Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Trying to juggle being pregnant along with my education proves to be more difficult than I imagined. I constantly feel like I'm on the brink of throwing my guts up, which isn't a pleasant feeling at all.

"I really don't want to go to class right now," I mumble, holding my stomach as another wave on nausea hits me. I place my head down on the desk and close my eyes, feeling Jake's hand settle on my back.

"Are you feeling okay Muffin?" He whispers, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Can we go home?" I mumble to Jake, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on his hands. His face is covered in worry lines as he watches me struggle with simple daily activities.

"Are you sure? We've both missed so much school already, I don't want you to suffer because of it." Jake mumbles quietly, leaning forward so his eyes connect with mine. I pause for a moment and realise he's right, I need to be present more. Giving up on my education isn't an option for me.

"You're right. If it gets any worse, I'll let you know." I tell him softly. He stands up, holding out his hand for me to take and I smile warmly at him, placing my hand in his. He gently tugs me upwards and I smile at his caring actions lately. He barely spends any time with his friends and constantly checks up on me every half hour if he does leave me —

"Jake, you can spend the rest of your lunch with your friends. You don't need to stay by my side all day," I tell him, reaching up and planting a quick kiss on his lips. He raises his eyebrow in protest.

"You're joking, right? I'm not going to leave you alone when you're not feeling good." He responds, sliding his arm around my shoulders protectively.

"We're in this together, remember?" Jake adds, looking down at me. His eyes fill with warmth and his hand subtly hovers over my stomach. I quickly push it off, glancing around to see if anyone had seen. Jake closes his eyes, blowing out a breath of relief.

"Sorry, total force of habit. He apologises, giving me a lopsided grin. I shake my head, unable to be frustrated or angry at his adorable face.

"It's fine. I don't want anyone finding out yet though, it's so early days." I explain and Jake nods, letting me know he understands.

"Soon people will be able to figure it out for themselves you know." He tells me. I bite down on my lip, knowing he's right. I guess I'll have to deal with that when the time comes.

"I know Jake, I just don't want anyone finding out yet."

"Whatever you want Muffin."

*****

"See you tomorrow," I wave to the teacher, leaving the room and shutting the door behind me. It's the last lesson of the day and I'm extremely excited to go home and relax. . .

Oh how my life has changed.

I peer at the crowds of students littering the hallways, trying to catch a glimpse of Jake's dark hair and broad build. He usually waits outside class for me so we can drive home together. I frown slightly, remembering how he promised me he'd be here to drive me to McDonalds as a reward for completing a full day.

It sounds like a simple enough task but lately, it's been a struggle. The sudden craving for McDonald's fries hits me and I don't just want them. . . I need them. Damn these pregnancy cravings.

"Where are you Melvin?" I mutter unhappily, pulling my jacket over. I notice a friendly face in the crowds and smile over at her.

"Hey Amanda, have you seen Jake anywhere?" I ask her. She pauses, thinking before nodding her head —

"I saw him outside the building five minutes ago, he doesn't look happy though."

I frown instantly, wondering what's wrong with him.

"Thanks Amanda," I respond, heading down the corridors and towards the college exit doors. I weave past the students, careful to make sure none of them bump into my stomach. You can never be too careful. As I walk, I pull out my phone and call Jake's number.

The phone rings multiple times before my phone beeps and completely blacks out. I glance at it and groan, realising my battery must have died.

"Great, just great." I mutter, feeling myself steer towards being the biggest grump alive. I push open the college doors, feeling a blast of cold air hit me that causes me to shudder. I wrap my jacket around me tightly, noticing the sky is beginning to darken. I scan the area and the parking lot that's almost empty. Most of the students had left, getting home as quickly as they could. I notice Jake's black car still parked in it's spot where he'd left it this morning, which means he couldn't have got far.

I sigh heavily, dragging my tired feet and deciding to walk the perimeter of the college to try and spot him.

"Jake?" I call out, shivering in my thin jacket. Being pregnant makes me feel the cold so much more which absolutely sucks. My thoughts drift off to the time my baby would be born, the summer. It instantly puts me in a happy mood thinking about having a summer baby. My little bundle of joy looking beautiful in a frilly dress or little blue shorts.

The smile on my face stretches out into a full blown grin right until a huge gust of air hit me, turning my guts into icicles. . . Fantastic.

"Jake?" I call out louder this time, narrowing my eyes up to see better in the darker corners of the college building. Worry fills me as I glance down at my watch, noting he's late by thirty minutes . . .

Unlike him completely.

I stop in my tracks and pause, the sound of muffled voices coming from behind the wall I'm walking against. I struggle to make out the voices against the harsh wind whipping around me. I begin to creep forward, careful not to alert them of my presence. The voices grow louder and soon enough I can make out a male's voice that sounds aggravated. An uneasy feeling settles inside my stomach as I begin to get closer. I turn my head around the wall in true stalker mode, feeling my heart instantly drop in the pit of my stomach at the two voices.

Jake and Voilet.

I watch, feeling the fire in my stomach grow as Violet's hand reaches out, stroking Jake's shoulder suggestively. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to storm over there and slap her hand away from him. I vaguely saw Jake's chest rise as he breathes in deeply before he moves Violet's hand off him and takes a step back.

Jake says something to her but I'm too far away to make out his words. He appears sad, his shoulders slumped in defeat. I know Violet would take advantage of his vulnerable state especially since he rarely exposes it.

Violet takes a step closer to him, causing the fire inside of me to burn brightly. I grit my teeth as she attempts to console him, inching dangerously close. I feel my breathing quicken as I watch in complete horror as Violet suddenly reaches upwards, pressing her lips against Jake's.

My eyes widen and I gasp, slapping a hand over my mouth. The anger explodes inside of me mixed with the intense desire to throw up. Jake appears frozen for a second before he stumbles backwards, shoving Violet off him.

"Jake!" I call out, my voice wavering through the cold air. Jake spins around immediately, the colour draining from his face as his eyes land on me and fill with recognition —

"Fuck," he whispers, his words floating away with the wind.