One month later
'Another headache, great.' I thought as I twirled a lock of my light brown hair around my finger, contemplating how to style it. I didn't want to do anything with it, but I needed to look work appropriate.
'Let's straighten it. It looks cute when I straighten it. First things first though, Tylenol for this killer headache.'
This was my third headache this week. I had a tendency to get headaches often, but this was a bit much, even for me. Not to mention the nausea and dizziness.
'Well, it's not too odd. I usually get queasy when I have a headache. Eh, let's just hurry and get ready so I'm not late for work.'
I began sectioning my hair so I could straighten it. Compared to curling it which took forever, it didn't take me more than fifteen minutes to straighten my hair. A small feat considering its long length.
Once straightened, I pulled it up into a neat ponytail, accented with small braids. I put on a light amount of makeup, enough to make my blue eyes pop — and make me look like a normal living human considered I looked like a zombie. Next, some jeans and my work shirt.
'Restaurant ready!' I danced a little while looking in my mirror before sighing. I just wanted to stay home and sleep.
'You need money you broke idiot.' I groaned.
After looking over myself once more in the mirror, I grabbed my things and headed out the door.
-
"Hey are you okay? You look a little pale?" Allie asked as she cut some vegetables.
"Yeah, just feeling a bit under the weather," I rubbed my head. "I'm sure I'll feel better when I get home and take a nap." I reassured. My headache and nausea only got worse once I started my shift, but I didn't want to tell them that.
"You should call off. You look awful." Allie set down her knife, focusing on me. I could see the genuine worry in her eyes.
"I can't. I'm saving up for an anniversary present for my parents." 'And I still have to pay rent.' I added in my head.
"Drake, help me out here." She looked at Drake as if she was begging him to help her out.
"She's right, you look really pale." He gave a slight shrug as he continued to cook some of the vegetables that Allie had chopped.
"You two are over reacting." I rolled my eyes. There wasn't anything to be worried about. Chances are I just caught a little bug. I just needed to work it out of my system.
They eyed each other as if they were plotting something.
"Oh look! The trash needs taken out." I remarked as I tried to change the subject. I walked over to the trash can with a spring in my step. I yanked the bag out and I spun around quickly.
"Hey dray, can you pass me-" I wave of dizziness overcame me. I grabbed the nearby shelf for support to keep from falling over.
"Woah! Elaina are you okay?" Drake rushed to my side. The room slowly began to get darker before going completely black.
-
"-passed out of no where. She was looking pale but she wouldn't listen to us." I heard Drake talking as I began to regain consciousness. I squinted at the bright lights.
"Hey, she's awake. I'll call you back later Reggie." He shoved his phone into his pocket, focusing his attention to me.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Where am I? What happened?" I blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the bright lights. The last thing I remembered was talking with Allie and Drake at the restaurant.
"You passed out dork. Allie and I told you to take it easy." Drake sat down on the edge of the bed. He teasingly tapped my leg as he smiled.
"I just passed out. There was no need to take me to the hospital." I replied sarcastically.
'More bills. Yay'
"The doctor said that overworking may have caused you to pass out. He's gonna run some tests to be sure." I rolled my eyes. I only worked five days a week. That wasn't even close to be considered overworking.
"I'm sure I'm fine. We need to get back to work Dray." I began to get out of the bed. There was no way I was just going to sit around and wait for some doctor that was gonna tell me to relax.
"Woah! Lay back down," He pushed my shoulders back down to the bed. "Reggie said that you could take a day or two off to recuperate." That was like Reggie. He was the best manager a person could ask for, but I didn't need to rest. I didn't want rest. When I allowed myself to relax and take it easy, my mind wandered to places that I didn't want to remember.
"I can't. I need to-"
"You sure are a kicker Miss Elaina. You should listen to your boyfriend. Oh, my name is Doctor Bayner by the way." A man, mid- forties I presumed, came into the room. He had raven black hair, but I could see a touch of gray mixed in.
"Boyfriend? You're funny," I laughed. "Dray and I are only friends."
'What a day that would be. Drake and I? Ha, never. That's like dating your brother.'
"Oops, My bad. I assumed with you being pregnant and Mr. Drake being here, that you two were dating." I room went quiet. I stared at the doctor like he was crazy.
"Did you just say pregnant?" I laughed. That was impossible. There was absolutely no way I was pregnant. It simply wasn't possible. I refused to believe it would be possible.
'He must have mixed the test results up with someone else.' I reassured myself
"Yep, blood test shows you're pregnant, about five weeks, maybe more maybe less. We will know more once we do a thorough exam." I could feel the blood drain from my face. I just stared at him. This had to be some kind of sick joke.
"Are you sure you didn't mix it up with someone else? I can't be pregnant." I asked in disbelief.
"Yep, Miss Elaina Megan Masters. That's what this says." My heart sank. It sank deeper than to the bottom of my stomach, deeper than to my feet. My heart sank and left my body, and there was no retrieving it.
I had finally just started to get over what happened at that party. I took the necessary steps to make sure that there would be no repercussions from that night. However, here was this doctor, telling me I was pregnant. I never thought that a few simple words would turn my world upside down like a snow globe.
"Elaina?" Drake looked at me confused. I never told him nor Allie what happened. I never planned on it. It was supposed to be in the past. Something never to be seen or spoken of. Yet here it was, out in the wide open.
"Drake, would you give us a minute, please?" He looked dejected, confused, and hurt. I could settle this with him later, but I needed to figure out what the hell was going on first.
"Um, sure." He left the room quickly, probably too quickly.
"Well, based off of your reaction, you weren't expecting this?" Dr. Bayner rubbed his neck. I could tell he did that unintentionally based off of his reaction. He took a seat in a nearby chair.
"No. I even took the morning after pill. Shouldn't that have been enough?" My voice began to crack as the tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Usually yes, but in some cases, it doesn't work. You just so happen to have been the rare few percent. Of course, if you don't want to have the baby there is the option of terminating the pregnancy or-"
"No. That's not an option for me." No matter the circumstance, I refused to terminate the pregnancy. The little baby inside of my did nothing wrong. To give him the death sentence for that bastards actions wasn't fair.
"Okay. Well you still have options and you still have plenty of time to decide what you are going to do." He nodded his head, trying his best to reassure me.
"Since terminating the pregnancy isn't an option for you I am going to prescribe you some prenatal care to help you and the baby. It's very important that you take care of yourself so the baby is healthy. What you do also affects the baby. So you can get these at any drug store so that shouldn't be a hassle."
I nodded as he wrote some things down on a little notebook.
"Also, avoid taking any NSAIDS, certain pain medications, as they can harm the baby. There are some medicines you can take, my nurse will cover that with you. If you are ever going to be taking pain meds, call first just to make sure you are in the clear." I sat up a little, trying to wrap my head around all of the information he was giving me. He had barely spoke, but I was already swimming in a sea of information.
I thought about my headaches as I realized what he said.
"These past few days I've been taking Tylenol for headaches. Is that... bad?" He tilted his head side to side, like choosing between good and bad.
"Tylenol isn't a very dangerous pain medication to take while pregnant however, I advise you not to take any more without consulting me. How many have you taken?"
"About three I think. My headaches didn't start until this week." I wrung my hands, nervous that I had just screwed up.
"Okay, just refrain from taking any more."
"So will the baby be okay?" I asked. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the baby, but I wanted to make sure I kept him safe.
"The baby should be fine since it was Tylenol." I breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, when does the ultrasound happen?" I had no knowledge in being pregnant. It was all so confusing.
"It is a little too soon to do the ultrasound. I can have my nurse schedule you at your eight week mark to come in for an ultrasound if that is okay with you?" He smiled warmly. Most doctors wanted to get it over with. Dr. Bayner was patient with me, taking the time to answer my questions thoughtfully.
I gave a little head nod. I was grateful for his kindness.
"Okay. Do you have any other questions for me?" I pondered before speaking.
"Um- will I know the gender when I go in for the ultrasound?"
"No. We will know that when you are about eighteen to twenty- one weeks. However, if you do a blood test at ten weeks we can tell you then." He gave a gentle smile, patient and kind.
"Oh okay."
"Well if that is all I will have my nurse get your next schedule made so we can see that little kicker. Unfortunately I do still have other patients to attend to." He gave me another warm smile before standing up and leaving.
I just sat there, still trying to take it all in.
'How did this happen? I know it would just be better to terminate the pregnancy, but I could never live with myself if I did.'
It felt surreal that there was a tiny little human growing in my belly. My emotions were all mixed together, I couldn't tell which was which. Sadness, disbelief, shock, they were all one big ball of emotions.
"Can I come in?" Drake knocked on the door, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yeah."
"So, are you okay?" He took a seat in the chair next to my bed.
"I'll be fine." I looked at my lap, trying to avoid his eyes. Drake was my friend, I didn't want to get judged for my actions when everyone knew that I intended to save my virginity for marriage.
"That's not what I asked."
"Really, I'm fine." I forced back the tears.
'What am I supposed to tell him?'
"What happened?" I froze. How was I supposed to explain such a complicated situation.
"I- I can't right now Dray. I'll tell you when I'm ready, but for now I'd appreciate your discretion. And please don't tell Allie." My eyes met his chocolate gaze. It was for the better that I didn't tell him right now. I needed to remain strong.
Drake was known to make rash decisions. That was the last thing I needed right now.
"Okay, I understand." He was upset even though I could tell he tried his hardest not to show it. "But why-" he started.
"Okay! So Dr. Bayner tells me that you are looking to set up an ultrasound appointment?" A cheerful nurse came into the room, not realizing she interrupted our conversation. I kept my eyes on the nurse, avoiding eye contact with Drake.
"Um yes." I responded weakly.
"So based on blood tests and everything, you conceived around February twentieth. So that makes your eight week mark in the last week of April. So what days work for you?" I knew Drake was staring at me but I refused to look over. I just needed to get through this first.
"Whatever day works, I can always ask for the day off." I rubbed my head. I just wanted to go home.
"Okay, how about April twenty-fifth?"
"Sounds great."
"Here is a list medicines you need to avoid as well as things you can expect and those kinds of things. Dr. Bayner wrote a brand of prenatal vitamins that you can find at practically any drug store. And of course the usual, take it easy, get plenty of rest, and just take care of yourself. Other than that I think you are set to go. Did you have any questions?" She handed me a booklet. I quickly skimmed over a few pages.
"Um no. I think that is all."
"Okay. Well if you do have any questions, just give us a call. I'll lead you two out."
"What about her passing out?" Drake interrupted.
"She is all clear to go. That is a minor symptom of being pregnant. As long as you take it easy, it shouldn't happen again." She smiled before opening the door.
I got out of the bed and walked out the door, Drake following behind me.
"Thank you." I smiled to the nurse as we left the room.
After filling out some paper work, I was all set to leave.
"Since Reggie said that you could take the day off, do you need me to take you home?" Drake spoke once we were outside in the parking lot.
"Just drop me off at the restaurant, I need to get my car."
"You can always pick it up another day." He raised his eyebrow, talking like it was common sense.
"I'd like to pick it up today." I said as a matter of factly. I needed to visit my parents. Another thing I was dreading.
'I really have become a horrible person.'
"You should be resting, just like the doctor and nurse said."
"That doesn't mean I can't drive Dray." I was getting irritated. Why couldn't he just drop me off so that I can have my car with me?
He mumbled something under his breath.
"What?"
"I said why! Why can't you just let me take care of you? Why can't you just listen? Why did you go sleep with someone? I thought you were going to wait until marriage? Are you planning on going to see the father?" He shouted angrily in the parking lot, barely pausing before asking another question.
I took a step back, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Why was he getting so angry over something so small? And why was he bringing up my virginity now? In the middle of the parking lot for goodness sake! Thank god there weren't any people around.
"Is that how you see me? Someone who just sleeps with men?" I was hurt. Every tear I held back, just poured out.
'Is that how he's always seen me? Is that how everyone sees me?'
"That's not what I said-"
"Whatever. Think what you want." I wiped the tears out of my eyes as I walked away.
"Elaina, what are you doing?" He grabbed my wrist.
"Don't touch me." I yanked away from his grip.
"Elaina, don't do this." He reached out to touch my shoulder but I took a step back. Angry didn't cover what I was feeling. There were no emotions for what I was feeling.
"I said don't touch me! You have NO idea what I went through," I snapped. "you don't know the circumstances. So don't you DARE just assume you know what the hell you are talking about." I shouted as the tears continued to roll down my cheeks. I needed a friend, not someone who was going to judge me for something they didn't know anything about. I didn't want questions, I just wanted comfort in my misery.
"Then help me understand!" He shouted angrily. There wasn't an ounce of worry on his face, just anger. In the midst of all of this, he wasn't concerned about me. He just wanted to know how I got pregnant.
I considered him a friend. Someone who I could talk to, but this man right here was not the Drake I knew.
"You don't deserve to know. I'm leaving, don't try and stop me." I choked down the tears as I tried to remain calm.
"Elaina-" he reached out once again.
"Don't! Just don't right now Drake." I shook my head as I walked away, leaving him alone in the parking lot.
I thought after two years of friendship and working alongside one another meant that he would at least listen and comfort me.
'I guess I was wrong.'
I walked for a while before sitting at a nearby bench. I buried my face in my hands, finally letting the tears flow. Here I was, sitting on a bench crying my eyes out, with no way to get home.
My car was still at Reggies restaurant, the little town I lived in didn't have any bus stops, and Drake was being an ass. Sure I could've explained to him the situation, but why should I after he just assumed I slept with some random dude willingly? Why take the time to explain, when he just jumped to conclusions.
'I don't even have my fucking phone. It's probably still at Reggies.' I rubbed my head.
'Relax they say. Sure, how am I supposed to do that right now?'
I was so immersed in my thoughts I didn't realize a car had stopped in front of the bench I was sitting at. The passenger side window rolled down.
"You okay?" Allie asked. I cried even harder when I saw her. I just shook my head, wiping the tears away.
"Hop in, I'll take you home." I got into the car and just hugged my best friend. We stayed like that for a moment as I sobbed into her shirt.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" She gently patted my head as she did her best to comfort me.
"Not right now. I'll tell you when we get to my apartment."
"Okay. Let's get you home."
—