Chapter 17: Unplanned Madness

When the sun rises in the morning, Cory wakes up to the sun high in the sky.

"What in the world?" he says, looking over at his clock. "After nine. Holy hell, I'm late for school!" Cory rushes to get ready when his mother taps on his door.

"Cory, honey, are you decent?"

"Yeah, Mom. I'm good."

She opens his door, seeing him at his dresser, picking out clothes.

"Hey, stop, you're not going to class today. I've done called your principal and explained everything, and he's given you and Tara the rest of the week off."

Cory stands there, unable to process what he's told. "Huh?"

After taking a seat on his bed, she pats it for him to join her.

"You witnessed what Rick did, and it took its toll on you and Tara both. You watched two of your best friends either get killed or commit murder. Your mind ain't gonna be focused on school. Tara has been given the same time away from class to get your minds to settle down. I don't care if you go get her and relax around town, but stay away from the courthouse and the reporters."

"Yes, Mom. We'll probably just hang out and relax then."

Seeing that he's going to follow through with her instructions, she gets up to leave. Before she closes the door, Cory manages to say one last thing.

"Mom, why did Rick do that, knowing he would be caught right there?"

Unsure of what to tell him, she wings it. "Sometimes we do things without caring what happens to us. I hate seeing him go through this too, but there's nothing I can do about it. I love him like a second son, and it's tearing me apart to see him sitting behind bars."

She closes the door, going back to her bedroom, fighting the urge to cry. Cory, meanwhile, takes a shower and leaves to head over to Tara's. When he arrives, he sees her looking out the window, keeping an eye out for him.

"Looks like she's waiting on me."

Strolling up to the door, he twists the knob and heads inside to see her in a nightgown.

"Thought we'd try what we did at Lloyd's to get it out of our system," she admits, feeling embarrassed about him seeing her in the silky white gown.

"Oh, wow," is all he can muster, going to her, picking her up, and placing her legs around his waist.

"All this for me. I'm touched," he says, carrying her up the steps to her bedroom and shutting the door with his foot.

She's already yanked his shirt off, feeling his chest and stomach muscles. "I need you," she murmurs in his ear as he slips her out of the gown, exposing her bare skin to his.

"I can't take not being with you," he replies, slipping his jeans and boxers to the floor.

They kiss for a few minutes, until Tara flips him onto his back. She takes control, sliding down enough for him to shove into her body, making her stride back and forth. He ravishes her body with chills, sinking further onto Cory's hardness.

Fuck, yes, Cory. This feels so good!" she lets out, picking up momentum.

"Don't stop. I'm almost there," Cory tells her, tightening his grip on her hips, helping her grind.

"Not yet, not yet!" she moans as she feels him explode within her body. "Ah, damn it. I said not yet, Cory."

She stops, bringing herself down to lie on his chest.

"You don't love me just because we do this, do you?"

Cory plays with her hair. "I'd love you the same even if we waited. We can stop if you want."

Pulling her head up to meet him in the eyes, she says, "I don't think so."

She scoots up, kissing him again, causing his body to react as the passion between them builds once again.

"Good," he tells her, rolling on top of her, sliding down to work her up by kissing over her breasts.

Arching her back, she places her hands on the back of his head. "Oh, yes. This feels so damn good, Cory! I can't wait. Take me again, now!"

Cory is more than happy to fulfill her wish, plunging deep into her without warming up.

He's ramming into her like a man possessed.

"Yes, yes, yes, that's it, harder," Tara pleads, grabbing her headboard to keep it from banging against the wall.

"Cory!" she screams at the top of her lungs, squeezing when her body can't handle anymore, sending her sexual desire into hyperdrive.

"Oh, Tara." Cory exhales again, shoving into her, releasing a second wave of semen into her body.

"Again?" she questions, looking at him as her vision unblurs.

"Oh, yeah, again."

She moves over so he can get comfy beside her on the bed

"You're more than I deserve," Cory says, pulling Tara over to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You're my rock. I'd be lost without you, Tara." She curls up closer to him, closing her eyes, falling asleep she listens to his heartbeat.

A few hours go by before they wake up to the sounds of the elementary school bus dropping kids off along the street.

"Oh, wow. We've been asleep for a while," Tara says mid-yawn.

"Yeah, guess we better get dressed before your mom gets home."

"Oh, she's closing the store so we have all day to ourselves." She takes her hand, resting it on his cheek, turning his lips to meet hers.

Running his hand up the side of her body, he's forgotten that they're naked. When he rubs her breast, he breaks away from their kiss.

"If we don't stop, we're gonna end up doing this again."

Tara smiles. "Good. I can't get enough of you today." She throws herself over his body, working her way down his to his hips.

"You know we're taking a big risk, right?" he mutters, holding her hips firmly.

"Worth the risk, ain't it, handsome? We got lucky before, and I like our chances. You said you'd be there, and well, I don't wanna waste time going out to buy those damn condoms. Besides, it feels so much better without them, don't you agree?"

Cory releases his grip. "Oh, yes, but it's your choice, because I don't wanna stop."

Tara takes that as her cue to take her hand, guiding Cory's manhood into her for the third time in a few hours.

"Ugh, just be a little easier this time. Guess I'm feeling earlier catch up to us," Cory says as Tara goes slow and easy.

"Yeah, I'm feeling it too," she replies with a bit of pain in her eyes.

He lies there, letting her ride him for nearly fifteen minutes before he finally begins to feel himself swelling up to get off again.

"Almost there. Don't stop," he calls out, leaning his head back onto the pillow, preparing to let go of the pressure building within himself.

"I can feel it. Come on, baby, let it go," Tara cries out, keeping up her stride until she feels the familiar sensation of Cory blast inside of her.

She's dizzy when she stops and falls onto her side.

"I can't go anymore; you've nearly killed me," she says, closing her eyes, feeling her body tell her to quit.

"Agreed. Let's get cleaned up and go get something to eat."

Helping each other to their feet, the couple make a dash for the shower down the upstairs hallway.

"Shower together?" Tara suggests, getting out two towels from the closet.

"Sure, that's a first for me." Tara hands him a towel, looking him in the eye.

"Me too. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?" She raises her eyebrows, teasing him to follow her into the shower.

When she adjusts the water temperature, Tara pulls the curtain back, getting in first. "Water's good and hot now."

She sticks a hand out, reaching for Cory.

"Ooh la-la, sexy lady." He takes her offer, joining her under the waterfall style showerhead.

"Oh, that feels amazing," Cory says when the water hits his body.

They once again revert to making out under the water, using their passion to forget about the world. They remain under the water long enough that the hot water disappears, causing Cory to break away.

"Holy shit, that's cold!" he yells, arching his back.

"Oh wow, guess we're finished then."

They get out and dry off before heading back to the bedroom. Tara goes through her drawers while Cory slips back into his clothes quickly.

"In the mood for anything specific?" he wonders out loud, not feeling anything special.

"I'm good going to the diner and spending some time there."

Cory bends over, tying his shoes. "Sounds good. But, uh, are we going to do this every day?"

Stopped dead in her tracks, Tara feels a shivering cold impression in her spine.

"We can if you want to. You know, I'm not going to stop you."

On the bed, unsure of what to say next, Cory turns his head, nudging his shoulders. "I have no complaints."

Tara smiles over at him, sending him a wink.

They say very little of anything on their way over to the diner. When they arrive, they find an empty booth. They're greeted by Lloyd's mother.

"Hey, kids, it's good to see you out together. What can I get you today? It's on me? Lloyd will be here in a bit from school."

"I just want a sweet tea, cheeseburger with tomato, mayo, and lettuce, and onion rings," Tara orders, looking at the menu.

"Ugh, I'll have the black bean burrito with salsa and a Pepsi."

Their orders are written down and placed in the window.

"Tara, are you okay?"

Cory's eyes read what he's thinking loud and clear.

"No, like when we were going through town, everything that's happened just hits me. It's eating me inside. I don't know how much more I can take."

Able to rest his head against the top of the booth, Cory understands how she feels. "I know. All I can see are the images of blood—Kayla's and Frankie's blood going everywhere. It makes it hard to breathe at times."

Tara notices that Cory's hands have begun to tremble slightly. "Hey, calm down. You're with me. Calm down my angel. It's okay."

His breathing begins to speed up with shallow breaths.

"Mrs. Trippet, I need you!" Tara screams, trying to help Cory regain control.

Diverting her attention to Cory, Mrs. Trippet takes off from behind the counter to assist Tara with Cory's panic attack.

"Cory, Cory, Cory, it's okay. You're fine, sweetie. It's Lloyd's momma. Come on, follow my voice and slow your breathing down. You're gonna scare Tara to death if you don't calm down." She looks back and points to a pitcher of water sitting on the counter. "Tara, get that and a clean rag for me, now."

She rushes to get what's requested. Tara rushes back, dipping the clean hand towel into the ice water. "Shhh. It's okay, Cory. It's almost over."

She rings it out folding it up, placing it on his forehead.

"He's gonna be fine. Panic attacks are a pain. Lloyd used to get them when he came out about being gay. Poor boys. Life here hasn't been kind to them last few years."

"Sorry, I wish I could control that better," Cory says once he's able to quit shaking.

"It's all right, sweetness. You've had a rough time for a while, but you'll be fine. Just think about something that makes you happy. I'll check on your food. I'm here if you need me for anything."

She hands Tara the towel, going back to her post by the service window. Dabbing it on Cory's forehead, he can see the concern in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was."

Clearing her throat, Tara continues to pamper him. "If you wasn't, you would've cracked like Rick and hurt someone by now. I won't let you not be okay, baby. I love you too much to let you not be okay."

After a few more deep breaths, Cory sits there coming back fully to his senses. "I love you too. I just need to get away from here."

A few minutes later, Lloyd walks through the diner door and sees them sitting there.

"Hey, you two playing hooky today?"

Tara waves him over to explain the deal. "Nah, after seeing Rick shoot Frankie, we've been excused for the week."

Lloyd's facial expression says it all when he covers his mouth with his hand. "Oh, wow, you were there? Like, up close and personal in all that craziness?"

Cory focuses his attention to give Lloyd the details. "I watched as Rick's bullets tore through Frankie's body, spraying blood every which way from Sunday."

Dropping his jaw down, Lloyd sits there unable to speak.

"Yeah, then he pointed it at me, and that's all I remember, really."

From the counter, Mrs. Trippet listens and can feel the vibrations of pain coming from the table.

"No way! Rick wouldn't hurt you. You've been best friends since, like, first grade. This isn't RiverCreek anymore. This place has become a madhouse."

The three of them sit there, chatting for a while, even long after the food is done and gone. Hoping this will be a positive way for them to release their issues between each other, Mrs. Trippet keeps an eye on them even during the dinner rush.

That's the pattern that follows over the next few days. Cory would get up, get dressed, and meet Tara by her front door. From there, they would spend time having sex for a few hours, then relax before heading over to meet Lloyd at the diner to help them escape their personal hells.

The following week, the couple returns to school to looks of sorrow and shame from their fellow students.

Over time, Cory's panic attacks ease quite a bit—until one night several weeks later, when they're out with Lloyd heading to the movies. As soon as they park, Tara takes off like a bullet from the car, heading for a trash can.

"She okay?" Lloyd says, seeing her bent over, puking into the trash can.

"I don't know. Maybe she's caught the virus that's going around. She's been pale and quiet all day."

Not sure what to think of it all, Lloyd opens the backdoor of the Sportage, worried about Tara.

"Stay here. I'll go find out. If I get sick, no big deal. You, though, don't need to come down with anything before your first game."

Taking his advice, Cory hangs back killing the vehicle's engine, taking the key from the switch. He stands there watching Lloyd approach Tara with caution.

"Hey, are you okay? Didn't catch a nasty bug, did you?"

Lloyd keeps his distance at first, using his jacket sleeve to cover his nose and mouth.

"Nothing contagious, Lloyd. I think I'm pregnant. I'm late, and this isn't the first time I've thrown up, either."

Lloyd turns to look at Cory. "Really? Oh, shit girl, what are you two gonna do?"

"Cory doesn't know yet. I couldn't hold it in this time. Oh, God Lloyd, I feel like I'm about to die."

When she begins to puke again, Lloyd frantically waves Cory over. When he stops beside Lloyd, he whispers into his ear.

"I think you got her sick with your love stick, brother man. She thinks she's pregnant—"

"What!" he yells, his voice echoing across the lot. "Tara, really, please tell me he's yanking my chain."

Able to push her body away from the trash can, she gives away the answer with her eyes.

"You've got to me fucking kidding me! Seriously, what are we going to do? I have my ride to Miami, and you got accepted into culinary school in Michigan."

"I don't know, Core. I'm scared as hell. My parents will kill me."

Cory tries to think about what to do when he feels his hand begin to shake. "Not now," he says, tightening his hands, trying to stop them from shaking.

"No, no, Cory I can't handle both of you going down at the same time. Listen to me. It's going to be fine. Your parents will help you all out. This isn't the end of the world. Maybe she's just sick. Flu can cause pregnancy-like symptoms, I think, so relax."

Cory begins to take control of his breathing the way Lloyd has showed him.

"Yeah, yeah, you might be right. I got this," he says, closing his eyes, keeping himself in control when a solution creeps into his mind.

"That a boy. Now go comfort your girl, and let's just forget tonight and go get a test."

With his hands on her shoulders, Cory assists Tara back over to her vehicle, putting her in the back seat to lie down rather than sit up.

"Just relax. We'll head to Wal-Mart, and I'll buy a test."

Speeding through traffic to get to Wal-Mart, Cory and Lloyd run inside, picking up a pregnancy test and trying to check out without anyone seeing what's in his hands.

"Ah, did someone make a bad decision around homecoming time?" the clerk teases, scanning the item and placing it in a bag.

"No, my sister—it's for her—and since she's only sixteen, well, you know, just being careful," Cory says, hoping she'd buy the story.

"Well, tell your sister if she ain't, to get on birth control. Don't wanna screw up her life. Have a good night, gentlemen," she tells them, giving Cory that look that she can see through his bullshit.

Walking with a quick pace, the boys go to Lloyd's trailer, since it's the closest location for Tara to take the test. While Cory waits impatiently in the living room, Lloyd sits with him, going over baby names.

"Hey, if it's a girl, you could name her Chloe or Sophy."

Cory flips him off. "Not funny at all man. Hey, between us, if she is, I might enlist. I can finish college that way, and they can have my benefits and stuff."

Lloyd gives Cory's idea a standoffish glare.

"Nah, man, they'd need you here. Your parents would—"

He's stopped when Tara comes out, carrying the test crying.

"It's yes ... I'm sorry ..."

Cory can't believe it until he sees the test strip indicator give off two blue lines.

"Fuck!" he yells, taking Tara in his arms.

"We'll be all right. If anything, you can go to school first, and then I'll go after you."

Tara's at a loss for words, crying harder when she drops the pregnancy test on the floor.

"Hey, guys, I could keep it for a while. I don't have plans other than continuing to save up for a car and then worry about college. Since I'd consider myself an uncle to this baby, it would be my honor."

Cory ignores everything around him as he holds Tara closer.

"I don't love you any less. Matter of fact, I love you more. We'll figure this out, together, but do me a favor."

Tara collects her composure long enough to say, "What?" Cory kneels right then and there.

"Marry me, Tara. After we graduate, we get married and make this right."

Still too worried about what to tell her parents, Tara shakes her head no. "Not like this, Cory. I'm sorry. I gotta go."

She takes off out the door, shoving Cory on his ass.

"Tara, wait!" he shouts, trying to grab her hand.

"Give her some space, Cory. Not everyday life keeps throwing you one curveball after another."

"Lloyd, I love her, and she's carrying my child. I will make this right."

Giving Cory a hand to his feet, the boys stand there looking down at the test.

"I believe you, man, but right now, let it sink in. She's not going to be able to control how she feels. I mean it, though—I'd be willing to help you all not put your lives on hold. You can't afford to lose that scholarship."

As he thinks it over, Cory's mind is made up. "I got this, but you don't know how much I appreciate everything you and your mom have done lately."

Lloyd latches onto Cory. "You are family, so it's what we do. You've been by my side even when others looked at me and mocked me for who I am."

"I love ya, Lloyd. We've grown up together. Gay, straight, or both, you're a good friend, and I'd still whip ass if someone crossed you the wrong way."

Lloyd releases Cory and guides him to the door. "Good luck telling your parents."

That statement forces knots to form in his stomach. "Yeah, wish me luck. Later, man."

On his way home, Cory gets passed by his mother's cruiser a couple of blocks away. When she sees that it's her son walking in the cold night's air, she pulls over to wait for him to climb inside.

"Why are you walking?"

With a prolonged deep breath, Cory breaks down and calls his mom by a new name.

"Well, Tara ran home to tell her parents something important, and well, I need to tell you something too ... Grandma."

He hunkers down, waiting for a slap to the back of his head.

"You're kidding me? You two with a baby at your age! Oh my God, son, how could you? Your father is going to die of a heart attack."

She lifts her foot from the brake pedal, they round the block, making it home within a matter of minutes. By the time they make it inside, Mr. Dubois is sitting in his chair, staring down his son.

"Do I say congratulations, or should I be worried?" he says, tapping his foot on the floor.

"Yeah, Olivia called. Son, as disappointed as I am, I'm also excited. I get to see a grandbaby before I die."

"Dad, I ... it wasn't ... I got nothing, Dad."

Barely able to pull himself from his chair, he approaches his son.

"It'll be the greatest feeling in the world when you hold that child. Love it, son, as I have loved you. We'll work it out. This isn't the end of the world, just your childhood. Get to bed while your mother and I come up with something to help you out."

Heading back to his room, Cory shuts and locks his door. He places a towel at the base of the door. He gets online to fill out an online form for the military to see if they have jobs in surgery.

"There you are, surgeon's assistant, pretty much a surgical technician. Perfect!"

Cory types in a fake phone number. He submits his information with plans to head to St. Paul to learn more about his options from the recruiters, feeling this is his best option to keep everyone else from placing more on their plate than they can handle.