Chapter 20

Harper

"I'm going to take this test." I said confidently, setting down my high lighter.

"What?" Noah asked in shock, looking up from his notes. "Like, now?"

"What? Of course not. I'm going to take this test tomorrow and I'm going to ace it." I said seriously, looking down at my health notes. "Well today, I guess, it's like one in the morning."

"Jesus, I thought you meant the test." Noah whispered, leaning back against the wall.

I froze, turning to look at him.

I looked down at my stomach, which was beginning to look permanently bloated.

"I ate a lot today." I shrugged, pulling the blanket up around my waist.

Noah frowned but didn't say anything.

"Plus it's right after Christmas break, everyone looks rounder after the holidays." I defended, a frown forming on my face as well.

"I think we need to-"

"I think it's time to sleep." I cut Noah off. "It's late and we have two finals tomorrow morning."

"It's senior year."

"They're our last finals to take and not all of us know where we're going to college next year." I snapped, shutting my notebook as I stood up.

"You sure you're okay with me spending the night?" Noah asked with a sigh. "I don't want Coach to get mad."

"No you're fine." I replied, kicking my books aside as I walked towards my bed. "But hurry up, I'm cold and you're warm."

Noah sighed, standing up from the floor.

"You know that finals tomorrow are going to be fine." Noah said, pulling his sweatshirt over his head as he walked towards the bed.

"I know, but I'm still nervous." I shrugged, taking the sweatshirt from him.

Noah was just naturally always warm, while lately I'd been freezing constantly. My dad kept the house at a frigid temperature and it was brutal, especially in the middle of winter.

"I like this sweatshirt." I sighed, wrapping my arms around my stomach as I climbed into bed.

"Well then good thing you're always an icicle." Noah laughed, turning off the light as he sat down next to me. "I still can't believe your dad is letting me stay over."

"Because he has no reason not to trust us right now." I laughed, snuggling down under the covers. "Let's keep it that way."

"Definitely." Noah whispered, pulling the blanket up around us as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

I let out a sigh, resting my head on his chest as I closed my eyes.

He was silent for a minute, his thumb gently rubbing my arm as he held me close.

"I'm going to get coffee with my parents tomorrow." Noah whispered.

My eyes flew open but I didn't move.

I didn't say anything either, knowing that Noah needed to know that I would silently listen until he was ready to hear my input.

"I know I should've told you before..." Noah sighed, squeezing me slightly. "But I just... I dunno, maybe what they've got to say is worth it. I feel like I at least owe it to them? I can suck it up and spend some time with them if that's what they want... I mean they did already lose a kid, I can't exactly completely ice them out forever."

I softly kissed his chest.

"Whatever you're comfortable with." I whispered. "Just know that I'm gonna support you with whatever."

"But I swear to God if they bring you up..." Noah shook his head.

"They're going to bring me up, Noah." I sighed. "I am the reason all of this shit happened in the first place. Me and my God damn impregnable uterus." I whispered.

Noah let out a laugh, squeezing my arm.

"It takes two to tango, babe." Noah laughed.

I sighed, closing my eyes again.

"As long as this is what you want..."

"It's not like I'm going to strike up a new relationship with them or something." Noah whispered.

"If that's what you want, then go for it." I whispered, snuggling up closer to him. "I'm gonna sleep now."

"Night." Noah whispered, pressing his lips to the top of my head.

~*~*~

"Where's Harper?" I heard Noah say out in the hallway.

I grimaced, leaning back against the bathtub as I tried to wait for the nausea to pass.

"Bathroom." My dad replied. "You guys gotta get going though, you have to be at school in twenty."

"Yeah I know traffics a mess at this hour. I thought Harper was heading downstairs to get breakfast." Noah replied.

"Harper eating breakfast? That girl doesn't eat before noon." My dad laughed. "Harper you alright in there?"

"Just great!" I called back. "I'll be out in a minute."

The room was spinning as I pressed my back against the flat edge of the bathtub.

I took a deep breath, pressing my palms firmly onto the ground to try and steady myself.

"She's been feeling sick lately she might be puking, keep your distance." My dad laughed. "We need you healthy for the season."

"Yeah, yeah for sure." Noah said. "Alright, you get going, we'll make it on time don't worry."

"Alright, I'll see you later." My dad sighed.

Everything was silent for a minute until the door opened and Noah walked in hastily.

"Morning sickness, dammit." Noah hissed. "We've got to address this."

I shook my head.

"No, I'm fine. I just ate a lot last night." I lied, closing my eyes. "Noah, I'm fine."

"Harper you're not fine. You're pregnant." Noah said, squatting down in front of me as I slowly opened my eyes again.

"Listen, I'm fine." I said seriously. "Just a little bit nauseous. It happens all the time."

"And your nightmares too?" Noah whispered. "You tossed and turned like mad last night, Harper."

"Stop it." I shook my head.

"Today is our last normal day, alright? We've both got enough going on. Tonight I'm going to Rite Aid, we're buying a test, and we're confirming what we already know is true." Noah whispered, helping me to my feet. "Jesus Harper, look at your stomach."

"I'm just bloated I haven't pooped in like a week." I muttered, tying my hair up into a ponytail. "Noah, you're over reacting."

"I'm being realistic, Harper." Noah shook his head. "Can you take anything in life seriously? It's going to be too late to deal with any of this shit and we're gonna be stuck with a fucking kid."

My eyes widened in shock.

Noah took a deep breath, running his hands down his face.

"Get out." I said instantly. "Get out of my fucking house."

Noah glared at me for a minute before storming out of the bathroom.

The front door slammed shut a moment later and I tried to suppress the anger boiling up inside of me.

Fuck Noah Keller.

I grabbed a jacket from my room before hurrying out to my bike.

The engine stuttered before actually starting and I cursed myself for not using it enough lately. The poor thing was getting neglected.

I rolled up to school right as the first bell was ringing and had to sprint to Health class in order to make it on time.

Teachers have this strict policy of locking the door when the final starts and if you're late, you fail.

I was out of breath and extremely nauseous as I slid through the door.

I was met with a disapproving look from the teacher as he locked the door behind me.

One glance at the desk I was supposed to share with Noah and my stomach did a nasty turn.

"Uh Mr. Jameson?" I said suddenly, turning to face him. "I'm feeling really really sick today, is there any chance I could take this final in my dad's office?" I asked nervously.

Mr. Jameson gave me a look.

"Seriously, Harper?" Mr. Jameson asked, crossing his arms.

"You don't understand." I shook my head. "I was throwing up all morning and I feel horrible." I said seriously. "You don't want me in here, I'll disrupt everyone else."

Mr. Jameson took a deep breath before walking over to his phone.

He punched in a number, his eyes on me the whole time.

"Yeah, Robert? Your daughter wants to take her final in your office." Mr. Jameson said. "I have no problem with it if you're okay with it."

Mr. Jameson listened for a minute before hanging up the phone.

"He's on his way." Mr. Jameson said quietly.

I let out a breath of relief, resting my hand on my stomach.

~*~*~

"Are you sure you're okay to play?" My dad said seriously, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, dad, I'm fine." I nodded, rolling out my ankles. "But listen..."

My dad was watching me intently, unintentionally towering over me very intimidatingly.

"Can we get dinner tonight?" I asked quietly. "I uh... I've got some stuff I want to talk to you about."

"Yeah, yeah Harper of course." My dad nodded with a smile. "Alright, go kick ass, I'll be in the stands."

"Thanks." I said softly as he kissed my forehead.

I jogged back to the team, my stomach heavy and my heart tight.

It was weird that Noah wasn't here.

He never missed a game.

I was used to glanced over at him and always finding his eyes watching me.

But not today.

I pushed the thought of him out of my head as I tried to focus on the pre-game talk.

I was going in as a starter and had to be on my best game.

Today was the day I'd kick ass and break my scoring record. I could feel it.

My bones were energized and I was angry, the perfect combination to kick ass.

The other team won the tip off and instantly took the ball up the court.

But we recovered the rebound and the ball was instantly passed out to me.

I had a clear path straight up the side of the court and I promptly took advantage of the open space.

Dribbling down the court, I was getting closer and closer to the basket, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I jumped up for a lay-up, the ball had only just left my hands when someone slammed into my.

My back twisted as I went flying before I landed on the gym floor with a painful squeak.

Pain instantly erupted along the left side of my body as my skin scraped against the unforgiving floor.

My stomach jolted and pain shot through my abdomen, enough to make me cry out loud.

"Shit, Harper!" Someone yelled. 

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I have finals this week and i haven't even started studying i'm fucked but oh well senior year right?

-E xx