Chapter 5 Goodbye

POV of Amanda

The following morning, when I awaken, I hastily get in the bath. I have a class at 8:00. By the time I come out of the bathroom, it is already 7:30 a.m.

I reach into my closet and put on the first article of clothing that comes into contact with my hand. I quickly leave my room in the hopes of getting a cab in time because I don't have time to change.

Right outside the door, I see a dish of food.

I grin. I am aware that it was made by my mom. When I pick it up, I see that she left it there the previous evening. Before going to the living room, I take it to the kitchen. I don't intend to say goodbye to her because I'm still a little upset with her.

She is speaking with Margaret when I enter the living room and notice her. They are talking quietly. They come to a stop when they see me. Marg said farewell to my mother before we left the house.

"What's going on with you and your mother?" As we walk to the car, she asks

I sigh. The question, "What was she telling you?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Yes."

Until we arrive at school, we don't say a word. Although Margaret and I both have a lot to discuss, the news we learned yesterday is still surprising to both of us.

Margaret parks the car as soon as we enter the school's grounds, and we exit.

We hurry to get to the lecture hall because our first class of the day is starting in just a few minutes.

Tony and I catch eyes before I can enter the lecture, and he hastily looks away.

In order to get to my first lesson that morning, I also turned away from the window.

****

"You didn't actually go out with Tony last night, did you?" Around 3 o'clock, Margaret demands something of me as we make our way to the parking lot. The lecture is finished for today.

"Yes."

I observed his behavior.

The question, "Ignored me?"

"Yes." She responds. "That's really poor of him,"

Don't worry about the moron.

Did you explain what occurred to him? She poses a curious question.

He was going on and on about how he had told his friends I was coming and how sad they would all be if I didn't show up. Before he started saying it, he didn't even care why I had said I wouldn't return.

What happened when you told him?

"I merely told him that I was ill. Given that I appear in good health today, perhaps he believes I am lying.

Margaret exhales in relief. She mutters, "I thought you informed him you were pregnant.

"No," I firmly reply. "Why will I do that?" you could ask.

I noticed that he was sneaking glances your way in class, like if he knew something.

I just informed him that I had passed out and had been taken to the hospital.

She gives a long exhale. Funny enough, I didn't even feel attracted to Tony until the day he asked me out on a date, despite the fact that I know she likes him and wants me to date him. He turned out to be a pretty nice guy, but now he's ruining everything once more.

I don't think I'll ever love a man as much as I did, Cameron.

When I think of Cameron, I wonder how he will react if he learns that I am expecting a child without a father. I simply hope we never cross paths again. I don't want to see him ever again, especially now that I'm expecting a baby from a stranger.

Let's return home. She smiles at me and says, "I don't want you to collapse like you did yesterday.

We haven't discussed the pregnancy, even though I know we should, and I'm not ready to tell anyone.

My body continues to deny that I am pregnant. Since the doctor broke the news, my fever has disappeared, and it's as if I've never been ill. I feel more powerful than ever. I'm no longer feeling lightheaded, and my temperature has dropped.

I won't, so don't worry. Likewise, I grin.

Do you want to discuss it? My ideas are valid. She requests that we discuss the pregnancy. I shake my head and smile pitifully before getting into her car.

I always like the ride with Margaret in her yellow BMW 5. She is a neutral driver-neither fast nor sluggish.

While her mother works for the White House, her father owns a communications company. Margaret doesn't like to talk about her mom or what she does, so I have no idea what the woman does in there. However, she is incredibly proud of her father and his accomplishments. The person he loves most is Margaret.

We travel quietly. I am confident that Margaret will never be angry with me for preferring not to discuss the pregnancy. She is allowing me the time and space to acknowledge and acclimatize to the new growth inside of me before I eventually talk about it through her quiet.

She says this as she stops in our driveway. "I'll be here for you whenever you need me, so don't be afraid to call. Additionally, talk to your mother right after; she feels awful for hitting you.

"She said she told you that?" I have huge eyes.

"Yes."

Mom telling Margaret that she hit me makes me feel ashamed.

She hugs me and says, "See you tomorrow, love."

"Okay, you too." I give the embrace back and exit the vehicle. I wave as I see her leave in her car. I sigh deeply and turn around to get back home. My mother will be at work, so I will be home alone till she returns at 5 o'clock.

My stomach grumbles as I walk into the house because of something that smells. I became aware that I hadn't eaten since the morning. My mother is in the kitchen, and I can feel her presence there.

Why would she be at home at this time of day?

"Amanda, are you there?" As I stand at the entrance, I consider how I should behave around her.

Between us, things have changed. Since I'm soon to become a mother myself and turn my mother into a grandmother, I'm no longer the helpless infant that she treats me like.

I'm being honest with myself, and it's embarrassing. My mom comes out of the kitchen wearing an apron as I start to cry.

I utterly sob in her arms as she rushes to me.