More Than This by McLean, Jay (best books to read for teens txt) 📗

and quietly says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you both”.

“These are the Aunt and Uncle I stayed with when I first came back. Uncle Jim here is the reason I have so many offers on the table.”

Uncle Jim laughs, shaking his head, “Jesus, kid. You got a big head.”

I laugh back. “I’m kind of a big deal, didn’t you know?”

Kayla laughs next to me. Fuck, I love hearing her laugh.

After the small talk is over, we say our goodbyes to them.

I’m so ready get the fuck out of this place.

As were heading out the exit, Julie gasps, “I have to go to the pharmacy, I need tampons!”

I tense, and Kayla kisses my cheek, ”Just amuse her,” she says before taking Julie's hand and leading her to the pharmacy.

***

I haven’t been able to get the sexy underwear out of my mind.

It’s close to midnight and it’s all I can think about. As soon as we got home, Kayla holed herself up in her room. She didn’t even come down for dinner, said she had job applications to fill out and a bunch of research to do.

Before I know it, I’m climbing out my window and knocking on hers. She opens the curtains after a few seconds and lifts the window. I climb in and sit on her bed.

She stays in front of the window.

“What’s up, Jake?” It’s dark in the room so I can’t see her face.

“Nothing, just thinking… about you.”

“Oh.” She hasn’t moved from her spot.

She’s as far from me as physically possible.

“Whats up?” I ask her. Something is definitely wrong, she hasn’t been the same since we left the mall. “Did something happen?”

“No, why would you say that?”

“Well, normally when I’m around you’re always right next to me, if not on me… now you’re all the way over there.” I try to sound concerned but it comes out sounding more pissed off than anything.

“Jesus Christ, Jake. Sorry I’m not jumping your bones 24/7. Shit,” she all but yells.

Something is definitely up and I have no fucking clue what’s going on.

I try to calm down before I open my mouth again, because if I keep talking I’ll say something stupid.

I really don’t want to do that.

“Kayla, if something’s going on, you’d tell me right?” I move to switch on the lamp on her nightstand so I can see her face.

Her cheeks are all red, her nose is running, her eyes bloodshot.

She’s been crying.

Before I can stand up, she saunters over to me.

She stops right in front and stands in between my legs, placing her arms around my neck. My arms instinctively go around her waist. I look up at her face.

“I’m okay, Jake. I’ve just had a bad day. I promise. I’m sorry.”

I drop my head to her stomach.

I kind of feel like a dick.

I wish I knew how to help her.

“You want me to stay with you tonight? I’ll climb back in early, not that anyone would really give a shit.”

She shakes her head no.

Something is definitely up.

I leave her alone in her room and hope that tomorrow will be a better day for her.

Chapter 25

*Mikayla*

“Micky!”

I drop what I’m holding. It falls to the floor.

I look up to see Logan walking towards me.

He stops in front of me, eyeing me.

He looks at my face, then to the floor, then to the shelf I’m standing next to. Down to the floor again and finally, settling back on my face.

All this happens in about two seconds.

To me, it feels like years.

From the moment I heard my name being called, a thousand emotions overcame me. Panic, regret, sadness, confusion, humiliation, anger and disappointment.

The biggest one though, was fear.

I was shit scared.

Logan picks up what I dropped and stares at it for a second, a minute, a hundred fucking years. It doesn’t matter.

It will still be a pregnancy test.

By the time he puts the item back on the shelf, tears have formed in my eyes, a sob escapes me and I fold over myself.

He wraps me in his arms and leads me outside, whispering comforting words.

He opens the door of his car for me and I get in.

Once he’s settled in the drivers seat, he puts the key in the ignition, but doesn’t make a move to start it.

Moments of silence pass.

Then he faces me, “You’re pregnant?”

“I don’t know.” It’s barely a whisper.

“So you haven’t taken the test yet?”

“No.” I start to cry. “Please, Logan. You can’t tell anybody about this. No one. Especially Jake, please.”

“Mikayla, I wouldn’t. It’s not my story to tell.” He tries to smile but it doesn’t follow through.

The car is quiet apart from my sobs.

“My dad’s a doctor, I can take you to him, just to be sure. It’s all confidential. It’s the law or some shit. No-one will know. I promise”

I nod my head once and look out the window, as he starts the car and reverses out of the spot.

***

I didn’t even think about it, not for a second. Until we were at the pharmacy yesterday and Julie was asking me about the different tampon options. How could I be so stupid? I was two weeks late and I didn’t even notice. James and I were actively active the weeks leading up to ‘prom night’. I was on the pill and I was meticulous about it. Nothing scared me more than the thought of being a teen mom. The pill is only 99% accurate. Fuck. What the fuck am I going to do.

***

Dr. Matthews is the complete opposite of Logan. He’s gentle and soft spoken, with a tiny build, slight combover and glasses.

Apparently he’s heard from Logan about the situation with my family, I see the sympathy in his eyes, and I know it’s genuine.

One urine sample and a few tests later, and I’m actually able to breath again.

They took a blood test just to triple check, but all signs point to negative.

Apparently, my body just kind of flaked out on me.

Dr. Matthews says