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He laughed humorlessly, “As before Harper, I'm giving you the time you asked for.”
God I had to stop asking him to give me time, he flat out disappears when I do. Guys need to understand that sometimes, we mean exactly the opposite of what we say. I may need time, but I damn sure want you to show me that you want me. “Oh.”
I grabbed my backpack and waited for him to follow me out of the bathroom. Thankfully no one was around, I'm sure it would look awkward for us both to come out of the girl's room. We walked out of the building and spotted Bree waiting with Konrad not far away. Her eyes grew wide and she turned to talk to Konrad. I'm sure to prevent another freak out.
“Harper, can you tell me one thing?”
“I'll tell you anything Chase.” Except for the fact that I'm carrying your baby.
“Have I – have I missed my chance?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean with you, us. Did I miss my chance?” His face was scrunched together, he looked terrified that I would say yes.
I stepped up and wrapped my arms around his waist, “I'm sorry that you would even have to ask that. I wish you knew how much I love you Chase, it's just been a hard time for me.” He pulled me closer to him and I tried to push my hips back without him noticing. “I didn't know you were still giving me time, I figured I'd already lost you.” My voice caught at the end. Oh my word, I hadn't realized until those words came out that I actually thought that. Was that the real reason why I hadn't been able to tell him yet?
“Aw hell baby. That's not possible.” He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me tight. “What's been going on? Is it still because of Brandon? Or did something else happen?”
Just then Bree walked up, “We need to go Harper.” She said softly.
I looked at her, hoping she understood that she couldn't have had better timing. There's no way I would tell Chase here, but I couldn't stand to keep talking to him without saying something about the pregnancy. Once again, Chase quickly dropped his arms and stepped back when he saw her. I wanted to roll my eyes but resisted. She heard him say “I love you” last time, and he still thought he had to hide it from her? One more day. One. More. Day.
“See you.” I touched Chase's arm before turning to Bree.
“Bye Princess.”
10
“Wake up, wake up, wake up!” Bree shouted the next morning.
“Ugh! Bree, we don't have class for four hours. Go away!”
“No way! It's your birthday you have to get out of bed!”
Oh right. Birthday. “No one cares, go back to sleep.” I grumbled and pulled the comforter over my head.
“We do, now get your ass up!” She ripped the comforter off the bed completely and threw it to the floor.
“Sometimes, I just want to punch you.”
She beamed a smile at me, “I know. You love me!”
“That too.”
I followed her down the stairs and almost peed myself when Mom and Dad yelled, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARPER!” They were putting pancakes, eggs, bacon and presents on the kitchen table when we walked in.
Jeez, could these people be any more wonderful? First Christmas, now this? We ate together and when the dishes were done I opened my presents. Bree got me three shirts that I could wear now, and when I was “ginormously huge”, Mom and Dad got me another pregnancy book as well as a baby names book, a Juicy bracelet and a green Coach baby bag from all three of them.
How would I ever thank them for so much more than just the presents? “Thank you. You guys are so amazing, I love you all.”
I was bombarded by hugs and I couldn't help but wish for Chase's arms too. I smiled when I remembered today was the day. Since Bree and I didn't have school tomorrow, we were all going out to di
“See you tonight girls! Love you!” She had the widest smile I'd seen since we told her Chase was the father, and it was undeniably contagious.
We were almost to our first class and I did a double take to a chair sitting outside the door. I slowly walked up and grabbed the bouquet of orange lilies, tucked into the side was a note with my name on the envelope. I looked at Bree who was looking around confused, and I joined in with her. There were people I vaguely knew all over, but other than Bree and Mom, only two guys knew about these. And neither of them were around. I opened the note and a huge smile spread across my face when I read the masculine handwriting.
'Happy Birthday Princess'
I bit my lip and looked harder for a tall, tan, built, tatted up guy with shaggy blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a killer smile.
“Who are they from?” Bree grabbed the note out of my hands.
“Chase, do you see him?”
“No. That boy I swear, who knew he could be sweet?”
After another quick look, I reluctantly followed her into the classroom. No sooner had we sat down, than my phone chimed.
Chase - 'You look beautiful today.'
Me - 'Were you watching me?'
Chase - 'Maybe. I finally got to give you your lilies.'
Me - 'You already gave me my lilies a few months ago, remember?'
Chase - 'I couldn't forget that day even if I tried.'
Me - 'Well you could have given these to me yourself you know. I would have liked to see you.'
Chase - 'It was worth it to see that smile on your face'
Me - ':) Thank you for my flowers. I love them'
Chase - 'What are you doing for your Birthday?'
Me - 'Di
Chase - 'I'll see what I can do.'
Once again, it wasn't exactly a no, but it wasn't a yes either and I tried to not let that disappoint me. Cryptic words were kind of his specialty.
“Gah, look at you Harper.” Bree whispered.
“What?”
“You already totally have that preggo glow, and now your face is lit up like the freaking sun after texting my brother.”
I looked at her confused, “How did you know I was talking to him?”
She narrowed her eyes at me, then raised her eyebrows. “Like I said, your face is lit up like the sun.” Nudging my knee, she turned to listen to the Professor.
I smiled at my flowers one more time, and tried to follow her lead. Class flew by and we went to lunch to meet up with everyone, Chase wasn't there, but a very shocked looking Brandon was. All the guys had given me big bear hugs, and after an uneasy hug from Brandon he froze and backed up slowly, his eyes trained to my stomach. It had finally been real for me at the first ultrasound, but I don't think it'd been real for Brandon until he saw the bump pushing out from my hips. My stomach churned and my heart ached thinking of the love I'd lost, but I knew I had to get over it. I was the one who had messed up, I needed to get over it so I could get on with my life too. None of the girls got to the table until we were already seated, and even with Brandon's wide eyes staring at where my stomach was hidden from the table, no one else saw the evidence. Since the restaurant was just down the street from campus, after lunch Bree and I went to a boba shop close to the school and did most of our homework before we had to leave for di