Pretend

by Charlene Antrobus

  Mimi was quite possibly the funniest child that I knew.

  "Mmm, I'm not sure if I can give it you just yet," he said, teasing her of course.

  "Oh please Kyle, please, please please!" She shouted in excitement.

  "Ok, ok calm down. You can have it now," he said before I walked into her pink room.

  "April!" She screamed as the excitement filled her face.

  "Hello baby," I said before sitting on her bed and throwing my arms around her.

  "I've missed you," I said.

  "I missed you too, I didn't think that I was going to see you again because of Kyle," she said as she scowled at him.

  "Nothing would stop me from seeing you," I said as I smiled at her.

  "Good because I've got some things to tell you!" She said as she bounced on her bed in excitement.

  "Ok then, tell me," I said as I began to giggle.

  "Erm..." She said as she raised her eyebrow at Kyle and folded her arms across her chest.

  "This is girl stuff, you need to go now," she said in a serious voice.

  "Ok, ok, I'm gone," he said as he walked out of the door laughing.

  "Now that he's gone we can get down to business," she said with a huge grin on her face.

  "Mimi you're like a woman trapped in a child's body," I said as I began laughing.

  "Mmm, I'm guessing that's a good thing. Anyway I have to tell you about Tommy," she said, smiling.

  "Who's Tommy?" I asked as I stared at her.

  "Well he's sort of my boyfriend," she said as she began giggling.

  "Oh is that right?" I asked in a motherly tone.

  "Yeah and he made me a card when I was in hospital and him and his mom brought it here," she said as she started bouncing on the bed again.

  "Well he sounds nice," I said as I stroked her head and smiled at the idea of seeing her wire free.

  "He is, he always gives me crayons, he lets me use his ruler and he let me use his Spider Man rubber before. That's his favourite one and he never gives it to anyone," she said with a huge grin on her face.

  "Oh wow, he sounds great," I said as I continued to smile.

  "He is, now enough about guys can you play with me?" She asked as she pushed a Barbie doll into my hands.

  "Ok," I said as I looked down at her sorting out some doll’s clothes neatly on her bed.

  "We're playing shopping," she finally said when she was finished.

  This should be fun I thought to myself as I got into role and did my best dolly voice.

  * * *

  After I had played several different games with Mimi, Mrs Edwards made us an amazing dinner. There was rice, lamb, veg and beautiful gravy. She said that the gravy was a secret recipe passed down through the generations. I guess that since me and Kyle were no longer together, my chances of ever discovering it were very slim.

  "Right, time for bed," Mrs Edwards said as she stood to her feet.

  "But mom I want stay up and play with April some more," Mimi pleaded.

  "No, no, the doctor said plenty of rest and besides April's probably tired now," she said as she picked her up in her arms.

  "Don't worry baby I'll come back again, ok?"

  "Ok," she said as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.

  I gave her a quick hug and kiss, and waved her goodbye.

  "Night," we all said as Mr and Mrs Edwards, and Mimi went off to bed leaving me and Kyle sat in the front living room, watching the TV.

  "That was nice," I said as I turned back around to face Kyle.

  "Yeah, like old times," he said with a smile on his face.

  Suddenly I felt the vibration of my phone.

  “Sorry,” I whispered before unlocking the screen to see who the text was from.

  I think I M-word you lol

  As I read the text from Aiden a huge smile took over my face and I completely forgot where I was.

  I’m sorry but I don’t know what the ‘M’ word is...

  I knew what it was really but this was much more fun than admitting it. After a few seconds I felt my phone vibrate again.

  Oh I think you do...

  I quickly typed back in excitement.

  Well if you can’t tell me then maybe I’ll just stay out all night and then you can ‘M’ word me some more.

  I giggled, quietly as I re-read my message.

  You’re really going to make me admit this? Lol

  I sent a message straight back.

  Absolutely!

  I waited for a few seconds and smiled when I felt the familiar vibration.

  Ok...April I MISS you! Happy? lol

  After sitting and smiling at my phone for five minutes, I finally responded.

  VERY. I miss you too : ) x

  I suddenly sensed Kyle’s eyes on me and felt a little guilty for feeling so happy and so I placed my phone in my lap and turned to him.

  “So what were you saying?” I asked in a soft tone.

  “I was just saying that tonight was like how it was before,” he said with a weak smile on his face.

  “Yea-“

  Suddenly I was cut off as I got distracted by my phone.

  “Sorry, I’ve just got to check this and then I’m all yours,” I said as I quickly lifted the phone off of my lap.

  “Yeah, great,” I heard Kyle say, sarcastically but I ignored it. I was allowed to be happy.

  X

  After sitting and smiling over a text that had just one kiss in it I finally decided to concentrate on Kyle.

  “Yeah, the old times were great, we had some good times,” I said as I tried to lighten the now dull mood.

  "Yeah, I really miss it," he said in a more serious tone.

  I decided not to answer and instead began to fidget slightly in my chair.

  "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that," he said as he looked at me.

  "No it's fine," I whispered.

  "April," he said after a few seconds of silence.

  "Yes?"

  "Can I ask you something?" He said in a serious tone.

  "Ok," I said nervously.

  "The day that I came to your house and you found out about me and Rachel, I remember that you had sent me a text before, to tell me to come over," he said.

  "Yeah," I said, always knowing that one day this would be brought back up.

  "You also said that you had something to tell me, but you never got to, of course. What was it?" He asked as I felt the tears start to rise to the edges of my eyes. I never expected this, not yet.

  "I can't do this," I whispered as I began to panic.

  "I don't understand," he said in a gentle tone.

  "I know," I replied as I put my head in my hands and cried.

  I didn't want to have to do this. I didn't want him to be hurt like me or to feel the guilt but how could I lie?

  "Please tell me," he whispered as I felt his arm slide around my shoulder.

  This is going to break his heart and mine, all over again.

  "Tell me..." He whispered, again.

  I looked into his eyes, closed mine and took a deep breath.

  "I was pregnant..."

  AIDEN’S POINT OF VIEW

  "Hey dude," I said as I let my fist hit Anthony’s and walked into the living room.

  "Hey," he replied.

  "So, I'm thinking takeaway?" I asked.

  "Yeah sounds good to me," he replied. He didn't seem as excited as usual.

  "Pizza?"

  "Yeah a nice meaty, manly pizza," he said with a smirk on his face. Suddenly the doorbell rang.

  "Hey," a voice said as I opened the door.

  "Oh, hi Erica, you ok?" I said as I stepped to one side to let her in.

  "I'm Jinnie and yes I'm great thanks," she said with a small smirk on her face. I'm sure that one day I'll be able to tell them apart but they are identical twins, it's hard.

  "Sorry," I said as I let out a laugh and watched Crystal walk down the stairs with a bag in her hand.

  "Where are you going?" I asked as I gestured
towards the bag in her hand.

  "I'm staying at Jess' tonight since April's out, so I'll see you both at school tomorrow," she said as she gave Jinnie a quick hug and disappeared out of the front door.

  "Ok, well be safe," I shouted out of the door as she waved her hand in the air and jumped into Jinnie's car.

  "Dude, a whole night alone with April again," Anthony said as he appeared in the doorway of the living room with a smirk on his face.

  "Yeah, if she ever leaves her ex-boyfriend’s house," I said as I tried to hide the jealous tone in my voice. I didn't realise how much April going to Kyle's bothered me until I watched her drive off with him today after school. I was trying not to think about it too much, that's why I was happy when Anthony said that he needed to "talk. I had hoped that he'd take my mind off of it...I was wrong.

  "So, you said that you needed to talk? Not sure I'm good at this whole talking thing dude, sounds kind of girly," I said in an attempt to tease Anthony.

  "Shut up man," he said as he threw one of the cushions at me, he missed of course.

  "Seriously man, something's wrong with me," he said with a more serious expression on his face.

  I don't know why but my stomach dropped, Anthony was being serious, which was something that didn’t happen very often.

  "What do you mean? Is everything ok?" I asked in a worried tone.

  "Something's changed man. You know, with me," he began.

  He seemed as though he wanted to continue so I remained silent.

  "After I left here yesterday and dropped Jess home, I went to meet someone," he said.

  "Who?"

  "Cayce," he said as though her name was causing him some pain. Oh please tell me that he hasn't caught something from that chick.

  “Wait, how did you get in contact with her?” I asked in confusion.

  “I text her, how else?”

  “I know that, I mean how did you get her number dummy?” I asked.

  “Oh, I took it out of your cell,” he said with a smirk on his face.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh come on dude, your phone lock is your birthday, it wasn’t that hard,” he replied with a smile on his face.

  Note to self, change my code.

  "Whatever. So, what happened anyway?" I asked.

  "Well, we went back to her place, she was home alone of course. We started kissing and so forth but I couldn't you know..." He said as his cheeks began to change to a deep colour of red.

  "Couldn't what? Stop talking in riddles," I said.

  "Dude, do I really have to spell it out! I had that stupid girl on my mind ever two damn seconds and I couldn't do anything with Cayce. She looked at me like I was some sort of loser man!" He said as he got up and started to pace up and down. As the realisation of what he was telling me sank in, I took a deep breath, looked up at him and then burst out laughing.

  "Aiden, this ain’t funny! I've got a rep you know," he said as he put his hand on the top of his head.

  "Sorry but I thought that you were about to tell me you were dying or something but that was just funny. It's simple really, I know what's up," I said as I began to smirk.

  "What?"

  "You're whipped," I said as I leant back in the chair and placed my hands behind my head.

  "What? Dude, either you're on drugs or just stupid, Anthony doesn't get whipped. Don't put me in the same category as you," he said with a serious face that gave away that he was lying.

  "Come on man, you're talking to me here. Ok, so you’re not whipped but you like Jess because she isn't jumping all over you like the other chicks that you usually get, it's obvious. You've met your match and you want her," I said as I winked at him and began laughing again.

  "Damn! I think you're right. She's driving me crazy man. I've had to leave my cell at home all day just so I don't text her, this ain't right. Dude, she's killing my mojo," he said as he placed his head in his hands.

  I couldn't help but laugh again, it was so funny seeing Anthony 'the player' like this.

  "Look, you want my opinion?"

  "I suppose," he mumbled.

  "Be honest man. You like her, stop running from it or you'll end up old and miserable," I said as I stood to my feet.

  "That's your advice? I should have gone to Taise," he said as a smirk filled his face.

  "Shut up dude, you wouldn't get any action for the rest of your life if you go to Taise," I said as we both burst out laughing.

  "True but you're all happy and in love now so you're giving me a girly talk. I need a man to man," he said with a smile on his face.

  "Whatever dude. Can we order this pizza now, I'm hungry," I said as I headed towards the kitchen in search of the menu.

  "Yeah and make sure it's meaty," he shouted to me as I carried on towards the kitchen. I let out a small chuckle and headed towards the kitchen drawers, where I knew that my mom kept all of the takeout menus. Once I found it, I started to scan the menu, in search of the most meaty pizza that I could find. When I came across one that had chicken, bacon, ham, pepperoni, sweet corn, pineapple, mushrooms, peppers and onions I knew that Anthony would be pleased.

  "Yo, I think I just found your future wife," I said as I leant over the back of the chair that he was sat on and pointed out the menu.

  "Mmmm, damn I think you're right," he said as I let out a small laugh.

  "You crack ,me up dude," I said as I watched him eyeing up the chicken wing starters too. This guy had the appetite of a dinosaur, seriously.

  "So, how's your cousin?" I asked as I took a seat on the chair across from him.

  "Yeah, Rick's cool man," he said without taking his eyes off of the menu.

  "So, isn't it long going to school every day from his house?" I asked as I started to flick through the TV channels.

  "I got kicked out for two weeks," he said casually as he continued to smile at the menu.

  "What?" I asked in shock.

  "Kicked out, two weeks," he said slowly as though I was deaf.

  "Yeah I got that bit Einstein. How did you manage that?"

  "Oh it was accident but they took it too seriously," he said as he lowered the menu and gave me his full attention.

  "What was?"

  "I accidently set my science class on fire, no biggy. Everyone got out alive," he said as he smirked.

  "Dude, you’re crazy you know. How did you accidently set it on fire?"

  "Some guy in my class dared me to mix a few chemicals together when Mr Brainston wasn't looking and you know that I never back down from a dare. So I did it and the class set on fire and next thing I knew, I was kicked out," he said as though it was no big deal.

  "What did your mom say?"

  "She doesn't know. When the school rang, I got this chick I was erm...Seeing at the time to answer the phone and pretend to be her. I told Rick what happened and his mom was away on a business trip for three weeks so I stayed there. My mom thinks that I'm on a school trip so it all worked out great," he said with a huge smirk on his face.

  "You are something else man. Let's order," I said as I pulled my phone out my pocket and stretched my hand out so that he could give me the menu.

  "Oh come on it was the perfect plan," he said.

  "Yeah until you get caught," I said as I looked at my phone and noticed that there was a text from April. I couldn't deny that it put a huge smile on my face. I opened the text and read the words. Slowly the smile turned to panic as I stormed towards the front door.

  "Dude, what's up?" Anthony said as he followed behind me at speed.

  "I’ve got to go," I mumbled as I jumped into my mustang.

  "What the hell's going on?" He asked as he jumped into the passenger seat. I couldn't talk right now, I needed to concentrate so I handed him my cell as I started up the engine of my car.

  "I know that I always tell you not to drive fast but for today I want you to ignore that," he said as he looked up from my phone.

  As we sat in silence and I drove towards the only perso
n that seemed to make me feel this way, I realised something that I never thought would happen to me...I was in love. I was in love with April.

  APRIL’S POINT OF VIEW

  "What do you mean, you was pregnant?" Kyle asked as he looked at me with a shocked expression. I wanted to answer but I just couldn't find the words.

  "Why didn't you tell me?" He muttered as I tried to avoid looking at him.

  "I wanted to but when I found out about Rachel, I just couldn't," I said as I tried to force the tears back.

  "Who did you tell?" He asked in a gentle voice.

  "No one. Only my mom and Bob know now," I muttered.

  "How?"

  "They found me," I began as the tears came at full force.

  "Found you?" He asked in a state of confusion.

  "A few days after we broke up I was in the bathroom and...I was bleeding. I didn't know what to do so I just sat on the floor crying in a pool of blood and that's when Bob found me and called my mom. They took me to hospital and a few hours later I was told that I had lost the baby," I said as I finally broke down as though I was relieving that whole day again.

  I didn't realise how painful it still was. We never talked about it at home and I was glad but now I was being forced to feel the pain all over again.

  "I wish that you had told me," he said in a sad voice.

  "It wouldn't have been fair. It would have just caused you unnecessary pain. Why did we both have to hurt like that," I whispered.

  "Unnecessary pain? April, you shouldn't have done that alone. I'm such a jerk," he said as he got up and started pacing around the room.

  "You didn't know-"

  "It doesn't matter! This was my fault, if I didn't stress you out and stuff then-"

  "No, please just stop. This is why I didn't want to tell you. I don't want to play the blame game Kyle. I don't know why it happened but it did and I don't want you to feel guilty. I spent six weeks, sat alone in my room, blaming myself and it doesn't change a thing, I don't want you to do that."

  "I'm so sorry," he said as the tears leaked from his eyes. I watched as his back slid down the wall until he hit the ground and let his head fall into his hands.