Entry 19: Planned Parenthood

Today, during third period, I had to go to the bathroom. My French teacher was really being a pain about me asking to go. She kept going on about how I should've went before class instead of during. She also corrected my "Can I go to the bathroom?" to "May I go to the bathroom?" Why do teachers always do that? AND she even took it a step further by making me repeat myself in French. The whole time, I was about to bust and piss myself.

When I was finally liberated and allowed to go to the ladies room, I bolted down the hall and ran into the stall without a second thought. I sighed as I quickly relieved myself but as the sound of my urine hitting the toilet bowl ceased, I heard something else.

There was somebody in the bathroom. They were in the stall next to me, sobbing. I could hear the blubbering and sniffling clear as day. I knew they knew I was there with the ruckus I had made just getting in there. I felt pressured to question the individual.

"Are... Are you okay?" I asked softly.

A familiar sounding voice responded back through her whimpers but I couldn't make out whose voice it was.

"No. But thanks for asking."

"Well whatever you're going through maybe I can help?" I tried to suggest.

"I doubt it," she said with a loud sob. "Unless you have a way to go back in time to before I got pregnant."

My jaw nearly hit the floor. This girl was pregnant! If I was pregnant, I'd be crying in the bathroom too. Quickly, I gathered my thoughts and pulled myself back together. This girl, whoever she was, needed support right now. A friend.

Being the Good Samaritan that I am, I decided to offer to fill that position.

"Do you... want a hug?" I furrowed my brows as the words sounded funny leaving my mouth.

I don't know what I expected this stranger to say but it certainly wasn't:

"Yeah. Sure, why not?"

We both unlatched our stall doors and stepped out.

I was totally stunned when I came face to face with ELIZABETH ADDLER!

YES! ELIZABETH ADDLER!

We both froze in place and stared at each other with blank expressions. Well, my face was probably very shocked looking. Hers was full of discontent. I'm sure she never meant to expose her life problems to her nemesis but there we were.

I rolled my eyes and sighed when she cringed.

"My offer still stands," I opened my arms wide and looked away. "We're both women here. It's okay to have each other's backs."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and leaned in for the hug. We stood there, embracing for a very long, awkward moment.

"Okay," she quivered. "This is weird."

"I agree."

Elizabeth released and stepped back. I watched, still unable to move, as she walked over to the sink and pulled some paper towels out of the dispenser.

"So... pregnant..." I took a deep breath, trying to process this news.

"If you want to know if it's Drake's; Yes. It is."

I just couldn't believe it. The boy I had dated for two years had got another girl pregnant...

"Does he know..?" I asked.

"Of course he knows," she snapped. "And he told me to 'take care of it'."

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes... no... I don't know."

Elizabeth was obviously conflicted and hurt. I think we both knew that she would have a better time raising a baby alone than with Drake. But was she ready to become a mother at 17 years old?

"I want to have a baby one day but not right now. And especially not with that asshole."

It's unfortunate that it took such a drastic situation to make Elizabeth see the light but I was glad she could now see Drake for what he truly was.

"You know you were right," she said.

"About what?" I asked.

"About me being too good for Drake. Thank you for saying that."

"Well, I meant it. He deserves to be alone. He deserves worse than being alone. He can go right to hell! I hope he chokes! Falls off a cliff! I hope he takes a hit so hard next season, he falls into a coma and they have to pull the plug! He can-"

"Okay, calm down." Elizabeth interrupted the rant I was about to go on about Drake. "I appreciate your enthusiasm but seriously consider therapy."

"I'm sorry. He just makes my blood boil. And now this... getting you pregnant and abandoning you... he's a piece of shit."

I mean really! Will he ever be stopped!?

"Yeah well, I made an appointment at Planned Parenthood. I think I'm going to get an abortion."

She sounded so sure of herself. I didn't want to say anything that might influence her decision. So instead of prodding her about her choice, I offered companionship.

"Look, I know we're not friends or anything, but if you need a... person... to go with you. I will."

Elizabeth side eyed me and raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"You would do that? For me?"

I nodded my head and gave her a soft smile.

"Yeah," I shrugged.

"Could you go today? After school?" She asked.

To be honest, I was hesitant to agree. I had cheer practice and didn't want to skip it. But I had already extended an invitation to support her and I needed to follow through. The squad could get on without me for one little practice.

"Sure."

Elizabeth and I agreed to meet in the parking lot after school. When Drake saw us walking to Elizabeth's car together, he looked like he was going to combust. The brief eye contact that we made was enough for me to cross my eyes at him, stick my tongue out and flip him off. He simply shook his head as Elizabeth giggled at my rude gestures.

I thought the drive to Planned Parenthood would be as awkward as the hug Elizabeth and I shared in the bathroom. To my pleasant surprise, it was pretty enjoyable. We got to know each other better and I got to show Elizabeth the real me. Not the false version Drake told her about.

"So you're telling me that Drake is the one that sent your nudes around the school?"

I nodded my head confidently.

"Yep. And then I broke up with him."

"Wow," she shook her head disapprovingly. "He really made you out to be some attention seeking bitch."

"I know," I sighed. "But I wouldn't expect anything less from him. He's literally Satan."

"You can say that again. That's why I'm not keeping this... this...devil spawn!" She spat angrily as she punched the dashboard of her car.

"Well, if it means anything...I think what you're doing is very brave. Whatever you choose, you're strong. I don't know what I would do if I got pregnant."

Light myself on fire, probably. I'd rather burn to death and then burn in hellfire before having to face my parents with a positive pregnancy test. But in all seriousness, if I did ever end up pregnant, my mom would probably just force me to the clinic and then never let me forget it.

When we pulled up to planned parenthood, there was an older gentleman standing outside. Before we could go into the building, he asked us if we had an appointment. Elizabeth explained that she did, showed her ID and told him I was there for moral support. It was weird hearing her tell him I was her friend.

The man, who was obviously a security guard, had to let us through two heavy, deadbolt locked doors. It was almost like entering a prison. I guess they have the place on total lockdown since it's a certified abortion clinic. The lobby was sort of eerie. There were two other women sitting on opposite sides of the room, filling out papers.

Elizabeth was talking to the receptionist as I took a seat. All I could do was fold my hands in my lap and look around. There were posters and signs everywhere. Mostly encouraging signage with supportive comments. There was also information packets.

I scanned them carefully when my eyes were drawn immediately to one about birth control. I snatched it up as Elizabeth took a seat next to me and began filling out her own paperwork. I opened the pamphlet and began to read.

Intrauterine devices, Pills, Patches, Shots, Arm Implants, rings... I didn't know there were so many options. My heart was racing as I seriously considered making an appointment for myself. Sex has been on my mind HEAVY lately and no offense to Elizabeth, but I'm not trying to end up in her situation.

I can't even imagine how Preston would react if I were ever to get pregnant. Actually, I could. I bet if I shove a positive pregnancy test in his face, he would probably just go, "Cool." Or something blasé and underwhelming like that.

When Elizabeth got called back, my stomach did a backflip for her. My head still couldn't wrap around the fact that she was pregnant. Let alone, pregnant with Drake's child. Like...Ew.

When she finally came back out, she disclosed to me that she has an appointment for her abortion at the end of the week. We left Planned Parenthood but not before I grabbed a handful of free condoms from the front desk.... Just in case.

When she drove me home, Elizabeth seemed to be in a much better mood. She thanked me for the companionship and even asked me for my phone number. I guess Elizabeth and I are kind of like friends now. She entrusted me with her biggest secret and I even revealed to her that I was still a virgin. I couldn't tell if she actually believed me or not. I'm sure Drake filled her head with so many lies, she doesn't even know what's true and what's false anymore.

When I got inside the house, I ran straight to my room and emptied the condoms from my pockets into the drawer of my nightstand.

[Mental Note: I need to find a new hiding spot for them later]

I didn't want mom to bust into my room and catch me with condoms. She would never give me the chance to explain. She'll just jump right to assumptions and accusations about me and Preston.

Once I thought of Preston, I ripped my book bag open and pulled out my phone. It had been sitting in there for more than 2 hours at that point. My heart dropped when I saw four missed calls and 2 unread messages from him. I scrambled to call him back. I didn't want Preston to think I was ignoring him.

"What the hell, Parker?" Was the first thing he said on the line.

"I'm sorry! I was-"

"I waited for you at practice." he interrupted "When you didn't show up, nobody knew where you were. Not Alyssa. Not Leah."

"I know," I sighed. "I was at Planned Parenthood."

The other end of the line went completely silent. Then Preston broke that silence with disbelief.

"You were where?"

"Planned Parenthood. A...friend...of mine was in a crisis and I offered to go with her to make sure she felt supported."

"Oh..." was all he responded with.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I wouldn't be at practice today. My mind was all over the place and my phone was sitting in my bag."

"It's okay. I'm just glad you're alright."

Preston and I talked on the phone for a little while. I didn't tell him about the condoms I grabbed or that I was thinking about having sex with him soon. He was just telling me about how he had went to band practice after I didn't show up at the gym after school.

Just before I had to get off the phone and go downstairs for dinner, Preston said something that made my eye twitch.

"Miranda came by the garage again today..."

A surge of anger rushed through my body as I met his words with complete, animosity- filled silence.

"I wasn't sure if I should tell you because I didn't want you to worry about her but I don't want you to think I have anything to hide."

"What did she want?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"To hangout or something. I told her I wasn't interested."

"You should've told her to fuck off!" I spat into the phone.

"Parker-"

"No Preston!" I took a deep breath and tried to regain my composure. "If you didn't have any interest in her, it would be that simple. Tell her off and tell her to leave you alone. You don't want to though. She shows up at the garage. She shows up at The Basement. Next, she's gonna be showing up at your house. Do you miss her? Do you want to get back with her?"

"No Parker. I'm with you. I want to be with you."

"Then tell your ex to FUCK OFF."

Preston sighed and that made me even more angry. What is he holding on to her for? Here I am, thinking I'm ready to have sex with the guy and he's acting like he wants to get back together with Miranda. I don't trust her one bit. Not after all those things she said about me when I wasn't in the room. Her intentions are anything but innocent.

Preston is being way too nice to her. He wouldn't like it if I were that friendly with Drake. He wouldn't like it one bit...