A sigh leaves her and she goes to the window, staring outside. “I know it sounds bad. It even does to me. But he’s been avoiding me the last week or so. The pregnancy thing freaked him out, and I can’t blame him.”
“So you’re really pregnant?”
She turns to face me. “Yes. I’m already two months along. Closer to ten weeks. He tried to convince me to get an abortion at first, but I told him no way. I want to keep his baby.”
“But he doesn’t want you to keep it?”
“That’s what he said at first, but he changed his mind. He wants me to have the baby.” She breaks out into the biggest smile, and I wish I could feel her same joy. “He wants to do right by me, and support my decisions.”
What does that even mean?
“Are you coming back for the spring semester?” I’ll miss her if she’s gone. But how can she show back up here and go through the rest of the school year pregnant? With everyone knowing it’s Fig’s baby, even if she never says so? And how is her ex-boyfriend supposed to react to this? “And when do you turn eighteen?”
“Not until March.” She shakes her head. “That’s kind of an issue.”
Kind of? It’s a total issue. He had sex with a minor.
The disappointment that fills me about this is almost overwhelming. I thought he was a good teacher. Kind and looking out for us. Now I feel like he’s just on the hunt for a new girlfriend every semester and this one happened to screw up in a major way by getting pregnant.
Did he really think he could’ve taken advantage of me like that?
“It’s a major issue,” I murmur, and I spot the irritation flickering in her gaze.
“Look, when you fall in love, age doesn’t matter. Not that you would understand,” she bites out.
Ouch. “I’m trying to understand. I know you’re in love with him. I can see it in your eyes.”
Her expression softens. She’s just on the defensive, which I can’t blame her for. “I am. I’m pretty sure he loves me too, but he’s been so weird lately. Until I talked to him today.” She’s beaming and I swear she seems downright radiant. “We’re meeting tonight, and we’re going to talk.”
“Where are you meeting him?”
“I’m leaving with him later. He’s still working, but I’m sneaking off with him in his car back to his house.” Her expression turns solemn. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? If we get caught…”
She doesn’t even need to finish the sentence. They will both be in so much trouble. Especially Fig.
“I won’t tell,” I promise. “Just—be careful, okay, Maggie? Are you sure he’s okay with you being pregnant? If anyone finds out about this, his career is over.”
“It’s all going to work out, I just know it. He loves me. He promised he would take care of me.” She grimaces, running her hand over the front of her stomach.
I’m immediately concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Sometimes I get a weird cramp. I’m fine.” Her smile is faint as if she’s having to force it. “How are you? What’s up with you and Crew?”
I frown. “What do you mean? Nothing’s going on with me and Crew.”
“Please.” She rolls her eyes. “He sits behind you now in English. And he’s always watching you. As if he’s imagining you naked.”
My cheeks go hot. “I don’t know about that.”
“Oh, I do. I know that look. I think he likes you.”
“We’ve been getting along, for the sake of our project.”
I’m such a liar. It’s more than that, I just can’t admit it. Even after Maggie shared her deepest secret, I don’t know if I can trust her.
Or myself.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Maggie’s smile is knowing. “Want to know my prediction?”
“No.”
She ignores my answer. “I have a feeling you’re going to have a boyfriend by the beginning of the new year. And his name is Crew Lancaster.”