Chapter 11:

The radio played Love Galore by SZA. Thanks a lot, radio. Should I say something? I turned, opening my mouth, but I clammed up. I might make it worse. I stayed silent until we reached my house; I removed the seatbelt. "Shane..."

"I get it, Jordan. It's fine," Shane assured.

"I don't want to rush things like the way I did with Jason, and you don't want to be on the receiving end of my unresolved feelings," I frowned.

"I'll still be a friend." I would love to be his friend. It's better than not him being in my life at all. I sighed and got out of the car.

Hearing his car door shut, his footsteps were behind, following me a short distance from each other. "Thank you for tonight. I had fun," I confessed, standing on my toes and kissed him on the cheek. His cheeks turned pink, lips stretched to a smile. "Friends." I got out of my house keys from my pocket.

"You just had to friend zone me," Shane clutched his chest playfully.

"To keep you close."

"I guess."

"It's a good thing."

"Goodnight, Jordan Baker."

"Goodnight, Shane Wilson." I waved until he drove away from the driveway. My cheeks felt tight as my grin was too wide. I unlocked the front door and went inside.

Mom and Matt walked into the foyer when I entered, "Hey, how was your night?" She asked with a wide smile.

"It was good," I answered, still smiling.

"Good! He seems like a really pleasant boy." She held onto her stomach.

"He is a really pleasant boy."

"He tried nothing, right?" Matt chimed in, holding mom from behind.

"A true gentleman, Matt," I replied.

"Let's keep it that way, I don't want to murder any boys." He pretended to scold, pointing at me and fake glaring.

"Sure, really getting into this father figure role, aren't ya?" I held up my hands.

"I have to protect you." I shook my head playfully, locking the door behind me.

"Ooh!" Mom exclaimed, holding her stomach tight.

"Mom, are you ok?" I asked, holding onto her shoulders. She can't be in labor already, right?

"The baby, it's kicking!" She giggled uncontrollably. She grabbed both me and Matt's hand and placed it on the stomach.

"Wow," I tittered. The baby's feet kicked with such vigors, like a step show. I looked up to mom as her smile didn't wilt. I turned to Matt as he grinned infectiously. Water was filling my eyes, I blinked them away fast. "We are a family." My voice broke.

"We are, sweetie." Mom touched my cheek tenderly, tears running down her face. We came into a group hug, holding both of them as close as I could. I let the tears flow out, sniffling silently. The air from my chest released, and I smiled again.

I came home on time, went out with a kind boy. I felt my soon to be siblings kicks. Things felt like they were looking up. I took off my shoes and jacket as I walked up the stairs. Entering my room, I laid on my door, wiped my cheeks, and blew out a sigh. I took out my phone to text Shane.

Are you home?- Jordan

Ten seconds later, he texted back: Yeah, just got in. I thought we said goodnight already, 😏 - Shane.

We did. Just seeing if you got home. I sound so lame; I rolled my eyes.

I did, and thank you for making sure. TTYL 💜- Shane I didn't respond. I bit my bottom lip, I should have kissed him. He's a friend. He's a friend, I kept repeating in my head. I sighed, knowing I could go to bed with a cheerful smile on my face.

+++

Sunday morning was my ten o'clock appointment with Dr. Brett. For the past ten minutes, we were silent. I picked at the hem of my shirt and cleared my throat. "Why don't we talk about your mom's pregnancy?" Dr. Brett asked, breaking the silence.

"She's moodier than before. Eats more meat than chicken," I said jokingly.

"No, Jordan, I meant how it makes you feel."

Oh, that. "I felt the baby kick. It was surreal. I'm getting another sibling to spoil with advice and love."

Dr. Brett smiled, "that's great. And your family?"

"Better. Getting better. For all of us."

Dr. Brett jotted that down in his notepad. "How has your new school made you feel?"

"Well, it's high school. Everyone goes through it," I shrugged.

"Care to elaborate?" He asked, crossing over his other leg on his thigh.

"Other students are making up rumors because I'm new." I rolled my eyes.

"Have you confirmed or denied them?" Dr. Brett asked.

"Duh. No one believes me, though." I laid back and slouched. "Except Shane."

"Who is he?"

"He's a new friend I made. We went out yesterday for dinner and had a good time,"

"What is he like?" he asked with sympathy.

I pulled a small smile, "he's really sweet. I could talk to him about things without him judging me or me not trusting him. He's sweet."

"You said that already," Dr. Brett told me.

"Well, you have it twice in your notebook," I retorted, raising my eyebrows.

"And how does it make you feel? Thinking you should take it to another level?"

"Shouldn't my dad ask me that?"

"Your dad wouldn't intrigue, he would interrogate." He was right. When I was with Jason, all he asked was if he had a job. I wished he interrogated him, I could have opened my eyes myself at how much Jason sucked.

The rest of the session went on about me meeting more of my friends, the distaste for drugs and alcohol, and giving Shane a chance. "I think that's all the time we have for today," Dr. Brett said, shutting his notebook.

"See you next week, doc," I said as I got up, pulling out my phone to call Matt for a ride.

+++

I had to face everyone at school again today. I took my medication, had a pep talk to myself in the mirror, and went downstairs. Coming down, I expected to see mom or her boyfriend. No one was around. Frowning, I went back upstairs to my mom's room. She's probably still sleeping. I pushed open her door with force. And I'm right; mom had her blanket over her head, still fast asleep. "Mom, you're off today?" I asked, pulling the blanket off her body. She laid on her side, tissues in her hand, and wiped her mouth.

She groaned, "I'm not feeling well, sweetie."

"Are you ok? Do you want me to call the doctor? Is it the baby?" I felt her forehead. It was warm.

"Morning sickness. Take the bus today, or walk. Matt's staying home with me." She looked ill: Red, blotchy skin and hoarse voice. She rested her forehead on her palm.

"Ok, get some rest. Call me for anything." I kissed her forehead and went downstairs to get my backpack. I walked, the weather was pleasant enough to clear my head. Pulling out my headphones, I played my playlist on my phone. I noticed a car slowing down next to me in my peripheral vision.

"You need a ride, Jojo?" Jason asked with his cute nickname for me, which I was resenting.

"No thanks," I said nonchalantly.

"Come on, I'll take you wherever you want to go. School, right?" he asked with his smug smile. I looked at him, his clenched jaw as he smiled and beautiful eyes piercing through me all over again. My pulse was racing, I gulped down hard.

"No," I walked off, his car followed me, I sped my stroll up, and he parked right in front of me. "Jason, please. I can walk."

"Whatever." He sped off on the road, turning to a lane, and disappeared from my view. Thank you, Lord, I breathed in and out deeply. That was the last thing I needed, being in the car with him and smelling his familiar scent. A few minutes later I arrived, pulling open the front doors of the school building, I noticed everyone staring at me. Literally everyone. What did I do now? I brushed my face and body, nothing was on me. Exhaling out loud, I walked confidently inside with my head held high. More eyes were on me, whispers coming my way, I ignored every one of them. Ignore and rise above. I headed to my locker direction until I saw Myra talking to Kyle. She made her crush obvious by sticking out her chest and pouting her lips. Classic girl move. I haven't seen her in three days. Myra must have heard my steps because she turned in my direction, Kyle did the same. We made eye contact for a moment until I broke it and went to my locker. Getting my books out of my locker, I felt hands covering my eyes. The last person to do that was Jason. My instinct was to elbow them in the stomach. He groaned, I spun around.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," I said, trying not to laugh at Shane's pain.

"I see my pain is funny to you," he said, holding his stomach.

"No, it's a habit I have when I'm startled."

Shane nodded, "it's cool. I had fun last Saturday."

"Me too." Kyle and Myra came up to us.

"Hey, Shane, how you been, man?" Kyle asked as he fist-bumped Shane and then glanced at me.

"Hey Myra," I said.

Myra said, "hey." She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Kyle asked, "what were you up to this weekend?"

"Not much, stayed at home mostly. Me and Jordan hung out."

"So, are you guys a thing now?" Kyle asked very smugly.

"We're friends," I answered. Shane nodded his head, but Kyle narrowed his eyes right at me. I couldn't take these questioning looks, so I walked away without another word.

"Hey, everything okay?" Myra asked, catching up to my steps.

"Peachy," I told her, tugging on my backpack straps. "How have you been? It seems like you've been avoiding me." I slowed down my steps, facing her in the middle of the hallway.

"It's nothing, I just... since you told me about Sunny Gardens, I really don't know what to say or do to offend you." She rubbed her upper arm and looked down at the squeaky floors.

"Dude, I'm obviously an easygoing person. Unless I get mad."

"All right." She giggled, pulling her bag strap higher on her shoulder.

"Come on, let's get to class." I linked my elbow with hers, walking through the hallway and the crowd of students. So glad we could straighten that out.