"Fuck! What the fuck?!"

Courtney raised a concerned eyebrow when she heard Heather in the bathroom one morning. She knocked on the door. "Babe, what's wrong?"

"I... it's nothing," Heather swallowed hard. Her period was now two weeks overdue. She had searched up what that meant on her phone, knowing well what the answer would be. She was just hoping it was something else. Anything else.

"It doesn't sound like it's nothing," Courtney sounded annoyed.

"I was reading a book online, and my favorite couple broke up." Even she was surprised at how easy she had made up that lie.

"Really?" She laughed.

"Don't make fun of me!"

"I'm not, Heath. I'm laughing because I totally get it. I hate it when the author splits the power couple up."

"Yeah, definitely!" She smiled nervously, pulling up her pants. Fuck, this better not be what I think it is. She washed her hands and came out. "I'm gonna go to the drugstore for some pain reliever. Need anything?"

"No, thanks!" Courtney smiled as she wrote in her journal. Heather glanced at it and noticed the remnants of all the papers that were torn out on the spiral center. She figured that must've been all her ridiculous lists for Duncan. She should've put 'do not cheat' on there because apparently, he needs it.

"Ok, I'll be back in a few."

Heather didn't realize just how big of a deal this was until she was holding the two pregnancy tests in her hands after taking them. She looked away from it, more than nervous to see the results. If it's positive, I have no idea what the fuck I'm going to do. This is so insane. Now that I think about it, I've had almost every symptom over the past month. I can't even do ballet anymore without feeling nauseated!

After what felt like an eternity, the tests were done. She looked at them both. Panic hit her like a freight train. Her eyes immediately watered. Oh my god, I'm actually...no. No, this can't be happening. She got up and started pacing back and forth in the bathroom. She checked them at least three more times, just to make sure. Yep, still positive.

She started hyperventilating, so in shock that she couldn't even cry. However, it felt like she was holding in a whole ocean of tears. How did this even happen?! We used a condom every time! Unless it broke! That's the only explanation I can think of!! Oh my god...OH MY GOD, what do I tell Courtney?! When do I tell her?! And do I tell her it's him?!

Heather got into the bathtub and sat down in the center, pulling at her hair. This was not supposed to happen. This was NOT supposed to happen!! I cannot be a mom. I can't. I don't even like babies. Having a kid is the very last thing I want out of life.

"Heather, are you ok in there?" Courtney brought her out of her thoughts.

"I-I'm...not feeling well," her voice cracked by accident.

"That's it. I'm coming in." The door handle turned. Heather's eyes went wide. She reached across the tub to the edge of the counter and quickly grabbed the tests, hiding them under her legs.

"H, what is wrong with you?" Courtney looked her up and down. She turned her head away as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her friend placed a hand on her shoulder. "Heather-"

"I'm fine!" She jerked her shoulder away. "F-fine."

"No, you're not. I know you're crying. You can't hide that from me."

"I'm just...really upset about that couple," Heather sniffled.

"God, stop acting like I'm stupid all the time!" She suddenly snapped. "I am your best friend, Heather. I hate being lied to! And something tells me you've been lying to me for a very long time."

Heather sighed in defeat, realizing she had no way out. "...Ok, fine. Something is going on. But I'm not ready to tell you yet. Can you accept that?"

Courtney's face softened. "Yes, of course. All I wanted was some honesty from you. We've been friends for over a year, and I still sometimes feel like I hardly know you."

She nodded. "Yeah, I know."

"Now, we should probably grab some brunch. Want sushi?"

"Um...no." That's probably not a good idea, even if I order the cooked rolls.

"Ok, well, I'm going to order some for myself then." Courtney got on her delivery app. "So, who's the couple?"

"What?"

"The couple in the book you're reading?"

"...Oh! Yes! Their names are, um...Veronica and Evan."

"Why'd they break up?"

"Because, well...he left her because he got bored of her."

She gasped. "That's awful! So low! Do they have any children?!"

Children. Ugh. "No. They never wanted any."

"Awe, why not? Does the story say?"

"Yeah. They know they'll both suck as parents. They'd rather be free and not responsible for someone else's life. It's too much pressure. Plus, Veronica's mom was terrible to her. How would she know the first thing about being one herself?"

"Well, what if she got pregnant? What then?"

"I don't know... I don't know," she repeated, looking down. "Evan doesn't even care about her, so he probably won't care about the baby." She bit her tongue to keep from crying.

"What if they get back together, though? Are you hoping they do?"

Heather pursed her lips. "...Yes. They really cared about each other. Well, at least Veronica cared. Ale-Evan's a huge jerk face. But she still...she loves him." Her heart raced. I know this isn't the exact same situation, but...am I in love with Alejandro?

"That sounds like such a sad story. I feel bad for Veronica. What's it called?"

Shit. "Um, it's-" Courtney's phone going off saved her.

She looked at it. "It's my mom. Hold on," she rolled her eyes. She walked out of the bathroom.

Thank God, Heather sighed in relief. She grabbed the tests. I obviously can't throw them away. She'll see them in the trashcan. I'll have to keep them for now. She snuck them into her purse. Courtney was too busy on the phone to notice.

Heather thought about her parents. What will they think? My mom will probably hate me more if- that's even possible. She grabbed her notebook from her nightstand drawer to write down plans. Great, now I'm Courtney. She bit her lip as she thought of her options. I have three. I definitely don't want to keep the baby. So, it's either adoption or abortion. I think adoption would be best. She wrote down the word 'adoption.' Then again, Alejandro will find out if I continue the pregnancy. And I'll have to explain to Courtney who the father is. But I don't think I could get an abortion...ugh! She buried her head in her hands. Why is this so difficult?!

"Ok, ok, mom, I get it. Bye." Courtney hung up, looking annoyed. "Ugh, she's always telling me what to do all the time!"

"Courtney, I have a question," Heather ignored her previous comment.

"Wow, thanks for acknowledging my annoyance with my mom."

"Oh my god, I'm sorry," she rolled her eyes. "But I have a very important question for you."

"Alright, what is it?"

"Well...this girl I know from my class just found out she's pregnant, and she has no idea what to do with the baby."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Heather, no offense, but why do you care? Are you guys friends or something?"

"Um...no! Well...yeah, a little. We kind of get along. She asked me for advice. I have no idea why," she scoffed.

"Does she want to keep the baby?"

"No, no way. Not at all," Heather shook her head.

"Ok then. So, she wants to do adoption? Abortion?"

"That's what she's torn between. She doesn't want anyone to know about it because she's not with the father. And she doesn't want the father to know either. On the other hand, she doesn't think she'd be able actually to go through with an abortion."

"...Whoa, that's a lot. If I were her, I would continue the pregnancy. I wouldn't let anyone's opinions keep me from doing what I feel is right. And it sounds like she doesn't really want an abortion."

"Well...no, she doesn't. I... guess I'll tell her that then."

"I'm so great at giving advice, aren't I?" Courtney smiled.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. It depends on if she ends up listening to your advice."

"She better! Pregnancy is no joke! One time I thought I was pregnant. I freaked out because I knew my parents would've killed me. Thank god I wasn't!"

Heather nodded, swallowing nervously. Her stomach felt queasy. Courtney's parents may be strict, but they're not as mean as my mom. I know that because I met them. Even with her friend's advice, she still wasn't entirely sure what she wanted to do.

"Well, if you don't want sushi for lunch, I'm eating with everyone outside. Are you coming with?"

"...Yeah, sure." She got up, putting her thoughts on hold, just for now.