Lincoln Wood Private College Prep

April Elizabeth

I'm here with Jessie. She went into Labor XD Isabelle texted.

I couldn't quite put a finger on who she was, oh wait! That bitch girl. That is who it was.

You're friends with her again? I replied.

Best Friends. Just like we used to be! She asked me to be her child's godmother! I'm so excited.

My heart ached when I saw the first two words of her sentence. I thought we were best friends? I guess I was wrong. You can't even have two best friends.

I sighed and put my phone away. I was sitting on a bench by the park when I saw him. I saw Isabelle's boyfriend, Paul?

"Hey Paul!!!" I said as I waved.

He was the type of guy one could stare at forever.

"Hey. Have you seen Iz??" He asked as he approached.

I sighed, was it Isabelle day or something?

"Yeah. She is at the hospital with Jessie.. she went into labor." I told him.

His eyes widened and I knew he was about to leave me.

"Can i ride with?" I asked.

He nodded and we got into his car and drove to the hospital. I wanted to be with Isabelle.


@Nike

Paul Jenkins

I was just strolling the park when I caught sight of Isabelle's cousin April. She was texting on her phone with a confused expression on her face. And then, she looked up, smiling up at me.

That's when we ended up in my car, trying to get to the hospital as fast as we could. Right when she mentioned that Jessie was in labor, we had to go. Jessie needed the support. And, well, so did Isabelle.

"What did she say? Is Jessie giving birth yet?" I asked as I drove.

"I don't think so," April replied.

"Good,"

I could see the hospital now but the traffic was not getting us there any quicker. I sighed, weaving through the cars, trying to get to the entrance. There it stood all high and mighty. The buildings were very modern, white and sterile. There were a million cars lining the parking lot as I raced to find a spot. Once I did, we both jumped out and ran.

"Do you think Isabelle is in the room with her?" she asked me once we ran into the building, the cold air brushed against our skins.

"I wouldn't doubt it," I smiled, knowing her was nice.

She shook her head and we approached the nurse's station. About four nurse's were there. One was reading through a binder, the other two were tapping away on their computers while the last one smiled up at us.

"Hi, we are looking for Jessie Gates, she just came not too long ago." I started but then April cut me off.

"She's in labor and she's our friend and we have to go up there."

The nurse nodded, looking down at the clipboard that lied just in front of her. Her grey hair hit the paper, it was as long as Rapunzel's.

"You'll have to go to the third floor and wait in the waiting room like the others." she said with a southern drawl.

"Alright, thank you." and that's where we went.

When we got to the third floor, I figured out who the others were. Hawthorne and Collin were sitting just at the front of the waiting room, facing the television. While Dafnie was with Philip. I could hear some grunting, and then yells coming from the other room. There were a few rooms on this floor, but this one in particular I knew was relevent to us.

April looked up at me. "Guess shes already delivering." she said.

I didn't notice until now that my heart was racing a mile a minute. So, I took a seat just between Hawthorne and Dafnie, so the center of the waiting room. On the TV was playing When Harry Met Sally. How I knew that? It's one of Dafnie's favorite movies.

"It's okay, jeez, calm down." I heard Dafnie saying from behind us. "You're making me anxious."

My skin crawled at the sound of her voice. Sadly, she will always have a place in my heart, but I couldn't let her keep that place. I wanted Isabelle.

And she was leaving me. What was I doing here? Sure, I was friends with Jessie, but not good enough to be in the hospital for her. And Isabelle didn't need me here for support, she ended things because she needed to go to New York.

I grunted and stood up, surprising April. Turning my head, I caught Dafnie looking back at me.

She read my mind and I hope that she will follow me out. If she doesn't... that's fine as well. I made my way over to the elevator and hit down. It 'dinged' open and I got in, pressing the 'LL' button. Before the doors could close, Dafnie slipped in.

"You made it," I nodded.

"I saw that you needed me." she said softly.

The doors slowly shut and the elevator started to descend. I was looking at her and she was looking back at me. My heart was beating rapidly and I felt my skin get hot. I had two options, throw her against the wall and fuck her or tell her she can't be my friend anymore.

And it's so fucking hard to choose either. Why do I have to choose?

I looked over at the buttons and found the emergency brake. Pulling it down, I felt the elevator stop abruptly. My heart skipped a beat as Dafnie gasped.

"Paul, what the fuck? Can't we talk outside?" she said. "You know I'm claustrophobic." I heard the fear tint her voice.

"Yeah, but you have me here." I said.

I turned toward her and she was already eyeing me. I let fate decide this time. My hands found her waist as I leaned her against the wall. Her eyes met mine. I could feel her heart racing just like mine. My eyes wandered to her lips and I could not stop staring at them.

"Paul... what are you doing?" Dafnie asked practically breathless.

"Isabelle broke up with me because she thinks we are in love with each other." I admitted.

Dafnie didn't say anything for a moment. Our eyes met and tingles spread through my body. I could do it right now, I could kiss her. But I couldn't not until she said something.

"I think she knows that I like you, after the fact that I kissed you." Dafnie remembered. "But it doesn't mean anything. You and Isabelle are supposed to be together and you know that. You have to stop her from going to New York." she said.

I leaned back a bit, unsure of what to say.

"Why do I have to be the advice guru today?" Dafnie laughed.

"Dafnie," I sighed. "Cause you're so fucking smart."

She sighed this time and removed my hands from her waist. She folded her arms over her chest, giving us a barrier.

"I know I am, so listen to me. Go be with her. Follow her to New York, what's there to lose? You need to be with her."

"But we are best friends, and I loved you since God knows when." I admitted.

She pursed her lips and looked away, unable to meet my eyes. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as a heavy tension flooded between us. Her eyes met mine again as she started to reason with me.

"I love you too," she said.

And that's all she said.

Spoiler

WHAT WILL HE DO WHAT. @Gravity @NicoleBri @AlmondEyes

Isabelle

April had quit texting me. She was acting strange lately; I couldn't let that affect me because I was officially a godmother! That was such exciting news. Jessie should give birth in a few hours if even that long.

She looked so miserable. I walked back into her room and she was in pain. The contractions kept getting worse. I never actually saw someone have contractions or even give birth for that matter so I was a little uneasy.

"Are you sure there is nothing you can give her?" I asked one of the female nurses. She looked at me a little aggitated but I didn't care. Helping patients was her job so she can suck it up.

"I told you miss.. we will give her something for pain once she has dilated more. Until then, she will be fine."

I really hated snobby nurses.

"It will be okay Jess, we will get you something somehow." I told her and put my hand slightly on her shoulder. She looked miserable and it made me upset that my best friend was in so much pain and I had to watch her hurt.

I walked over to Adrian's side to stand next to him for a moment,
"I'm very grateful you called me as soon as you could." I told him.

He smiled,

"It's what Jess wanted. I'd do anything for her."

I instantly missed Paul once he said that.

Looking down at my phone I saw a text from April. She was down the hall in the waiting room. I smiled, I felt depressed and all I wanted to do was eat Strawberry ice cream and watch movies with my other best friend.

I told Jess I'd be back and went down the hall to see her.

"April!" I screeched but in a lower voice than I would normally. She smiled and we both embraced into a hug.
"How'd you get here?" I asked.

I definitely wasn't prepared for her answer.

"Oh, Paul let me ride up here with him." she responded.

My heart ached and dropped to my ass. Where was he? I guess he really didn't care that I'm going to New York after all.

He's probably somewhere making out with Dafnie. My thoughts got a hold of me and I just felt like crying even more. It sucked to feel the way I do. It really did.
If you can't trust your boyfriend with his best friend then really what kind of relationship was that?

It isn't one.
---
"Iss?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and realized I was crying and April was still standing there. It wasn't Paul, I just needed to see him.

"Iss.. we need to talk.." April told me.

I sighed, she was probably going to bring up how if I'm in love with Paul then I needed to stay here and be with him and the blah blah lecture she always gave me.

"I'm.. I'm in love with you Isabelle. I always have been."

I gulped, this was not AT ALL what I had expected. April, the person I shared everything with and done everything with, you know; like a best friend, was in love with me???

"What?" I finally let out.
She scooted closer, enough for our legs to be touching, I was too shocked to move.
"I'm truly in love with you Isabelle.."
Before I had a chance to say anything she closed in the space between us and her lips pressed softly against mine.
My heart was racing and I pulled away. No. I didn't want to kiss her. I didn't want to kiss a girl.

"Didn't you just hear me tell you I missed Paul and I was in love with him and everything else?" I flipped out.

How in the hell could she just do that?
I saw a shadow and turned around to face the door.

It was Paul.

"We need to talk." he told me breathlessly.

I nodded and he came to sit next to me. I stared at him in concern.

"Iss.. I'm coming with you to New York." he finally said.

My eyes widened, no. I wasn't going to let him ruin his life by staying with me when it was obvious he loved Dafnie. I didn't nor would I be with a guy who was in love with two people. I just couldn't do it.

"No. Paul.. you aren't I only bought one ticket--"

"I already have one." he interupted.

I was speechless. Did he really wanna go with me to New York? I pulled him close and pressed our lips together.

That was how a kiss was supposed to feel. I needed to be with him. Ever since we had been together, I was never me without him in my life. He made me complete.

"I'm so very much in love with you.." I told him.




@Nike @Gravity @Shiney

Rupert Jean Franz

"What? Dude, please... DUDE!" I tried to speak over the panicking Philip.

He couldn't even catch his breath as he spoke to me over the phone. Supposedly, Jessie was in labor, and, supposedly, he was finally growing some half ass balls. I had texted Colette and informed her that Jessie was giving birth and that Philip was there with her.

"What?" he finally let me talk.

"Is she in the process of delivering right now?"

"Yes, yeah, that's what I've been saying!"

"And you're talking to me on the phone?" I asked.

"Well, she wasn't too keen on having me in there with her."

I sighed, "Okay, calm down, take a few deep breaths. Talk to Dafnie. It'll all be okay. You have to sit down and talk to Jessie once everything settles down."

"That's what I'll have to do... maybe this is a phase? Maybe I'll go back to being me and not wanting the baby?" he tried.

"Dude, that's not going to happen."

He didn't speak for a few minutes. I just sat down on my bed, looking straight at my TV. It was on, playing an episode of American Horror Story that I had recorded. Obviously, I wasn't watching because Philip had interupted me.

"You're right, it won't... God. Okay, I'll talk to you later." he hung up.

Spoiler

@Gravity

Colette
My phone buzzed with a text from Rupert. Apparently Jessie was going into labor, not that I cared about that slut, I just wanted to know how Adrian was doing.

I tried to call him a couple of times but he wasn't answering, so I just left it alone and decided to watch a movie until Dave and Tina came home. I came downstairs when I heard the door open.

"Hey Dave, hey Tina," I said, taking Dave's briefcase and helping Tina carry in some of the groceries they'd gotten.

"Hi Colette," Tina gushed. My host Mom was bubbly and quite frankly, not that smart. She set the rest of her grocery bags down on the counter, turning to kiss her husband on the cheek.

"Got any plans for tonight?" I asked, helping her put some of the food away.

"You don't have to do that," she said, "but yes, I do have plans. I'm going out with a couple of girlfriends and Dave is gonna stay here to watch a football game on television."

"Soccer," he grunted. Dave was quiet and kind for the most part and didn't say very much. But he was fine.

"Soccer," she said, smiling like she'd never even been corrected. "Are you going out?"

"No," I replied, "A girl from my school is having a baby and all my friends are with her at the hospital. I hate her, she's a slut." Tina kept smiling. What was it with that damn smile? Dave looked up at the word 'slut' but not like he was angry that I'd said the word. More like he was interested in what we were discussing.

"Oh. Well you're welcome to have someone over if you want," she said, "Just make sure all the doors are locked when you go to bed if Dave isn't up." I nodded, putting the empty grocery bags on the top shelf in the pantry.

Tina changed out of her work clothes and then left to go out while I watched Les Miserables in my room before hobbling downstairs on my crutches for one more snack. It was a Sunday night and I had school the next day so I planned to be in bed fairly early.

Before going upstairs, I checked on Dave and he was on his fourth beer, watching the game intently. The other empty cans were on the side table and I was a little concerned that he'd been drinking so much.

"Do you want me to throw those away for you?" I asked.

"No, I'm going to do it myself. I don't want to be hungover tomorrow so I was going to switch to water anyway." He was slurring slightly but it didn't sound like he was full on wasted.

"Okay, that's fine." I said, struggling up the stairs on my crutches. Going down the stairs was always much easier than going up.

"Would you like some help?" he asked and I nodded as he got up from the couch. He held my crutches in one hand and took my left arm with the other. I gripped the railing with my right hand as we went up, slowly but surely. He swayed a little but didn't really stumble. I figured he was just tipsy and it made me laugh a little.

"Need anything else?" he asked and I shook my ahead, walking to my room to get in the shower. I kept it short, already feeling tired. After I turned the water off and got up from my shower chair, I felt my side go weak and I grabbed onto the wire rack that held my shampoo bottles for support, which automatically came tumbling down.

I didn't have time to grab a towel before my bathroom door flung open and Dave saw me, half in the shower stall and half out of it.

"I didn't hear the water running so I thought..." He stared at me for a second and I attempted to cover myself. I could feel my face heat up as his pants tented slightly.

"Please get out," I whispered firmly, a little afraid I couldn't get up on my own.

"No," he said, "You need help." He walked over to me and pulled me up by my underarms and I could smell alcohol on his breath. More than I thought there was. He half dragged me into my room, my wet hair trailing water. I realized what he intended to do.

Warning, this scene isn't too graphic but if you know that rape/sexual abuse makes you uncomfortable, you might not want to read this part.

Spoiler

"Dave, stop," I tried to push him away from me but he held my right side against my body as he threw me in the bed, I tried to fight him with my left but I was too weak.

"STOP!" I yelled as I pinned be down. And then I started to scream for help, tears mixing with the shower water as he yanked down his pants, holding me down with his body.

"Please," I cried, but he covered my mouth with his hand just before I felt myself splitting open, he was forcing himself inside me. I bit down on his palm and he slapped me.

"Shut up you little slut," he said. I felt a pang go through me. I'd called Jessie that word earlier. I didn't pause to think about how that could make her feel, or how I would feel if it were directed at me. I was humiliated, not only was a degrading me physically, he was degrading me with words.

I felt powerless, realizing that Jessie was my only neighbor and nobody was home here. Nobody could hear my screams.

"RUPERT!" I screamed, wishing he could save me. I could feel myself reacting... down there. But I knew I didn't want it. I didn't want it. But he thought I did.

"See?" he leered, "You want this, you know you do."

"NO!" I yelled, struggling more. And then he slapped me again. The stinging of my cheek stopping me cold.

"One more time," he said, "And this will be so much worse for you. Stop fighting." I did what he said. It was already too late and I was afraid of what else he might do. My body went limp and my eyes stared out my window blankly, zombie like, while salt water rushed down my cheeks.

After he... finished, he zipped up his pants, standing over me as I laid there helplessly on the bed. All the fight had been knocked out of me and my face was stiff with dried tears before I started crying again.

"If you tell anybody they'll ship you right back to France. And I'll tell them you came onto me. I have money, connections. It's my word, and my money, against yours." He walked out of my room, shutting the door behind him. I just curled into a ball, whimpering. He was right, I couldn't tell anyone.

Who would believe me?

Adrian

I eventually got back in the hospital room, and Jessie was in the middle of labor. Still. Isabelle and I were both worn out and Jessie looked like she hadn't slept in days. She even dozed off for minutes at a time between contractions, when the pain wasn't so intense.

She had been in labor for approximately 6 hours. She'd started around noon and it was 6 at night.

"How much longer?" I asked the nurse.

"Not too much longer, around 4 hours. She's young and has narrow hips, it's been a difficult labor."

"4 hours isn't that long?" I exclaimed, "Look at her, she's exhausted."

"She's more than halfway done already, and I'm surprised it's not taking longer. The average for a first time pregnancy for someone of her age is around 16 hours." The nurse looked a little irritated. "I can't make it go faster and at this point, she isn't supposed to push. It would squeeze the vaginal canal and constrict the baby. We don't want that."

I nodded as Jessie screamed out, jolting awake with yet another contraction. Isabelle put her head in her free hand, she was close to tears. I'd never seen Isabelle like this. I'd seen her around school and she was always confident and headstrong.

"Adrian," she whispered, "I can't stand to see her in this much pain."

"Do you need to step out for a minute?" I asked her, reaching over awkwardly to pat her on the shoulder.

"No," she said firmly, wiping her eyes a little. "I need to be here for Jessie, she wanted me here every step of the way." Jessie cried out again, her contractions were getting closer together. We were at around 7 minutes at that point.

Three hours later, the contractions were 2 minutes apart.

"The baby is coming, I can see the head. It's crowning at this point." I could barely hear the nurse over Jessie yelling. Isabelle was stroking her hair, trying to soothe her while I rubbed her arm. Her Dad stood behind me and he was crying which surprised me.

"You okay?" I asked, turning around to look up at him.

"Yeah," he said, "This just reminds me so much of the day Jessie was born. It was the best day of my life. I regret not really being there for her until she got pregnant."

"She loves you very much," I said quietly, "I'm glad you're here to support her." He clapped me gratefully on the back before I turned around again to help Jessie.

"One minute," the Nurse said, "Okay sweetie," she was talking to Jessie, "Push." She screamed then, an earsplitting scream.

I guessed she was pushing.

Less than 10 minutes later... I could hear the crying of the baby as the hospital attendants cleaned the blood and mucus off. I winced, I didn't even think about what it would look like... right after.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked weakly, her skin looking gray.

"It's a boy," The nurse said, handing Jessie her new son. Jessie smiled right then, wider than I'd ever seen her smile and her face lit up.

"What's his name?" Isabelle asked, immediately melting.

"I'm naming him after you," she said, then explained that the baby's name would be Isaac Michael Aiden Gates. Michael for her Dad and Aidan for me.

"Daddy," she said, "I want you to be the first one to old him." Mr. Gates took the small bundle from her.

"I think Adrian should hold him next, is that okay, Jess?" Jessie nodded as I took Isaac from his Grandpa.

Isaac was warm in my arms and I cradled him to my body. His eyes looked so much like Jessie's and I instantly loved him. Not in the way you love a baby because they're cute and can't yell at you, but I fiercely loved this baby. And to be honest? It surprised me. I'd thought I might have an issue helping to take care of another man's child. But I promised to guard Isaac with my life, I loved him that much.

"Je t'aime," I whispered, telling Isaac I loved him in my own language.

Then I passed him to Isabelle.

"Hey there," she said, kissing Isaac's nose which made him giggle. We all erupted, saying 'awww' at the same time. Then Isabelle gave Isaac back to Jessie who held him close to her. His skin was red and purple but the color was receding quickly, becoming that pinkish hue babies always seemed to have.

The Nurse came in then, with the birth certificate.

"Is the Father here today?" she asked and Jessie hesitated, looking from the pen to the paper.

"No," said Jessie, "I'm a single Mom." and then she signed the paper. We all stood silent for a moment, trying to forget that Philip was in the next room.

"Okay, we're going to have Mom try to breastfeed before Isaac gets cranky. Jessie do you want them to leave?" The Nurse looked at her expectantly.

"No," Jessie said, "I want them here. But could you please draw the curtain?"

"Of course." I kissed Jessie before stepping away from the curtain, sitting with Isabelle who turned to me.

"Adrian, she needs you. " Isabelle whispered, the sounds of Jessie's squeal in surprise cloaked her words.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Phillip won't be around and if Jessie wants any hope of a future, she needs help raising this baby. She needs your help. And I swear if you break her heart I will break you because not only does she need you, but Isaac needs you. And Philip is inconsistent at best."

"I'm not leaving," I told her, "Not until she asks me to." Then Isabelle turned away, satisfied, and we listened to Jessie's murmuring as she fed her child for the first time.

Jessie

Pain-- pain coursed through my body. My back arched again from pushing, and I let out a cry-- even after trying to suppress it. Isabelle was right next to me, her fingers laced through mine, and Dad was on the other side of me, in blue scrubs with a mask over his face, and his hand gently placed in mine.

I'd never experienced anything like this.

"You're doing great, Mom," the Nurse mumbled next to me, as she had been muttering encouraging statements for the past fifteen minutes. We were still waiting for Dr. Hale to get here. "Come on, give me another big push!"

Adrian had left the room, and seeing him walk out saddened me-- I hoped that he would come back soon.

Pain enveloped me body again, and I wished that I'd been given the option of an epidural. Unfortunately, I'm an idiot, and I have a history with alcohol-- meaning that it was too dangerous. Bullshit.

Another contraction hit suddenly, unexpectedly, and I wailed in pain-- I cursed everything that'd ever happened; me wrecking the car, me having drunk sex with Philip, me getting pregnant, me. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I felt Isabelle's lips against my forehead.

"Great, that's great!" the Nurse chirped, then said, "Okay, mom. We're going to give you a break. Dr. Hale should be here soon."

Relief spread throughout me, and the door opened again-- revealing the amazing boy who'd been there for me since, well, almost the beginning of this pregnancy.

Adrian's lips curved into a smile, and I didn't understand why because I must've looked horrible, but he looked genuinely happy. Behind him, a familiar face peeked over his shoulder.

Dafnie.

I grin, and ignore the pain as the girl hurries to my side.

"I'm here," Dafnie laughs, as tears fill her eyes. "You look great, Jess."

"Don't lie to me," I shake my head, and exhale as she gently embraces me in a hug. "I wasn't sure if you would come."

She frowned, and said, "Why would you ever think that?"

I shrug-- I'm not a very good friend. You have better things to be doing. "I don't know. Anyways..."

"She's dilated to a 6 now, and we're still waiting for Dr. Hale," Dad basically reads my mind-- I was literally about to say that. Exactly that. "We're glad you could make it, hon."

Another contraction carried it's way up my spine, and I muffled a cry. When it finally passed, everyone's eyes were on me, and I forced a smile.

"I'm good," I manage to say, "I'm also thirsty. Water?"

"I'll get you some water," Isabelle says, and squeezes my hand before letting go and leaving the room.

I wanted to sleep. I wanted to shoo everyone away, and just sleep. But my baby was ready for me, so I had to be ready for him.

Adrian took Isabelle's place, and laced his fingers through mine. Fuck, how'd I get someone like him?

Dafnie leans over me, and kisses my cheek before smiling and saying, "I'm gonna go back out there, Jess. I can't believe you've come this far. Good luck, girl."

And she was gone.

The door opened again, and the Nurse, Isabelle in tow, stepped in, "Unfortunately, Dr. Hale can't make it. But, I'm your next best option, so let's do this."

*******************

"One minute," the Nurse said, "Okay sweetie," My eyes were squeezed shut, as if not being able to see would hide me from the pain that was still going through me, "Push." The Nurse, Nurse Stone, demanded, and I did. At that moment, the only thing I heard was my heart beat going a mile a minute, and someone screaming bloody murder. Who was that?

That was me.

The contraction didn't stop, and I couldn't do it anymore. I wanted to give up. I wanted to stop. But I couldn't. My baby was close. He was so close. I pushed again, as the word traveled to my ears again.

And then? I heard heaven calling me. The screams of a newborn filled the room, stifling quiet sobs of my loved ones. The love of my life was right in front of me.

I stared at my baby. My skin crawled. I felt the odd sensation of relief, and also longing. My baby.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" I manage to ask, though I knew it was a boy-- I wanted someone to tell me something about my baby, so I knew this wasn't a dream.

"It's a boy," Nurse Stone said, and it was then that all of the pain, sorrow, torture, everything that I'd been through...it was then that I realized that it was all worth it. I could feel my lips parting in a smile, and I felt like I could do anything. Though, I knew that if I tried to stand, I'd fall right back down.

"What's his name?" Isabelle asked, immediately melting.

"I'm naming him after all of you," When I spoke, my baby's eyes closed, and he stopped screaming as much-- as if my voice calmed him. I loved that. "Isaac. Isaac Michael Aiden Gates. Michael after my Dad and Aiden for Adrian." I looked up, and locked eyes with Adrian-- I wasn't sure what it was, but he seemed to look more comfortable. I wanted to hug him, feel his warmth against me, inhale the scent of freshly baked goods and cologne. I wanted him to be closer, even though he was pretty close. "We have a tradition, two middle names."

"I'm going to go print the birth certificate," Nurse Stone said, obviously wanting to let us have time alone, "I'll give you some privacy."

I watched the woman who'd delivered my life to me walk out the door, and continued to stare at that door as it swung closed, the rest of the white rooms disappearing behind it.

"Daddy," I rasp out, finally breaking myself of the trance I'd put myself in-- he stepped forward, and the tear stains lining his cheeks made me want to start crying. I'd never seen him this emotional before. "I want you to be the first one to hold him."

Though, as the small life left my arms, I felt cold. Empty. I hadn't realized how much warmth, love, and comfort Isaac had given me when I held him. Was this how my mother felt when I was born? How long did that feeling last for her? I stared at my father, as his eyes twinkled with tears that begged to escape their prison.

"Hello, Isaac," His lips moved, and his voice was quiet, gentle, soothing. Isaac's little hand held onto dads finger, and I could feel my smile widen.

"Adrian, I think you should be next. And then Isabelle. Is that okay, Jessie?" Dad glanced over at me, and I nod, absolutely content with the idea. Adrian seemed stiff at first-- as if he were afraid he'd hurt the baby or drop him, but as dad let go and Adrian held the life to his chest, his expression changed. His eyes lightened. His mouth perked up in the corners, forming a slight smile, as if it were only for Isaac. He changed. His arms seemed to move, and protrude more, like he was promising with motions to protect my son for as long as he could.

"Je t'aime," I could barely hear from the bed, but that's definitely what he said, as he cradled the baby to him and finally, but reluctantly, passed the baby to Isabelle, who was still crying.

"I love you."

My French may be rusty, but I knew what that meant. And it made me feel...great. Relieved. Happy. I wanted to kiss him-- both Adrian and Isaac.

"Hey little guy," A smile spread across her features, and warmth grew in my chest as the joyful sound of a giggle reached my ears-- he laughed. An 'awww' escaped my lips, and I realized that we'd all said it in unison. My body ached, still. Pain continued to course through me. Sorrow. Anger. Joy. Everything. It all hit me, yet I stared to cry because I heard my son laugh.

After a couple of minutes, Isabelle passed Isaac back to me, and right after she did, Nurse Stone stepped back in.

"Jessie," She said, after I'd wiped at my face, "Is the Father here tonight?"

I didn't want to talk anymore. I just wanted to look at my baby, cuddle with him, be with him. I focused my eyes on Isaac-- and, after a moment, the features of someone else floated into my mind. Isaac had Philip's nose. Philip. "No," I finally said, "I'm a single Mom."

"Okay," Nurse Stone's gentle voice said, and gripped the paper clipped to the clipboard in her hands. "Just sign here and you will be the only Parent and Guardian of Isaac Michael Aiden Gates."

I stared at the pen and paper, realized that this? This was my baby's future. This decided whether or not I would let Philip be Isaac's dad. Should I do it? Would it be the right thing to do? I wasn't sure.

I signed the paper.

Another tear sailed down my cheeks, and I was exhausted. Nurse Stone left the room again, with my sons future, and I felt relieved...yet guilty.

Adrian stepped into view, and everything I'd been feeling 3 seconds ago disappeared. With my baby cradled against me, and my loved ones surrounding me, I smiled as Adrian leaned toward me and, without hesitation, pressed his lips to mine.

I was overwhelmed with joy.

This was life.

I loved life.

I loved my baby.

I'm sorry, Philip.

Spoiler

JFKDCMSDKGVFNM
AGHHHHHHH
KAY, BYE

~Thorne~

I jolted upright in bed, shooting straight for the bathroom. Bending over the toilet, I wretched. My entire body shook as I emptied what little I had in my stomach, a light sheen of sweat now covering my exhausted body. Pulling back, I gripped the edge as I tried to calm my heart and get a reign on myself as I hyperventilated. The tears running my cheeks slowed as I stood, going to sink and washing my mouth out. Another nightmare, another night. The pale person looking back at me in the mirror with dark circles under her haunted eyes was had come back. I had hoped she would never come back. It reminded me of everything that was wrong with my life. The thought of sinking back into that desolate place made my heart gallop in my chest as I clenched the edge of the sink so hard my knuckles turned white.

"Never again," my voice wavered as I gently rocked back and forth. "Never again."

My voice didn't sound strong enough.

"Never again." I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Never again."

Not good enough. "Never again."

Still not strong enough. "Never again."

Still not good enough. "Never again."

I'd say it until I believed it. I'd say it until there was no doubt.

"Never again. Never again. Never again. Never again. Never again."

I looked into my eyes, watching the sweat glisten on my face neck and chest.

I shook my head to strengthen my resolve. "Never again."

Nodding, I slipped out of my night gown and hopped into the shower to wash away darkness. I didn't stay in very long. Just enough to calm my nerves and relax. After hopping out, the next thing to do was grab a nightgown and underwear before heading back to bed. After dressing, I climbed back into bed feeling a little bit better. Feeling restless, I picked up my cell phone, wondering who would still be up at three in the morning. My thought drifted to Merrick.

Hey. You awake? I can't sleep. Send.

My phone dings a minute later.

Me neither. Wanna Skype? he replies.

Suddenly wanting to hear his voice, I replied yes as I grabbed my laptop and hopped onto Skype. We'd decided to exchange usernames a little after prom and had been Skyping regularly. This would be the first time we'd Skyped at such a late time. I was actually kind of excited. When his called popped up on the screen, I clicked answer.
There he was, staring back at me with his beautiful green eyes and a sexy smile.

"Hey there beautiful." he greeted.

I nibbled my lower lips with a shy smile. "Hey stranger."

He was sitting upright with his computer in his lap. No shirt on. I had a front row view of his tattoos sitting on top of his smooth looking skin with muscles of steel underneath. All I wanted to do was run my hands over his body. I had a first hand account of how warm he felt. I could some of that warmth right about now.

"Miss me?" he smiled.

"Maybe." I blushed. "Did you miss me?"

"Most definitely." he answered without missing a beat.

My insides did a flip as I smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear,which his eyes followed. I rolled over onto my back. "I'm glad."

He didn't say anything, which I tought was odd, but then I realized why. He was looking me over, and only then did it dawn on me that I was wearing a silk night gown that didn't even reach mid thigh, with nothing underneath but my underwear. Faking a shiver, I pulled myself under the covers while i tried to hide my blush of embarrassment. It didn't take long before I we fell into a quiet conversation, asking questions about each other and what not the sound of his voice was so deep and calm, my body reacted, relaxing and putting the thoughts in my head to rest.

My eyes slowly began to droop, as I softly bit my lower lip.

"It looks like someone is ready to hit the hay." Merrick observes.

"Thank your voice." I smile sleepily. "It's so soothing."

"Glad I could help." he nodded. "I'll let you head to bed now."

"Wait," I stopped before he signed off. "Will you stay on?"

"Of course." he pushed his lap down to the bed and laid down in his back, tucking his hands behind his head.

"Thank you." my eyes grew heavier as I nibbled my lower lip once more. "Good night."

"Good night."

His voice was the last thing I heard before drifting off to sleep.

Spoiler

@Gravity, I know you've been waiting, so there ya go! Hope you guys enjoyed!!!

Philip Masterson

I went cold when Dafnie came up to me with a wide smile. She spoke the words I've been waiting to hear, but it seemed like she was a million miles away and her voice was all muffled.

Shifting in my seat, I put my head in my hands and took some deep breaths. I was starting to feel like this wasn't real, as if this was a dream.

"Phil..." Dafnie sounded more here.

Looking up, she was sitting next to me, a frown lined her face. She looked paler than usual, like a zombie.

"I need to tell you something you won't like." she said.

But I knew already. I've made my choice months ago without really thinking it through. And I couldn't go back on it, I'm sure Jessie didn't even think twice when she signed off that birth certificate without a father.

"She didn't say I was the father." I sighed. "I told her to do that."

"You surely regret it."

"Well, I can't go back on it now. This is a moment, I'm sure that tomorrow I'll be happy that I don't have to deal with the baby." my heart hurt as I said this.

"That's a lie and you know it... Phil, he looks just like you. You deserve to see him."

"No," I got up from the chair. "I shouldn't even fucking be here. I'm unwanted."

Looking around the waiting room, I saw people either scared or excited for their families or friends. Hawthorne was walking over to Jessie's room with Collin in tow. Paul was sitting by the nurse station, on his phone. These were Jessie's friends and I wasn't a part of it.

I sighed and walked over to the elevator, clicking the down button. It dinged and the doors slid open. My heart skipped a beat, afraid of leaving. But I wasn't wanted here. I didn't belong.

Dafnie Serena Leto

I felt nothing. Holy fuck. He kissed me and there were no fireworks. No tingles all over my body. Absolutely nothing. Was I saying this to ignore the feeling that was actually going on or was I saying this because it was true? I don't know. So, I kissed him back, testing the waters once more.

Nope, nothing.

I pulled away, staring into his eyes. There it was, that hint of no feeling either.

"You felt nothing," I sighed.

He blinked, unsure of what to say.

"I felt nothing too," I finished. "I mean, that's good. You can be with Isabelle. There's no other choices now."

"I can't say that I felt nothing Daffy," he replied.

I shifted, ignoring the fact that my heart jumped once he said that. Well, shit, maybe I did feel something.

"But that feeling isn't as strong as what you have with Izzy." I protested.

"She's leaving... it doesn't matter what I feel with her."

"You're a fucking coward, you know that?"

He took a step back, surprised by my sudden outburst. I placed my hands on my hips and took a deep breath.

"You can't except the fact that she wants to chase her dreams so you're looking for a rebound. I am not your rebound. She is. You need to go after her dude. She's the one. She's the girl that you have to be with for the rest of your life." I started to say.

Paul ran his hand down his face from frustration and walked over to the controls, hitting the button again the the elevator jumped, going downstairs. I walked over to him and tapped his shoulder. He faced me, he looked defeated.

"No, you can't say that Dafnie."

"Yes I can."

"I was in love with you. You are my best friend. You're the one. I can't see myself with anyone else. I imagined that we would grow old together, I could always see that." Tears were building up in his eyes and that made my throat close up.

I imagined it too. Right now I could agree with him, kiss him again, make him mine. Grow old with him. We would be happy. But, maybe not too happy. The way he looks at Isabelle is a whole other story. When they are together, it is beautiful.

"I'm the girl that you were in love with... and as that girl, I am telling you I am not the one." I paused, resisting the urge to say I'm lying. "I will not make you happy Paul, I'm so messed up. She deserves you. You deserve her and you know that deep down in your fucking heart. So stop saying that I am the one. Stop believing in that fantasy that you made up for yourself. She's yours."

"But you just started to have feelings for me... that's so unfair." now he sounded like a child. But I felt that too. It was unfair.

"So what? Do you have feelings for me? Just because I just got them doesn't mean they are right."

He leaned against the wall and sighed, our eyes met. My body felt like it was on fire as we didn't speak. The doors slid open and we were at the lobby. People walked by in a hurry, but dodged the elevator. He pressed the third floor button and the doors slid back.

"Maybe someday Paul... but not now. You can't be with me because she's amazing. She will be the one that got away."

"What if you're the one that got away?"

"Trust me, I'm not." I paused. "I'll never be gone. She will. You may never see her again and I will always be here. You don't have those feelings for me anymore, I can see it. You're just too blind to notice this. You believed that you were supposed to save me, but I'm saved."

"I am in love with Isabelle." he suddenly said. "I really am... I don't want her to leave. I don't want to break up with her... but I still love you too. It's so damn hard."

"It'll be okay, trust me."

Little did he know, I'd be making his life easier in the long run.

***

Philip has left and now it was my turn to depart. Paul had made up with Isabelle and now they were sitting next to each other whispering little nothings to each other. Tat was right, that was good. But before I left, I sent Isabelle a text message.

Paul really loves you. He's having a hard time because, well, I fucked it up. But it doesn't matter anymore. I hope you guys have an amazing time in New York. You will be the only person that knows this; I have bought a ticket to England for tomorrow. Please, don't tell Paul. I give you guys my blessing. <3

Spoiler

@NicoleBri

Adrian

After everybody got a chance to hold the baby (though Jessie was reluctant) they went home at the nurse's insistence. And the nurse was right, Jessie looked ready to pass out then and there. Isabelle and Jessie's Dad stayed behind.

"One person can stay in the room overnight," said the Nurse. There was a bench against the wall and the nurse removed the arm rests, locking the in place kinda like one of those expanding tables. She took the back cushions and laid them out on the extended bed, throwing a pillow and a blanket over it.

"I'll stay," said Jessie's Dad, "But I need to call work and tell them that I won't be coming in for a few days.

"No, Dad," Jessie said, "You've already missed too much work taking care of me and you need to meet with the event planners about the show in Venice this week."

"I'll stay," I said, everyone turning to look at me. Especially Jessie's Dad. "Sir," I said earnestly, "I will take good care of her and Isaac." And I knew then that both of us knew I wasn't just talking about that night, I was talking about the long term. I didn't know Jessie well but I felt something pulling inside me telling me that I had to help Jessie raise this baby.

"Okay," he said, finally. taking his bag as Isabelle kissed Jessie on the cheek.

"You gonna be okay, little Mama?" Isabelle asked, affectionately.

Jessie nodded wearily, smiling at her and touching her arm.

"If you need me, have doofus here call me, okay?" Isabelle asked, giggling as she nodded at me.

"Thanks Izzy, I really appreciate it." I said sarcastically. We grinned at each other for a second before she left the room.

"Thank you Adrian," Jessie turned to me once everybody had left. "I'm glad I have you here." She held onto Isaac, his little fingers were wrapped around her pinky as he slept peacefully.

"He has your eyes," I said as the Nurse quietly exited the room.

"He has Philip's nose," she answered wistfully, staring at his face.

"You did the right thing you know," I told her, "By signing the birth certificate yourself. He's inconsistent at best. Isaac doesn't need a father who won't be there for him."

"And you will?" She asked, looking up at me.

"I'm going to try. Maybe not for his whole life but at least now. I'm kinda attached to you and the little guy. And even if our relationship doesn't work out we will always be friends."

"I wish I could say thank you, but I feel like I've said it so many times today." I leaned down to kiss her after she finished speaking, gently patting Isaac.

"Are you ready to go to sleep?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Will you put him in the crib so I don't crush him in my sleep?" She asked. I took Isaac carefully, moving him to the clear plastic crib, careful not to ruin the swaddle.

"Goodnight Adrian."

"Goodnight Jessie, hope you enjoy your last full night's sleep."

Isaac started to cry just then.

"Oh Great."

Spoiler

@Shiney

Colette

I laid there on my side, naked, my face stiff with dried tears and my skin aching with bruises. I slowly sat up, a fresh wave of tears coming as I walked into the bathroom and examined the bruises and scratches on my skin, in places where no one would look.

I was violated, vulnerable. I couldn't stop thinking about where his hands had been on my skin. I sat in my shower chair, turning the water on as impossibly hot as I could get it, scrubbing away his touch, his degrading words, the way his eyes traveled on my skin.

When I got out I walked downstairs, peering outside my door before entering the hallway.

Despite the spring air, I was wearing jeans, flats and a sweater, not wanting to expose any more of the bruises and scratches than I had to. I hobbled down the steps in my crutches, startled when he met me at the bottom of the stairs. Him

"Get the hell away from me," I whispered, my knees shaking.

"Careful, girl," he said, "Tina's home. But she won't always be here, will she?" Fresh tears threatened to flow down my cheeks but I wouldn't let them, not while he was standing in front of me, watching me. Threatening me.

"Tina." I called up the stairs and Dave's disgusting smile faltered. "I'm leaving," Tina appeared at the top of the stairs, her hands working to fasten an earring to her ear.

"Okay, Cole, have fun. Do you need a ride anywhere?" I shook my head, getting down the steps and almost tripping on my way to the door.

I made my way across the street, to a house that was for sale, walking around to the back porch and sitting on the porch swing.

I called Rupert, my anchor to everything.

"Rupert," I said when he picked up, trying to act like everything was okay so he wouldn't worry. "Can you come pick me up?" I asked.

"Sure, I'll be there in 2 minutes." A few minutes later he was there just as he said he would be. I texted him and he came around the back of the abandoned house, sitting down next to me.

"Aren't you warm?" he asked, "Why don't you take your sweater off?" I panicked, drawing my arms around me. I didn't want to be vulnerable, didn't want to leave any piece of me exposed.

"I'm cold," I said, "I think I'm coming down with something." I looked up then and he got a good look at my face. My eyes were swollen and I was pretty sure I had eyebags.

"Cole," he gasped, "What's wrong?" I shook my head, chewing on a nail, the rest of my fingers clutching the sleeve of my sweater.

"Are you sure?" I nodded but I could tell he wasn't buying it. He took my hand and I tensed immediately but then forced myself to relax. If Rupert didn't believe me he would try to find out what happened. And then Dave would do something worse to him or take it out on me.

He moved his hand to stroke my cheek gently, leaning in for a kiss. As his lips met mine I pulled back, reminded of the feverish way Dave groped me, kissing and biting down my chest just the night before.

"No," I said, yanking my hand out of his and moving to the other end of the swing.

"Colette," he said, looking shocked. "What's going on."

"Nothing," I snapped. "Mind your own damn business."

"I love you and I need to understand what's going on so I can help you."

"Well I don't love you." It flew out of my mouth before I realized why. My heart was breaking, but I needed to protect him. I needed to protect me.

"You what?" He stammered, biting his lip. A trait he probably picked up from me. "That can't be true. Look me in the eye and say it again."

"I don't love you," I said, looking into his beautiful eyes as I tried not to reach out to him. I didn't let my lip quiver, I stared at him, clenching my teeth. This was the only way I could get through this.

He just looked at me, quickly wiping at the corner of his eye and I was floored. I've never seen Rupert cry. Rupert has watched his best friend with his first crush, he's been beat up over someone throwing hot coffee and me and calling me a cripple. He's dealt all his life with parents who didn't care and a school with teachers and students who saw him as lazy, arrogant and stupid. But never once did he bat an eye. Never once did he shed a tear. That was Rupert, strong and stubborn yet sweet and loving. And I'd made him cry.

And then he walked away. I heard the car door slam and the engine start before I started to sob, listening to him drive away. Then I called Thorne.

"I need you," I gasped, "Meet me in front of Starbucks."

"Cole," she said frantically, "What's wrong?"

"Please," I sobbed before hanging up. "Please."

Spoiler

@AlmondEyes @Nike

April Elizabeth

I knew it would happen. Isabelle rejected me. It actually happens quite frequently now that she and Paul had gotten so serious. She was happy with him but yet from what she tells me, he'd rather have Dafnie. Wow.. such a great thing to hear.

I left the room once Paul entered, Iss was completely head over heels for this guy and I knew they'd be right for one another; especially after he realizes it in himself that he loves Isabelle the same.

They were definitely the dream high school couple; everyone should want to have what they do.

I'm sorry. I texted her.

I left the hospital after my friend, Ryan, came and picked me up. We were fuck buddies and shit so why not.

I sat in his living room while he went and got us beer.

I was definitely getting fucked up tonight.

-----------------------------------------

It was foggy. My mind was. I passed out.

-----

I woke up in a hospital bed, no one was around. Why was I even here? Lying there, my heart went crazy and my mind was still hazy.. tears begun to intrude my face. I was so confused.

"She's hemorrhaging!!!" A nurse yelled. Two more came in and I just couldn't do anything. My whole body felt so cold.. I..

And then it was gone. I felt free.

There was white balls of light all around me, was I dead? I felt the urge to look down, and there it was. My body. I was floating above my bleeding self.

How could I let this happen to myself? Did I really do this over a mistake, I didn't deserve to die, at least not today.

I felt a light tug and then my soul just vanished.

My breathing was light, I could hear people yelling or were they really just talking?

"Are you okay?" one of the nurses asked me.

I was in a hospital bed and my head had a huge bandage around it. "What am I doing here?" I asked her.

"We almost lost you Ms. April. You were dead for about five minutes." the nurse explained.

It wasn't a dream, the white- I didn't know what to think.

"You should get some rest. Don't move around too much." she told me and walked out of the room.

Spoiler

April is still ALIVE!!!! <3 Yay.

"I can't believe you, little girl. We told you what would happen if you screwed up, yet you went out and partied. Got drunk, and fooled around with a useless boy, and now your life is ruined. Do you hear that? Ruined. We're going to have to cover this up. Is it too late for an abortion, do you think?"

The Nurse tapped my shoulder, and my eyes fluttered open to wrinkles and graying hair.

"Ah, finally," she exclaimed, and pulled the clipboard out from under her arm. "Baby needs food. We were also waiting for you to get up so we could run the tests on little Isaac, who, might I say, is absolutely adorable!"

I glance around, and sigh in relief-- it wasn't a dream. Adrian was across the room, whispering to Isaac in a hushed tone, saying something I couldn't make out. My bags were sitting on a chair about 7 feet away, and on the fold-out couch thing, a couple of pillows, plus some blankets, were strewn messily around.

"What time is it?" I croak, and grimace at the bad taste in my mouth. I still felt exhausted, but my body didn't ache as much as it did yesterday.

"About..." the Nurse pauses, and pushes up her sleeve to look at her watch, then smiles, "8:32."

The early sun streamed through the curtains, and bounced off of the ground. I blinked, and pushed a tangled strand of hair out of my face, "Could I brush my teeth, please?"

***************

After giving me approximately five minutes to clean myself up, Adrian helped me back into the hospital bed, and the Nurse slowly walked over to us, Isaac in her arms.

"Also, mom, your mother stopped by? She told me tell you that she left a card, plus a gift bag beside your bed. She even talked to the baby," Margaret, as her name tag read, says, "She left about an hour ago, though."

I glanced at Adrian with a frown, "No shit?"

Margaret laughs, a good hearty laugh, and shakes her head, "I'm serious, yes."

"She asked me who I was," Adrian nods sheepishly, his accent filling my ears in a sickly sweet notion, "She also told me I had a fesses mignon."

Shaking my head in disbelief, I ignore the blue envelope sitting on the table next to me, and stretch my arms out for my baby.

Newly-found warmth spread throughout my body, and I let myself fall back onto the pillows. Breast feeding was an awkward feeling. But it made me feel closer to Isaac-- more connected.

After getting him to latch on, I cradled him closer to me, if that was even possible, and locked eyes with Adrian. He'd been gazing at Isaac adorningly, and it was cute. The image of him standing over my baby, telling him that he loved the newborn floated through my mind and made me feel great.

"I'm going to leave you three," Nurse Margaret grinned, and touched my shoulder before leaving, "Page me if you need anything."

As the door slowly shut behind her, she let out a sigh of relief. Adrian settled in the chair next to her, and adjusted the newborn hat that I'd picked out before I went to sleep last night. It was light blue and brown striped, with a little polar bear sewn in at the hem.

"I know you've been asked this too many times, Jess," Adrian's voice suddenly filled my ears, and I glance over at him, "but how does it feel? Being a mother?"

"I've been a mother for almost 9 months," I laugh weakly, and use my free hand to reach out to him. He laces his fingers with mine, then lifts my hand to his face and presses his lips to it. I'd always admired how he resembled the typical romantic French guy. Though, in a sense, he was better. Way better.

After a second, I looked up, only to meet eyes with...a boy. His dark brown hair fell into his chocolate eyes, and I couldn't stop staring. He was gorgeous. He was the definition of gorgeous. He- oh, who am I kidding? He was out of my league.

He didn't seem to think so. The flashback gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling. The first time I'd ever even seen Adrian, now here I was, sitting in a hospital with him, holding hands as we both gaze at the love of both of our lives: a one day old baby boy, named Isaac Michael Aiden Gates. And even though this guy, this man that I met outside of the Country, wasn't the father...he still promised to protect my baby. To love him unconditionally. To be there.

I think that was his way of saying that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't too out of my league.

*****************

After listening to the Nurse, I nod, and walk in front of Adrian as he carries Isaac in the Infant Car Seat that dad had brought me only thirty minutes ago.

"So, come in on Thursday, dear, and we'll check on his again. And make sure you stop by the Pharmacy to pick up that cream for him," Nurse Margaret reminds me/us, "Circumcisions can be very painful if not medicated right."

"Yes, ma'am," I sigh, and rub a hand across my face.

"Okay, now, you have to sit in the wheelchair until we get outside, to your ride," She says, as she pushes a black wheelchair over in front of me. I didn't have a problem with that. My legs were killing me, anyways, and I felt as if I were about to pass out.

After doing down the elevator, and right out the front door, I was met with the sight of my beloved, red Ford Focus. Dad had dropped it off, after it was finished at the repair shop, and taken a cab back home. I didn't know why he didn't stay. It kind of bummed me out.

Anyways, Adrian had to start the car and get it cooled off enough for Isaac, and after it was, he strapped the car seat into the holder, and checked too many times, just to make sure it was secure and wouldn't move.

"We all set?" Nurse Margaret asked, and grinned at me, her glittering white teeth burning my eyes.

I nod, and, with the help of Adrian, lift up out of the wheelchair. I slid in next to the car seat, because I didn't want to leave Isaac in the back alone, and pushed my hair out of my face.

Adrian pecked me on the cheek, before shutting the door, and getting in the front.

He was still a little nervous about driving in America, since he had to drive on the right side, but he didn't complain, and I was glad for that.

We pulled out of the Hospital parking lot, and I watched as my baby's birthplace passed by my window.

Off to home, now.

Spoiler

It's not as long as I wanted it to be, but I needed to post something for her, so hopefully this is fine. @Gravity, tell me if you want me to change anything.

Dafnie Serena Leto (After the hospital)

Maybe I was stupid. Maybe I should have told him that I loved him. He would have dropped everything and ran with me. We could be together right now, all over each other. He could be giving me all his love.

But no, I decided to have a heart.

Why the fuck would I do that?

I looked through my contacts and found a name I figured wouldn't hurt. He was my friend, no? And, he was understanding. I just needed someone to distract me.

The dial tone went off until he answered.

"Dafnie?" he asked.

"Merrick," I sighed into the phone, already feeling my tears run down my face. "I need someone."

He was silent for a moment. "Uh, yeah... come over."

The next thing I knew I was at Merrick's doorstep, shivering like crazy. Not only because I was cold, but also because my anxiety was sky rocketing through the roof. He opened the door, obviously I woke him from his slumber. His eyes dropped as he smiled down at me. He had slipped on some sweats to look decent.

"Come on in Daffy," he said.

I walked in as he shut the door behind me. The house smelled of some sort of flowers, sweet yet perfume-y. I smiled at him as he took my jacket and hung it up. He's a gentleman, Hawthorne is lucky.

"Follow me," he said.

I was lead up to his room, which looked like a regular guy's room, minus clutter. He was the neatest man alive. I sat down on his bed and he joined me, the tension was thick. Why was I here? I should have went to Hawthorne. This is weird, awkward.

"Uh, sorry I woke you." I said, sniffling.

Fuck, I was still crying, wasn't I?

"It's okay, obviously something happened... what happened?" he had asked.

I swallowed hard, unable to meet his eyes.

"Dafnie?"

"Uh, it's Paul."

He nodded, letting me speak.

"I let him go to Isabelle." my voice came out weak.

He tilted his head like a confused dog. I smiled, looking away from his face. There was always something about him that made my heart race. Maybe it was the tattoos.

"I fell in love with him and I decided to be stupid and let him go to Isabelle when I could have had him." Ugh, I sounded PATHETIC.

"Did you tell him?" he asked.

"Yes, and he said that he would be with me. That he would leave Isabelle. But I told him not to."

"You did a good thing,"

Looking at him, I caught him smiling, probably trying to cheer me up. I folded my arms over my chest, not sure of what to say.

"Dafnie, you did a good thing. You saw that Isabelle and Paul actually belonged together and you let it stay that way. It's sometimes could not to be selfish. It will hurt, but shit happens."

His voice send tingles down my spine. I shifted in my spot and looked away from him.

"I feel sick." I admitted.

"Just don't vomit on me," he laughed.

I stifled a chuckle and looked over at him. God, any girl would dream to have him and Thorne was the lucky one. Why couldn't I be happy? Why couldn't I be loved? Why was I the forever single girl that will never have what she deserves?

"Do you think I'm just not good enough?" I asked.

He rose an eyebrow. "What? No, of course you're good enough, why would you think otherwise?"

"I-I don't know... it's just that, every time I like someone, they seem to use me and dump me. I never had a boyfriend. What, am I just not for relationships? Am I just for sex?"

"I don't know how to answer that Dafnie, that's a lot of pressure... but I know you're an awesome girl and any guy would be lucky to have you." he was the nicest guy.

His eyes met mine and I couldn't breathe. They were filled with all this concern, it was surprising how much one person could care so much about others. He was like the guy version of me, but better. There was a bigger heart inside of him.

My lips trembled and I had to look away. There were many things I could have pushed myself to do, but I decided against it. He was with Hawthorne. He wouldn't want me.

"Thank you, for this." I smiled.

He placed his hand on mine, wrapping his fingers around mine, making my skin tingle. I looked up and locked eyes with his, unable to pull away. It might have been a friendly thing for him, but for me, it was more than just that.

"What are friends for?" He smiled back.

I decided to lean in, closing the gap between us with my eyes shut. But then, I realized he had moved away. Opening my eyes, I saw his get wide.

"Oh fuck, I'm sorry." I jumped off the bed, feeling my cheeks get red. My heart started to beat rapidly as I collected my coat from his bed and headed towards the door.

"Dafnie, it's okay..." he called back.

I turned on my heel and saw him standing up, walking over to me. There are many things that could happen. One I'm praying would, and the other I knew would happen. And it did.

"I was being stupid." I gushed. "I'm so sorry,"

"Dafnie, it's fine. I know you're going through a lot. But we are friends and I forgive you."

Why did that make me want to kiss him even more? I held that thought to myself and smiled up at him. He made his way over and wrapped his arms around me, enclosing me in warmth.

Spoiler

@AlmondEyes