I definitely want this baby—I just have to wait until I’m further along to get support because I don’t want to be talked out of it.
We stop hugging and Derek says, "Okay, well, I'll let you get back to studying. I just wanted to bring you that.”
"Okay, thanks again. Are you sure you don't want to eat or anything?" I ask, being polite. “I only have a bit of canned soup here in my dorm, but I do have a microwave and those bowls you helped me bring. Or we could go to the campus cafeteria.”
"No, thanks, I have things to do at home. Keep up the good work and I'll check in on you again soon," he says.
He leaves abruptly, closing the door.
I don't know what to make of his bizarre behavior.
Maybe he's still mad about Steve leaving?
Jealous that he got a spot on a pro football team, and upset that he himself didn’t?
I decide not to dwell on it any longer. I don't want to ruin the moment or think about negative things too much right now.
I got a new phone and it’s time to set it up and play with it, I remind myself.
This is supposed to be a happy time for me, to start school, enjoy my scholarship from the fruits of my labor in high school, and now I have a new phone to play with, too.
I'm still suspicious that my brother might know something about Steve and me, though. His entire visit still seemed a little too strange for my taste.
Maybe he's stepping up his overprotective habits?
Whatever it is, at least I got a new phone out of it.
He didn’t have to bring me a phone just to have a reason to see me, but perhaps he feels guilty for spying on me, or thought he needed an excuse.
In any event, I tell myself to think of good things and not worry. Stress can’t be good for my pregnancy. And I do have a phone to focus on!
Since he activated this one, my old one is dead. I take that one and stuff it in a drawer in my desk. Then I take out the new phone and turn it on. It’s so shiny and pretty. I can’t wait to show Janice the next time I see her.
I spend time setting it up and syncing my accounts. I like that it's a newer model and it runs fast. He must have gotten an updated data plan, too, because it looks like I have more than before.
After fooling around with the phone for a while I leave it to charge and get back to studying.
But I can’t wait to text Janice and let her know about my new phone and number.
My surprise visitor turned out to be mostly a good one, despite the odd circumstances.
But a big part of me still wishes it had been Steve somehow!
Chapter 8 – Steve
I check out of the hotel early in the morning, then I arrive back at the sports arena a little before practice starts. There was no reason to stay home since Bella wasn't there. Plus, I was worried that Derek might confront me about everything.
Since I can only call Bella now that she’s gone, I can do that from here. I'm already dressed in my uniform, waiting until everyone else leaves the locker room and heads out onto the field. Soon it’s empty and quiet.
I have her number saved to my speed dial, so I punch it into my phone. The first time it just rings, with no answer, no voicemail, or anything. I try a second time, but the same thing happens.
The third time I call, I hear a disconnected message.
What the fuck?
I hang up my phone and put it inside my locker.
That's so weird.