Derailed

Author's Note: This story takes place a year after my novel, "Blurry." It's not a sequel, but Sasha was a secondary character in the novel. This story focuses on what happened to her after the close of the novel. You can read "Blurry" at http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11829.

Sasha rocked back and forth in the swing, her long, dark hair covering her face. This should be the happiest day of her life. You don’t graduate from high school every day. She was haunted by the words of the valedictorian hours earlier when she retreated to the elementary school playground. The future is wide open, she said. It’s time to take life by the horns and live it to the fullest. Sasha sighed. That was true for everybody else, but not for her. Her future had been derailed. All that lay ahead of her were consequences of the past.

She was so lost in thought that she was surprised when Rachel sat in the swing beside her. “You left the graduation party early,” she said softly, flashing a sapphire ring on her left hand as she pushed her long, brown hair behind her ear.

Sasha took Rachel’s hand and admired the ring. “Galen is such a nice guy. You’re lucky you got out of here for college and found a nice boyfriend.” Rachel returned from her first year of college a couple of weeks ago more mature and happier than Sasha had ever seen her. Rachel had been dating Galen since September. “Is this a pre-engagement ring?”

Rachel gazed at the ring, her brown eyes sparkling. “I suppose it is. It was a Christmas gift.” She dropped her hand to her side. “I heard you and Todd broke up. I’m sorry.”

Sasha shrugged. “It happens.”

“You dated for a year. What happened?”

Sasha sighed. “I guess life in Woodland isn’t what he wants for his future. He’s moving out of state. He won’t tell me where. All he says is he has to get out of this small town.”

Rachel stared at her. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

They sat in silence a moment, lost in their thoughts. Clouds blew in, threatening to block out the colorful sunset in front of them.

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” Rachel asked.

Sasha’s blue eyes pierced through Rachel. The look told Rachel everything. “It happened to a girl in my dorm last semester. You wanted to settle down and keep the baby he wanted you to get an abortion.”

Sasha nodded. “He said he couldn’t be a father. Not now.”

“Do you know when it happened?”

Sasha sniffed. “Prom night.”

Rachel shook her head. “He did Amy the same way, remember? She wanted to get engaged after he graduated last year and he left her.”

“You don’t have to say you told me so.”

Rachel twitched. “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m saying Todd has a disturbing habit of running away from serious issues.”

“I realized that a little late.”

“Do your parents know?”

Sasha shook her head. “They know we broke up. They don’t know I’m pregnant. I’m 18. I need to make this decision on my own. I’ll tell them when I know what I want to do.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. There aren’t a lot of options.” Sasha sighed. “All I asked was to get engaged. I thought it would make this easier. Maybe he’ll come back if I get an abortion.”

Rachel shook her head. “If he’d leave you for this now, he’d leave you later for something else.” She put her arm around Sasha. “You have to live with the consequences of your decision for the rest of your life. Be true to yourself. Don’t let other people tell you what to do.”

Sasha nodded and leaned against Rachel. “Thanks. You’re a year older but I swear you’re a decade wiser.”

Rachel forced a strained laugh. “College makes you grow up fast.”

Sasha pulled back. “So does life. I guess mine is over.”

“That’s not true. Your life will change, but it’s not over. It won’t be what you planned but it can still be good.” Rachel looked to the sky. “It looks like it’s going to rain. Do you want to go somewhere? A movie maybe, or the pizza parlor?”

Sasha shook her head. “I want to sit here and think.”

Rachel stood. “Call me if you need me, old friend.”

Sasha smiled. “I will. Thanks.”

She watched as Rachel rounded the corner to the parking lot. The wind blew stronger, buffeting the swing. Sasha looked at the darkening sky. The other side of summer would bring a whole new life to the graduates of Woodland High School, but she would be living with the consequences of prom night for the rest of her life.

Rain drops hit her on the head. Sasha got out of the swing and sat on the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the rain fell harder. Dropping her head down, she sobbed. A life was growing inside her, but she felt like all her hopes and dreams had died. She needed to mourn that loss while deciding how to deal with her new future.

Rachel was right. Her life had been derailed. It wasn’t over, but it would never be the same.

Word Count: 845

What will Sasha do? Find out in "Final Conversation" .