Courtney was jolted awake by the screeching sound of an alarm clock. 

"What the.." she mumbled, opening her eyes and slowly sitting up. She was laying on her couch, still in her dress from the night before. Her brown eyes registered that she was still in her sister's dorm. 

The memories flooded back.

"You... You've gotta be kidding me. This is a joke, right?" Courtney croaked. Her sister's blue eyes filled with regretted tears

"No... It's the truth. The baby is his," Jess said, her voice sounding weak. She wrapped her arms around herself, like she could hold the pieces of her life together. 

"Jess," Courtney whispered, shaking her head "How?"

"You know how babies are made Courtney!" Jess snapped "You've been through Health Class!"

"No! It's just... He's so... Old," Courtney said. Grimacing at the thought of her dear sister and Mr. McLean

"Oh God.. I have to sit down," Courtney groaned' shaking her head as she sat down on her sister's couch

'Do you want some tea? Coffee, maybe?" Jess asked lightly. Courtney stared at her

"No. This isn't a freaking tea party Jessica. You're pregnant with Chris McLean's kid!" Courtney yelled. Jess's eyes went wide 

"Shh!" she hissed "Keep your voice down, are you crazy!" 

Courtney put her head in her hands "This is insane. So.. How did this start?"

"How did what start?" Jess said "How Chris and I-"

"Yes," Courtney yelped. Not wanting her to finish. Jess swallowed hard and looked away

"It started last summer. When I was traveling I ran into him at a pub. He promised not to tell anyone my age if I bought him a drink. So I did. I had a few myself and that's how... It started," Jess explained, her face turning red "The next morning he basically told me if I ever told anyone what happened he'd make me regret it. He even... Mentioned mom," Jess looked down.

Courtney stiffened a little, gripping at the fabric of her dress "I'm not so sure I wanna hear this.." she mumbled. Jess quickly came over and sat down next to her sister, holding her hands in her own

"You have to. If I don't tell it I'll never actually believe it," Jess said "Anyways, we didn't see each other again that summer. I came back home, and kept my word about our secret. Then.. School started again. And we found ourselves back in our old habits. And then I found out I was pregnant," Jess finished

"Does Chris know?" Courtney asked 

"That I'm pregnant? Yes, I said he took me to-"

"No.. That the baby is his, Jess." Courtney sighed. Jess paled

"I.. was going to tell him at my appointment last week. But.. I lost my nerve. He may seem charming, but McLean isn't as nice as he wants you to believe..." Jess said "This isn't the first time he's messed with our family," 

Courtney narrowed her eyes, leaning into her sister "Excuse me? What do you mean?" 

Jess sighed, and reached up. She began tugging at her long braid. "I think..... Mom and Chris were having an affair,"

Courtney's eyes went wide, not believing her ears "What?"

Jess nodded, and looked down at her hands "The year before she got sick, didn't you notice how... Off she was? Always staying late at work, always on her phone. Late night showers?" Jess shook her head "I should have questioned it more when I caught her talking on the phone to another man," 

"Jess.... Why didn't you ever tell me?" Courtney asked, reaching for her sister. Who flinched a little

"Because I didn't wanna believe it myself. So I kept it quiet. Then she got sick.. And the phone calls stopped, the late showers... All of it. It's like it never happened... Except I had a feeling I wasn't the only one who noticed her erratic behavior... I think... Dad knew it too," Jess said. Nodding her head "That's why he hates us going to school here so much. Why he was so angry about everything. Because he knew Chris was the Dean,"

Courtney sat back, thinking about all the information she had just received. 

"You look exhausted. You should get some sleep," Jess whispered. Courtney rolled her eyes

"I'm fine... It's just... Everything makes so much more sense now," Courtney said. Jess nodded as she stood up

'This information stays in this room. I mean it, Court," Jess said sternly. Courtney nodded and began laying down on the couch

"You're right... I am exhausted," Courtney yawned. 

Jess grabbed the blanket  off of the chair and put it over her sister as she drifted off into a deep much needed sleep. Jess gave her sister a warm look.

"Don't worry sweetheart. It'll all work out in time, you just watch," Jess whispered. But Courtney was already too far gone to hear her.

Jess slowly touched her swollen stomach, and fought the tears away

"Don't worry. I'll give you the life you deserve," Jess whispered to her little one.