Sophomore Mom

By LaCricia A'ngelle

15 year old Lianna Champion might seem like an average high school student, but she's not. When the bell rings at the end of each day, she rushes to the daycare center to pick up her baby girl—a fact no one in Triump High's halls will let slide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: His Pen Publishing
• Release date: Aug 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201550356

Book preview

Prologue

What’s wrong with your face?

Huh? Lianna looked at her mother completely confused.

Something is wrong with your face, Alyssa stated matter-of-factly.

Retreating to the restroom, Lianna examined her features. She had ten minutes to leave the house to make it to school on time and the last thing she needed was a huge zit on her face or worse a hicky on her neck. Looking from side to side, she smoothed her hands over her soft cocoa skin. She was even more baffled when she realized her face was without blemish.

I don’t have time for this, she thought as she rushed toward her room to grab her coat and backpack.

Alyssa stepped in front of her as she made her way to the door.

Mama, she exclaimed, noting the time.

Girl, do you call yourself ignoring me? You gone just sit there and act like I didn’t ask you a question?

Exhaling, Lianna shook her head. Mama, I went to the bathroom and checked. There is nothing wrong with my face.

There most certainly is something wrong with your face and it better not be what I think it is. Your nose is spreading, and you’re glowing. I’m calling Doctor Grigson today to make you an appointment.

Ma, oh my God, there is nothing wrong with me. Now, may I please go to school? I’m gonna be late.

You go on to school with your little fast behind. Just know that this isn’t over.

Okay, Mama, Lianna said, rolling her eyes when she was sure her mother couldn’t see it.

Alyssa stepped aside without another word to her daughter. Her hands shook as she walked to the kitchen and grabbed the cup of coffee she’d left sitting on the counter. She silently prayed she was wrong about Lianna, but in her heart, she knew she wasn’t.

Lianna rushed out the door, hoping the brief run-in with her mom didn’t put her too far off schedule. The brisk air nipped at her face repeatedly, cutting off her breath as she walked toward the bus stop. The thought of going to the doctor unnerved her. She wanted to believe there was nothing to worry about. Sadly, she couldn’t ignore the eerie feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. Being in school would offer her some solace. If nothing else, it would take her mind off things.

The bus ride seemed longer than normal. Lianna watched the fellow passengers, each appearing to be in their own world. A few students from her school boarded the bus a couple of stops after she got on. They all talked and laughed together until they reached their stop. Exiting the bus, she wondered if they noticed when she didn’t join them in laughter. Her mother’s words still weighed heavily on her. They continued to chatter for the short walk until they reached the school.

Hey, girl, Aria greeted as Lianna stepped inside the school.

What’s up, Aria? Lianna tried to act jovial but she couldn't force the cheer.

Have you bought your outfit for Rodney's party yet? You know it's gone be poppin.

Yes, girl. I can’t wait. I heard everybody is going to be there.

Yep. Especially since he transferred to Washington High. There’s supposed to be people from our school, and Washington there. Maybe I'll find me a bae. You can’t be the only one all booed up.

Lianna listened to her friend go on and on about the party. She wanted to share in her excitement but all she could think about was the exchange she had with her mother before school. Now that she was thinking about it, she had missed her menstrual cycle. Maybe it was all a coincidence. She was not trying to be somebody's mama.

Hello. Earth to Lianna. Aria stood waving her hand in front of Lianna’s face. Girl, where’s your mind? I'm standing here talking to you and you're straight zoned out. What's up with that?

My bad. I just have a lot on my mind.

The three minute warning bell sounded, reminding them to get to their respective class.

I’ll holla at you at lunchtime, Lianna. You better get your head out the clouds before you make it to class.

I will. Bye, girl.

Lianna and Aria headed in separate directions, each trying to beat the final bell.

The school day ended up being a blur. Lianna went through the day following her normal routine, but couldn’t recall anything by the time she arrived home. She was glad to find her mother was not at home so she didn’t have to worry about facing her again.

Tossing her backpack in the corner, she plopped down on her bed and turned on the television. When a commercial came on advertising items for babies, she immediately turned the channel. What she thought would be a safe sitcom to watch created more unrest for her. She stared at the screen as a young girl on the show told her mother she was pregnant. Grabbing the remote, she flipped the channel once again. Suddenly, she was inundated with commercials and programs that focused on babies and pregnancy.

Sitting up on the end of the bed, she turned the TV off and allowed tears to flow freely. There was no way this could be happening to her. This was something that other girls got caught up in, not her. Clasping her hands together, she prayed and asked God to not let this be her fate. She was horrified at the thought that she could be pregnant.

****

Several days passed and Lianna felt she was in the clear. Her mother seemed more relaxed and didn’t make any more remarks about going to the doctor or anything else. She decided to focus her attention on her studies. After all, she prayed about it and believed everything would be okay.

Lianna, get in here, Alyssa called.

Yes, Mama, She replied and walked briskly into the kitchen.

I’m taking you to the doctor in the morning. I know you think I forgot, but I haven’t.

Mama, there ain’t nothing wrong with me, Lianna said.

I guess we will find out then, won’t we?

Tears welled in Lianna’s eyes and she went back to her room. She could no longer hide it. If she was pregnant, the doctor would know for sure. There would be no more guessing games.

Alyssa remained at the kitchen table. She couldn’t believe she was going through this with her baby girl. She had already had a pregnancy scare with her daughter, Karmyn. With Karmyn, Alyssa had bought a pregnancy test from the corner store. The test initially turned out positive, but was later proved to be false. Alyssa vowed that if she was ever in that position again, she would go straight to the doctor because she no longer trusted at home pregnancy tests. The thought of her youngest daughter becoming a mother terrified her.

Chapter 1

You don't know me. You don't know a thing about me. While you're turning up your nose, you need to check yourself.

Lianna reached up and pulled hard on the buzzer, signaling to the driver she wanted off at the next stop. The two ladies that had been watching her quickly turned away, whispering to each other. They occasionally glanced back at her with a look of disgust.

She grabbed her backpack and moved to the front of the bus. The doors opened, allowing her to make her exit.

Patting her swollen belly, she walked the remaining three blocks to her apartment. I don't care what they say. I'm not ashamed of you, little one. You're going to be somebody special. I just know it.

She turned the key to the apartment door and stepped inside, heading straight for her bedroom. She was grateful that her mother, and older twin sisters, Karyn and Karmyn weren't home because she needed a moment alone.

Placing her backpack on the bed, she pulled out her science book, searching for her homework. Involuntary tears began to flow. The faces of the women on the bus haunted her. Their stares felt like daggers being thrown at her. She tried hard to put up a good defense, but it was all a front.

Her fifteen-year-old heart didn't have the strength to fight the cruelty she faced on an almost daily basis. She wondered aloud, If they knew my story, would they still look at me the same?

Pushing aside her assignment, she walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of juice. She took several big gulps and watched as her belly danced from the movement of her unborn child.

How did I get here? she murmured aloud. This is not how I wanted things to go. I wanted to be different.

When her sister, Karmyn, had the pregnancy scare, she vowed that would never be her. Now here she was carrying a child that she couldn’t even provide for. Feeling defeated, Lianna returned to the task of completing her homework assignments. She was determined to stay on top of her grades, despite her pregnancy. She worked consistently for two hours until she was finished. Relief encompassed her as she sat her books aside, stood, and stretched. The day had been long and she was ready for a break.

Lianna’s iPhone danced across the table from the force of the vibration, attracting her attention. She picked it up with great anticipation, only to be disappointed when she saw her friend Aria’s number on the display. Plopping down on the bed, she pushed the accept button, placed her feet on the bed, and relaxed on the pillow.

Hey, girl, Aria bellowed after she heard Lianna’s greeting.

Hey, Aria. What’s up? she replied with unmatched enthusiasm.

Nothing. I’m just sitting here bored as I don’t know what, so I decided to call you. I figured you probably weren’t doing anything.

I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.

Stop playing, you know it’s a compliment. What are you doing anyway?

Lianna adjusted the pillow, adding more support to her back and neck. Nothing really. I just finished all that homework I had.

I had a bunch in my classes, too. I don’t know what was up with those teachers today, issuing out homework like we don’t have to go back to school tomorrow. I’m glad we have a lot of the same classes, because if I don’t finish my homework I know you got me.

Guess again. I’m going to school for two people, but you are not that other person. I’m doing this for me and my baby.

I feel you on that. It’s about time for you to drop the load ain’t it?

Yep, I’m getting close.

How much longer do you have?

Lianna peered at her wall calendar and calculated the time remaining before her due date. I have about four weeks until my due date. But you know they say most of the time the baby is late, so I’m guessing around five or six weeks.

Nah, I didn’t know that. But anyway, have you talked to Rodney lately?

No, I haven’t seen or heard from him. I’m not worried about it though because if he don’t want to be a daddy to his baby, then we don’t need him. I won’t be the first girl to have a baby by a worthless dude. Lianna relaxed her guard and allowed her true feelings to show. I won’t lie though, a part of me was hoping it was him on the phone when you called.

Dang, Aria said, dragging out the word.

I still can’t believe my best friend is having a baby. We were supposed to be running Triumph High together. This is so messed up.

It’s not like I planned for this to happen, Lianna retorted in defense. I had my whole life mapped out. Now everything changes.

You’re right about that. Everything changes. To be honest, it’s not like you didn’t plan for this. I mean, let’s be real. People do stuff all the time and don’t get caught up. With a hint of frustration, Aria continued, I don’t know what you were thinking. You could’ve prevented this, for real.

Raising her voice in response, Lianna said, Aria, if this is what you called me for, we can end this call right now. I’ve heard enough of this from everybody else. I don’t need to hear it from you.

Lianna’s heart rate increased and her breathing became labored. The