Violet Odyssey

Chapter 22: Pure Regret - Axton

May 12th, 1987.

What had I done?

I ruined Tara's life.

Nic was right.

I was a monster.

---

Tara sat on the edge of the toilet seat, the lid completely closed and her pants and underwear still worn around her like they usually were.

"You okay?" I chuckled as I walked in, noticing her horrified expression.

"I'm late," she whispered.

"You're what? Late? For what?"

"Axton, I'm late," she repeated, only this time, she met my eyes.

"For what?" I laughed.

She just glared a bit. "Axton, please understand. I'm very, very late."

I leaned against the wall, pure confusion written on my face.

"I don't - I don't understand."

"Axton, I haven't had my period. I'm late."

"And...?" I whispered after a small silence. "Is that why you've been sick? Surely it isn't so bad to miss your period, right? You never liked it."

"Axton, I've been sick, I gained a few pounds, and I'm late."

I thought long and hard, before eventually giving up.

"I don't get it," I mumbled.

"Axton... I'm pregnant."

Those words hit me hard, and my mouth hung wide.

"W-what?"

"I'm pregnant, Ax. There's a... baby..." Tara couldn't bear to finish, her lip quivering.

"How?" I whispered. "When?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "I'm guessing that time after the water park, eh?"

I nodded, knowing when she was speaking of. "What do you want to do?"

Her eyes shut and tears began to spill from her face, my automatic response of comforting her coming into the way. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close.

"It'll be okay, love. We'll be okay."

"How is going to be okay? I'm sixteen, Axton!" she responded.

I nodded, licking my lips and looking into her eyes.

"I'll figure everything out, okay? We'll make it."

"How?" she cried. "We had plans and now..."

"I know, I know," I sighed. "But... we'll make it, won't we?"

"Axton... I don't know if I can do this," she whimpered.

"Do you..." I slowly began. "Do you want to... get an... um, an a-abortion."

Her expression stayed the same.

"I don't know," she whispered.

"I support you," I started. "I'll support you no matter what you decide. If you don't want it... that's how it'll be. If you do... we'll have to prepare for it. Listen, whatever you want to do, I will stand by."