Chapter 10
Hostility at its worst-If only it were that simple
‘I’m Pregnant.’
It was as though time had stopped. Cole’s mouth opened and shut a few times but nothing came out as he stood there motionless in front of me.
My heart was beating viciously against my chest and my hands were desperately shaking. ‘Um, I h-have t-to go-o.’ I nervously stuttered as I dashed past him to the door. He didn’t try to stop me as he continued to stand there with an unreadable expression.
I shut the door and leaned my back against it as I tried to take some deep breaths.
The truth was when I found out I was pregnant, my gut dropped, I went into shock… just to name a few. I had been feeling a bit uneasy lately and then when I realized I was late, everything added up in my mind. I only took two pregnancy tests but that was enough for me.
But the problem was, I didn’t know whose baby it was… It could be Cole’s or worse yet, Corbin’s.
Just the thought of carrying that psychopath’s baby put me on the bridge of insanity. I don’t know what I would do if I found out that it really was his baby…
A bit later and I found myself nervously walking to the administration block with a head full of pestering thoughts that wouldn’t seem to go away.
Was I going to tell him the truth? Was I going to make up a lie and say it was my fault and get expelled? Or was I going to go with Cole’s story (which I didn’t even know yet) and let him take the fall?
None of these options sounded the least bit tempting.
But even if I was going to go with Cole’s story, you could clearly see my problem; what if Principal Maletos asked for my side of the story?
I gave an exasperated sigh as I reached the interior of the Admin Block.
‘Yes Avery, good, you’re here. Principal Maletos told me to let you into his office as soon as you got here.’ Mrs Frances ushered me in as i neared her desk.
I nodded and hesitantly set off to the man where my whole future lies.
I knocked on the door as i swallowed past the big lump at the back of my throat.
‘Come in Ms Blake.’ The principal said as I dropped my eyes to the ground and entered. I sat at one of the chairs which were placed in front of his desk so I was directly in front of him.
I kept my eyes bowed down in shame as he simply sat there. I could tell I was under his gaze.
‘Now Avery, Mr Ford will not be teaching at this school anymore. I am sorry such a thing happened. I just wanted to call you here to apologize.’
I looked up at him in astonishment. He couldn’t be serious, could he?
‘So you’re not even going to ask for my side of the story?’ I asked in bewilderment.
‘No, that will not be needed, thank you.’
‘But what if he’s lying? Is there something I’m missing because I’m fairly certain that you are meant to be taking both of our sides of the story?’ I anxiously asked.
‘Look Avery, please let it go. This is your chance to get away with it scotch free now if you please, go.’ Principal Maletos said as he let out a long exhale and leaned back in his chair.
I truly did not understand.
‘I don’t understand.’ I slowly drew out.
‘You don’t get it do you?-‘he asked rhetorically as he continued ‘-You’ve been through a lot and I think you’re an amazing student to have at this school and your future is full of great opportunities. I knew there was something going on between the two of you since you got…kidnapped but I tried to hold my tongue. Today when I found you two, I wasn’t surprised but I was stunned because I knew I had a difficult decision ahead of me. At that time, I was on my way to find Cole and discuss you as I knew I couldn’t leave this subject unspoken for any longer. So nobody did tell me about you two, I just didn’t want to put out there that I already knew. I probably wouldn’t let you off like this if you were under 18 but you’re not which means you’re old enough to make your own decisions and if you being with Cole was what you wanted to do then I trust you meaning he’s not taking advantage of you and your relationship is strong enough to last through all of this. By me firing him, you two can still be together and now there will be no more rules you need to break for the two of you to last.’ He concluded.
‘But would you still let him keep his job if we broke it off? Please!’ I begged.
‘You would break off this relationship for Cole to keep his job?’ he asked.
‘YES!’ I exclaimed.
The room went silent as he mentally deliberated the pros and cons put forward in the current situation.
I knew it would remain silent unless someone broke the silence ‘Please?’ I asked as my voice was barely audible.
Principal Maletos looked up and met my gaze. I could tell by his eyes that he was still deliberating. ‘I can’t guarantee anything. I’ll think about it. It’s the best I can do, you understand don’t you?’ he asked.
And yes, I could understand. Cole and I had put him in such a bad situation, I couldn’t blame the guy.
‘I understand.’ I spoke. I slowly got up and walked to the door but was stopped at his voice. ‘And Avery, you’re still taking those counselling sessions aren’t you?’ he asked sounding concerned.
‘I am.’ I guaranteed.
‘Good, good… ‘He said.
I stood there motionless in the doorway ‘You’ll tell me as soon as you decide, right?’ I asked hesitantly.
‘Right-‘he tried to assure me as he continued ‘-anything else?’ he asked.
‘No, thank you.’ I said as he nodded and I walked out, leaving a trail of misery with each onward step.
Cole Ford’s POV
I wish when I said everything would be alright, once in a while, at least, it actually would. But nope, not a chance. As soon as my life begins to straighten itself out and everything becomes perfect with Avery, the walls have to come crashing in on me as everything good gets drained out.
Wasn’t fair, was it?
So here I was, on the ground in my Cabin. What was I doing on the ground? Well as soon as Avery left, I stood there for some time as many thoughts spun around in my head. And once the full meaning of her words and the situation set in, I collapsed to my knees.
I couldn’t have a baby, my girlfriend couldn’t be pregnant and I couldn’t get fired.
Simple.
If only it was.
I had to stop being selfish and think about Avery and not myself. She was the one that was pregnant not me. But whose baby was it? No way could it be Corbin’s, but I guess I could say the same.
But my main concern was what the school do if they found out? Not just the students but also Jim. He already knew about Avery and me and if Avery began to show her stomach, our little situation was going to get a hell lot harder.
My thoughts were cut off with an instant knock at the door.
I really wasn’t in the mood to face anyone.
I groaned in frustration as I hesitantly got up off my knees and walked to the door where my hand was cautiously placed on the cold of the knob.
When I finally opened it, Jim was standing there, hands in pockets.
‘Jim… come in.’ I said, trying to keep my voice calm.
‘Thank you Cole.’ He answered, also trying to keep his voice straight.
When both of us were standing in the middle of my room, I spoke ‘So, what did you, uh, want?’ I asked.
‘Look Cole, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fired you. I’ll tell you what I told Avery. I wasn’t surprised what I saw today, I knew there was something between you since the kidnapping. I overreacted and I want to give you your job back.’
My eyes widened in shock; finally something was going my way.
‘But I thought it was against the school rules?’ I asked.
‘Well yes it is but since I am the only one that knows about this little incident, there will be no need of anything being done. Cole, you are a very valuable member of staff at this school. Although you are very young, you have brought a lot of knowledge and skill to Northern Bay and I would like you to stay; I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
‘But that’s not what you were saying previously. What happened in the interrogation with Avery? Is there something I’m missing?’ I curiously asked as I couldn’t believe this was happening.
This was a second chance.
Fate, almost.
Jim awkwardly looked down ‘It doesn’t matter…’ he trailed.
‘Jim, please.’ I begged.
‘Avery begged for your job back. She said she would end the relationship if you wouldn’t get fired. I told her I would think about it.’ He truthfully said.
‘She did that?’ I asked.
‘Yes. Cole, I know you like her-‘he tried to say as I cut him off and injected ‘-love-‘ as he gave me a sceptical look before choking out the world. ‘I know you l-love her, but if you loved her as much as you say you do, would it necessarily be that hard to wait until she graduated? I can see how powerful and unique this is and I don’t want to be the one ending such a thing because these things are rare.’ He concluded.
‘Jim, it was over the very second we were put in that position.’ I truthfully said.
‘You two will figure it out but just remember that I’ll be watching… I have no choice. Don’t let the past repeat itself… or self I’ll have no choice.’
‘Thank you.’
‘No, you should be thanking Avery; she is the one who convinced me.’
‘I might.’
‘Anyway, I have to go as I have a field trip to organise.’
‘The snow trip to Canberra I put out?’ I asked.
‘The very one. I think it sounds like a great idea as we haven’t had one of these in a long time. It will be a chance for everyone to have a fun couple of days.’
‘In the holidays?’ I asked.
‘Yes, for five days I’ve decided. Anyways I really should get back to it. I’ll talk with you some more later on. I hope everything works out for the best.’ He said as he gave me a respectable nod before waking out.
I turned around and faced the empty suitcase on my bed.
I just couldn’t believe Avery did that… she saved my whole career and what have I done for her? Ruined her life by giving her a baby she didn’t need?
Aren’t I the perfect boyfriend (if I was still counted as that)?
Avery Blake’s POV
Thursday came fairly quickly (surprisingly enough).
I couldn’t stop thinking about the odds that Cole would get fired because of me. It all depended on if I saw him in Music class or not.
But there was also the little issue about the soon-to-be baby I was carrying around in my stomach!
So here we were, Meghann and I walking ultra-slow towards Music as we talked. ‘I honestly don’t know what the problem with Kiren is. He’s not like himself. I’ve known him since the first day I came to Northern Bay and he’s never acted like this. He’s avoiding us, my phone calls and most of his classes.’ I said to Meghann.
‘You should ask Cole about him because I saw them talking the other day.’
‘i-I can’t…’ I said as I looked down.
‘What’s wrong? I thought everything went well…or as well as a situation like that can go.’
Yes I had told Meghann everything as soon as I got back to the girls dorm. Well everything except the bit about how I was pregnant that is.
‘He may still get fired, I don’t know… and I just want my space right now. A relationship doesn’t usually last through all this and even if I’m going to make it last, it’d be best to just leave it for a few days or weeks.’
‘Fair enough.’ Meghann said as she gave me a kind smile as we walked on.
Once we finally reached our Music class, Meghann and I hesitated at the door and exchanged a long glance before walking in.
And there he was, sitting casually at his desk. He looked up at our entrance and pasted a smile on his face.
‘Good morning girls.’ He said nonchalantly.
‘Hi!’ Meghann answered eagerly as I just dropped my head and headed to my desk.
‘Hello Avery.’ He said as he must have noticed my avoidance but the way he said those words, it was almost reluctant.
‘Yeah, hi.’ I mumbled.
I seemed Cole was satisfied and turned away from me.
We sat there only a couple of minutes before teenagers came tediously walking into the room.
Once everybody took their seats, class begun… and it was more theory work.
When class was over, Cole or should I say Mr Ford (?) spoke ‘Avery, may I see you now?’ he asked. I kept my head down ‘Nuh I’m fine.’ I mumbled.
‘Ok, I’ll rephrase that; I need to see you now… please.’
‘Whatever floats your boat.’ I side commented.
‘Do you want a detention?’ he asked virtually unwillingly.
I replied with a groan of reluctance before giving Meghann a nod and heading to his desk.
Once everyone was out of the room, Mr Ford spoke. ‘Avery, we really need to talk.’
‘About what Mr Ford?’ I asked as I kept my head bowed down.
‘So we’re back to that are we?’
‘Why? You’re the one who told me you don’t love me!’ I spoke a little too loudly.
‘I don’t… I mean I do… I mean-‘ he tried to blabber as I cut him off ‘Cole… you were right, we can’t happen. This really is a dead end relationship. We got caught, you almost got fired and now I’m pregnant… I can’t handle it all, I honestly can’t.’ I spoke as I looked up at him.
He met my gaze with an unreadable expression.
‘Are you honestly pregnant Avery?’ he softly asked.
‘I wouldn’t lie about this!’ I shrieked.
‘I didn’t think you were lying… I’m just dumbfounded, I guess. You can’t expect to tell me this and then cut me off forever… I love you.’ He whispered the last part as he looked down, reminding me of a little kid.
‘I can because I’m the one who has the baby in my stomach, not you. I decide what happens… with me and the baby.’
‘But it’s my baby too! And I just want what’s best… for the both of you.’
‘It might not be your baby… you know that! I could have a mini Corbin in my stomach… you know, the boy you killed!’ I tried to hold back the feeling to cry.
Cole stayed silent as he had a mental struggle, creeping its way onto his features.
‘Avery-‘ he said as he walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder but it didn’t stay on long as I immediately took a step back. I could see the rejection present on his face as he dropped his arm back to its original spot. ‘Avery, I don’t care whose baby it is… mine or not, I would be willing to raise it with you. That is if you choose to keep it.’
‘I can’t keep it! I’m 18… it would ruin my life! I’m not ready to be a mother, maybe in a couple of years OK but not know… I need a future and that’s not being a teen mum. And you wouldn’t be able to raise it with me… we’re not together anymore. Just leave me alone Cole, I helped save your career, the least you can do is let me be. I don’t want my efforts to keep you here to go to waste by us getting caught again.’ I concluded as I walked to the door.
‘Does that mean you don’t love me anymore?’ Cole asked as I paused in the doorway and looked back.
‘Bye Mr Ford.’ I said as I exited the room, completely avoiding his question.
But the truth was, I still did love him… but if only it were that simple.
LetMeThink0:
Guys don't hate me OK? lol... pretty intense but yeah.
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