Serpents ✔️

Chapter 20

To Topaz
Toni can you come to the bathroom please?

From Topaz
Is everything ok?

To Topaz
No

Toni walks into the bathroom at the Whyte Wyrm. I keep thinking about what Byrdie said the other night. She sits opposite me in the bathroom stall while I'm leaning on the toilet
"What's up?" She looks at me concerned
"My periods late"
"Are you...?"
"I don't know. Byrdie made a comment to me the other night, maybe. A week or so before the fight with the bulldogs I forgot to take the pill. I thought I'd be ok but I think I'm pregnant Toni"
"Errm ok. Stay there Byrdie will have some tests"
"No Toni. She's gonna know it's for me"
"What else do you have in mind?" I don't say anything and Toni walks out the bathroom, a few minutes later she returns with some pregnancy tests "well pee on the stick" I close the stall and pee. I walk out and we wait.
Finally it's time to look
"Shit"
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know T. What if Pea leaves me?"
"He won't. You need to talk to him"
"My dads gonna kill me. Don't tell anyone, let me talk to Pea first please"
"Of course" I shove the stick in my pocket and both Toni and walk out of the bathroom over to Sweet Pea and Jughead. I wrap my arms around Pea while he plays a game and Toni sits down with a drink
"Baby I need to talk to you later" I whisper
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I just figured out why I'm sick. I'm fine just don't leave me"
"I could never but tell me now"
"No not now"
"But I'll worry" I sigh
"Ok but keep your voice down..."
"I can't believe you guys don't see it" I hear my brother yell
"Later I promise" I whisper. I rest my head on Peas shoulder
"Weatherbee is profiling us, telling us what to wear. What's nexts brain implants controlling what we think?"
"Jughead you sound like conspiracy nut. A school closed down"
"A crappy school" Pea says still focused on his game. I keep quiet trying to think about how I'm going to tell Pea I'm pregnant
"Yeah and now we're at a better one with a computer lab and textbooks"
"And toilets that flush"
"Getting transferred to Riverdale high is the best thing that could have happened"
"Maybe ever" Pea says
"So if I have to take off my jacket 8:30 to 3 Monday to Friday, hey, I'm down with that"
"What about you El? You've been pretty quiet about all this"
"Oh Jug don't start I'm not in the mood" I move from watching Pea over to my brother "look like T said were at a better school this is our chance to be able to learn. I might actually get the help I need to pass" Jug looks at us all annoyed and walks out shaking his head.

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"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Sweet Pea says as we sit on his couch together. I start to look nervous "babe what is it? You can tell me"
"Pea I'm.... I'm pregnant"
"Oh shit" he says leaning back running his hands through his hair, I look down at my hands "is it mine?"
"Yes. There was a day I forgot to take the pill. I promise I was only sleeping with you then"
"Damn it El. What are we gonna do?"
"I... I don't know" I start to cry but immediately feel arms around me
"Baby don't cry. Look I know we're young and I know we've not been together that long but we're going to get through this. I'll be by your side with whatever you decide. I love you Ella so goddamn much"
"I love you too Pea" I lean into him more. I text my dad to let him know I'm staying over at Toni's. We decide to just go to bed and straight to sleep.

The next morning I wake up to Sweet Pea's hand on my stomach, I know in that moment I can't have an abortion or give this baby up
"Morning baby"
"Pea I can't get rid of the baby. I'm gonna have him or her" Pea kisses my shoulder
"And I'll be by your side through every step of the way. Money will be tight but we will make it work, I promise. I love you Princess" I turn over to face Pea
"I love you to" I gently kiss him and he kisses back. He rolls on top of me "we're gonna be late"
"That's ok I don't mind" Pea leans down and kisses my neck
"Pea seriously come on..... I'll make it up to you later"
"Fine"

________________________________
We're in the lounge area, Sweet Pea and Fangs sat down and Toni in front. I'm sitting on Peas lap
"And we're all going to be by your side right Fangs" Toni whispers
"Totally. I think a little Pea would be hella cute"
"Just don't tell anyone. I still need to talk to my dad and Juggie"
"Oh hey guys" we all turn to see Jughead wearing his jacket "what's up?" He walks over to the snack machine
"Take it off" Reggie says standing up
"Oh god" I whisper
"Take off that jacket rat boy" I stand up with Pea and Fangs following. We walk over to Jugead
"Oh Reggie I don't think you know what this jacket means because you have no sense of honour or history" I can see Reggie getting irritated "or loyalty" Reggie pushes Jug, Sweet Pea and Fangs go over to break it up while Toni and I stand watching, Toni holding my hand. Normally I would join in but with a little Pea cooking I can't risk anything.

We're eventually all pulled into Wheatherbees office
"You all have a weeks detention for fighting"
"What? But Toni and I didn't do anything also why is Reggie the only bulldog here?"
"You want to make that 2 week?" I slump into my chair crossing my arms "I made myself clear to you yesterday Mr Jones. Take off that jacket right now or your suspended"
"Juggie just..." I'm cut off
"Then I guess I'm suspended" Jughead walks out. A wave of nausea hits me
"El are you ok?" Toni asks. I shake my head "bathroom?" I nod my head
"Sorry Principle Weatherbee" Toni grabs my hand and we run through the halls
"Everyone out now" Toni shouts and all the girls walk out. I crouch down to the toilet, we hear the door opening
"Hey Ella are you ok?" Veronica comes in
"Errm yeah. Just ate something bad"
"Are you sure? I know we haven't really got on that well before but I don't like seeing people sick or hurt. If you want to talk I'm here" she smiles at me then walks out
"You think she knows?"
"No El. But they're gonna find out at some point"
"I know I know"