Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“I’ll walk you to class,” she says.
We head for English Lit, and Sybil shares her gummy bears with me along the way while she chats about her upcoming dance competition. I’m trying to listen to her and not be a jerk, but it’s hard to focus, especially when Mrs. Chen catches us in the hall with an apparent mission.
“Stella.” Mrs. Chen regards me blandly. “The headmistress would like a word with you in her office. Please report immediately.”
The headmistress? Sybil and I glance at each other, and my fears are only confirmed in the matching expression on her face.
“What do you think this is about?” she whispers as we walk back down the hall.
“I don’t know, but it can’t be good.”
She chews on her lip, and I swallow. “You should go, I don’t want you to be late.”
“Text me asap,” she demands. “Or I’ll be freaking out.”
“I will,” I promise.
We part ways at the entrance of the main building. I’ve been in this office before to meet with my student advisor, but I’ve never been summoned here. Am I in trouble? Do they know my father was here this morning?
I step inside and give my name to the administration staff, advising them of Headmistress Gilbert’s request to meet with me. Almost immediately, they nod as if they are expecting me and shuttle me toward the office. But when the door swings open and I see who’s waiting for me on the other side, I’m tempted to run.
Headmistress Gilbert, Louisa, and the school nurse are all sitting inside, and this is beginning to feel more like a firing squad than a meeting.
“What’s going on?” I ask as the nurse ushers me in and shuts the door behind me.
“Stella, please take a seat.” Headmistress Gilbert gestures to the open chair in front of her desk. “Louisa has come to me with some rather troubling accusations this morning, and I’d like to address these issues.”
My legs feel like wooden pegs as I force myself into the seat, and right now, I’m not entirely certain I shouldn’t just bolt. In my gut, I already know what this is about, and I feel like I might lose my breakfast.
“Louisa claims to have found these in your room.” Headmistress Gilbert slides some familiar paperwork across the desk, and my stomach somersaults as I examine the pre-natal care instructions I received from Sybil’s doctor. Denial isn’t an option when my name is printed on the top.
“What were you doing in my room?” I glare at Louisa.
“I assure you, we will deal with that matter,” Headmaster Gilbert interjects. “But I need to know if this is true, Stella. Are you pregnant?”
“Obviously, she is.” Louisa smirks. “Look at all those heavy sweaters she’s been wearing. And she’s gained like twenty pounds from constantly stuffing her face.”
“That’s enough.” Headmistress Gilbert sighs and points at the door. “Louisa, you are excused. Go back to class now. I will meet with you again later.”
I fold my arms and watch Louisa skip from the office with a gleeful expression as Headmaster Gilbert turns her watchful gaze on me.
“Is it true?” she asks again.
“This isn’t fair,” I protest weakly. “She has been rummaging through my room for months, and you just let her get away with it.”
“Nobody is getting away with anything,” she says. “But Stella, we have more important issues at hand. A pregnant student on campus is a big concern for obvious reasons. It’s our responsibility to ensure your health and safety. Is there any way to reach either of your parents? I don’t have a working number for your mother.”
“My parents have nothing to do with this,” I tell her. “I’m eighteen. Legally, I’m an adult, and I’m responsible for myself.”
“That may be true, but in any case, I think they would like to know.”
“Again, that’s my decision,” I inform her. “And even if it weren’t, you wouldn’t be able to track them down. I don’t even know where they are.”
She offers me a blank stare and then gestures to the nurse. “Elizabeth would like to examine you with your permission.”
“And if I say no?”
“Then I’m afraid we will have no choice but to ask you to leave,” she says.
My heart jumps into my throat as the walls close in around me. This is it. My house of cards is caving in. I consider the consequences of going through with the exam. Can they force me to leave once they find out I’m pregnant? I don’t know, but right now, it feels like I have no choice.
“Fine,” I croak. “You have my permission to examine me.”
“Please unbutton your cardigan,” the nurse instructs as she steps forward.
I do as she requests, shielding the small bump that comes into view with my palm. Both women glance at each other with worried expressions before the nurse gently feels around my belly and uses her stethoscope to confirm the baby’s heartbeat. With a solemn expression, she steps back and nods.