Rebuilding Appaloosa Plains

Content warning: Options for dealing with an unplanned pregnancy are discussed in this chapter. Opinions expressed by the characters may be difficult for some readers. ----- "I don't know how I could have been more clear that moving to the middle of nowhere and having a baby was not a lifestyle I want," Shaun said angrily. "If you decide to keep the baby, that's not going to change my mind. I'm sorry, Rukiya, but I don't know what you were expecting." "Some support would have been nice," Rukiya snapped back, wiping tears from her eyes. "It took both of us to make this mistake." Both of them were quiet for a moment. Shaun eventually broke the silence. "I can come pick you up and take you to a clinic whenever you need me to," he said softly. "Thanks," Rukiya sniffed. "I'd appreciate that." "And I can stay with you while you recover," he added. "I'll ask when I ca...

Part Two: L’amour “You didn’t get her number?” Amelia huffed. “Bloody hell, Em, I thought you like this girl.” “Uh, well— I didn’t say that,” Emery answered sheepishly. Amelia shook her head but was smiling. “You like her.” “I don’t know,” Emery sighed. “She was just being friendly… Doesn’t matter anymore anyway.” “Not with that attitude,” Amelia scoffed. “You said she goes to the nectary a lot, yeah?” Emery nodded. “Then I guess you’ll just have’ta go back a few times,” Amelia smiled. “You’re sure to run into her again.” Emery returned to the hostel after class, still thinking about Amelia’s suggestion. She wished she’d had more time (and courage) to ask Amelia more questions. Like, how do you know when someone’s interested in you? Or if they’re flirting? Can you learn and practice flirting, or does it need to be with someone and in the moment? She imagined Amelia would laugh at that one and say something like, ‘ Well of course you can practice, but you’ll look like...