Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page A

going to cry now? God, you’re so pathetic. Mark my words, Malcolm will come to his senses one day and then you’ll be all alone just like before.”
    Casey shoulders past me knocking me into the lockers. I don’t know what the hell just happened. I thought Casey was my friend. She wasn’t always nice to me or acted like a friend should, but she was the only one I did anything with. How could she do this to me? That’s when the rumors started, and it seemed everyone knew I was pregnant the very next day. I didn’t want to think Casey was the one starting them, but deep down I know she’s the reason I felt like such an outcast after that day. I can’t help but recall all the hateful words or how Casey’s new friends would knock my books out of my hand. How no one would dare sit next to me in the cafeteria. I was utterly alone.
    “Ava? Honey are you ready to go?” Mom’s voice pulls me out of my painful memories. The last thing I want to do is remember how awful my senior year has been. We walk into the gym and everyone’s already seated in the bleachers. There’re chairs lined up all across the gym floor with my classmates all dressed in their cap and gowns. I give mom a hug and I cross the gym floor to take a seat with my classmates. I ignore the looks and the laughing. I tell myself, this is it. This is the last time you have to hear any of it. Once this day is over, I don’t have to endure this torture any longer.
    I try to find Malcolm in the stands, hoping he’s coming today. Things between us haven’t been easy. Malcolm has been staying out more and more, and most nights he doesn’t even come home to me. I never ask him where he goes or what he does. I’m too afraid of what the answer might be. Then the days he’s home, we fight and argue about the smallest of things. I’m just glad I still have my job at the ballet studio. I don’t get to teach classes anymore, since I’m as big as a house, but Mrs. Myrah was kind enough to let me take over the secretary work. I’ve known Mrs. Myrah since I was a child and started taking lessons there. I thought maybe one day I could become part owner with her, but now I doubt that would ever happen.
    I give up on trying to find Malcolm in the bleachers and relax in my seat wishing, this day would hurry up and end. I know my parents are very proud of me for finishing school, even if there were tons of days I just wanted to drop out and quit. That would’ve been the easy way out and if I’ve learned anything from my parents, it’s that quitting is never the easy way. Even if it was hard on me, I stuck it out and all that hard work will pay off in the end. I just know it will. I’ve been looking into going to college, even if it’s all online. Anything to help me stay occupied.
    Soon I hear the principal start talking and I tune him out. I don’t hear a word anyone says during the entire ceremony. When they call my name to receive my diploma, the girl behind me taps on my shoulder to let me know they are waiting on me. I feel my face heat and I’m aware that everyone can see the embarrassment on my face. Not only am I the pregnant girl, but now I’m the girl who doesn’t pay attention during her own graduation. I make my way up onto the platform to get my diploma and I wish I opted out of walking with the rest of my class. Pretty much the whole town is here and the entire gym goes quiet as they see me. You can hear the crickets chirping or hear a pen drop it’s so quiet. This is the worst feeling I’ve had since finding out I was pregnant. Knowing that every single person in this gym is looking at me, or more of my very pregnant belly, almost makes me run out of the gym. I quickly take my diploma and walk off the stage as fast as I can, back to my seat.
    I drop my head hoping and praying that no one is still looking at me. Being a ballet dancer and preforming in front of people was no problem for me. But this, the judgement in their eyes, it’s something