Judy''s POV


    When I got home, my heart was racing. For the first time in 2 weeks, I turned my phone on. I sat on my bed as I watched the screen light up, showing the provider logo as my phone rebooted. Up until this point, I had my phone shoved on the nightstand beside the bed. Now, holding it in my hands, it felt foreign, like I wasn''t sure how to work it anymore.


    My phone finally turned on, and I used my finger to unlock it, bringing up my home screen. My heart thudded wildly against my chest as all the apps appeared on the screen. Suddenly, the screen was going insane with all the missed notifications from the past couple of weeks. I only got a glimpse of the names that shed across the screen; there were several messages, both voice mail and text messages, from each of my friends. I think Irene called me more times than anyone, though, and that thought made my stomach twist. I wondered what she could be calling me about.


    There were also a few missed calls from Gavin, and my heart shattered all over again seeing his name on my phone. I hated that he had this effect on me even after I''d been away for 2 weeks.


    I didn''t open any of the messages or listen to the voicemails. I wasn''t sure if I was strong enough for that yet. My stomach was twisting with nerves, and I hated this feeling. I wanted to just get over him and move on with my life because clearly, he has moved on with his. He was probably just calling me to tell me that he was getting married to Rachel. Or maybe he wanted to yell at me for abandoning Matt. That was something I truly felt bad about; I told Irene and Nan to tell Matt that I''m sorry and that I''ll see him when I can, not that I knew when that would be. Now that I had graduated from college, I was no longer contracted to be his tutor.


    Plus, he only had a few more months before summer. He was doing a lot better since I started tutoring him and training with him; he''s even stronger now that he has a wolf. He''ll be fine these next couple of months; also, he has Alex to help him... not to mention Rachel. He doesn''t need me anymore; I just felt bad that I didn''t say goodbye to him.


    I swallowed the lump in my throat and clicked on my contacts. I scrolled through until my mom''s name appeared. A small yet sad smile tipped the corner of my lips. There were a few text messages from her as well, and I felt bad for not being able to call her in thest couple of weeks. I did call her when Inded and told her that


    I was turning off my phone and that I''m sorry. She understood; she didn''t say it, but I think she knew what this was all about.


    Moms always have a way of knowing these things, and I love her for that.


    I clicked on her name and brought


    the phone to my ear; I nced at the


    clock, knowing there''s a time difference. It was nearingte evening here, which meant it was early morning in Redmoon. My mom was always an early riser, so knew she''d be in the kitchen right about now, brewing a pot of coffee and getting my father''s newspaper ready so he could start his day right before he headed to hispany.


    "Judy?" I heard my mother''s soft and concerned voice on the other end of the line.


    "Hey, Mom," I said, my tone matching hers.


    "Oh, my goddess!" My mother cooed. "It really is you! Oh, sweetheart, I''ve been


    so worried. Is everything okay? How''s Redcliff? Are they treating you okay? Do you like your job?"


    I couldn''t help butugh.


    "Woah, Mom, Slow down," I chuckled. "I''m sorry I haven''t been able to call until now. Things had been pretty crazy here. But yeah, they are treating me well. It''s nice here think you and Dad would.like.


    it. When things settle, maybe you guys can visit?"


    I held my breath, waiting for her response. I hated to admit it, but I could use my


    parents. I needed theirfort and love more than anything right now.


    "We would love that, sweetie," my mom said softly. "Are you adjusting well?"


    "Yeah," I tell her, my voice falling t for a moment as I get lost in thought. stared down at my still t belly, a heaviness in my chest. couldn''t tell her that I was pregnant, at least not like this. She would ask me questions that I wasn''t ready to answer Yet saying the words ou loud made them feel real, and it would force me to have to deal with it. I couldn''t deal with it... not yet, at least. I''d rather stay in my little bubble of denial for as long as possible.