Mission FireFly » Stories » Amy

Lighting Up the Darkness

A story by Amy

      Sploosh. I look down at the puddle around my feet and three little words go through my mind. O.My.God. Followed by two words that come out of my mouth, “It broke,” my mother looks at me in confusion.
      “What broke?” she asks and then her eyes go wide. I nod my head.
      “My water mom….I think my water just broke,” I’m trying to remember all the breathing techniques from my teen pregnancy class and all I can come up with is DON’T PANIC! I watch my mom run for the phone and call the hospital.
      “Hello? Yes this Mary Jacobs and I’m about to bring in my daughter who’s water just broke. Her name is Paige,” a slight pause, “P-A-I-G-E Jacobs. Um, one moment, I’ll ask,” she covers the mouth piece, “Are you having any contractions yet?” I give her an exasperated look.
      “I don’t know….honestly Mom I’m in a lot of pain okay?” I grit my teeth and close my eyes as a wave of nausea passes over me. I can feel sweat breaking out over my forehead as I try to waddle towards the door.Meanwhile my mom cuts off the gabby nurse.
      “She’s not sure, she’s only sixteen………I don’t have time for this! We’ll be there in fifteen minutes!” she slams down the phone and dashes up the stairs to grab the bag I packed last week. I take another look at the puddle on the floor, and let my mind drift back to a similar puddle nine months and sixteen weeks ago that started this whole mess in the first place.

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      It’s lunch time at Jefferson High School and the cafeteria is packed as per usual. I’m standing there holding my tray trying to find a place to sit when I’m hit from behind. My tray goes flying and my Sprite spills all over the floor. Heaving a large sigh, I grab a handful of napkins and start trying to clean up the mess. Suddenly I am joined by another pair of hands. Larger, masculine hands. I look up to see who my helper is and hold back a gasp. The boy before me is not really a boy at all. His dirty blonde hair hangs over his brown eyes and even on his knees I can tell he is tall. His t-shirt ripples every time he moves his arm and I watch in amazement as his muscles flex. He gives me one of the best looking smiles I’ve ever seen.
      “I thought I should help clean up my mess and apologize. Sorry about hitting you,” he gives me another grin. I can’t help it, I smile back.
      “Well it’s not the first time I’ve been bumped in the cafeteria but it is the first time that someone has stayed to help clean up,” I laugh a little. I’m rewarded with another smile as we both stand up to throw away the soggy napkins.
      “I’m Chase,” he extends his hand.
      “Paige,” I take his hand and I can’t help thinking how good it would feel to have that hand holding mine as something more than just a simple handshake. I take a deep breath and decide to be brave. “So what class are you in?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.”
      “Well it’s not exactly a small school,” he laughs, “I’m a sophomore in Finchley’s class. What about you?”
      “I’m a sophomore too, but I’m in Anderson’s homeroom,”
      “Ya um, actually you’re in my English class….and I know this is the first time we’ve formally met but I was wondering if maybe you’d like to see a movie sometime?” Now that he mentioned it, he does look a tad bit familiar--wait!! Did he just ask me out? A pinkish tinge creeps over my face as I look up at him and smile.
      “Sure, sounds like fun. Let me give you my number,” As I rummage around in my bag, I can’t believe how excited I am. My heart beats a little faster as I watch him walk away, my number in his hand.

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      I’m jolted back to the present as the car hits a speed bump. Somehow I’ve made it to the car and I’m holding on for dear life as my mom races towards the hospital. The pain below my stomach is so intense that I roll down my window a little, trying to prevent myself from passing out. I can hear my mom muttering under her breath.
      “Going to the hospital at breack-neck speed and for what? Because my sixteen year old is having a baby. Lord have mercy,” I almost smile. My mom has been pretty good throughout the whole pregnancy. Taking me to all my doctors appointments, my teen pregnancy classes, and coming to ultra-sounds with my best friend Kiera and I. When we arrive at the hospital my mom pulls into the first parking spot she sees. I know she’s just trying to help but with all her jerking around I don’t know how me or the baby are going to make it. My mom grabs my bag from the back as I open the door and struggle out of the car. Mom grabs my arm and helps me into the hospital. Next thing I know I’m in a wheelchair being pushed down a long, white, sterile hallway. As I’m sitting there holding my hands, we pass a vase of tulips. I close my eyes again and let the memory pass through me.

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      It’s Friday night and I’m waiting for Chase to pick me up. We’ve been going out for around four months now and I’m shaking and nervous because tonight is the night I have to tell him the two words that no boyfriend ever wants to hear. I’m pregnant. My hand goes to my belly and I can feel the little bulge there. My mom is sitting across the living room from me. She took the news well. There wasn’t any screaming or fighting, only tears. Tears of sadness and disapointment. After the tears came her motherly instincts though. Setting up my doctor’s apointments and registering me at the teen pregnancy place for classes. I hear Chase’s car in the driveway and my mom gives me a small smile.
      “Good luck Paige,” is all she says to me as I walk out of the room to answer the door.When I open it, Chase is standing there holding a bouquet of Tulips, my favorite. I smile at his thoughtfulness and give him a kiss on the cheek.
      “I’ll just put these in some water and be right out,” he smiles and nods as he walks towards his car. Unfortunately I have to pass my mom again to get to the kitchen. She is sitting there with her head in her hands, crying. I try not to notice as I put the tulips in a vase and dash out the door. Inside I still know that it’s my fault she’s crying, causing my heart to become heavy with guilt and shame.
      “Hey,” Chase says as I slide into the car. I look into his brown eyes and try to even out my breathing.
      “So I know we’re supposed to go to the movies tonight, but could we walk around the park instead? I need to talk to you,” I try to keep my voice from shaking as I give him a small smile. He gives me a look I can’t describe and shrugs his shoulders.
      “Sure, no problem,” he put the car in drive and pulled out of the driveway. On the way to the park, the only sound in the car is the radio. I can even remember the song. “A Thousand Miles” by Michele Branch. I know he’s dying to know what’s up but I wait until we’re walking around the grassy park to tell him. He takes my hand in his and turns me so I’m facing him. “What’s wrong Paige?” he asks, his eyes searching mine. I think of all the things I could say, but I can’t find anything that seems right. I decide to put it bluntly.
      “Chase, I’m pregnant,” I watch his face. His eyes go round with shock as he sits down on the park bench. He sits there for a long time not saying anything, just looking at his hands. Finally he looks up.
      “Are you sure?” he asks. Miserably I nod. He lets out a low whistle and runs his fingers through his hair. I hear him heave a sigh as he curses under his breath. “I’m so sorry Paige. So very sorry,” I can tell he’s trying not to cry so I sit down beside him and hold his hand, running my fingers over his. He lifts his head and looks at me, “I’m going to be here for you Paige. I’m not going to run away like all those other jerks do. Half of this is my fault too and I’m going to do the right thing,” I breathe a sigh of relief.
      “I….I’m really happy to hear that Chase,” I confess. I don’t know how long we sat in the park that day, but it was long enough for me to be near frozen by the time we got back to his car. As he drives me home, it begins to rain. I lean my head against the cool glass and watch the raindrops slither down the window.

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