Young Love

by Nubia Azuara

To begin testing, open the sealed pouch by tearing along the notch. Remove the test from the pouch…
“Um, okay,” Angie said.
Note: 1. First morning urine usually contains the highest concentration of hCG and is therefore the best sample when performing the urine test. However, randomly collected urine specimens may be used. 2. Holding the strip vertically carefully dip it into the specimen (you may collect your urine in a clean, dry container)...
"What? Ewww!"
Immerse the strip into the urine sample with the arrow end pointing towards the urine... Take the strip out after 3 seconds and lay the strip flat on a clean, dry, non-absorbent surface. 3. Wait for colored bands to appear. Depending on the concentration of hCG in the test specimen, positive results may be observed in as little as 40 seconds. However, to confirm negative results, the complete reaction time of 5 minutes is required. It is important that the background is clear before the result is read. Do not read results after the specified reaction time.
“This better work! Why do I have to go through this? Is this a punishment?” Angie said softly as she stared at the pregnancy test.
Negative: Only one color band appears on the control region…
“Why me?”
Knock, Knock! “Hey are you okay there? Why are you taking so long?” Michael said.
“Give me a minute, geez!”
Positive: Distinct color bands appear on the control and test regions. Presence of both test line and control line indicate that you are pregnant. Blah, blah, blah…
“Oh god,” she said as she saw the result of the test and began to cry. She thought about the day when he first asked her out. He had always been so romantic, he knew how to make her laugh and together they always had a great time. That day Michael asked her to be ready by 7:00 pm because he would take her somewhere. Of course she was surprised because he didn’t know how to drive but she was really excited since he always made her happy. He asked one of his older friends to take them to a restaurant. They ate dinner and right after he called his friend and he came over with a dozen of red roses and the biggest teddy bear she had ever seen in her entire life. He handed over the stuff and didn't explain anything, the only words that came out of his mouth were simply; "I love you and always will". He then asked her out once they got to her house and she, of course, said yes.
“Angieeeeeeeeee, can you please hurry up!” Katie yelled since she was nervous.
Angie jumped and accidentally dropped the pregnancy test in the toilet. She came back to reality for a minute but then more memories started coming to her head. 
"Hi, what's your name?" Michael asked as he walked towards Angie.
"Um Angie, yours?" She asked. She had never felt that nervous before well she had one time when she had to go in front of her class and give a three minute presentation about a book she never read. She turned red and stayed quiet for about a minute, the other two, she couldn’t remember because she passed out before she could even think about what to say.
"Do you want to have lunch with me? I think you're pretty." He said as he grabbed her hand and kissed it.
He's such a gentleman, she thought. "Yes, I'd love to." Ever since that day they became best friends. They would spend most of their time together either at school or outside of school playing video games or at the park. It didn't matter to them as long as they were together. Because when they were, everything was perfect. They were now in the 11th grade, five years after they met except they were not just older but a bit different. She was a lot more responsible as well as mature. But him, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He was a whole different person than the Michael she met in Middle School. He wasn't just lazy and immature; he was also selfish and stubborn, proud and mean. She wasn't his main priority and she knew that, but she couldn't let him go. She loved him so she promised herself she would help him change. His family also started noticing the change. He was almost never at home, he would never talk to his parents, he wouldn't even eat at home. The way he dressed changed, and he was failing almost every class.
After about an hour Angie came out of the bathroom. She was pale and her eyes were red, it was obvious she had been crying for a long time now.
"Are you okay?" Katie asked as she walked towards Angie and hugged her.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I think. Just pregnant.”
“What? You’re what? Are you sure its mine?” Michael said as he brought his sweaty hands to his face. Angie didn’t know what to say so she ran to her room and locked herself in. Lots of things went through her head and all she could do is cry and cry. Michael on the other hand left the house and went for a walk.
What was I doing? Is this really what I want? A baby? I love her but I’m too young to have a kid. Wait, but I love her. She needs me. I should go back and tell her I care. He went back to the house and talked to Katie first. She was glad he came back but didn’t think Angie would want to talk to him.
“Michael wants to talk to you.”
“What? Hell no. He asked if the baby is his! Of course I don’t want to talk to him.” Angie said as she slammed the door against Katie’s face.
Michael heard everything but he decided he was going to talk to her no matter what, so he stayed in the living room. After a couple of hours Angie decided to come out.
“What do you want? Why are you still here?” Angie said.
“I love you and I want you to know that I’m here for you. I want to keep the baby. I’ll get a job and do whatever I have to do to keep it. We’ll be happy, I’m sure.” Michael said as many things went through his head, he really wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep the baby because he knew he wouldn’t be a good father. But he knew he didn’t want to lose her.
“YOU are telling ME you’re going to get a job? Haha, you’re funny. Look at you! You hardly ever go home, you don’t care about school, I don’t even think you care about me, what makes you think you’re really going to care about this baby?” Angie said as she walked from one side of the living room to the other. Katie just sat there in shock, she thought about leaving but she knew her best friend needed her so she stayed.
“I know I can change. I can be more responsible. I’m willing to do anything for you and our baby.”
“All you care about are your drugs and your gang. You don’t know what a real family is. We’re not keeping it. I don’t want to have anything to do with you.”As soon as he heard this he turned around and walked towards the door. He opened it while tears came out of his eyes. He didn’t know if he was doing the right thing but he needed time to think about what was going to happen. He knew things would not be easy without her, but maybe she needed time as well. On his way home he noticed a car followed him but because he had so many things going through his head he decided to not pay attention and keep walking.

BANG! BANG! BANG! “Angie.” He said as he fell on the asphalt and hit his head on a rock.

Back in the house Katie and Angie both sat on the couch nervously waiting for Michael to come back but, he never did. One week later, Angie was on the phone with Katie, talking about the abortion. Katies was the only person that knew about her prgnancy other than Michael. She was also the one that knew everything about Angie and was willing to go with her to the clinic.

“So, when do tyou want to go Angie? You have to make up your mind before it’s too late. I need to make an appointment for you.”

“I don’t know. Ever since I stopped talking to Michael I can’t even focus anymore. Everything is just flying by. But hold on, I got a call on the other line.” Angie put her best friend on hold to answer from this unknown number. She usually never picks them up but this time she felt she needed to.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“It’s George, Michael’s cousin. But that doesn’t matter. I got something serious to tell you. A week ago there was a drive by out here. Michael.. He got shot. His parents wanted to tell you but they didn’t know how. And well, he’s gone.”

Her heart dropped to the floor and all she could hear was the dial tone.

“Katie? Michael’s cousin, George, just called to tell me he’s dead. Michael is dead, gone, forever.” There was a pause after that since they both didn’t know what to say. Angie started to cry but she didn’t want Katie to notice so she stayed quiet.

“I’m sorry Angie. Really I don’t know what to tell you.”

“It’s just life.”

“But, are you sure you’re okay?”

“But nothing, I’ll be fine.” She said as she hung up the phone.

Six years later on a sunny day, Angie and Lkatie were at the park talking about the day her and Michael met. As she remembered tears started rolling down her cheeks until someone came and wiped them off. Someone who would always remind her of Michael.

“Don’t cry mommy, we’ll be okay. Daddy still loves you and he’s taking care of us from above.”