With Gray's forlorn departure, Harley had to re-adjust her routine to keep her busy from missing him. She had taken more ballet classes during the week. Also, she started to visit her parents and grandparents' home almost every other day. Gray had encouraged her to reach out more so that she wouldn't always feel troubled and alone. Her family had welcomed her back with open arms which made Harley close to tears as she realized that she had ignored them for so long. They all understood what she had to go through and love her nonetheless. Even Jenna, her step-mother, was being genuinely pleasant to her. After everything, it finally felt right to have a family.

By the end of the day, a call from Gray was all she needed to not feel his absence. She just got home from a class. Dropping her duffel bag onto the coffee table, she went ahead towards the kitchen to get a glass of water. Her phone then rang, a tune that Gray had personally picked so she would know it was him that was calling. Scurrying to the living room, she rummaged through her bag and once she finally got a hold of her phone, she answered, "Hello?" Her voice was a little breathless from running the short distance from her small kitchen.

"Hey, you."

"Gray," she smiled and was relieved to hear his voice.

"Are you at home?"

"Yes."

"Have you eaten?"

"Ate a sandwich after class. I'll just probably head straight to bed. What about you?"

"I'm okay. Been worried about you. Don't skip meals."

Harley chuckled lightly, "Don't worry about me."

"I miss you, sunshine."

♪ ♫ ♬

It wasn't usual for Harley to feel so worn-out these past few weeks. However, she needed to get up and do several classes today. The long walk to the studio was literally icy. Snow had finally covered the pavements and the wind made her cheeks freeze from the cold. She hurried inside the studio once she arrived, quickly warming herself inside the lockers.

As she changed into her leotard, Harley suddenly felt lightheaded in which she gripped her locker door to steady herself. Ignoring how she was really feeling, she slipped on her ballet shoes and straightened her back to meet her class for the day. She was looking forward to doing some warm-ups. That way, it might help her feel a bit energized to start their routines. Stretching her muscles might help with managing her discomfort.

Shortly after doing a few routines, everyone heard a loud thump when they practiced on doing a triple pirouette. One of the moms ran to Harley as she lay unconscious on the hardwood floor, trying to shake her so she could get up. They immediately panicked when she wouldn't respond to any of their aid to wake her. Someone did an emergency call to ask assistance for an ambulance. Within ten minutes, a few paramedics had rushed to Harley's still body and slowly transferred her to a stretcher. They straightaway loaded her into the ambulance and dashed to the hospital to give her the needed medical assistance.

It was a few hours after that Harley gained consciousness. Unaware of her surroundings, the harsh light made her squint. The last memory she remembered was of her having a class and the sudden darkness that enveloped her. She looked around and recognized that she was in one of the hospital wards, blue curtains surrounding her. Trying to sit up, she tried to look for a call button and pressed it.

The curtain was drawn to the side and a nurse with a warm smile greeted Harley, "Oh good, you're awake. Hang on a second, let me get the doctor."

A few seconds later, a young doctor came into her partition and did a few evaluations. "Ms. Harley Lowell, correct?"

"Yes," she replied with a scratchy voice.

"I'm Dr. Colton Sawyer, your obstetrician-gynecologist. Before I get into some questions, you should have a glass of water first. Here." The doctor handed her some water and Harley greedily drank the whole glass, feeling quenched from her thirst.

She meekly replied, "Thank you."

"Have you been eating properly?"

"Only if I feel hungry."

He nodded, taking out his pen and wrote on his clipboard. "Are you drinking water more often?"

She only nodded her response.

"Okay. Is this the first time you passed out?"

Again, she nodded.

"Have you been feeling nausea these past few days? Vomiting?"

"I've vomited a few times."

"I see. Ms. Lowell, my initial diagnosis is that you've been dehydrated. Please remember to eat your meals at a proper time and drink plenty of water. Also, I want you to take a pregnancy blood test just to be sure."

Harley's eyes widened, "W-what?"

"It's just a precaution. Everything's going to be fine, Ms. Lowell."

Harley was then forced to oblige the doctor's order as the nurse had taken a blood sample. The doctor has also asked a few more questions that could help with her condition. Her stomach was in knots, anxious about the foreboding result. For the past few weeks, she realized that the fatigue she felt had been unbearable. In addition, she also missed her period. Harley wanted to believe that it was due to the stress she was experiencing since she took more classes this season. The direful reality has dawned on her.

"Ms. Lowell?"

"Huh?" she looked up to see the doctor. A soft smile on his face. "Sorry, what were you saying again?"

He offered her a sympathetic smile and said, "The results won't be ready in a few hours. May I ask if you could come back tomorrow at 10 in the morning for an appointment? We can go over your results."

"Okay. Thank you, doctor."

Harley was in a daze when she left the hospital. The doctor had prescribed her to eat a proper meal before she went home. A bit tired to even stay outside, she just wanted to be buried under her blanket. She can't help but also feel hungry. It has been a few hours since she had something to eat. Ark's Diner was only two blocks away from the hospital. Deciding that she wanted some chicken fingers, she hurried her pace to reach her destination. Upon entering Ark's Diner, the smell of grease and grilled meat wafted through her nostrils. It wasn't one of the most pleasant smells for her but she felt her hunger overpowering her senses.

A waitress greeted her as a welcome and ushered her to a seat that was in a booth near a bar top. She immediately went to get her order which was a basket of chicken fingers with french fries on the side and a regular-sized chocolate milkshake. As she waited for her order, Harley began to ponder about the possibility of her being pregnant.

How would she tell Gray? No, wait... He could never find out about it.

And in what way are you going to do that, Harley? Squeeze your growing belly into a slimming belt?

His music career just took off and she couldn't force him to stay and take care of a crying baby. She groaned in frustration, wanting to wake up from this terrible dream.

The food arrived moments later and she instantly devoured her chicken fingers, dipping it in honey mustard. There was nothing she could do. She would deal with her problem when the doctor would confirm it by tomorrow. Right now, she just wanted the chicken fingers.

  ♡ ♡ ♡      

Hello!

This is only a short update. I wanted to cut it here so the next scene would be more thrilling lol. Enjoy reading! <3

PS: I'm not a doctor so feel free to call out if their convo is a malpractice hahaha!

x Jovi