Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I stare at it.
“You’re going to have to take this from me.”
I don’t.
“Luci, how are you going to pee on the stick if you won’t even touch the bag?”
“Okay, just give me a second,” I take a deep breath. I really thought my vomiting and tiredness was a continuation of the same bug I had from weeks ago, that maybe it hadn’t fully left my system, but as this week comes to an end, and my period is now a full seven days MIA, I’m no longer so sure.
“Luci?” Gracie nudges me, and I snap out of it. “You better do this quick, before Mom and Dad come back here or something.” I give her a nervous look. “They won’t,” she immediately tries to calm me, realizing she said the wrong thing. “They’re getting seats for the ceremony, but it’s always a possibility.”
“Come on,” Ren pulls me into the bathroom, and I hear her yell at Gracie about making me more nervous.
She grabs the bag back from me, and opens it.
Just seeing the test makes me sick, and I run to the toilet and heave. Ren is quicker than Gracie, and I feel the hair come off my shoulders as she pulls it back.
“It’s been like this all week,” she tells Gracie.
“Luci, you in here?” I hear Josh’s voice just outside the door, and another round falls into the toilet.
“I’ll take care of him,” Gracie offers before sliding out the door, and I can hear their conversation. He wants to see me real quick, but Gracie tells him I’m not feeling well, which I wish she didn’t. He knocks on the door anyway, but Ren is faster, and locks it.
I feel horrible for excluding him, but I just can’t involve him right now. Not until I’m sure, and definitely not after what he already went through with a pregnancy once before.
I get up, wiping my mouth on a towel before splashing cold water on my face, and Ren sets mouthwash on the counter.
“It says you have to pee on it for seven seconds,” she reads, and I see the stick out of the corner of my eye, bracing myself.
She turns around while I do what I need to, and once I’m finished, I set it on the counter. “You can turn around now.” I slowly lather soap in my hands.
There’s a knock at the door, and we both look at each other. “Guys, it’s me,” Gracie says, and we unlock it. “Did you take it?” She walks in, and I nod. “And?” Her eyes widen.
“Now we wait,” Ren sighs. “Luci, I want you to know that whatever the outcome, we’ll be here for you,” she looks over at Gracie, and she nods too.
“I’ll help you deal with Mom and Dad.”
“It’s so stupid of me to even take the test,” I stare at the ground. “I already know the verdict.”
“It’s okay,” Gracie wraps her arms around me, and I start to cry.
“He’s going to leave me.”
“Luci,” Gracie laughs. “He didn’t even leave someone he didn’t like once he found out she was pregnant. He’s most definitely not going to leave you.”
“He is!” I wail. “You didn’t hear him. He doesn’t want children. Ever. He was very adamant.”
“Well, let’s just wait and see what the test says,” Gracie soothes.
“I told you,” I sniff. “I already know. I haven’t been myself, and I have all the symptoms. Not to mention my period is a week late, and it’s never late.”
“So I shouldn’t tell you?” Ren interrupts, and Gracie quickly moves towards her.
“Am I wrong?” I close my eyes.
“I’m going to have a niece or nephew!” I hear Gracie’s jubilation, followed by a clanking sound, and then an “Ow!” after Ren clearly pushed her into something. I open my eyes, my tears hitting the floor.
Ren and Gracie help me clean up, and luckily, I make it through graduation unscathed.
“I have a brilliant idea!” Gracie smiles as we all finish eating our celebratory lunch. Josh keeps soothingly rubbing my hand under the table while whispering how he can’t wait to get me to his apartment tonight. Meanwhile, I haven’t touched my food.
We all look at Gracie expectantly, waiting for her grand idea.
“I think Josh should drive back with Mom and Dad, and you guys can get to know him more, while I can take his car back with Luci.”
Josh gives me a confused look.
“That’s a great idea!” I jump.
Thank you Gracie for now allowing me to make as many pit stops as I need!
“I would love the sisterly bonding time.”
“Sure,” Josh’s eyes scrunch together. “If that’s what you want.”
I feel really horrible by the time we get home. Josh begs me to go with him to his apartment, but I’m honestly so fearful of projecting on him the moment we do something, that I somehow convince him to stay here instead.