Thankfully, the semester was finally coming to an end for Isabella Schaufer, a big relief because this meant she could spend the break with the only family she had—her father–and take her time to grapple with the stark, crushing fact that she was pregnant.
Pregnant at nineteen. Pregnant out of wedlock. It was exactly the kind of story that parents, teachers, and the elderly caution every child about until their ears hurt, yet Isabella couldn't believe just how dumb she had been. Now, she felt like a total failure for not being more careful and keeping her legs closed.
More than ever, during the break, these thoughts would haunt her like a never-ending nightmare. But she still looked forward to it, because at least the massive school stress would be gone. Honestly, though, surviving until then was a steep climb. Isabella felt like she was being crushed between the heavy schoolwork and the crazy hormonal changes her body was forcing on her, driving her absolutely nuts.
