Chapter 29
I walk into school with an extra skip in my step, knowing I’m going to see Kai.
These last five days have dragged on for way too long.
As I walk through the front doors of the school, my stomach churns.
Not this again. What is it about the smell of the school that makes me want to vomit?
Is it the smell of everyone’s body odor mingling together?
It can’t be that because last week it was the smell of the food the lunch ladies were cooking.
Kai’s back is to me as he talks to someone. I don’t care who it is. I press my chest against his back and wrap my arms around him, feeling his muscles beneath his sweater. He looks over his shoulder at me and pulls me around to his chest. Allison comes into view. This bitch does not take a hint.
I give her a smirk and lead Kai away from her. She groans and walks away.
Kai grabs both of my cheeks and kisses me softly. “I missed you.”
“I missed you more.” My head rests against his chest.
“That’s not possible.”
“Ew, get a room.”
I lift my head from his chest and see Paige staring at us. I let go of Kai and hug her. “You’re just jealous.”
“Maybe I am.” She giggles.
I give Kai a big, long kiss before we say our goodbyes.
Half an hour later, the aroma of food travels up to the classroom and hits me. In an instant, I’m running to the bathroom, slamming to the ground, and vomiting my breakfast out.
What the fuck? I whisper as I lay my back against the stall once again. Maybe I’m allergic to certain foods now, and the smell is making me sick.
The door to the bathroom opens up. Paige stares at me with a frown.
“B, are you pregnant?” she mumbles.
“What!” I exclaim. “You’re dumb. No.”
“No, you’re dumb if you are. And by the way it looks, I think you are.”
My shoulders round as I think of all the symptoms I’ve been having. Could I be? I suddenly can’t recall the last period I had.
“Did you and Kai have sex?”
Thinking back to the few times we had sex. No. I can’t be pregnant. We’ve only had sex a few times, and I know it only takes one time, but no. I can’t be. There’s no way.
No.
No.
I am not pregnant.
Paige shoves my shoulder. “You bitch. You lost your virginity, and you never told me.”
With how much sneaking out and partying I was doing, I forgot to tell Paige that I went through with it. I knew she would make a big deal about it. Now that I think about it, it all seems like a lifetime ago.
“Paige.” I look up at her before puking into the toilet again.
To say how exhausted I am is an understatement.
It feels like every ounce of energy has been drained from my body.
I don’t want to tell my mom I’m sick again because that would be a huge a red flag.
Instead, I decide to wait until lunchtime to go get a pregnancy test so I can say bye to Kai.
I’m too nervous to tell him what’s going on; I want to make sure first.
Now, Paige is driving me to a drug store. Luckily, Paige drove her mom’s car today. She said her mom is loosening up with her. Although Paige thinks she’s sick of taking her to school because her mom works nights, and it disrupts her sleep.
My body hasn't stopped shaking since those three little words Paige asked.
Are you pregnant?
As we approach the drug store, the sliding doors whoosh open, welcoming my anxious mind and body into the brightly lit store. There’s a few Walgreens in close proximity to us, but we chose the one that’s the farthest away out of the bunch. We can’t risk running into anyone.
I walk down the aisle that’s described as family planning and feminine care. Before I find the tests, I pass the section of condoms.
Those would have come in handy.
We head to the family restroom after purchasing a test.
“How long do you have to wait?”
“It says three minutes,” I say.
The anticipation is killing me. What will Kai say?
What will he do? Those thoughts run on repeat in my mind as we wait for the result.
I trust Kai will want to be involved, but you never know what will happen in the future.
I’ve always told myself I do not want to be a single mom.
I’ve had a front row seat to the struggles my mom has faced as a single parent, and I’ve never wanted that for myself.
Maybe Kai will be different, though, especially since he’s being raised by a single mom right now.
Actually, he’s being raised by his brother—if his brother is even raising him.
Kai’s pretty much raising himself. Not to mention, Kai’s dad was never around, even when his parents were together.
That gives me a little bit of hope. He would never want his own child to be raised like that.
“B, I think it’s time.”
On a shaky inhale, I flip the test over.
At this moment, I feel like I’m being hit with a lightning bolt.
Staring back at me are those two pink lines that most women are so happy to see.
But for me, it’s another reminder of what I shouldn’t have done.
I’m a teenager. What the hell am I going to do?
Fear rushes through me at the thought of telling Kai and my mom that I’m pregnant.
Paige leans over my shoulder and gasps as she looks down at the test. Tears fill my eyes as I stand there—frozen.
I have no idea what my next move should be, but I’m going to have to figure it out.
And soon.