try to understand-"
"I do!" Jenna interrupted. "But they're your two best friends, right? Surely they would stand by you no matter what?"
Emma made a small impatient sound as she snapped the pregnancy book shut. "Jenna, please. Just give me some time."
Jenna bit her lip to keep from retaliating and counted to ten to calm her anger. "Fine."
Emma let out a small breath of relief. She looked up from her closed book to give her friend a warm smile, hoping that would dampen the tension around them. To her relief, Jenna gave a reluctant smile back before grabbing another book.
"So," Jenna started, flipping through the pages, "What is there to know about being pregnant?"
"That's what the books are for,'' Emma laughed, nodding towards the pile.
"Oh my goodness, listen to this!" Jenna laughed, pointing at the sentence as she re-read it, "According to this book, if your baby is a boy, he can get an erection while in your womb!"
"Jenna!" Emma laughed, throwing the book at her ridiculous friend. ''You're being-"
"Look!" Jenna scoffed, shoving the book in front of her.
"No, thank you," Emma smiled, shaking her head.
She glanced at Jenna as she continued to voice out random facts and sighed with contentment. Even during tough times like these, she was thankful to have a friend like Jenna to keep her sane.
.
.
.
"I don't want to go there," Tom complained as Emma dragged him inside the ice cream parlor. "We've been here a hundred times already, I'm tired."
Emma raised an eyebrow at him, "Is this for real? Thomas McCray tired of eating ice cream? Rubbish."
"I mean it, Emma," Tom scoffed, looking down at his stomach. "Mum said I need to lay off the sweets so I don't end up like Jason's Uncle."
Emma rolled her eyes. "You're being stupid, Tom. Fine, if you don't want any, I'll buy one for myself."
Before Tom could answer back, he was cut off by a smooth feminine voice.
"Pardon me."
Emma stiffened. She recognized that voice.
Seriously, what the hell was she doing there? This place is an ice cream shop, not a place someone would find a young thin beautiful woman...
Tom frowned at Emma's behavior before turning to the voice.
"Alona," he said coldly, remembering the woman from the restaurant. "Can we help you with something?"
Alona smiled. "Actually, I wanted to thank you both for my fiancé."
Knowing she was acting rude, Emma sighed as she hesitantly turned around to face the soon-to-be bride of the father of her baby. With that thought, Emma inwardly cringed.
"Thank us? What for?" Emma finally said, civilly. If Alona wanted to act civil, then she could too, right?
"Well you helped-"
"There you are."
Emma inwardly groaned. Were the fates punishing her for something she'd done?
"I'm not hungry anymore," Emma suddenly said, grabbing Tom's arm.
"Oh, please wait," Alona pleaded. "I really think Drake wanted to thank you both, as
well!"
Before Emma could protest, her living nightmare started walking towards them.
Drake Rogers was wearing an impatient look on his face as he addressed Alona, "Where have you been? Mother and I have been looking all over for you. You know we're not familiar with this side of the city."
Alona turned to him and gave him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, love. I saw Thomas McCray and Emma Collins and I wanted to thank them personally."
Even though Emma was concentrating hard on the selection of ice creams on display, she could feel Drake's piercing gaze on the side of her face.
Weirdo.
Tom cleared his throat, "It's no problem, really."
"Don't be ridiculous." Alona hushed him, smiling kindly. She turned to her fiancé and gave him a sharp nudge on the side, earning a glare back.
"McCray," Drake huffed, his eyes not leaving Emma. "Collins."
Emma involuntarily glanced at him with a sigh. To her annoyance, he was smirking.
"You two on a date?" he asked so conversationally that Emma wanted to vomit.
"Um-"
"Yes."
All three of them were looking at Emma. She secretly gave Tom a slight pinch on the side as she glided her hand into his.
"Yes, we are."
Drake quirked an eyebrow as he glanced at Tom.
"I'm not entirely surprised. But come on now, McCray; even you can do better than a..." He gave Emma a once over while sneering, "Plain girl like Collins. Even that ex of a slut you dated back in high school was better looking. McCray is just..."
He made an exaggerated shiver, morphing his face in a disgusted expression.
"Drake!" Alona gasped, "What the bloody hell is wrong with you!"
"You take that back!" Tom barked angrily, ready to punch this guy.
Emma just stood there, feeling shocked and hurt. She doesn't need to say anything back; she's no
t going to waste her time arguing back with him. He's not worth it.
She swallowed hard before clutching Tom's hand tightly. She leaned towards her friend and whispered, "I'm not craving for sweets anymore. Can we go?"
"I was just joking," Drake smirked, though his eyes meant otherwise as he continued to look at Emma.
Something about his stare made Emma uncomfortable.
Was there something on her face? Was she showing already? No, that's impossible. It's only been weeks since she got that dreaded phone call from that stupid cheerful nurse. But still... Emma couldn't help but look down at her still flat stomach, just to ease her sanity.
"Well," Drake said sharply, as if nothing had happened, "Mother and I will meet you by the car so we can continue on with this thing whatever we're doing. Don't be late,"
Emma wanted to slap him.
Alona rolled her eyes as Drake walked away without saying a proper goodbye.
She turned to Emma and sighed, "I'm so sorry, Collins. I didn't know Drake was going to be so harsh-"
"Yeah right," Tom muttered. "I bet you planned everything didn't you?"
Alona glared at him, "No, I didn't. I mean, I knew you lot had some history, but I thought he would be over it."
"It's okay," Emma cut in, before another argument grew. "I'm used to his... humor."
Alona flashed a sad smile. "I really am sorry, Collins."
Emma suddenly thought that someone as beautiful and nice as Alona deserved better than Drake.
"Call me Emma."
Laughing, Alona patted Emma on the arm. "I'll see you around then, Emma." She then glanced at Tom and smiled, "McCray."
Tom nodded back and watched with amusement as she walked away to follow her husband-to-be.
"That was weird," Tom commented. "What was that all about anyway?"
"No idea," Emma sighed, letting go of her friend's hand. "I'm sorry I had to put you on the spot like that."
Tom's cheek turned slightly pink as he wiped his now sweaty hands on his pants. "It was no problem. Really."
"I just didn't want Drake Rogers to-"
"Make fun of you, I know," Tom finished for her. "He did it anyway."
"I know," Emma sighed. "So, want some free ice cream or not?"
.
.
.
"What was that all about?" Alona snapped, shutting their bedroom door closed for some privacy.
Drake rolled his eyes, "What are you on about now?"
"At the ice cream shop!" Alona shouted, glaring at the pathetic man in front of her. "Honestly, when I was trying to be nice to those who have helped us in so many ways, you have to go and ruin it!"
"Didn't I already tell you I thanked them?" Drake scoffed. "Besides, it was obvious they wanted to be alone on their little date. If Collins is desperate enough to go for that riff-raff, I'm sure she must be in dire need of a good shag."
Alona stared at her fiancé with a mixture of confusion and anger. "What is wrong with you, Drake? What's going on?"
"Nothing," Drake spat, tugging his tie down and throwing it on the bed, "Now shut up so we can go downstairs and have supper."
Alona stared at him for a few seconds longer. "You're a real piece of work, Drake Rogers. I've no idea why my parents arranged me to be married to you."
Drake listened to her walk away as he continued to change his clothes. He didn't know why he acted the way he did. It was just how he was.
Was it wrong of him to be acting how he truly felt? Besides, it wasn't like he was lying.
McCray didn't deserve Collins.
Drake closed his eyes and groaned. The throbbing pain inside his head was increasing. Who cared if he'd hurt her feelings? She should get used to it.
Letting out a tired sigh, he threw himself on the bed and lay down flat to stare at the ceiling. He had just realized something. He couldn't really pinpoint it, but something about that uptight blonde was different.
.
.
.
"A scoop of cake batter flavored ice cream with a scoop of the peanut butter, please?" Emma asked eagerly, standing on her tip-toes as she stared down at the selection of sweetness in front of her.
The lady gave her a smile back and handed her the sweet. "Here you go, dear."
"Thank you," Emma grinned, absently placing her other hand on her barely noticeable belly as she reached for the ice cream.
The lady noticed this and smirked knowingly. "Ah, I remember my first pregnancy. Made me want to buy a lot of chocolate bars, but I never really ate them!"
Emma bit her lip, as she handed her the payment. "Oh, does it show already that I'm... expecting?"
She knows it's only been weeks but she's still paranoid about her body.
According to this website Jenna showed her, she would be craving all these wild things like pickles with peanut butter or hotdog with chocolate... depending on her taste. Not only that! Her emotions would run wild all over the place, and her hormones might even drive her to act like a completely different person. All of these expecting changes were going through her head that it was literally driving her - and Jenna, her self-proclaim care taker - insane.
"Not that bad, dear," The lady assured her, as Emma headed towards the exit. "Stay safe out there!"
Emma waved, licking that sweet deliciousness, feeling warm and happy. It had been awhile since she'd been so happy. She couldn't help but feel free and new. She ate a mouthful of the cake batter ice cream and moaned indulgently.
"Well, well, well," a voice drawled to her right.
Upon hearing that voice, the delighted and blissful feeling of just a moment ago vanished and was replaced with horror and shock.
This was the first time they found themselves alone together since that horrible night.
"Go away, Rogers," Emma growled, taking longer, faster strides.
Drake smirked, "Ice cream again, Collins? Careful, you looked like you've gained a stone."
Emma shot him a look, "What are you doing here?"
"Alona has decided to degrade herself by getting this cheap wedding dress made by the most inexperienced designer ever just to 'help out', or whatever," Drake scoffed, placing his hands inside his pockets. "Pathetic, in my opinion..."
"You're pathetic!" Emma spat, whirling around to face him. "And why the hell are you here? What do you want from me? Are you stalking me?"
Drake had the nerve to chuckle. "Funny. I could ask you the same thing. Tell me Collins; do you miss me or something?"
"What?"
"Tell me, is McCray not up to your standards? That's why you're making sure you're everywhere I am?" Drake asked, smirking menacingly. "Need me again? Because if you do-"
"Fuck. You." Emma spat slowly, each word laced with venom.
Drake's eyes narrowed as his smirk turned more sinister.
"Don't you remember, Collins?" He breathed softly, "You already did."
The sound of her slap was enough to cause some of the people passing to stop short and look at them in shock.
Drake slowly turned his head back to face her and smirked without humor. Emma was shocked.
Shame and embarrassment were surrounding her as she saw several people eying them. Ugh stupid people, couldn't they mind their own business?
"Rogers, I'm so-"
"You're going to regret that." Drake sneered, making her involuntarily take a step back.
Without warning, he smacked the ice cream from her hand and laughed as it fell to the ground in a mess. Emma stared at the ground in shock before looking back at him with a glare on her face.
"What was that for?!" She snapped, she could feel the heat of anger building up.
"Like I said," Drake said, "you look a bit fatter since I saw you. Don't want to end up looking like a cow, do you?" He paused, smirking as he added softly, "Oh wait, you already do."
Emma felt that familiar sting in her eyes, but refused to show any weakness in front of Rogers. But he noticed. And he loved it.
; Feeling victorious, he gave Emma a fake pout. "Aw, did I hurt the Blondie's feelings?"
"I thought you'd changed," Emma said softly. "At the bookstore that day, you were nicer...I thought you had actually changed? I-"
"Bloody hell, you're so gullible." Drake laughed cruelly. "You should keep a reminder inside that innocent little head of yours, Collins, that guys will say anything to land themselves a quick fuck."
Emma was shaking. She knew she should control herself for the sake of the baby, so she placed a hand on her stomach to remind herself to calm down.
"Please leave me alone," she whispered, trying to tame the rapid beating of her heart. She can't lose control now. She just can't. Besides, she's better than this. She doesn't need to stoop to his level.
Forget that.
Drake raised an eyebrow at her defeat and sneered, "Don't think I won't make you pay for your mistake."
It's your mistake, too, Emma thought silently.
Giving her one last angry look, Drake elbowed her out of his way as he left.
Ignoring everyone's concerned faces; Emma straightened her posture and cleared her throat, walking off with such dignity as if nothing happened just now.
8 WEEKS LATER
Chapter 4
.
Emma glared at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but let out a helpless, dry sob.
"What on earth are you doing?" Jenna laughed as she continued to watch her friend in amusement. "You've been staring at the mirror for ages."
"I really am fat," Emma mumbled, rubbing her hand on her slightly swollen stomach.
Jenna rolled her eyes. "You're not fat, you're pregnant."
"Rogers said I'm fat," Emma spouted, accidentally. She whirled around to face her friend with a sigh, "I saw him the other day."
Jenna rushed towards her side, frowning. "Wait, what? When the hell did you meet up with Rogers?"
"I didn't." Emma groaned inwardly at her slip and sighed before turning away from her reflection. She sat on the edge of Jenna's bed and shrugged. "I bumped into him weeks ago and we exchanged a few ...Pleasantries."
Jenna raised an eyebrow. "And you believed him when he called you fat?"
"I am," Emma growled.
Jenna tsked with annoyance. "You're being incredibly stupid. I'm blaming the hormones." Before Emma could retort back, Jenna grabbed her oversized sweater dress and tossed it towards her friend. "There, wear this! This will make you look cute and tiny, so you're so-called humongous tummy isn't showing."