just a graduation

High school graduation didn't mean much to Kyle, anyway. As it was he was working on his GED, and he'd have it come June or so. He knew if he'd done what Kelsey had done every summer, he might be graduating too. Usually, she was geared toward the future. He was just getting by. Really, they were suppose to be in school another year. But honestly, he had to get on with his life. And support Rosie as he always had. Yet, he'd taken the Saturday morning off to see his friends graduate. And then next weekend was Amber's graduation.

But as he sat there in the hot gym, looking at so many faces, some dressed like a fashion show just to see their relatives graduate, his eyes focused on Kelsey. He hadn't notice before. But it was true. He knew it now, even in a shapeless graduation gown. Kelsey was pregnant.

His face flushed trying to calculate when that could have happened. He knew it wasn't his. At least. It was just crazy. Someone who had worked so hard at getting out of school a year early was going to have a baby.

"Are you going to tell me whats going on?" He knew they didn't talk much, anymore after their breakup. He knew he'd started it, but this. This, she was keeping secret.

"Tell you what?" She was snide as usual. Hateful seemed to be her usual self these days.

"You know." He glared at her. He walked her back to the commons. There was no one there but her Mom for her graduation. And she was off visiting with other parents.

"I'm fine." Kelsey informed him.

"What are you going to do?" Kyle wondered if she was in denial about this. She was showing. He knew for sure when she took off the gown and was just in her tank and stretchy yoga Capri's.

"I'll be off at college when its born, all right." She seemed so unexcited.

Kyle just squinted. He felt it was all his fault even if he didn't have anything to do with it.

"Do your parents know?" They had to. Didn't they? They couldn't be that oblivious to her condition.

"No. I want you to keep it that way." She gave him a glare that he better keep it quiet.

"But-" he had to say something. "You have gone to a doctor. Right?"

She said nothing but wrapped herself in a big bulky sweater. Her mother would be there, any minute.

"What? You want me to call you when its time, or something?" She was angry.

"I don't understand you." Kyle told her.

"You don't have too." She shrugged.

"I mean, you're smart. And you do all this stuff so you'll graduate early, but...but this, its like you're an idiot." He winced.

"What does it matter what I do?" She scowled.

Her mother was coming. Kelsey looked to see her in the distant corridor.

"Look, let me help you." He found himself saying.

"I don't see how." She sighed.

"I don't know, either, but there has to be something I can do." Kyle then said. Of course, he felt the best thing was to let her mom know.