Young Writers Society

Rayah

I swallow, knowing she's probrably gonna yell at me. She sighs and looks at the floor, sitting next to Jamie. "Rayah, Jace..." She mutters.

"You guys gor me pregnant," She looks up at us and then at me. "And then someone killed it..."

I swallow again and look at the floor. "I-I didn't mean it, Brooke. I wasn't thinking..." I whispered. She looks like she's about to raise her voice and I flinch, closing my eyes.

Jace

I watch Jamie carefully, thinking. He stays silent, meeting my gaze the same way.

"The fight," I say, "The alcohol wouldn't have done it on his own, unless you two were swimming in it twenty-four seven. That guy hit you in the stomach a few times. Too much trauma."

Rayah

I glance up as Brooklyn litterally stares me down. "Yeah, and guess who was in control in the fight?" Brooklyn mutters.

I swallow again just as she shakes her head. "Rayah, You..." She trails off, looking at the floor.

"I didn't mean it!" I say louder this time, she looks up, opening her mouth to say something when I stand and walk out.

Jace

I watch Rayah leave before looking away from them all, thinking of what to say.

"Don't...hold this against her," I find myself saying, "She felt she had to do what she did. She didn't know what she was getting into."

I pause, glancing up at them.

"A child is precious, something worth mourning for," I finish, "But it's also something given more than once a lifetime. It was our mistake, now erased. Now it's your time to decide whether or not you two are ready for something of that scale, if you two want that."

With that said, I follow Rayah.

Rayah

I plop down on the stairs outback and bury my head in my hands, taking a deep breath.

Jace

I sit beside Rayah and wrap an arm around her shoulders, bringing her close.

"It's alright," I whisper, "Forget what they said. It's in the past. Leave it there."

Rayah

I shake my head and lean against him. "It's all my fault. They wanted that kid," I whispered.

Jace

I sigh and bring my hand to the side of her face, "Everything happens for a reason, Ray. This is no different."

Rayah

I nod, sighing. I twine my hand with his and flash a smile. "I just feel bad."

Jace

I flash a reassuring smile back and kiss the side of her face, "Who wouldn't? You aren't completely invincible, Rayah. No one is."

Rayah

I nod, "I need to make it up to them," I whisper, thinking.

Jace

I study her, "How?"

Rayah

I shrug, "I'll think of something," I sigh. "I'm smart....Kinda," I bite my lip, thinking. "How would you make it up to them?"

Jace

I flash a smile and sigh, looking out to the horizon, "I don't know, Rayah."

Rayah

"Oh! I got it!" I said, running back inside. I run upstairs and look through my things, wondering if I had it.