PIPER'S POV:
"So no one else knows but you and her?" I asked as Tyler and I made our way to a table with our drinks at Harold's the next morning "Why don't you just tell Mark yourself?"
"I want to," he informed me "but I don't want to break Zoe's trust, not when she's finally opening up to me."
I smiled at him sympathetically… "Just think about Mark for a sec; how is he going to feel when he finds out, whatever the outcome?"
"I know he's gonna be upset and angry but what am I supposed to do, Pipes?" he questioned "I don't wanna break my little sister's trust, and I want to tell Mark the truth, but I can't…"
I sighed and entwined his hand with mine… "Whatever happens, I've got your back."
"Thank you." he replied
TYLER'S POV:
"Tyler, what are you doing here?" Susan's voice asked from behind me as I stood at the reception desk of Erinsborough High
"Hi," I greeted her "I'm here to pick Zoe up. She's got a doctors appointment."
"Right." she replied
"Can I ask you something?" I questioned as she was about to leave "How's Zoe getting on? Is she getting along with anyone in particular or…?"
"She's doing fine," she informed me "she's made a few friends and we've had no trouble so far so that's always a good thing. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," I replied "just wondering. Thanks, Susan; I'll let you get back to work."
"Hey." Zoe greeted me as Susan walked off in the other direction "What were you talking to my Principal about?"
"Nothing," I replied "you ready to go?"
She nodded her head… "Let's get this over and done with."
"Whatever the outcome is, I'll support you." I informed her
"Thanks." she replied
20 minutes later Zoe and I arrived at the hospital. Checking herself in, she made her way over to me and exhaled a breath…
"You okay?" I questioned
"Scared," she admitted "and nervous. I feel sick."
"Hey, just calm down," I replied "you've probably got nothing to worry about."
"Emphasis on the word probably." she sighed "God, why was I so stupid?"
"Zo, can I ask you something?" I asked "Was it your first time?"
She swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded her head… "Yeah! And they say sex is awesome!"
I smiled weakly… "It is. Did you use something?"
"Tyler, please!" she begged
"Yeah, it's gross, I know." I replied, holding my hands up in defence "Sorry."
"Zoe Brennan!" a female voice called as she was about to speak
"Wish me luck?" she inquired
"Good luck." I replied "You'll be fine."
"You'll still be here waiting for me when I come out, right?" she asked
I nodded my head… "Of course I will."
PIPER'S POV:
"Hey," I greeted Tyler as I answered his phone call "are you home?"
"No, we're still at the hospital," he informed me "I just went to get a coffee and Zoe something to eat and drink for when she comes out."
"Are you okay?" I questioned
"I'm worried for her. Whatever she's told is gonna upset her." he replied
"Yeah, I know." I informed him "I take it she didn't change her mind about telling Mark?"
"She says she'll tell him and Aaron when we get home." he admitted "I'm worried about how Mark's going to react…"
TYLER'S POV:
I rose to my feet as Zoe made her way out of the room and moved over to her… "So?"
"Not pregnant." she informed me
I smiled at her warmly and hugged her tightly… "Are you okay?"
She nodded her head… "I was so scared, but when she told me the results a wave of relief washed over me. Am I a horrible person for feeling that way?"
"No," I replied "you're not ready to be a Mum, and just remember, next time, take precautions! Shall we go?"
"What do you think Mark will say?" she questioned
"I don't know." I admitted "I wish I did but I don't."
"Do you think he'll be angry with me?" she inquired
"I honestly don't know, Zoe." I informed her
"I can't do this…" Zoe admitted as I pulled into the driveway
"You can and you have to." I replied "I'll be right by your side. C'mon…"
"Hey." Mark greeted us as we made our way into the house "Where've you been?"
"The hospital." Zoe informed him
"What for?" he questioned
"The pregnancy test that you found in the bin, it wasn't Piper's…" she admitted
"I knew it!" he proclaimed
"Just hear her out, Mark." I sighed
"Did you go with her?" he asked
I nodded my head… "Just sit down and listen to her."
"I'm not pregnant." she informed him
"What if you had been though?" he questioned
"I wouldn't have been keeping it." she replied
"So you'd have put your body under that insane amount of pressure when you could've prevented it in the first place?" he asked "You're a stupid little girl, Zoe!"
"Mark!" I proclaimed
"What?" he questioned "You're just as bad!"
"How do you work that one out?" I inquired
"Instead of telling me, you took her to the hospital. What would you have done if she'd come out and told you she was pregnant?" he asked
"I would've supported her." I informed him
"You can barely support yourself." he sighed
"Mark, wait, please!" Zoe begged as he made his way to the door
"No, leave him." I replied as the door slammed shut behind him "Go and get some rest…"
"Are you okay?" she questioned
I nodded my head… "Go and get some rest."
PIPER'S POV:
"Hey," I greeted Tyler as I opened the door to him "how did it go? Wait, what's with the bag?"
"Can I stay here for a couple of nights?" he asked
"Sure." I replied, stepping aside to let him into the house "Tyler, talk to me, what happened?"
"Mark happened." he informed me
"What did he say?" I questioned
"He asked what I would've done if Zoe had been pregnant, and when I told him I'd support her, he said I could barely support myself." he replied "I know he's angry, but how's taking it out on us going to help?"
I sighed and moved over to him, rising onto my tiptoes to wind my arms around his neck…
TYLER'S POV:
"It's Zoe." Piper informed me as my phone started to ring "Are you gonna answer it?"
I shook my head… "Just switch it off."
Glancing at her as she did as I asked, she set our dinner plates down on the worktop and moved over to me, reaching for the TV remote to switch it off before holding her hand out to me…
"What?" I questioned
"We're going to de-stress." she informed me
"And how are we going to do that exactly?" I asked
"How does a shower with your girlfriend sound?" she inquired
I smiled at her weakly and pressed my lips to hers as I rose to my feet… "Good."
"Good." she mirrored
Cheeky Piper! And ouch, Mark! Are they ever going to be able to mend the rift?