21 | Z A C K

I shoved her out of the house and proceeded to close the door.

"Look, I just wanted to help." Daisy said as she tried to stop me from closing the door on her face.

I could easily overpower her but the anger radiating from me induced my body to start shaking. She just destroyed my life without thinking. I couldn't stop thinking about how my parents eyes looked like they saw a ghost. They were rooted to their seats, expecting me to prove Daisy wrong. Sadly, I never did.

"Get out and stay the fuck out of my life!" I gritted out. I was so furious I could throw anything at her.

"If you hadn't been such a dick, I would have backed off but you were! You were a coward and you wouldn't have tell them even if you had a chance to." She fired back.

"It's my fucking life and I'll do whatever the fuck I want to do with it."

"But you were hurting your loved ones in the process. I was just trying to be a good Samaritan." She shrugged.

An emotionless laughter erupted from me. I was as angry as a bull. "A good Samaritan? You?" I cackled and continued, "how can a person who disregards his sister be called a good Samaritan?"

She looked away. "It's because I don't have a sister. My parents don't care about me. No one cares about my life except..."

I intervened, "I don't give a fuck."

She took in a deep breath as if horrified by the revelation. "I'm sorry."

"You should be. Please leave." I shut the door on her face and leaned against it.

I tried to process what happened a few minutes ago. My heart was hammering in my chest as I anticipated being confronted by my parents. It must be hard on them to comprehend what happened. Two of their kids are expecting at a very wrong time.

They tried their best to raise respectful children that know the meaning of life. They gave us all we wanted especially the undeniable love and affections. They must have being hurt by our reckless behaviour. Is this how I pay them back? By getting some girl pregnant when I'm just seventeen? Kassy is old enough to decide what she wants to do with her life. Meanwhile, I'm still minor and whatever my actions are, my parents will take the responsibilities and consequences of it.

"Are you the father, yes or no?" Dad's deep voice came from behind me, startling me.

I whirled around to find him and Mom standing with high hopes in their eyes. Pretty sure they wouldn't like my reply.

"Dad I..."

He interrupted in a harsher tone. "Yes or no?"

I looked down at my feet in embarrassment. "Yes."

And just like that, he walked away. Mom was sobbing when she strolled towards me and gently scooped my cheeks. She made me look into her grieving eyes. "It's okay." She patted my shoulder before going after Dad.

Maya had already ushered Eden to bed and Kassy went after Nathan. The evening began beautifully but ended in the most disastrous way. I'll never forgive myself for betraying my family. Maybe it would have being easier if I tell them myself but Daisy ruined all of it. Instead of staying and finding comfort in my twin sister who was willing to, I sneaked out of the house for some fresh air.

***

"What happened, dude?" Eric asked for the hundredth time the next day. We had just finished her football practice and ready to head back home.

"What do you mean?"

"You look distant like you did few weeks ago. I'm your best friend, I know you like the back of my hand. Just tell me and let's solve the problem together."

I opened the car door and slid inside the driver's seat. Eric hopped in the passenger's seat. The engine roared back to life before driving away from the school compound.

"You literally said nothing today. Man, I know when you're dealing with issues." I've to remind myself that Eric doesn't give up easily. By the way, he's my best friend and we usually solve our problems together. If I keep on holding the secret then I'm betraying him.

"I got a girl pregnant." I shortly replied without removing my eyes from the road.

"Seems like there's a low frequency sound waves in here. Can you repeat what you just said?" I know it's unbelievable but it's the truth even if it hurts.

"You heard me."

"Damn man! Of all the things I've expected from you, none of it was this. I mean... What the fuck? As in pregnant? A baby growing in a woman's belly?" The astonishment in his voice didn't surprise me.

"Yeah." I replied as I changed the lane. I could feel his heavy stare on me.

"How? Who? When? Where?" The words came tumbling from his lips.

"This wouldn't solve anything, Eric. It's better I keep her identity a secret." As much as I want to hurt Daisy, I care about my baby.

"But how?"

"At Korbin's seventeenth birthday. I met her there and we did it while we were drunk. It was reckless of us and now, my parents know." I explained.

"And you believed her? A girl approached you and told you she's pregnant and you agreed? What kind of a naive, dumb freak are you, Zack? She's probably trying to play around to boost her popularity." He screamed in bewilderment as he banged his hand on the dashboard.

I say, "it isn't like that."

Eric ran his hand through his hair in frustration this time. "Do you even know how many times girls approached me and tried to lie to me about being pregnant with my child?I didn't sleep with some of these girls yet they claimed they are pregnant like my sperm cells is saturated in the air. Yes, I play around but I'm very careful. Teen pregnancy is very destructive. It could destroy your future and force you to be something you don't want to. Take your time and analyse the situation."

"I did. I woke up that night next to her. She hadn't being in contact with any guy at the time we slept together." It suddenly dawned to him that Daisy could be lying.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He slowed down before he carefully pulled out the phone before answering. "Hello?"

"Hey. I know you're mad at me about last night but can you come pick me up at the Medicare hospital? I'll like to explain something to you."

Her voice was breathy and the horns of cars in the background made it clear that she was in an open environment. After a few seconds hesitation, I gave in.

"Who was it?" Eric curiously asked.

"I'm sorry but I've to drop you. Maybe next time, we'll play the videogames but now, I've to be somewhere urgently."

He looked at me in a suspicious way but finally succumbed in.

***

"Thanks for coming." She said as she shut the door. Her hair and face were covered by the hoodies. It was my first time seeing her in hoodies.

I said nothing and continued driving. The only think I was curious about knowing is why she was at the hospital. I have to admit I was a little bit too harsh on her last night. Although she induced the chaos, she shouldn't be treated like that.

"What happened?" My voice was calm and composed.

"I had painful cramps so I left the school and visit the doctor. Don't worry, it wasn't too dangerous. The doctor said it was due to stress and fatigue. She said too movement and stress can affect the baby during the first trimester. I'm cheerleader and I think this happened as a result of too much practice." She enlightened.

"So... what are you going to do?"

I sighed deeply. "I'll quit. It's the only thing that feels right at the moment."

"You sure?"

From the corner eye, I saw her fidgeting with the edge of her hoodies. "Teen pregnancy requires a lot of relinquishment."

I pitied her for going through this painful experience and having no one by her side. "You okay?"

She nodded. "Yep."

Silence filled the car as I drove. She knows I'm still mad at her for what she did to me. I didn't sleep a wink last night. After returning from the walk in the middle of the night, I lay on my bed listening to nothing but animals crying out. My mind kept replaying what happened previously. When the morning rolled in, I was ignored by my parents. In embarrassment, I didn't have breakfast with them.

"Look, I regretted what happened last night. I really thought you needed a hand." She started to apologise.

"I don't. The past is in the past. What we should think about is the future."

"But we have to learn from our experiences to be able to know what the future holds for us."

"I don't want your apology."

She mumbled something under her breath before shaking her head. "Fine. How's your sister?"

I quickly gave her a visual inspection. "Not your business but she's fine." I honestly don't know what's going on with Kassy and Nathan. I haven't heard from them since last night.

"Can we meet tomorrow after school for the lesson? I want us to start the lesson before it's too late." She said. "Oh, I forgot to tell you about the counselling I joined. Would you love to come with me?"

"What are we supposed to do there?"

"To learn the pros and cons of pregnancy. What we should do and what we shouldn't. I think we're still oblivious to some of the standards. It's just a one or two hour class." She replied.

"Okay." Now that my parents know, I have to work hard and prove I'm ready to deal with the consequences.

"Thanks," she smiled as I parked the car in front of her home.

I just hope none of her family members was watching.

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