It had been a month since Milly learned she was pregnant. Four weeks of regret, of wishing she could change the past. The only thing keeping her afloat from drowning was focusing on her classes. Ditching school or skipping some classes was no longer an option, she could afford—not because she suddenly grew a caring bone, but because she didn't have the luxury of slipping up again.

"Milly, it seems you're finally picking up the material," her English teacher said with a smile, nodding at her completed assignment.

Milly forced a small smile in return. It had taken her all night to finish the work, and even though her grade wasn't perfect, it was passing. That was enough.

"Just keep working at it. You have potential," the teacher continued. "Your writing is beautiful. You only need to work on organization and grammar. But you're on the right track."

Milly barely registered the words. It didn't matter anymore. Improving her grades wouldn't fix anything, but maybe it would make her parents happy for once. Not that it would last.

Her fingers scrolled down, the phone screen-
$600
$700.

Her real focus was on finding a job. She needed the money—enough to cover the cost of an abortion. That was the best decision. She could barely take care of herself, let alone a baby. She wasn't going to trap an innocent child in her mess.

Her gaze drifted, as it often did, to Jeremy.

The father.

Blonde hair, tanned skin, hazel eyes, and was tall. Jeremy was a guy who had the perfect combination to make anybody swoon over him. He knew his good looks were enough to make people forgive his arrogance. But good looks didn't make someone a good person.

Their relationship had never been anything serious. It wasn't even a real friendship. It was just sex—convenient, meaningless, and secret. Jeremy never acknowledged her in public, and she never expected him to. They came from different worlds. He was rich, a private school reject who had been expelled from every elite institution in the city. His parents had sent him to her public school as a last resort, hoping it would humble him. If anything, it only made him worse. Jeremy acted like he owned the place.

Milly never wanted a child with him. Jeremy wasn't what anyone would consider father-type. Then again, she wasn't exactly mother material either. But after weeks of trying and failing to find a job, she realized something—Jeremy could help.

He had money. Six hundred dollars was nothing to him—not even half his weekly allowance. He bragged about it constantly.

Today being the last day of the semester made her know if she wanted to ask for his help it had to be now.

Milly stood across his locker, watching as he walked down the hall with another girl. She knew his voice was low and husky as he leaned into the girl's ears, maybe to whisper unreal promises. Then she saw him do his next move reaching out, gently tucking a small strand of hair behind the girl's ear. Milly knew he had succeeded by the pink coating the girl's cheek as she leaned into him.

Milly wasn't surprised. She had always known she wasn't the only girl. Jeremy never lied about it, but he had a way of making each one feel special. He liked to say he wasn't ready for commitment, that he was still figuring himself out. She had never called him out on the bullshit, because, in the end, his warmth had been enough.

But now, she didn't need warmth. She needed money.

Slightly pinching her legs, she forced herself to step forward. It was time.

She tried taking the breath from her stomach. "Jeremy, can we talk?" she said, her voice slowly cracking as her mouth grew dry.

Jeremy barely turned towards her. "Are you blind? I am busy."

He continued walking past her, leaving her alone in the hallway. She could hear the girl and his laughter ringing in her ears.

It didn't hurt. Not really. She had known what to expect. Jeremy had a careless attitude towards life. Jeremy had options. And he had made it clear—he was young, this was his time to have fun.

Milly couldn't help but wish she had the same freedom as her classmates. As the school day passed in a blur, she glanced around at the groups of students laughing together. Her younger brother, Austin, was popular and laughing with his friends. He was living a carefree life accepting their offer for a ride home without a second thought.

Meanwhile, Milly had no one to turn to, no one to help her with her mistake. She could feel her hand slowly starting to shake.

She regretted not making friends and not knowing anyone who could help with the financial burden of her situation. But there was no one. The choice was hers, and now she had to face it alone. A small part of her almost enjoyed the isolation. It meant there was no one to tell her parents yet, and the shakiness in her hand eased she may still survive.

When the final bell rang, ending the semester, no new ideas came. Milly left the building knowing she was still where she had started. The wind seeped through her hoodie and dark clouds loomed promising heavy rain storms.

She groaned, knowing her umbrella was home because the weather app promised a sunny day. A sigh escaped her lips as she pulled up her hoodie and began the steady fifteen-minute walk. She might make it before the rain, and a small smile lit her lips, but her heart still ached.

A horn honked as she walked, but Milly didn't even care to look up. She had bigger problems than whoever was in the car.

"Milly!" Jeremy called out as he slowed his Mercedes G-Wagon beside her.

Her irritation flared as she stared at him, his luxury vehicle a reminder of how easy her problem would be for someone like him to get out. Her fury rose as she stared at him but her legs did stop.

The engine stopped, and Jeremy got out, strolling over to her with that infuriating, self-entitled smirk on his lips. "Milly, come on. Stop playing around. We need to talk right ."

Milly felt a wave of nerves churn in her stomach. This was the moment for the conversation she had been hoping for all day. Jeremy will help her fix this. But deep down, she feared he might not want to help her. She glanced out the window as he drove, his cologne mixing with a sweet perfume filling his car.

He drove them to their usual spot—a private beach far from the city, beneath a palm tree where they had spent so much time getting lost in each other. He parked, then lowered her seat before leaning over to press soft kisses on her neck.

She groaned at the fact she should have known better. Jeremy wasn't interested in talking. He wanted what he always wanted—fun. But Milly didn't need that right now. She needed help.

"Jeremy, stop," she said, pushing him off gently.

"Milly," he murmured, his lips trailing lower. "We can talk later. I've missed you."

Milly couldn't take it anymore. "Jeremiah, stop!" she shouted, pushing him harder this time.

His eyes hardened on her, and then he laughed. "You know, jealousy isn't cute. And quite frankly a turn-off," he sneered, leaning into his seat and rubbing his fingers through his hair, pushing it back.

He closed his eyes, and his lips remained in a thin line. "Please, talk. And educate me on what it is you find so important that you can't just enjoy the moment?" he asked, but she could hear the mockery in his tone.

The words blurted out before her mind processed. "I'm pregnant." She felt air smoothly left as her chest got lighter for a second.

His eyes snapped open with confusion, worry, and fear. Then the anger followed. "What?"

Her hand started shaking. Milly could sense desperation growing. "I'm pregnant," she repeated. "I need $600... so we can afford to get the abortion. I will try to pay you back later."

He sneered. "What do you mean, 'we'? That's not my kid." His words dripped with venom.

"Jeremy, I've only been with you for the past few months!" Milly shot back, her anger rising with each word.

It had been his idea to stop using condoms. He'd convinced her he had an 'impeccable' pull-out game. It was his fault she was in this mess.

Jeremy's eyes hardened, and his lips twisted into disgust. "You're not exactly the brightest. Are you sure you're even pregnant?"

"Positive," she spat, tears streaming down her face as her fury overtook her.

He sped off toward a convenience store, all while yelling insults at her. Milly stared out the window, trying to block out his words. If she focused on them, she feared she'd attack him and cause an accident.

When they arrived, Jeremy stormed into the store and returned with a few pregnancy tests and water. He dragged her to the bathroom, ignoring the male cashier's complaints about only allowing one person at a time.

"Milly, hurry pee on the stick. You can't be that dumb," he barked, throwing the boxes at her as he told her to drink the water.

"Can you leave?" she begged, feeling weird about him staring at her as she tried to push him out of the bathroom.

"No," he sneered. "I'm not stupid enough to leave you alone. You might switch the test with one you've hidden."

The bathroom walls began to grow much closer. Milly tried to inhale a sharp breath that didn't want to be exhaled from her chest. Her eyes closed trying not to focus on Jeremy's words.

Calm down.

She slowly drank the water to ease the ache. The water slid down her throat—no coldness, just her throat moving with emptiness.

She picked up the tests and relieved herself, even with Jeremy's glared focus razor sharp on her. And she gently rested the sticks on the sink and washed her hands. His eyes burned with anger at her, but she did nothing.

"How long does this take?" he demanded, his voice filling with frustration.

Milly stared at the tests, watching the lines appear. At first, Jeremy looked relieved, but then the second line showed up, with a plus forming on some and his entire demeanor shifted. His fury was instant.

He rushed out of the bathroom, cursing insults at her and Milly just followed behind him.

Jeremy's eyes bulged out filling with rage at her, sitting in his car beside him."Where do you think you're going?" Jeremy's voice filled with ice.

"Home," Milly replied, a mix of confusion and disbelief in her eyes.

How could he be acting like this? He was the one who brought them here. She was not even familiar with this area. They could have had this conversation earlier, so he better take her home now.

"Get out," he said, with venom dripping from each word.

Milly felt the shakiness in her hands increasing. Her spine slowly shivers with a chill that runs down it.

Was he going to throw her out now? She had come to him for help, and now, he rejected her completely.

"And I need that money," she pleaded, but Jeremy didn't care. He walked around, opened the door, and shoved her out.

"Listen to me. Milly, you know what type of girl you are. You open your legs for anyone. You're not trapping me with a baby!" he shouted as he climbed into the car, slammed the door, and sped off, leaving Milly standing alone in front of the convenience store. She could feel hatred for him seeping in.

The cashier asked, "Are you okay?" and she read the name tag Matty.

She wasn't okay but she didn't have the energy to respond.

"If you want I can give you a ride. My shift is almost over," Matty softly stated looking at her with sadness.

She glanced at her phone and put her home address in. The walk home—an hour and a half, at least. Her tears blurred her vision as she turned to start the long walk back, her heart heavy with fear. She could hear Matty trying to call her but she wasn't focused on it.

Only a month ago she hoped for someone. But now she realizes it was always an illusion to think someone would care or help if they were there.

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What are your thoughts about Milly?

What do you think about Jeremy's character? Do you want Jeremy to come around,or do you think Milly deserves better?

Do you think Milly will be able to get her abortion in time?