“And Will and I got into a fight because he called me irresponsible. I was meeting a boy, Dad, and I should be studying.”
“You should be studying,” he grits, clenching his jaw while staring at me oddly. “I got a call from your academic advisor saying that you’re falling behind. Who is this boy you’re meeting?”
“It doesn’t matter, Dad.”
Will continues to remain quiet, then excuses himself, leaving me to fend for myself. I’m hurt he’d do such a thing when all along he promised me he would fight for us. And here I am, fighting for us and this so-called baby I’m carrying
, only for him to walk away.
Swallowing the lump inside my throat, my chest begins to hitch, making it harder to breathe.
“It does matter, Amelia!” Dad yells, the echo bouncing off the glass walls. “I knew you going to Yale was a bad idea. You aren’t mature enough to handle being on your own.”
I raise my eyes with a pinched mouth, devoid of any emotion as his words anger me.
“So, all that talk about me being responsible was to do what exactly?”
Holding his elbows wide from his body, he lowers his head to control his breathing. His expensive suit looks tight on his overly tensed muscles, the veins on his neck visible next to his white-collared shirt.
“Right, excellent parenting,” I mouth, placing my hands on my hips. “This is all your fault.”
“My fault?”
“Yes! You and your stupid rules, the way you control my life. If it weren’t for you, my life would be much better.”
“Watch your words, young lady.”
“I don’t give a fuck who you are,” I bellow, staring at him with contempt. “Cut me off, disown me. I’m done with being Lex Edwards’s daughter.”
I run into the elevator, closing the door with urgency to leave my father standing there with his head down. The second I’m alone, my body begins to shake, the urge to violently throw up teetering on the edge.
I exit the elevator, walking fast to distract my sick stomach, only to feel an uncomfortable gush between my legs. I rush to the bathroom, closing the stall behind me, yanking my jeans down to see a pool of blood between my legs.
Panicked, I wipe between my legs to clean myself up, but the sight of the blood makes me dry heave. My head falls into the bowl, the barely-there contents of my stomach exiting my body brutally.
My body continues to shake, my tears falling against my cheek turning into sobs. I peer between my legs, certain that the stains are a sign that I’ve gotten my period despite the positive pregnancy test.
With no one to turn to and my dorm room so far away, I grab my phone and call the only man I can rely on.
“Andy?” I cry, choking on my sobs. “It’s me. I need you.”
My eyes open, only to fall back to sleep again. The dreams become nightmares, tormenting my sleep then forcing me to wake up, my body covered in sweat. Darkness engulfs the room but sitting beside me is Andy. He smiles softly, caressing my cheek before tucking me in tighter. My eyes fall heavy again, sleep the only thing my body so desperately craves.
The next time I wake up, daylight has entered the room. The sun is shining, a sign of spring with summer not too far away. I take in my surroundings, noticing the scattered desk in the corner to the familiar photos on the wall.
“Andy?” I croak, trying to open my eyes, a familiar touch stroking my cheek. It feels like home, my entire world. The simple touch brings only fond memories, an unconditional love like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day.
With difficulty, my heavy lids begin to open to see Mom staring at me, concerned.
“Mom?” I cry, the tears choking me.
“Oh, baby.”
Mom’s arms wrap around me as I pull her toward me, clutching onto her for life. The knitted sweater she wears smells of her perfume. I bury my face into her, desperate to be smothered in her love again. I miss her like crazy, and everything I’ve been trying to avoid is no longer worth the pain of losing my best friend.
“I’m so sorry, Mom,” I stutter, holding onto her still. “For everything.”
“Amelia, honey, just breathe, please.”