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Chapter 3
"This is it. You can do it, you can do it."
Aaahhhh, I'm going crazy. No, I can't. I don't want to go to school anymore. But I have to—for my baby. Sigh.
I take my school bag and go downstairs. That's when my mom gave me my lunch and a hug.
"We're going to be late. And Suzy, don't act like the perfect daughter now," my brother said as he walked to the car.
Mom tried to criticize him, but I stopped her. It wasn't necessary.
During the car ride my brother didn't say a word. We were in the same car, but it felt like we were in two different countries. No, it felt like he was in another universe. My brother was growing distant from me, and I don't know how to fix our relationship.
"We're here. I remember when I used to drive you guys to elementary school," Mom said, chuckling.
"Well, you should thank your precious daughter for that," Bernard scoffed. "She can no longer drive because she's pregnant."
I couldn't believe my brother just said that to me. But I have to thank him—because now I have a fair idea of what people will say about me.
I waved at my mom and entered the school building.
"You can do it… or maybe not."
Even my own mind wasn't agreeing with me. Let's just get this over with.
I ran to my class because I didn't want to hear anyone gossiping about me. But I forgot—people, living, breathing humans are in the same class with me. I ignored everyone's weird looks and sat down before class started. That was when the gossiping began.
"I heard she got pregnant with a security guy. No way. Henry was so good to her. Is she in her right mind?"
"Isn't that Suzy? I thought I'd never see her again. Who knew she was so shameless."
"Hey Suzy, why are you wearing such a big hoodie? Lemme guess—could it be because you're pregnant and don't know who your baby daddy is? Haha!"
"Will you guys stop tormenting her? She got pregnant, so what? Just mind your own business."
A girl walked up to me. "Hi, my name is Julia. Ignore everything you just heard. When people are bored, they tend to gossip about others. I'm sure you've done the same before. But you should stop now—since you're pregnant."
Weird way to comfort someone, but okay.
"Hi, I'm Suzy. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, that Suzy with a Z?"
"No, I'm just Suzy," I said, chuckling.
Julia went ahead to talk about something, but my mind was somewhere else—hoping to see Henry and that traitor Jane. Julia must have noticed me scanning the classroom.
"Are you looking for Henry? Haven't you heard? He's changed schools."
After hearing that, I felt like I had been struck by lightning.