Welcome to Gaia! ::

Things had been normal since that day. Though her decision was permanently burned into the back of her psyche, she was able to go about her life as if it had never happened. She and Ashley had never spoken of it either. Seems as though this wasn't as big a problem as she thought. That was until one day...

"MAMA MIA!"

Teresa was in the bathroom, holding a pregnancy tester in her hand. She had been curious, but she thought there was a chance this wouldn't be true. Suddenly, her mother could be heard stepping before the door. "Teresa, stai bene lì dentro?" Her parents were immigrants from Italy, who always spoke Italian at home. Teresa knew Italian as well, but preferred to speak English. However at home, she spoke the language of her family. "Non ci crederai.", she said to her mother.

She opened the door, holding out the pregnancy tester for her to see. "S-sono risultato positivo su questo!" Her mother looked surprised, but also a little frustrated with her. "Hai fatto cose cattive con un ragazzo della tua scuola?" Teresa froze up at the question, her silence giving a definite "yes". Her mother sighed. "Sarai responsabile per quello che hai fatto, signorina. Dovrai allevare questo bambino un giorno, che tu sia preparato o no."

"Non possiamo semplicemente abortire?", Teresa protested. Her mother lowered her spectacles and shook her head. "No. Non puoi perdere una vita solo a causa di un incidente. Tutto quello che puoi fare ora è diventare la madre di cui avranno bisogno."

She began to leave the room, heading for where the phones are kept. "Ora preparati per la scuola. Dirò a tuo padre di quello che è successo." Teresa gulped. She didn't like the sound of that. How was she going to tell her dad? How was she going to tell Ashley at school today? Her dad would learn regardless, but she decided against telling Ashley. He couldn't know. Things could only get worse if he found out.

(Thank Google Translate for allowing me to make scenes like this.)

"Heya! Don't get the party started without me!", Teresa entered the scene, waving one hand, and holding a book of cartoons in another. "I was looking all over for you two. Glad to see nothing went wrong while I was gone.", she giggled to them. "So, what's the latest news over here? Ashley, Mairin, you wanna share?"

(This redhead girl is named Mairin, right? I'll edit this post if that isn't the case.)

A secret? Ashley was late that one day? Teresa may have had a slight idea of what she was talking about, but it was best that she said nothing about it. Instead, she walked hand-in-hand with the guy she loved to her first class. She was hoping that, perhaps, they'd have time to chat, though it may have to be saved for later.

The elephant was definitely in the room. It had been weeks after their little romp at Lockstep Hill, and it was still on their minds. Teresa hoped that it would only remain a faint memory stored within the backs of their minds. That, however, didn't seem the case with Ashley today. It was at least a relief to hear his lack of regret. It was secure, but why?

Either way, Teresa couldn't tell him that she's pregnant. It was just too shameful for her to admit. The two of them didn't have the responsibility to take care of a baby. In the worst case scenario, Ashley would break up with her over finding out about this. He didn't seem like someone who'd do that, true, but one could never be so sure. Teresa sure knew how much she wanted to avoid having a child so soon.

"I'll... see you after class.", she said as the door to her first class came near. She waved a momentary goodbye to him. Then, she vanished on the other side of the door.



(I'm thinking of playing a male friend for Ashley to interact with. His name could be Todd. Does that sound good?)

As the students entered his classroom, there were a few minutes left before their instructor would show up. This meant a grace period to converse, to work on spare homework, or to take a breath before opening your brain to the complicated lesson. Many students formed the habits of always sitting at one particular desk, or one particular part of the room. Next to wear Ashley usually sat awaited his friend Todd.

Todd looked rather athletic as opposed to studious, with his tanned skin and short dark hair. He wore a baseball cap on his head, even when in the school uniform. There was no rule saying students couldn't have hats, as long as they were still in their vests and khakis. "Hey there, Ash!", he said as he gingerly leaned his chair backwards, "The morning's been fine for you?".

"Was on social media yesterday, and I came across a hilarious post from Jeffery!", Todd was saying, "The newest MePhone upgrade was akin to putting it in the toaster!" He laughed at his own sentence, not caring whether or not Ashley was paying attention to it.

"Did you hear the news? Harold's gonna get a car soon! I'd be jealous, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get one too." A lot of what Todd talked about these days was social media. Ever since its been big at their school, it's been what everyone is talking about. That trending page basically decided the entire conversation for everyone. He had the habit of mentioning students by name whom Ashley didn't know. By now, Ashley had simply stopped asking who these individuals were. If he really wanted to know, he could simply get onto the internet when he got home.

"By the way...", said Todd, an intrigue in his voice, "I went to your page, and this girl named Mairin has been all over it, trying to get you to say something. What she been trying to get out of you? She know something embarrassing, or does she just not know you have a girlfriend?"