Pregnant For My Bully

Amelia Forbes

The first thing Adrian did when he saw me at school today was to envelope me in a tight bear hug. I didn’t know how to react at first but as seconds passed and I realized how much I actually needed the hug, I melted into his embrace.

As he reached up to pat my head he whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry, Mel.”

I gave him a small smile and nodded. I knew he was apologizing for everything that had happened with Jason. And I was. . . fine with it. He’d proved to be a good person and a good friend. And that was enough for me.

We both avoided the conversation that was lurking in the air and instead talked about our upcoming exams and study sessions we needed to have.

As we walked through the hallway together, I could hear the sneering and muttering of “slut” every now and then. Gripping my backpack tighter, I tried to ignore all of it and instead focused on my conversation with Adrian.

“Why, someone’s preggo,” A sandy haired boy in corduroy pants and a strange haircut muttered as we walked past him.

Adrian stopped in his tracks, whipping around and grabbing him by the collar.

“What was that?”

For someone who looked like he was about to spit fireballs, his voice was weirdly calm. Almost like they were having a conversation about the weather.

It made me see Adrian from a different perspective. He sure can be intimidating when he wants to be.

Sandy hair squeaked in fear and began to mutter a series of apologies. Adrian held him in the same position for a while and gestured to me. Getting the message Adrian was trying to pass, Sandy hair turned to me, his lips quivering.

“I’m sorry. Please, it won’t happen again.”

He looked back to Adrian who looked him over for a few seconds and then released his grip. Striding back to my side, he continued our conversation as though nothing had happened.

I couldn’t control the small smile that crept up on my face. Adrian didn’t notice me staring because he was too busy trying to explain how textbooks should really be written.

My life was falling apart. Literally. But here I was, smiling at the smallest of things. Like how Adrian stood up for me and tried to protect. Like the fact that it was at the lowest point of my life that I’d begun to meet and make friends. Real friends. That cared about me with no ulterior motives.

And it was. . . nice.

I let myself smile openly now. If I deserved anything, it was to enjoy this moment.

And so I did.

Amelia Forbes

As my final exams drew nearer, my phobia was getting worse. I began to be more and more aware of my stomach. It had not begun to show but I still felt insecure. Everywhere I went, I felt like everyone was watching me, seeing my secret. Like they all knew I was pregnant.

With Nana it was worse. The only reason why I wasn’t so worked up about her was because she couldn’t hear me retching every morning. She would’ve figured it out by now.

Whenever I was changing, I checked the lock nearly a million times before I undressed. I’d gotten a better corset. This one was stronger, more adjustable. And it made me feel safe.

I ran a hand over my stomach as I secured the corset and adjusted it to the tightest.

I let out a gasp in pain.

For a second I wondered if it was hurting the baby.

That’s good, maybe it’d die off then, a part of me thought.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Shut up, Mel, I chided myself. Stop having thoughts like that.

Trying to calm down and get it together and took a deep breath and stared at my reflection.

“You’re doing great, you freaking queen.”

Saying it aloud made me feel more composed, relaxed. So I said it again. And again. Willing it to stick in my brain.

I let out a yelp as my gaze fell on my wall clock. Quickly, I pulled down my t-shirt and grabbed my backpack. The bus was here already. I greeted Nana at the kitchen and raced to the door, hoping I hadn’t missed it already.