Make me yours and I'm not leavin'
I know for sure you're all I needed
I can't believe I didn't see it
We took our time, the space we needed
~ Different, Joshua Bassett
Olivia's POV
January 10th, 2021
This was it. My life was officially ruined. Two days ago I had released Driver's License and here I was about to be a mom. A teen mom.
In a month I'd be eighteen.
I flipped the positive test over in my hands while tears rolled down my cheeks. Could I really do this, without Josh?
In a small matter of months, season 2 of High School Musical:The Musical:The Series (better known as HSMTMTS) would be on screens around the world, and I'd be expected by my parents and friends to watch as Ricky and Nini played on-screen lovers while sobbing because in reality, Ricky had actually cheated on Nini with some stupid blonde girl and it'd have been all for show.
Sometimes, I hated being famous.
But now, as the tears continued to mark my face and my hands trembled, I let out a mournful wail at this very fact: I was going to raise a baby, alone.
"Olivia, are you okay, honey?" Mom asked as she knocked lightly on the bathroom door.
I opened the door, allowing my mom to come in as I sat on the side of the tub, the test still in my hands.
"I can't do this, Mom. I can't do this, and act like everything's okay. What am I going to do?" I sobbed.
Mom sighed, sitting on the floor beside me, before peeking at the two very dark lines that marked the test.
"You're strong, baby. You're stronger than me, even. You've handled this breakup and cheating really well. I know it's not what you had planned, but hey, maybe this'll be a good thing."
"Yeah, sweetheart. Your mom's right. And, look, if you don't think you can do this, we'll help you. Okay?" Dad responded at the doorway.
I wiped my tears, not caring that my mascara was running, and hugged my parents.
I hoped they were right.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Eight months later
September 18th, 2021
Doctor Winter smiled as I let out one last scream, and she wrapped the baby in a hospital blanket before placing her on my chest.
Mom held my hand the entire time, not failing to reassure me that we'd be okay.
Dad laughed joyously as he kissed my forehead, and my parents gently rubbed Lily's cheeks.
"She's beautiful. And here I was thinking she'd be funny looking," I said honestly.
Mom chuckled as I handed her over to Dad.
He smiled at the baby in his arms.
"Hello, Lily dear," He whispered.
I smiled and wiped the tears that fell. I was a mom.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The weeks went by fast, the months faster, and a whole ten and a half months went by before I knew it.
On Saturday night, the day before August started, I was sitting on the couch with my parents, Lily sitting on my lap, mindlessly staring at the TV as I ate popcorn.
I didn't care for the reruns of HSMTMTS that my parents were sucked into, but then something caught my eye.
"Wait, Dad, go back," I said.
He flipped the channel as the show came to an end. He flipped it back to Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show.
Before my eyes, Josh and Sabrina were sitting on a sofa, hand-in-hand, as Jimmy asked questions.
"So, when is the wedding?" Jimmy asked.
The camera panned to Sabrina's hand, where a huge rock crowned in diamonds sat on her ring finger.
She giggled, tapping Josh. I rolled my eyes; she made me sick.
"In a month. It's in a month," Josh answered, smiling at his supposed fiancée.
Jimmy laughed, and applauded the couple.
"Have you heard from Olivia, Joshua?" Jimmy asked.
My parents eyed me, waiting for a reaction.
I sighed, looking at them.
"Just watch," I replied.
Lily was crying, so I bounced her on my lap. I popped the pacifier in her mouth, and she was quiet.
I kissed her head and told her I loved her. She blew bubbles in response.
For a brief second, Josh looked hurt at the mention of my name. But it was quickly replaced by a fake smile.
"No, Jimmy. We haven't really spoken since she released Driver's License. I don't think she'd want to see me," he chuckled.
Sabrina jumped in then, flailing her arms around like an idiot.
"Really, Jimmy, Olivia hasn't been spotted in a whole year since then and she hasn't released any songs. She's just afraid to admit that she never got over Joshy-bear and she's actually hiding out like the slut she is!"
That was it. The video was over.
My parents' faces dropped as they looked over at me, hushed whispers coming from their direction.
"I need a minute, okay? I'm gonna get some fresh air," I said.
They watched as I opened the door, stepping out into the backyard.
The casino across the road lit up the moonlight, casting a yellow light over the grass.
I let Lily down and she crawled over to the swing. I put her in the swing my parents got her as a very early birthday present last week and pushed her gently as tears fell down my face.
In the morning, I'd go over to Josh's place, in hopes that Sabrina wouldn't be there, and I'd tell him why I've been hiding.
It was only fair that now, he should meet his daughter.
~~~~~~~~
Mom smiled from the passenger seat as I stopped the car and got out, going around to the passenger car door.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" she asked.
"Jennifer! She has to do this alone," Dad scolded as he unbuckled in the driver-side back seat and hopped in the front seat.
"You have Lily?" he asked.
I unbuckled her from the carseat and put her on my hip before grabbing my purse.
"Yup," I said, popping the p.
"Good luck!" Mom shouted as Dad drove away.
I sighed, facing Josh's apartment we once shared. The outside was still the same.
Knocking on the door, my heart was pounding. Lily babbled against my shoulder as she looked around.
Finally, a young man opened the door, his brown hair a mess as usual and his clothes wrinkled.
"Olivia?" came his questioning voice.
I smiled politely, "Hey, Josh."
