Shit.
You mean to tell me that not only am I going to have to see him outside of school because we have the same friends, there’s also a chance I’m going to run into him in the halls?
Great.
Just great.
Wait.
There’s a major flaw in their plan.
“But where is he going to sleep? There’s only one guest room, and you don’t have a couch.”
“Xavier arranged for the couch to get here early tomorrow.”
My face must give away how unhappy I am about this turn of events because Aveena says, “I’m sorry, D, I feel awful. I tried to talk Xavier out of it, but I could hardly lecture him when I’m also taking you in rent-free.” The guilt in her eyes flips my stomach upside down.
I’d hate for her to blame herself when she’s doing everything she can to help me. My drama isn’t her responsibility.
“Don’t worry about it for a second, okay? I understand. This is Xavier’s apartment, too.” I offer her a thankful smile, which she returns on cue. She’s about to say something when her eyes grow three sizes.
“What’s wrong?” Lacey asks.
Aveena stiffens up. “I have to pee.”
It takes me a while to realize where she’s going with this.
“Go! Go! Go!” I encourage.
Aveena grabs one of the thousand pregnancy tests on the table and locks herself into the bathroom.
“Vee, are you okay?” Lacey knocks on the door ten minutes later.
“Just a minute,” Aveena responds, her voice shaky.
I don’t know how pregnancy tests work, but I know they don’t usually take this long. The air grows scarce in my lungs when she pushes the door to the bathroom open with glassy eyes. She’s holding the pregnancy test in her right hand, staring blankly ahead of her. I’m not sure whether she’s shocked or sad. Then she starts crying, and suddenly, I’m even less sure.
I move closer. “Vee, talk to us.”
After what feels like an eternity, she croaks, “I’m pregnant.”
Shock it is.
The next ten minutes are a blur. Mostly because I’m crying so hard I can’t see shit. Lacey and I spend most of it hugging Aveena, to the point of suffocating her.
“When are you going to tell Xavier?” I wipe my cheeks with my sleeve.
“I… I don’t know. There’s a bonfire on the beach tonight. I guess I could always tell him there.”
Lacey brings her palm to her heart. “That would be so romantic.”
“You guys have to come. I… I can’t do this alone.” Aveena takes both our hands into her trembling fingers. “Theo and his roommates are throwing the party. It’ll be fun.”
“Sure, count me in.” Lacey doesn’t require much convincing.
Me, on the other hand…
Aveena zeroes in on me, a hopeful smile tugging at her lips. “Dia?”