Love Never Fails Read online

  Jake laughs adding fuel to the fire, “Whatever. I don’t have time for your bullshit. Do you know how many girls are falling in line to be with me? If you dump me, it’s your lost.”

  “Well now they have their chance.” Monica walks away and yanks her arm as he tries to stop her.

  “Monica stop it.” Jake yells trying to get her attention, and the students stop to be nosy. Jake walks back to his team, and Josh asks him what just happened.

  “Bro you know how bitches are. They all act the same.”

  The next day, Monica ignores Jake as he tries to get her attention. This bruises his ego, and he tells his friends, she’ll come running back to him, like all the other girls. When she still continues to ignore him, reality finally kicked in. She is really done with him.

  By Friday there were rumors going around school that Jake had a new girlfriend. Her name is Nicole and she’s in the same cheerleading team as Monica. Jake tries to make Monica jealous by showing off his new girlfriend to his teammates in front of her, but it doesn’t faze her. During practice, Jake waves at Nicole, and when Nicole waves back, Monica tells her to pay attention.

  With an attitude, Nicole snaps. “Don’t hate because he dumped you. He got tired of your ass, that’s why he got rid of you.” Nicole laughs in Monica’s face.

  Before Monica can say anything, Kelly steps in, pushes Nicole to the ground, and leans over with her face inches from Nicole’s. “Bitch you ever talk to her like that again and your ass is mine. For your info, she dumped him because he’s a sleazy sorry ass poor excuse of a man. So go ahead and be a dumb bitch, but you talk to her like that again, I’m going to show you what hate really is. Understand?”

  Their coach barks for them to stop, Jake notices what happened, and questions Nicole about it after practice.

  “What the hell was that about?”

  “Monica was giving me a hard time during practice, and she kept picking on me for every move I did saying I was doing this and that wrong. I had enough. I was fixing to punch her, but Kelly stepped in, and pushes me to the ground. Those two bitches don’t fight fair. What Monica doesn’t fight her own battles? Next time I’m going to beat that bitch’s ass.”

  Jake sternly looks into her face. “You ever touch Monica, we’re over. Do you hear me?”

  Jake doesn’t want anyone hurting Monica, because even though they’re through, he still cares for her. He knows he messed up, and wishes he can take back the stupid stuff he did, and he wishes she’ll take him back, but it’s already too late. On Saturday evening her phone rings and it’s Clint.

  Rolling her eyes, she answers. “Hello.”

  “Hey it’s me. What are you doing?”

  “I’m doing my school project. What’s up?”

  “I wanted to go watch a movie. You should come.”

  “No I really need to finish this project.”

  “Come on. Please.”

  She knows she should finish her project, but she’s going to lose her mind constantly thinking about Jake. What the hell. Might as well go.

  Clint rings the doorbell. “Hello sir. I’m here to pick up Monica.”

  John takes a deep breath. “Hello Clint. Where are you guys headed?”

  “To the movies.”

  “Hold on, I’ll go get it.”

  Monica comes downstairs and notices her dad isn’t too happy seeing Clint again. Her father never liked him and was thrilled when he heard they broke up.

  “Dear what happened to Jake?”

  “Dad, please I don’t want to talk about him right now.” She kisses her father on his cheek.

  “Have fun dear, and you guys be careful.” Lauren kisses her goodbye.

  Before she walks out the door, her father disapproves of her outfit. She’s wearing a frail denim mini skirt with white tank top shirt; metallic flip flops and wrapped her hair in a bun. He suggests she changes but Monica doesn’t listen. John shakes his head disagreeing and closes the door.

  “Wow you look great.”

  “Oh thanks. What movie are we going to watch?”

  “Batman. It just came out.”

  “I’ve wanted to see that. I heard it was a good movie.”

  When they get to the movies, it’s packed with teenagers. Clint gets her a drink and popcorn. During the movie, Clint makes his move, and Monica doesn’t stop him. She really wished he was Jake, but she guess he’ll have do. As Clint and Monica walks out of the movie theater hand in hand, she sees Jake with Nicole. Jake is surprised to see her there with Clint. Though she wants to turn around, she fights the urge and tries to ignore him. Clint of course rubs it in Jake’s face, by winking at him. Jake notices what Monica is wearing, and thinks she looks hot in the denim mini skirt. Then he got this sick feeling in his stomach. The thought of Monica and Clint having sex while she’s wearing that skirt made him nauseated. Why is Monica back with Clint after what he did to her? This doesn’t make sense to him. She’ll rather date Clint then to date him.

  Since Clint and Monica have dated for so long, she knows what to expect from Clint. He might have his ways but he’s all she’s even known. She’s used to him.

  Clint takes her to the best barbeque restaurant in Baytown. Once they finish eating, they end up at his house.

  His mom loves Monica. She pulls her in for a hug. “Hi Monica. Long time no see.”

  “Hi Mrs. Fitz.” Monica kindly smiles.

  “Well dear, we’re glad to see you. How are your parents doing?”

  “They’re good.”

  “Well tell them hi for us?”

  Monica purses her lips. “I will.”

  Clint takes Monica to his room. He starts to kiss her neck, trying to please her. After having sex with Jake, nothing tops it. She fakes an orgasm, so he can hurry up and finish.

  During first period, Jake keeps slipping notes to Monica, but she doesn’t send it back. Every time she doesn’t send it back, he reaches over, yanking the paper from her desk to write other things.

  “So you and Clint are dating again?”

  “Hello.”

  “When are you going to talk to me again?”

  “I’m so sorry. I want you back. Please forgive me.”

  Jake broke up with Nicole and isn’t talking to any other girls. He wants to stay solo. He finally realized the girl he really wants to be. But she’s taken, because he screwed up. In the hallways, Clint wraps his arms around Monica, deliberately letting Jake and the other guys know who the winner is. Like Monica is a trophy. Monica knows what Clint is doing. She rolls her eyes at him, hoping she can graduate already so she can finally go to college. Once she’s in Austin, it will help her from thinking about Jake.

  Jake continues to gawk at her. He tries to always get her attention, but she doesn’t give her what he wants. Weeks go by, and Monica counts the days till she graduates. Concentrating on her school work, she barely spends time the Clint. They only spend time together while they’re at school. Clint tries to be with her on the weekends, but she’s busy with her school work.

  In Physics, Jake constantly tries to get her attention by accidentally bumping into her or asking to borrow a pencil. He even goes to class the same time she does, intentionally trying to make sure he sits by her.

  Weeks go by and Monica misses her period. She’s been stressed lately trying to get her GPA score higher than what it already is. She tries convincing herself that’s the reason. But when she missed her period for the second month, her boobs started getting tender, and she was constantly feeling sick in her stomach, she knew it was more than stress.

  Her mom takes her to the doctor, and what she finds out isn’t what she’s prepared for. She has been doing everything in her power preparing to get her college degree to eventually run her father’s business. What is she going to do now? Does she terminate her pregnancy so she can continue with her plans, or does she keep the baby, and hope it doesn’t ruin her plans? Monica cries with the thought of what ifs. Lauren comforts her, but worries of what Monica’
s father will say. The doctor instructs her to start taking her vitamins and wants to see her in a month.

  On the drive home, Lauren breaks the silence. “Dear everything will be alright. Your dad will be mad at first, but you know him. He loves you too much. He will never turn his back on you.”

  Monica can’t hold back the tears, “Mom I’m scared.”

  Grabbing Monica’s hand, she squeezes. “I know dear. But your dad and I will always be here for you. We won’t leave your side.”

  “Mom I don’t even know if I want to keep it.”

  “Oh no dear. Please don’t do that. You know your dad and I don’t believe in abortions.”

  “But mom, it’s not up to you and dad. It’s not y’alls life. It’s mine. What if I keep the baby? What then?”

  “Dear things happen in life so we can learn from it. And we just have to roll with the punches. That’s what makes us strong. Don’t give up that easily. You are much stronger than you think. You’re a Williams. Remember that.”

  Lauren rubs her thumb on her daughter’s hand, trying to ease her worries. Monica smiles at her mom, but still worries. She has to let Clint know but how will she tell him? What will he think about her being pregnant? Will he even stay and help raise their baby? Or will he leave her?

  She starts thinking of her daddy. He will be so disappointed at her. He worked so hard to make sure Monica never has to suffer. Her father just wanted her to concentrate on her school work, so she can run their family business. And she didn’t mind doing that for him. He has been such a great father, and now the thought of him being disappointed at her, makes her feel horrible.

  First things first. She has to let her father know. When her father comes home, her mom asks him to come to Monica’s room. She sits by her daughter while Monica tells her dad. He was stunned at first, and then burst into tears. Seeing him cry causes tears to gush from Monica’s eyes. He isn’t ready for his little girl to have a baby of her own. But he doesn’t believe in abortions, so he can’t tell her to go with that option. Everything is moving slowly for Monica and her father.

  He finally sits by her, tries to hold back from crying again and tells her everything will be alright. They’ll get through this together. When he sees Monica tearing up again, he can’t hold back, he wraps his arms around her, and they cry together. She sits there for hours crying with her daddy. Lauren watches them cry knowing they need cry it out. She decides to fix them something to eat so they’ll have alone time.

  Monica calls Clint begging him to meet her at park. The whole drive there, she plays the conversation in her head over and over again. How can she break the news to him? Clint is in his car waiting. When he sees her, he enters her car.

  “Hey baby. What’s up? Why are we at the park?” He leans into Monica. “Do you want to make out?”

  As he’s leaning into her, she stops him, and he can tell by her face expression, she didn’t go there to make out.

  Monica swallows the lump in his throat. “Clint I have something to tell you.”

  Clint tone changes, “You cheated on me right?”

  “What? No. Not that.”

  “Then what is it?”

  There’s a long pause as Monica tries to read Clint’s face. “Clint I’m pregnant.”

  “And?”

  “What do you mean and?”

  “Why’s that any of my concern?”

  Monica is so pissed off right now. Why is he acting so immature? “Because it’s your baby.”

  Clint raises his voice. “Well I want you to get rid of it. I’m not ready to have a baby. I’m still young. I have plans that don’t involve a baby in it. I’ll pay for you to get an abortion.”

  Monica is so hurt. “I don’t need your money.” She whispers trying to hold back the tears of hurt and frustration.

  “Well you better get rid of it. Or I will.” He gets out of the car, slams the door, gets in his car, and drives off without looking back.

  She sits there crying. How did she allow herself to get in this situation? She had her life all figured out. And now it’s on the verge of all falling apart. Is Clint right? Should she get rid of it? She too has plans that don’t involve a baby. If she terminates her pregnancy, she can go back to her normal life. The life everyone wished for. She can take it as lesson learned, and move on with her well-planned life. Sitting there, she sees a mother feeding her baby on the bench. Watching the mother made her make the right decision. She knows what she has to do? Monica knows what’s right for her.

  12

  Kelly squeezes her friend tight. “I can’t believe you’re going to home school. I’m going to miss you around here. My partner in crime is leaving me.”

  “We can still hang out after school, and on the weekends.”

  “I can’t believe Clint doesn’t want to be a part of this. That’s an asshole move.”

  “You know what? I’m kind of glad he’s not going to be a part of it. I wouldn’t want my baby knowing he or she wasn’t really loved you know what I mean. If he doesn’t want to be in it all the way, then he shouldn’t be in it at all. I’m going to love my baby unconditionally.”

  “You’re going to be a great mommy. I want to babysit.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “So what are you going to do after you have the baby?”

  “My dad still wants me to help him run our family business, so that’s what I’ll do.”

  “How did your parents take it?”

  The thought of disappointing her parents makes her eyes burn causing her to cry. Kelly pulls her close, hugging her, her telling her everything will be alright. Jake walks by, and notices Monica crying.

  “Monica are you ok? Why are you crying? Did Clint hurt you? If he did, I’ll beat his ass.”

  She wipes face and forces a smile. “No he didn’t hurt me. I’m alright.”

  Kelly gives them their privacy. Jake stands inches from her and she can feel him breathing heavily.

  He rubs his thumb over a tear on her cheek. “You don’t look alright. You’re crying.”

  “I’m quitting school.”

  “You’re quitting school? Why?”

  “I’m not actually quitting school.” Monica stares into Jake’s beautiful eyes. “I’m going to do home school.”

  “Why?” Jake’s voice is so low she practically had to read his lips.

  “Family stuff.” Monica bites the side of her mouth.

  Tons of things run in Jake’s head. Family issues? Are her parents mistreating her? Are her parents sick? What could be so wrong for her to quit school?

  “I thought you were going to be the valedictorian? What’s going to happen with that?”

  She shakes her head trying not to cry again. “I’m not going to be that anymore.”

  He pulls her to his chest, and clenches on her tight. Hugging him feels so right, she exhales. Being in his arms, feels so good. As he brushes her hair with his fingers, she lets the tears flow. He holds her in his arms until there were no more tears. She feels safe in his arms. Holding her made his heart ache. Something hit him. He realizes right then and there he loves her.

  This is going to take one step at a time. She constantly reminder herself everything will be alright. She can do this. Women do it all the time. Single mothers have raised great intelligent kids all by themselves. Plus she won’t be doing it all by herself. Her loving caring parents will be there. She will get through it, and she will be the best mother ever.

  During dinner, Monica’s father walks in the house with Jake. “Guess who was pulling up when I was pulling up?” Her father arches his eyebrow up and down; delighted that Jake came by to keep Monica company.

  Confused. “Jake what are you doing here?”

  He rubs his knuckles. “I just wanted to come by and check up on you. Earlier today you seemed like something was bothering you. So I wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

  Monica glances at her dad, and he winks. Her father wants her to have other peop
le around, especially since she will be going to home school. He doesn’t want her isolating herself from her peers. She’ll lose her mind if all she has is her mom and dad around. Her mother invites Jake for dinner, and her father thinks it’s a great idea. Jake pulls Monica’s chair so she can sit. Her mother hides a smile.

  Monica’s father sits back, props his elbow on the armrest while he strokes his chin. “Well Jake, tell us a little about you?”

  “Well sir um I’m ah, eighteen. Um I’m a senior, and um I go to Monica’s school. Well used to. I mean, I still go there, but Monica doesn’t.” Jake is so nervous.

  Monica giggles.

  “Did Monica tell you why she’s going to home school?”

  “No sir she didn’t”

  He looks at his daughter. “When she’s ready, she’ll tell you why. Now let’s enjoy some of my wife’s fine cooking.”

  “Yes sir she’s fine.”

  Monica cracks up as her mother blushes beet red. Her father’s face expression changed from “I want you to be friends with my daughter” to “get the fuck out of my house now.”

  “I mean, yes the food taste fine.” Jake shakes his head. “It tastes delicious.” He clears his throat.

  Seeing Monica laughing eases her parents’ mood. They too start laughing. Jake is so embarrassed. It eventually became easier for Jake to talk to her parents. He didn’t seem as nervous and he even talked about football with her father.

  After dinner, Monica gives him a tour of their home. When they get to her room, the tingling vibe increases. She realizes this is the first guy she brought into her room. Monica doesn’t want on lead him on. What’s he going to think if in a couple months her belly starts growing? He cruises her room, studying everything she has on her walls. He adores the pictures of her when she was younger. She has plaques from every achievement she has done. In the middle of the room, she has a round bed, with red and black satin sheets. On one side of the wall, she has her entertainment center with a forty-two inch television, DVD movies, and some more pictures sit on the top. On the opposite side, she has a red contemporary half circle sofa with black square throw pillows. Her dresser sits on the other wall, and she has some more pictures on top of the dresser and some tucked into the mirror. On the opposite side of her dresser, are two huge French doors that open out to the patio. On the each of the glass doors, roses are sandblasted in the middle.