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Dedicated to Lauren! I always get requests to finish this, so what the hell, right? LOL

Remember this is D&E, they maybe 17, but it's still D&E. One step forward, two steps back, later-rinse-repeat. LOL

Chapter 21

She hadn't talked to him days. Not that he was surprised. She didn't trust him. She figured he would get tired of her, of the situation and run. Part of him thought she was right. That he would take off when it all became real. That he'd run to the next girl who showed interest in him. That's how he did it, after all.

But this, this was different. She was different. It wasn't just that every time he saw her, he thought about the baby she was carrying. It wasn't that she was pregnant; it wasn't that he wanted to be a father, but there was a part of her, a part of him, inside of her. He wanted to protect this person. Take care of him or her. Make sure nothing bad ever happened. He couldn't explain it, and he didn't want to try...all he knew was that he didn't want to be away from her.

He blew out a hard breath as he watched her start down the hall. She made him crazy. She made him angry. She made him wild with desire. She made him laugh. She made him smile. She made him feel. He wanted to run, pretend like he never met her. Pretend like he didn't think about her all of the time. Pretend like he still hated her or even that he wanted to still hate her.

So this was what it felt like when the playboys in a movies fell for the girl.

“Hi,” She breathed a few seconds later after having walked toward him. “I haven't seen you around lately.”

He shrugged. He could be nice to her. He could tell her how he felt and the fact that she hadn't talked to him days killed him. He could ask her how she felt.

Or he could run, just like she wanted him too.

“Erica,” He said slowly, before turning away and closing his locker.

“I just,” She started, but the rest of whatever she was going to say caught in the back of her throat. What was she going to say? She didn't even know why she'd walked over to him in the first place. She hadn't talked to him almost a week. After that day in the park, when he'd all but said he loved her, she'd shut him out. It was for the best; at least that's what she kept telling herself. He'd leave eventually, she may as well end it now.

“You just what?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at her, “Is there something you need?”

You, she wanted to scream, she ached to scream; but she didn't. “I just wanted to see how you are. We haven't had much time to talk.”

He watched her eyes subconsciously slide down to her stomach, and his followed. There was so much left to be said. But neither was willing to say it. He shrugged, “Fine, you?”

His tone was hard, cold. He was shutting her out. Pushing her away. It was exactly what she wanted. But that didn't mean her heart broke any less. “Fine,” She said back, “all things considered.”

“Yeah,” He answered, “it's been a pretty long couple of weeks, with midterms and rehearsal.”

She nodded and swallowed hard, “David, I....”

“David, hey,” Julia smiled as she bounded around the corner, sliding up next to him, “Erica, hi.”

She offered Julia a soft smile, “Hi.”

“David, we still on for tonight?” She asked, watching his eyes flick to Erica.

He wanted her to tell him not to. To tell him that she wanted him. To say anything to make him turn down Julia.

“David?” Julia prodded, watching his eyes peeling off of Erica.

“Yeah, yeah, sounds great,” He said, turning his eyes on her.

“Great,” She smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Bye Erica.”

“Bye,” Erica breathed, blowing out a slow breath as Julia started down the hallway. She opened her mouth, but the bell rang before she could even form a word.

“I'll um, I'll see you at rehearsal tonight,” He said offering her a soft smile, before following the same path down the hall that Julia had.

She leaned back against his locker as she watched him go. She blinked back tears, her right hand sliding down to her stomach. This what she wanted. Him gone. To hurt him before he hurt her. She wanted to handle this on her own; no more messy feelings to clean up than there already were.

She tipped her head back against the cool metal, and squeezed her eyes tightly, trying to keep any more tears from spilling. Any more feelings, she almost laughed. She was a Senior in high school. She'd been dating Jackson for five years and had her whole life planned out. She was almost ten weeks pregnant with a child she already loved so much it hurt, and who's father was the last person on earth she should ever love.

Which is probably why she was falling so hard for him.

Anna found her in their room an hour after school. She was throwing her Math book against the wall when she walked in.

“Erica,” Anna started, just barely in the doorway, “what's wrong?”

“I hate him,” She blew out, chucking her box of condoms at the wall.

“Erica,” Anna started, closing the door behind her, “slow down.”

“It's not fair,” She half yelled, half cried, “It's not fair.”

Anna nodded, heading toward her, “I know, know.:

“I didn't ask for this to happen,” She pushed out, her tone boarding on hysterical. “I didn't ask him to kiss me. I didn't ask to like it. I didn't ask to want more. I didn't ask to like him.”

“It's okay,” Anna nodded, moving around the room, looking for a bottle of water so she could give it o Erica, work to calm her down.

“It's not okay. It's not,” She yelled back, completely in tears now, “I'm pregnant, Anna. Pregnant.”

“I know,” Anna told her, standing in front of her know, “Honey, you gotta take a few deep breaths okay, have some water.” Anna told her, trying to put the water bottle in Erica's shaking hands.

“He's a cad, Anna. A player. He doesn't do relationships, he doesn't love. Why would I think he was going to stick around? Go through this with me.” She asked softly, trying to get the word out through her tears.

“Come here,” Anna told her, helping her to her bed, “You gotta calm down. It's not good for the baby for you to get this worked up.” Anna told her, opening the water bottle, “Deep breaths and have some water.”

“He has a date with Julia,” She whispered softly, shaking her head.

“Ah,” Anna nodded, handing her the water bottle before sitting down next to her, “is that what triggered all of this?”

She half shook her head, half nodded. “I don't know,” She started, after blowing out a slow breath. “I think it all just hit me. Midterms, rehearsal’s, being ten weeks pregnant, being torn between wanting to sleep all day and throw up. And David...”

“You wanted to push him away,” Anna reminded her.

“I know, I know,” She said, “I just...”

“He loves you, Erica.” Anna told her, watching Erica shake her head immediately.

“He doesn't know what love is,” Erica countered, shaking her head as she took a drink of water.

“He didn't, but he does now. He wanted to be there for you, take care of you, help you through this. Love you.”

“He thinks that's what he wants, but he's got a date with Julia.”

“Because you haven't talked to him a week. Because he put his heart on the line for you, tried to let you know that he wants to be there for you. You can only push so hard.”

“I'm better off without him,” She countered, trying to forget all of this, chalk it up to a moment of weakness.

“Do you really believe that?” Anna asked pointedly, “I think you're pretty gone for him too, Erica. And I think...that you're wondering if the two of you could actually work together.”

“I love Jackson, and I believe that he can get past this.”

“Past this?” Anna said shaking her head, “It's a baby, Erica. You promised Jack no sex before marriage and not only did you cheat on him, but you got pregnant with another guy's child.”

“I'll give the baby up, and move on with my life,” She countered, trying to convince herself as much as Anna.

“And even if Jack could ever trust you again, do you really think he's the man for you?” Anna asked, “I don't think you're in love with him.”

Erica sighed and laid back against the bad. She let her eyes drift shut and let her hands drift to her stomach.

Anna watched her with wide eyes. She watched Erica fall more in love with this child everyday, even if she didn't know it. She was starting to wonder how easy it really would be for her to give this child up.

Erica shook her head and opened her eyes, “I want to laugh sometimes,” She started, “because the only damn thing that seems to keep me sane right now is this baby.”

Anna smiled back at her, “Well yeah, it's the only thing you can't push away or lose.” Anna flopped down next to her, “You need to fix this.”

“Anna,” She started shaking her head.

“Tell Jack the truth, and then tell David that you love him. That you want him to go through this with you.”

“I can't,” She blew out, “I can't.”

Anna shrugged and shook her head, “Then you're going to keep having meltdowns like this,” She told her, sitting back up now, “and if you don't want to hurt or lose this baby, you need to keep your stress level as possible.”

“I just want to do this as easily as possible.”

“Easy?” Anna blew back, “Easy went out the window a long time ago. Now you have to do this as reasonably as possible. For everyone involved.” Anna finished, offering her a comforting smile before getting up from the bed.

Erica sighed and rolled over, a few tears sliding down her cheeks. How the hell was she going to get through this? And did she really even want to anymore?

To be continued

Chapter 22

“You really haven't talked to her in three weeks?” Zach asked, watching David shake his head and blow out a hard sigh.

“She won't give me the chance to be alone with her and when we actually manage to be alone together, neither of us are brave enough to actually say it.”

Zach nodded, “I think she's crazy, I think you're both crazy. But since you're clearly in love with her, she should know that.”

“What does my telling her change?” He asked, “She's content to move on and build her life with Jack.”

“She cheated on the poor bastard, and she got pregnant. Even giving the kid up doesn't mean it didn't happen.”

He nodded, “I know, but what other choice do I have? She made it clear what she wants.”

“I still don't believe you deflowered Erica Kane. You must be good, I thought that girl would never give it up.”

David laughed lightly. That seemed like so long ago. “I didn't really have to try that hard.”

“Well yeah, I mean she spent five years getting nowhere with Jackson Montgomery. But still.”

“I know, I know,” David shook his head, “I hated her so much that first time. And I just wanted to use her, but now...”

“It happens to be the best of us,” Zach smiled, “But maybe she's right. Maybe you don't need to complicate all of this further. Just keep having fun with Julia, when the kids born, sign the papers and move on with your life.”

David shook his head, “I don't want to sign the kid away and forget. I can't walk away from her just like that.”

Zach cocked his head and raised a curious eyebrow at him, “Are you thinking of keeping the baby?”

“No, no,” David told him quickly, firmly. “It's just, you don't forget about something like your child. Like the mother of your child. You don't sign papers and stop loving someone, or in this case, someones.”

Zach shrugged, “Well then, you're kinda screwed.”

David laughed, “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” Zach told him, “You might be less screwed if you take those papers from Diaz to her.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

“How can I be showing at twelve weeks?” Erica asked, shaking her head at her profile in the full length mirror they had in their room.

“You're tiny, Erica,” Anna told her, “And really thin. Any weight you put on is going to show, but really, it's hardly noticeable.”

She sighed and nodded, “I don't think I'm going to be able to hide it much longer.”

Anna shook her head, “Probably not. Especially when Diaz needs to do your fitting for the play.”

“I'm going to be as big as a house by then,” She sighed.

“I'm more worried about what Diaz is going to say,” Anna said, shaking her head, “I mean, I don't think he'll really care, as strange as that sounds. But I think he'll have to tell Headmaster Chandler.”

She nodded, “And he'll have to tell my mom.”

“Oh, I didn't even think about. Mona is going to flip.”

“I know,” She nodded, “I know, but I know how to handle her. It's David I'm more worried about.”

“Why David? From what little I've heard, his mom doesn't really care what he does.”

“It's not his mother I'm worried about,” She sighed, turning from the mirror, “it's Headmaster Chandler. He told David he couldn't get into anymore trouble.”

“I thought that just meant no blow jobs in the hallway?” Anna offered with a smile.

Erica shook her head, “I think getting him getting me pregnant is in the same vein of trouble.”

Anna shrugged, “Can he really punish David for sleeping with you? Lots of kids here are having sex, and that rumor he's sleeping with Krystal seems to be more than just a rumor.”

“True,” She started, eyes sliding down to her stomach, “none of them other girls are pregnant, though.”

Anna nodded, “How do you always get yourself into this stuff?”

Erica shook her head and smiled a little, “I always wonder that myself.”

Anna opened her mouth, but the knock at the door stopped her.

“I have to finish getting ready, can you get that? Just tell Jack I'll only be a few minutes.” Erica asked, offering Anna a smile as she headed for the bathroom.

Anna nodded, getting up so she could answer the door. She figured it was Jack and didn't bother to ask who it was. “David,” She breathed, eyes wide with surprise, “hey.”

“Hey,” He nodded, “I um, I just...Erica left rehearsal early and Mr. Diaz handed out some papers and I just...”

Anna laughed and shook her head, “I don't care why you're here. I'm just glad you are. Took you long enough.”

David sighed, “Am I that transparent?”

Anna shrugged offering a soft smile, “No, but you love her and you're the father of that child, it's only fair that you and Erica talk things out.” She told, “I'm headed out, just wait here for Erica.”

He cocked his head at her, “You're not going to tell her I”m here?”

“And let her lock herself in the bathroom? Hardly,” Anna told him, shaking her head as she moved to grab her purse. “She's supposed to meet Jackson in like thirty minutes, so make it quick. But make it good.” She smiled, headed for the door. “Oh and David?” She said stopping at the door, “Tell her how you feel okay? Make it easier on all of us, huh?” She finished, before heading out the door.

“Jack I was thinking,” Erica was saying as she walked out of the bathroom, not paying attention to who was still in the room. “I...David,” She breathed, in complete shock, “what are...how did you get in?”

“Anna let me in,” He started, “I was worried because you left rehearsal early and Diaz gave us some paperwork for fitting's that I thought I should give to you.”

She nodded and offered him a soft smile, “I had a doctors appointment. Twelve week check up.”

“Oh,” He nodded, “Right. Are you alright? Is the baby okay?”

She nodded, her smile widening. “Yes. I have an ultrasound photo if you want,” She started, turning on her heels, “And the adoption agency sent me a packet of files on potential parents...” She was rambling,saying whatever it was she could think of. She didn't want to give him time to speak, time to say anything that they would both regret. “I haven't really started to go through them yet, but I thought...”

He reached out and grabbed her am, as she started to turn around. The papers in his left hand fell to the floor, and he stood there, eyes cast down; set on her stomach. “You're showing.” His voice was low, and filled with awe.

She swallowed hard and her eyes fluttered; before she nodded. “I just noticed a few minutes ago.”

He nodded, still staring at her. “What does it...how does it...” He wanted to ask a million questions, but the words seemed to get stuck in his throat.

She cast him a nervous smile, and moved a little, so she could take his hand. She slid it against her waist and let his palm press against her stomach. “He or she doesn't move yet or anything,” She started, her eyes cast down to their hands against her abdomen. “but I know he or she is there. I don't really know how to describe it, but...” whatever words she was going to say were pulled for her lips as she spun her around so she was facing him.

His lips crashed against hers instantly. He couldn't explain it; what this meant. What this made him feel. He wasn't ready to be a father, that wasn't what this was about. It was something. He loved her and he loved this little person inside of her; a person he knew nothing about it. He wanted her, them, with him. He wanted to grab those files she got, sit down with her and decide what was best for their baby. And then he wanted to kiss her, touch her. See her smile. Hear her laugh. Mostly, he just wanted to be with her.

Everything in her was screaming to stop him. To pull away. But she wanted him. Wanted this. Wanted them. She wanted to let him kiss her senseless. She wanted to tell him that she loved him. That she wanted them to be together. She tipped her head back, and leaned into him. She parted her lips, and shot her hands between their bodies.

He wasn't anymore surprised that her hands were already at the edge of his shirt, than that his own were at the top of zipper at the back of her dress.

Their lips were tangled together, in a bruising kiss; tugging and pulling as they fought to keep control. Not that either of them really wanted.

“Jack will be here...” She blew out, when their lips parted so she could pull his shirt over his head. She'd come a long way from that first day after rehearsal.

“Don't care,” He pushed back into her lips, his fingers edging the zipper down her back. He didn't care. He didn't care about anything other than them. He didn't care if Jack walked in. Or Anna. He didn't care if the world stopped around them.

“David,” She murmured into his mouth, “we can't.” She wanted to believe that, she wanted to mean it, but his mouth tasted so good. And his skin, his skin was so warm under her palms as she racked her nails over his chest and down his abdomen.

“Need you.” It wasn't “I love you” and it wasn't a declaration of love and devotion, but it might have been the most, honest thing he'd ever said to a girl. Sure she thought he meant just for sex, and that's how he wanted it. The truth, that he really did need her, that still scared him beyond words.

“Oh,” She blew into his mouth, her fingers gripping the top of his jeans. Her fingers were deft and purposeful as they popped the button, and moved on to the zipper.

He was pushing at her dress, trying to move out of his way. He needed her skin against his. He needed to feel her blood racing, her skin burning and her heart racing against his. He needed...

Her cellphone sounded loudly, and they both jumped lightly, the hard vibrations and tune of her ringtone forcing reality to seep into the world they'd locked themselves away in.

To be continued

Chapter 23

Erica pulled away instantly. That was Jack, calling to tell her that he was on his way to pick her up for their date. “Oh god,” She gasped, stepping away from him quickly, “that's Jack.”

“Don't get it,” David breathed, trying to pull her back to him.

She shook her head, “He and I have plans. I have too...”

“You have to what, Erica?” He asked, “why are you still with him?”

“I love him,” She said flatly. She wasn't even trying anymore; but she kept saying it because she wanted to believe it. Needed to believe it.

He shook his head in disbelief and disgust. “I don't know why I even bother.”

She shook her head back at him, “You don't understand...”

“I don't care,” He bit out, buttoning his pants, as his eyes scanned the floor for his shirt.

“You need me now,” She started, “but what happens when this stops being something you want, David? I have to give this baby up, you''ll walk away, Jack will be gone. I'll lose everything.” She told him, shaking her head as she moved to zip up her dress.

“He's never going to forgive you, Erica,” He told her, pulling his shirt over his head, “He's going to tell you to go to hell as soon as he finds out about us, about the baby.”

She shook her head, eyes fluttering closed. “I just want everything to be alright, is that to much to ask?”

“It's not alright anymore, Erica, but it can be. You have to stop fooling yourself and trust me.”

“Trust you?” She shook her head, “You already have a new bed buddy.”

“I don't want Julia,” He told her firmly, “You know that.”

“I know that I have to go get myself together for my date,” She replied, “I know that when I get home I have to study for midterms, rehearse and start looking through the papers so I can find adoptive parents.”

“If you weren't so damn stubborn, I could be here for you, help you, support you. But you'd rather hold onto some lame fantasy about Jackson Montgomery.”

“Since 9^th grade I'll I've ever known about you is that you're a cad. That you change girls like most people change underwear. You've never had a girlfriend or even treated a girl like you cared. And now I'm supposed to believe that something's changed? That I'm different, that this is different?” She asked, blinking back tears as she stared up at him, “You used me just like you use every other girl, and even if you think you want to be here for all of this, you've already found another girl. Why am I supposed to trust anything you say or do?”

“Because,” He started, his voice hard and angry, “because I....” He stopped quickly, his heart screaming the words, but his head kept them in the back of his throat.

“You what?” She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

If he didn't say it, tell her, make her believe it, she'd close the door on him and never look back.

She nodded and laughed dryly, “I thought so.”

He watched her walk toward the door, watched her open it.

“I'll let you know when I find adoptive parents that I like,” Her voice was faraway and filled with so much hurt, his heart actually hurt.

He nodded and started toward the door. She was right, what reason did she have to believe him? He couldn't even manage to say the words. Maybe he was better off without her, better off as a playboy. “Erica,” He started, as he stopped in the doorway, “I...”

“Just go,” She told him, looking up into his e yes, “Please.”

He shook his head as he peeled his eyes off of her and started through the door. He didn't turn around; he couldn't. He couldn't bare to see the pain in her eyes again. He heard the door slam shut, and he blew out a hard breath. The what hell had he done?

Her tears started as soon as the door closed. She needed him with her. She wanted him with her. She needed him to say it. Make her believe it. Make her believe that he could be something other than the cad she'd always known him to be. She needed him to make it this all alright.

How was she going to do this alone? How was she going to pretend she didn't feel exactly what he felt? How was she going to make herself live the fantasy, when the fantasy wasn't want she wanted anymore?

What the hell had she done?

To be continued

Chapter 24

Part I

“Are you alright? You seem far away,” Jack asked as he and Erica head toward his dorm room.

“I'm fine,” She lied, though she did it with a smile. “I think it's just everything. Midterms, rehearsal, all of that. It's nice to get out.”

He nodded, “Seems like there's something else going on.”

“I'm fine,” She told him, “I promise.” She offered with a smile. “We better watch that movie fast, since dorm checks are in a few hours.”

“Almost sounds like you have a date or something, waiting for you,” He said back to her.

“What?” She asked curiously.

“Dixie saw David leaving your dorm,” He told her, his voice flat, almost accusing.

“Dixie is spying on me?” She threw back instantly.

“She lives in the building, Erica, she saw him.”

“I left rehearsal early, and Diaz handed out some paperwork. David brought brought them to me.” She told him, shaking her head.

“Why couldn't you have gotten them tomorrow at rehearsal?”

“Because they need to be returned tomorrow,” She hissed, “What this is this, Jackson?” She bit out, her voice hard and accusatory now.

“Tad thinks there's something going on with you and David,” He told her bluntly, watching her blow out a hard breath, before shaking her head.

“And why would Tad think something like that?” She asked, looking up at him, her voice hard and angry.

Jack blew out a hard breath and shook his head, “He saw you and David in the library a few months ago.”

“Rehearsing?” She half scoffed, half laughed, shaking her head at him, “That's what people do when they're working on a play.”

“He saw you and David,” He started, trying to find the words, even as he struggled to wrap his head, he winced, that was a bad choice of words....around the idea, “doing a lot more than studying.”

“Like what?” She asked, raising a curious eyebrow at him, “What does think I he saw?”

“He says that he saw you doing to David what Krystal was doing in the hallway,” He was going to ask if she knew what he meant, but he saw her eyes flash with understand before fluttering closed. “So it's true?”

Tad saw them? Or maybe he thought he had, because Tad was the kind of guy who would have come to her, or kicked David's ass if he knew what he really saw. Which meant, there was a good chance she could still talk her way out of this. “That's disgusting, Jackson,” She hissed, shaking her head at him, “How could you even think that?”

“Tad is pretty convinced,” He shot back, “and you were at the library with David that day.”

“David has a girl for just about every hour of the day,” She reminded him, “I was doing all the work that day, going to find the pieces we needed. He probably had some girl with him while I was gone.”

“Some girl that Tad thought was you?”

“How many other brunettes are there in this school?” She asked, watching him shake his head.

“Alright, so maybe that wasn't you. But Dixie swears she saw you and David having sex in his car.”

She had to fight not to show any kind of reaction. She'd always hoped that no one saw them, but it wasn't surprising that someone had seen them. “The night I was waiting with David in his car?” She asked, “Dixie would see sex anywhere, Jack,” She started, “and beside, you got there just a few minutes after I got into his car. That's hardly time for sex, or at least that's what I'd think.”

Jack sighed and shook his head, “You and David seam pretty friendly these days.”

“I don't hate him anymore, if that's what you mean,” She asked, “He's a cad and a playboy, but he's really not a bad guy, and I don't mind sharing the stage with him anymore. Is that a crime?”

“I've seen the way he looks at you,” Jack bit out, “And I've seen him take things further on stage than you should be comfortable with.”

“It's just a joke, Jack,” She told him, “Everyone always makes comments about the chemistry, David thinks it's amusing to give them a show.”

“You don't stop him,” He told her dryly, “You don't seem to mind when his lips and his hands wander.”

“He's a decently cute guy, Jack, and we're just having fun in rehearsal. It doesn't mean anything.”

“Tad and Dixie think it does,” He countered.

“You're going to believe them over me?” She asked, her eyes meeting his.

“I want to believe you,” He told her, “but everything in me and everyone else around me says that something is going on between the two of you.”

She shook her head, “Well if you've already made up your mind, why even ask me?” She bit out, her voice hard and angry.

“Because I needed to hear it for myself.”

“And yet, you don't believe me,” She said through a disbelieving scoff.

“I want too,” He started, but she shook her head.

“If after four years you can't trust me over two nosy friends, then what more can I say?' She told him, shaking her head, “Go to hell, Jackson.” She punctuated the last words, before whipping around on her heels and starting down his hallway.

She wanted to run out the door. She needed out of here. She could hardly breath, and her body was shaking. The walls felt like they were closing in on her. Like she was about to be swallowed by her lies. By her choices. By what she wanted and what she needed.

She burst out the doors of his dorm building, and gasped for breath. She had tears falling down her cheeks, when she stopped to collect herself. She was crying? Since when? She didn't seem to have control of her emotions anymore.

She was gasping for breath. Crying hard and fast. Her hands and legs shook and she felt like she was going to collapse. The world spun and around her, and she swayed on her feet.

She saw Krystal come around the side of the building, she saw her mouth move as she eyed her. Saw her move toward her quickly. The last thing she saw was Krystal reaching for her, as the world dark around her.

To be continued

Part II

Her eyes fluttered open, and she breathed in a deep breath, trying to figure out where she was. What was happening.

Krystal had managed, just barely, to catch her as she fainted. She was out for a good minute or so, and she'd been able to get her through the doors of the nearest dorm building and into the Common Room. She was lucky they were alone.

“Where...what...my baby,” Erica breathed, still half out of it, as she struggled to regain her barings.

“Take it easy,” Krystal said softly.

“Krystal?” Erica asked, softly, her eyes finally open as she tried to focus on Krystal.

“Yeah,” She started slowly, “I came around the corner to see you about to faint.”

“I fainted?” She asked, confused, “Oh god...” She breathed, both hands shooting to her stomach, “my baby.”

Krystal tossed her an unreadable look, but didn't question her about why she kept asking about her baby, yet, anyway. “I caught you before you fell,” She said, watching Erica blow out a hard breath in relief. “I managed to get you in here.”

“Where is here?” Erica asked, looking around the room.

“The common room in my building,” Krystal told her, “I haven't had a chance to call Jack...”

“Good,” Erica said instantly, “I mean...he and I got into a fight, that's why you found me where you did. I don't need to concern him with this.

Krystal nodded, but kept her eyes focused on Erica. “I understand, but I mean...you kept mentioning something about your baby,” She watched the color slid from Erica's face, “I think that's his concern.”

“Please don't tell anyone about this,” She asked, turning her eyes on Krystal. “Please.”

“Jack doesn't know?” Krystal asked, watching Erica shake her head as moved to a sitting position on the couch.

Krystal slid in next to her, “I didn't even know you two are having sex. I mean, hell, Jack was just giving his abstinence lecture at the lunch the other day.”

Erica blew out a hard breath, but didn't speak. Her right palm was still pressed against the barely there swell of her stomach, and her eyes were fixed on that hand.

“Erica?” Krystal asked, “Should I call the school nurse? I mean, you and kid should be looked at.”

“No one can know, Krystal,” She said, her voice firmer, more in control now.

“No one is going to care that you and Jack finally did it,” Krystal shrugged, “In fact, I think we'll be happy for you,” She laughed a little, “You're not the first girl in the history of this place to get knocked up either,.”

“I...” Erica blew out, trying to decide how much she could trust Krystal with. “I promise to go to the clinic later if I start having any problems, and I'll go tomorrow to get checked out, if you promise not to say anything.”

She nodded slowly, “How far along are you?”

“Twelve weeks.”

“And Jack has no idea?” She asked, “Why not?”

“I need you to swear Krystal, none of this leaves us,” She asked, eyes meeting Krystal.

Krystal nodded, “Okay, sure. I won't tell anyone. I promise.”

“Jack and I have never had sex,” She spit out quickly, the words falling out easily. It felt good to finally talk to someone other than Anna.

“Then who's the father?” Krystal asked curiously.

Erica blew out a steadying breath, “David.”

“As in David Hayward?” The shock in her voice was so thick the words almost failed to come out.
Erica nodded, “Yes, David is the father of this baby.”

“You had sex with David?”

Erica nodded again, “It just happened.”

Krystal nodded and flashed Erica a knowing smile, “Yeah, that's about right.”

“We got carried away one time and...”

“You're pregnant,” Krystal finished, “Does he know?”

“Yes,” Erica nodded, “He's known as long as I have.”

She blew out a half scoff, half laugh and shook her head, “And he's still running around with Julia. What a piece of shit.”

Erica laughed a little at Krystal's choice in words, but shook her head, “That's my fault. He's been surprisingly supportive, and has tried to take really good care of me. I just...he's David. He has a really short attention span when it comes to girls and I...”

“You don't want to start to trust him and have him leave you with nothing.”

Erica sighed, “I think his heart is in the right place, though.”

“He's not a bad guy,” She smiled, “I know you might not believe this, but I know what you're going through. Well, at least the getting pregnant part.”

Erica raised an eyebrow at her, and Krystal nodded.

“Last year, right before we went home for the summer, I found out I was pregnant.” She watched Erica's face and shook her head, “Not David's,” She laughed a little, “Headmaster Chandler,” She confirmed.

“Summer wasn't long enough for you to carry to term.”

She shook her head, “No, I had and abortion when I got back home.”

“Oh,” Erica breathed, her palm sliding subconsciously against her stomach.

“I wasn't like you. I was hardly pregnant for a few weeks, and I never really cared. I kept hoping I'd wake up and find out I was miscarrying. I wanted nothing to do with the baby or the pregnancy. Adam didn't want it either.”

“I wonder if that would have been easier,” She sighed, “Just forget that any of this happened.”

“I don't think you could do that,” Krystal remarked, eyes on Erica's stomach, “The only thing you kept mumbling was about your baby. Never anything about yourself. You didn't even ask if you were alright or what happened to you. I never had that. I wanted it over.” She told Erica honestly, “I think you love your baby.”

She nodded, “Still, it would have been so much easier. Now I have to try and find the right people to raise my child.”

“So you are giving him or her up?”

“David and I are thinking of an open adoption, so that at the very least we don't always have to wonder where the baby ends up.”

Krystal nodded, “He must really care about you.”

“Why do you say that?” Erica asked softly, almost afraid to hear Krystal asked.

“Because girls can't keep David around long enough to find out their favorite color, and he wants to stick around and help you pick out parents for your baby. He should have run a long time ago.”

“It's just guilt,” Erica answered, shaking her head. “I should probably get going. I need to start looking through the files of parents tonight.”

“Are you alright to leave?” Krystal asked, “I can get you some water or something.”

“Oh no, I'm fine, but thank you. For taking care of me, for listening.” Erica offered with a smile.

“No problem. And don't worry, I won't say anything,” Krystal smiled back.

“Thanks,” Erica nodded, as she started to get up. “It's not like I'll be able to hide it much longer, but at this point any time we can get, the better.”

“I can imagine,” Krystal smiled.

Erica nodded and took a step toward the door, when she paused after a few steps. “Oh,” She blew out, her hands gripped at her stomach.

“Erica?” Krystal asked, getting up from the couch.

“I think,” Erica breathed, her face clinched in pain, “I think that was a contraction.”

“Shit,” Krystal blew out, “just breathe for a minute, see if it...”

“Ah,” Erica cried, crumpling to the floor, “my baby. Krystal...”

“Just breathe, okay? I'll call 911,” She ran for her cell, which was in her purse on the table across the room. Erica was laying with her back against the couch. She punched in the numbers quickly, “I need an ambulance....”

Erica barely heard Krystal as she spoke, her pain so intense she thought she was going to fall apart. She was sure she was cramping and she knew she was having contractions.

“Help's coming. They said to stay calm and take slow, deep breaths,” Krystal said moving back to Erica.

Erica nodded and tried to do what Krystal said. “David,” Erica breathed, “I....”

“I'll call him once we're in the ambulance,” Krystal told her, “It'll be alright, you're not going to lose your baby.”

God she hoped this one time, Krystal was right.

To be continued