Mandy's POV
"Mandy, come down. We have a lot to discuss. Now!" My mom's voice trembles slightly, as if she's barely holding it together.
Every fiber of my being wants to stay in my room, to hide under my blanket forever. But I know that won't solve anything. I take a deep breath and force my trembling legs to move.
When I reach the dining table, my dad, mom, and older brother are already seated. The air is thick with tension, like a storm about to break. I sit down slowly, my eyes fixed on the table, unable to meet their gaze.
We eat in silence, the clinking of utensils louder than my own heartbeat. Finally, Dad speaks.
"Who's the father of the baby?" His voice is calm—too calm.
Sweat beads on my forehead. My throat is dry, but I force the words out.
"Dreid..."
I barely finish the name when my brother interrupts.
"Dreid Candelaria!?" His voice is sharp, disbelief etched on his face. "He really did say that earlier while we were at practice."
My eyes widen. He knows? My stomach churns.
"Dreid Candelaria? The son of Senator Jokno Candelaria?" Dad's brows knit together.
"Yes, Dad," my brother confirms, his voice laced with frustration. "But that guy is no good. A slacker, playboy. I'm not even sure he qualifies as a decent human being."
"Brother!" I protest, my voice breaking.
Mom's face tightens. Her eyes glisten with disappointment. "If that's the kind of man he is, he has no right to be the father of my grandchild."
Her words catch me off guard. Grandchild. Despite everything, she still acknowledges the baby. For a brief moment, hope flickers in my chest.
But Dad's voice brings me crashing back down.
"Still, it's not acceptable for Mandy to be seen pregnant without a father by her side. It's harder to be called a disgraced woman."
The weight of his words settles heavily on my shoulders. He's right. That's exactly how they see me—disgraced.
Dad's eyes lock onto mine, resolute and unwavering. "Mandy, I want to meet him and his parents. I don't care if he refuses. You make sure he comes here on Sunday." He turns to my brother. "Andrew, you're his varsity teammate, right? Don't go easy on him. Make sure he understands how serious this is."
My heart sinks. This is what I've been dreading—to face Dreid and the consequences of that night.
Later That Night – 10:20 PM
I sit on my bed, scrolling through Pinterest, looking for motivational quotes to pull me out of this pit of despair. Some quotes lift me, but every notification that pops up drags me back down.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I have to go to school tomorrow. I can't let this ruin my life.
I whisper to myself, "Ignore the haters, Mandy. Focus on the people who truly care."
I glance down and place a hand on my belly. It's the first time I speak to the tiny life growing inside me.
"Sorry, baby. I promise Mommy will be strong for you. You have to be strong too, my little fighter."
A strange sense of peace washes over me. For the first time, I feel a connection to this baby. My lips curve into a faint smile.
"Goodnight, baby. I love you."
The Next Morning – University Gate
I stand at the entrance, heart pounding, but my posture is straight. The stares are still there, but they don't pierce as deep. Issues fade, people move on, I remind myself.
I take a step forward, exuding an aura of quiet bravery.
"Mandy!"
I turn around.
"Brianna?"
She walks up to me, guilt in her eyes. "Hey... I'm sorry, Mandy. We got so caught up in the gossip, we forgot to be your friends when you needed us most."
I blink back tears. "It's okay. I'm just glad you're here."
Kite and Juls arrive, Kite's smile as wide as ever. He slings an arm around Brianna and me.
"Morning, ladies!" Kite's grin makes his eyes disappear.
We laugh together. The moment feels light, almost normal.
"Are we celebrities now or something?" Kite jokes.
"You wish, dude," Juls snorts.
He turns to me, serious for once. "Ignore them, Mandy. They can't ruin your life unless you let them."
We break into a chorus of, "Forget it, go on and have fun!"
We laugh so hard, my sides hurt.
In the Classroom
I drop into my seat with a sigh, the weight on my shoulders lifting just a little. Finally, a moment to breathe.
As soon as I start to relax, a familiar scent wafts over—strong, cloying, and relentless. I wrinkle my nose dramatically, waving my hand in front of my face.
"Hey, Jason! Change your perfume! It's making me dizzy!"
Jason, our resident class clown with a perpetual smirk, looks up, mock-offended. He lifts his collar and sniffs, eyebrows shooting up like he's just discovered a crime scene.
"I thought this was my signature scent! Chick magnet!"
I gag exaggeratedly. "Chick magnet? Looks more like insect repellent!"
The class bursts into laughter, Jason clutching his chest like I've wounded him.
"You're too much, Mandy!" he teases, grinning ear to ear.
I smirk, eyes narrowing. "Relax Jason, I'll buy you a new perfume tomorrow, how about that?"
He throws his hands up in mock surrender, laughing. "We're good! I like that, Mandy!"
The joke hangs in the air for a second, but instead of feeling awkward, it lightens my mood. The tension that's been knotting my stomach eases a bit.
From the corner of my eye, I spot Harwood, who's been watching the whole exchange with an amused smile. He walks over, leaning on my desk.
"You're really wild,"
I roll my eyes but chuckle. "At least I still have a sense of humor, right?"
He laughs and squeezes my shoulder. "You can do this. We're here for you."
Sometimes, it's these small moments—the jokes, the laughter, the people who stick by you—that remind you you're not alone.
And maybe, just maybe, things aren't so bad after all.
A Sudden Call – Dreid Appears
A voice interrupts the laughter.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. May I speak with Mandy Ropyendaz?"
The classroom falls silent. My heart stops. I know that voice.
"Okay, Mr. Candelaria. Mandy, go out for a bit."
I stand up slowly, my legs like lead. My worst fear materializes at the door.
Dreid.
Face your fear, Mandy. My mind screams.
I take a deep breath, lift my chin, and step into the hallway.
To Be Continued...