TIFFANY’S POV
After Shawn had left for work, she hurried with her breakfast as Lucas had arrived and was waiting for her. She got into the car and greeted him and they hit the road.
They soon arrived at school, she alighted and bid him goodbye before walking to the class. Freya was already in class and presumably waiting for her.
“Tardy Tiff,” Freya said as she took her seat.
“I’m not tardy,” she protested, rolling her eyes.
“Oh yes you are. See when you are arriving at school.”
“I overslept. All thanks to Shawn or I would have arrived later than this.”
And then Freya reduced her tone. “Have you heard?”
“Heard what?” She asked, whispering back.
“Prom date has been fixed and principal Campbell would soon announce this year’s requirement.”
“How come you know?”
“Well, have you forgotten I’m the president of the Student’s body.”
“Oh, that’s right…”
Suddenly, the sound of Principal Campbell’s voice came over the intercom, interrupting the classroom. Everyone went quiet as they paid rapt attention to the announcement.
“Good morning, students,” her voice echoed through the classroom. “I have an exciting announcement to make. The date for the prom has been officially set, and it will be held in exactly one month’s timeon the 24th of May. Girls are to wear floor length ball gowns, and the boys are to wear tuxedos or suits.”
She turned to give Freya a knowing Smile.
Principal Campbell’s voice continued, “We’ve decided to make a change this year. Students will now be allowed to bring dates who are not fellow school students. So, if you have someone special in mind who doesn’t attend this school, you can invite them to be your date for the prom.”
Her heart skipped a beat. This meant she could ask Shawn to be her date for the prom. She would never ask for anyone else.
“Wow! This is the best news I’ve heard in centuries. Imagine bringing one of my boyfriend’s as my date to this year’s prom. Oh, I can’t wait.”
“Eww, Freya. Have some Shane and stick to one partner.”
Oh well, darling. I’m shameless. I want them all. Tall, short, lean, pudgy…”
“I’m done listening to you,” she said and turned to face the board.
“I know you enjoy my stories but you won’t admit it,” Freya teased.
“You wish,” she replied.
A teacher soon entered the class and everywhere went quiet. They got engrossed in learning and didn’t say much to each other until recess period.
“Tiff, could you please escort me to the restroom? I’m pressed.” Freya asked as students filed out of the class for the cafeteria.
Tiffany: Tiff, could you please escort me to the restroom? I’m pressed.
“Of course, let’s go.”
They walk to the female restroom. After Freya finishes using the restroom, she stands in front of the mirror, admiring herself.
“Oh, Tiff! I cannot wait for prom. I already have an idea of how I want to look. I’m thinking of a peach dress, with some sparkles and maybe a tiara.”
She listened to Freya’s excited chatter, as a storm of conflicting thoughts raged inside of her. After a moment, she can’t hold it in any longer.
“I’m pregnant!” she blurted.
Freya’s excitement faded and she turned to look at her. “Wait, what did you say?”
“I’m pregnant. I found out after I collapsed at my recent modeling photoshoot. I was rushed to the hospital, and they confirmed it.”
Freya immediately engulfed her in a hug. “Oh my poor, baby girl. Does Shawn know?”
“No, he doesn’t know yet. I want to be sure I won’t lose the baby. I don’t want to give him false hope.”
“That’s understandable, but don’t you think he deserves to know? He’s the father after all.”
“I know, I know. I just wanted to be sure before I dropped this bombshell on him. Plus, I don’t know what his reaction would be,” and then she held Freya’s arm. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
“Don’t worry, I promise I won’t tell anyone. It’s your news to share when you’re ready.”
“Thank you so much. You are an amazing best friend,” she said and hugged Freya tightly.
They soon disengaged from the hug and walked out of the restroom for the cafeteria.
TIFFANY’S POV
After school was dismissed, she bid Freya goodbye and got into the car. She greeted Luca and replied with a nod and they drove off. She arrived home and got inside. She had a book bath, slipped into something comfortable and went downstairs to make herself cereal.
After she was done eating, she sat in the sitting room to watch TV after which she fell asleep. She woke up hours later and walked into the kitchen to make dinner. After she was done, she felt tired and dizzy and returned to the sitting room to continue her nap.
She slowly woke up from her sleep, her mind groggy and her body feeling heavy. As she blinked her eyes open, she noticed someone’s presence. Before she could fully gather her thoughts, she was startled by a familiar voice.
“Hey, babe. Sorry to wake you, but I’m home,” Shawn said, as he stroked her hair.
Her drowsiness quickly waned as she recognized his voice. She sat up on the couch, rubbing her eyes and giving him a small smile. “Hey. How was your day?”
“Long, but alright. How about you? What did you get up to today?”
Her eyes brightened as she remembered the exciting news she had to share. “Oh, I actually have some news! Our principal announced a change for this year’s prom. We can bring dates who aren’t fellow students.”
“Really? That’s a pretty interesting change. I guess they want to mix things up a bit.”
Nodding, she took a deep breath before speaking. “Yeah, and you know what? I was hoping you’d be my date for prom. What do you say?”
“Of course. You are my wife and I can’t stand the thought of another male being your date.”
She blushed really hard. She loved it when he was all possessive of her.
“I’m going to freshen up after which I will come down so we will have dinner.”
She nodded and he pecked her before walking away.
He returned minutes later and they had dinner with him insisting on feeding her. After dinner, they retired to bed.
The next morning she woke up and prepared for school.
“Are you all set?” Shawn asked, knotting his tie.
She nodded, a smile on her face. “Ready as ever. Let’s go.”
They had both finished preparing at almost the same time, and they walked outside together. Lucas was already waiting. She bid him goodbye and got into the car. They soon drove off, in the direction of her school.
As she hummed along to Rihanna’s diamond, playing from the car radio, the peaceful drive to school took a sudden, terrifying turn. Out of nowhere, a dark van swerved in front of them, blocking their path. Before they could react, masked figures emerged from the van, rushing towards them and brandishing the weapons in their hands.
Panic flowed through her veins as she realized what was happening. She had been kidnapped twice and she knew the scenario very well. Her heart raced, as her breath quickened. She turned to Lucas, her eyes wide with fear, but he had already jumped out of the car, ready to protect her.
She fearfully watched him fight valiantly against their assailants, but he was outnumbered. She watched in horror as one of the masked figures shot him in the shoulder, causing him to collapse to the ground.
Tears streamed down her face as fear overcame her. She couldn’t move, as she felt paralyzed. Within seconds, the masked figures reached the car and yanked open the door, seizing her by the arm.
She screamed and struggled against their grip, but was forcibly dragged out of the car and thrown into the back of the van, her cries for help drowned out by the slamming of the door.
Her heart raced as the van started moving towards God knows where. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about the fact that that was the third time she was being kidnapped. Was she going to make it out alive this time? Was Shawn going to rescue her? Instinctively, her hand went to her stomach. She was not just in danger but the little human growing inside of her too.
Realizing that, she burst into a fresh bout of tears.