"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change."
Malcolm X (1925 - 1965), Malcolm X Speaks, 1965
You're crouched on the bathroom floor, unwilling to leave the toilets edge. It's five in the morning and you should be tucked up in bed like a good little girl but the stomach bug–more commonly known as morning sickness–won't let you do so.
You can hear footsteps approaching the hotel room's bathroom door and unconsciously cringe away from it. You don't want anyone to see you like this, especially when you feel on the verge of crying out your frustrations.
The door opens and it's Peter. He looks genuinely concerned but you can't let yourself believe that it's really for you. After a pause he heads over to your spot on the bathroom floor and crouches down in front of you. You wish it was Adam there instead of Peter. For one thing you don't particularly want to explain to him why you're on that bathroom floor after throwing up for the past 15 minutes and then there's the fact that Adam always used to know how to make you feel better. But no amount of wishing will change the situation you're in now.
"Elle, are you OK?" he asks and you can again see that concern in his eyes.
"Fine." But your voice sounds croaky and it's blatantly clear that you're not fine.
You see him shift uncomfortably and your thoughts involuntarily drift back to the time when you were last alone together. You're filled with a sudden bout of anger and struggle to your feet. You really don't want to be alone with him any longer than you have to.
"You don't look fine," he tells you as you head over to the sink.
Turning the tap on, you refuse to answer him.
"Elle, are you sure you're-"
In a fit of rage you swing around to face him, your face flushed with anger. "You used me! You told me you liked me, than when I wake up you're gone! YOU USED ME! So I'm sorry if I don't feel so inclined to tell you what's wrong!" You don't think you've ever been so angry in your life; utter rage isn't something you usually happen upon. It's a dark emotion that leaves you feeling empty and upset. You also don't think you've ever said something so serious before. You turn to stomp out the door but are brought to a screeching halt by Peter's hand on your arm.
"Elle, I'm sorry-"
You cut him off, too angry to listen to anything he has to say. "No, you don't get to be sorry. You don't get to be anything!" Then it slips out, the one thing you were trying to keep hidden. "I'm pregnant!"
Your hand flies to your mouth as you realize what you've just said. Peter's watching you with wide eyes and the sudden wish that disappearing was your ability grows stronger and stronger by the second.
"You're pregnant?"
Silently you nod before exiting the bathroom. You storm towards the hotel door, too angry and upset to think about what you're going to do. Just before you've reached your destination you feel a strong hand grab your arm and hear Adam's silver-tongued voice in your ear. Only this time it's urgent.
"Elle, where are you going?"
"Leave me alone!" You snap, wrenching out of his grip and stomping off.
"Elle!"
"Speak when you are angry - and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret."
Dr. Laurence J. Peter quotes (American "hierarchiologist", Educator and Writer, 1919-1990)