"Congratulations, you're one month pregnant," said the doctor, giving me a joyful smile.
I was shocked. My mind went blank, like everything around me suddenly stopped making sense.
"No… this isn't happening. Is there any chance it could be a mistake?" I asked, though deep down I already knew I had been feeling the symptoms for weeks.
Memories of that night were still fresh in my mind. I'm already in trouble… and now there's a baby growing inside me.
"Miss White, there's no mistake. We've tested three times already," he said, adjusting his glasses.
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "Thanks," I murmured, taking the results from him.
As I left the maternity room, my mind immediately went to my mom. Damn, she's going to kill me for this. What happened to being the "good daughter" like my sister?
I had just started building my life. Now this… a child I wasn't ready for. Everything felt upside down, and I had no idea where to start.
"Aaaaaah!" I screamed, and people stopped to stare. "What are you all looking at? Haven't you seen a lady in distress?" I rolled my eyes.
At some point, I won't feel alone anymore…
it will be my family.
Clutching the test results, I stumbled out of the hospital , my mind spinning. I needed to get somewhere quiet… somewhere I could think.
A taxi seemed like the safest option. I hailed a taxi to my friend's apartment, sliding into the back seat.
Damn… a little life was growing inside me, and I had no idea how to handle it. The driver glanced at me, worried. "Mama, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm good. Thanks," l said with a forced smile.
Of course, I had been talking to myself out loud again.
"Ma'am, we've reached."
"Thanks," I said, handing him the money. "Keep the change."
Riding the elevator for the first time, I silently hoped it would be crowded or at least have someone in there already. When I reached her apartment, I knocked, and after a few minutes, the door opened.
"Oooh, my lady is here to visit!"
I rolled my eyes and pushed Florence aside to enter.
"Why do you look so tired?" she asked.
"Well… girl, we have an additional member for the club. What do they call them? Oh yes a blessing," I said, grabbing a glass of juice.
"Ooh girl!" she screamed, running to my side and holding my hand.
I paused, shaking my head. How did I forget she only thinks about money? Her excitement made me feel lost.
"It's not about money," I said. "Well… I also want it to happen, but nope."
"Then what do you mean?" she asked, raising her hands.
I put my hands on my stomach and smiled.
"Ooh… Holly Molly…"
"Yes, daring," I said, sitting down on the couch.
"Congratulations, girl! I'm going to be an aunt!" she said, looking at my still-flat stomach.
"Have you told Mike yet?" she asked.
That's where things got complicated. "I'll take your silence as a no. Are you planning to surprise him?"
"No girl."
Reality sank in, and all the joy drained away.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, sitting up straight the universal "spill it" pose.
"Well… he isn't the father," I said.
"What do you mean he isn't the father? Wasn't he your fiancé? You've been with him for six years, Claire!"
She looked lost and confused. I needed to tell her what had happened the past two months.
"Do you remember that day I took off to celebrate his birthday?" I asked, settling in on the couch.
"Yes, I remember. That was about two months ago."
"Well… I caught him sleeping with my sister," I said, like it was nothing. The pain wasn't there anymore; I had learned to move on. He didn't know how to cherish what he had.
"Wait… what? Your sister? How could Janie do that to you? And you didn't even tell me? Am I even your best friend anymore?"
"I'm sorry for not telling you. I have no excuse," I admitted.
"What did he say when you caught them?"
"I just left, without them noticing," I said.
"Just like that?" she asked, giving me that look.
"Videos would've been enough. Shouting won't help."
"Hahaha… that's the Claire I know," she laughed.
"Then why didn't you cancel the wedding?"
"Well… I'm planning to give them a gift. Plus, they've planned to change the bride," I said.
"What?? They're not even humans! Your sister… doesn't she have a heart?"
"Let's just say… I was a fool not to see the signs. I was in love, and yeah, it hurt. But it doesn't hurt like it did before."
"Girl, they did you so wrong… wait, then who is the father?"
"I don't know. And I don't want to find out," I said. Thanks to him, I was in deep trouble, and my plans were disturbed.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"Well… I was drunk that day, so I never got a proper look at his face. I left quickly after you called me."
"Come here, girl. You need a warm hug."
I loved her for this.
"Don't worry. We'll do this together."
"Thanks," I said, touching my flat stomach. "That's all I needed. Dealing with those people calling themselves my family is exhausting."
"So… what's your plan now?" she asked.
"Well… I wasn't expecting to be pregnant, but I'm keeping it. I only remember his tattoos, blue eyes, and hair."
"Well… you have me. Don't worry."
I smiled at my stomach. "Don't worry, little one. We'll get through this together."
But deep down, I didn't know how I was going to do any of this.