Chapter Eight
? Holly ?
The beginning of the end.
Spring semester, senior year.
I could get through this. I glanced at Maria, who sat hunched in the passenger seat of Sally. We could get through this. Her baby bump was almost invisible under her baggy shirt. I’d told her approximately a million times that hiding her growing belly was just silly. I think it’s adorable. She loves her baby. And fuck what everyone else thinks. Little bit in there is a girl. Found that out just last week. At least, the doctor said she’s mostly sure it’s a girl. I’m running with it. I’ve already started buying baby clothes, much to Maria’s chagrin. She doesn’t know it yet, but we’re going to be besties.
“We’re gonna get through this, you know?”
She glanced at me. “Uh-huh.”
“Ah, how bad can it be? The emotionally scarred California girl and the pregnant loner?”
This time, she groaned and slid lower in her seat. “I’m not sure I can do this. People already talk.”
“Let ’em. Who gives a shit what they think? If it helps, let everything they say bounce off of me. I’m tougher than I look. I can handle it.”
“You shouldn’t have to handle it.”
“I shouldn’t have to handle half the shit I’ve been through yet here I am. Now, come on, I’ve got to stop by the office before class starts.”
I cut the engine on Sally, sliding out of my seat and into the weak sunlight peppering the parking lot. Maria came around the side of the car, surprising me when she looped her arm through mine. I let her cling to me, knowing she probably needed the support. Sure enough, as we climbed the steps into the brick and linoleum halls, whispers followed us. Maria held her head high, but the hand she had on my bicep trembled. One girl in some God-awful ripped jeans wouldn’t stop staring, so I stared back, glaring a hole into her soul until she looked away. I swung by the office to “follow up” on the schedule and locker change my dad had requested, funny how quickly things move when a surgeon makes a call, and then we headed for our lockers.
As Maria put her things away, keeping only what she needed for first period, I watched a gaggle of theater kids plaster prom posters all over the walls. “Already?” I muttered, half to myself. “And what kind of theme is Fae Festivities? We are not wearing wings.” I directed that last bit to Maria who turned as they hung up the last of the posters.
“I’m not going to prom.”
I scoffed. “Yes, you are.”
She shook her head vehemently. “Um, no?”
“Maria—”
“Holly, how many pregnant fairies do you know?”
“Well, seeing as how I know exactly zero fairies, I would say none.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Come May, I won’t even be able to fit in a dress.”
“Oh, I’ll find you a dress. I don’t know if you noticed this, but I’m kind of rich. I can afford a tailor.”
“Gonna need one.”
My head whipped towards the girl who said that shit so fast, I felt my neck pop. Jasmine. One of Miranda’s friends. “Holly, ignore it.” I barely heard Maria as I marched over to that bubble bitch. Iknowshe had meant for us to hear.
“Hey, Jazzie right?”
“So?”
“That girl over there? She could wear a fucking burlap sack and would still outshine you. Your hair? That is thecheapestperm I have ever seen in my life. And I hope you know a good oral surgeon. You’re gonna need more than braces to fix that overbite. But please. Go on. Keep talking.”
Jasmine stared at me, jaw slightly ajar, face red. Her eyes shone with tears and her friends shrank back from me like I might bite. Fucking try me. I just might. Miranda wasn’t around, but I was sure my words would get back to her. Good. Maria had been through enough. I turned on my heel when the bell rang, making my way back to my friend. Looping my arm through hers once again, I all but marched her to first period.
“Girl, you have lost your marbles.”
“Yeah. A long time ago.”
