Gradually, the Sutherlands were reaching something they could call normality after a month with the new, and not-so-improved Kirsty. Dani was still living with Josh, but came back to the house frequently for dinner, speaking to Kirsty only in short, sharp tones. Rhys was similar, only speaking to Kirsty when he wanted chores done. He was sick of Kirsty's new lazy attitude in the household, always complaining that she was tired or had headaches. Shelley had also noticed Kirsty's mood swings, putting it down to hormones. She'd suggested that Kirsty find something to do, a new job or even going back to school, but she'd bluntly refused. She feared her daughter was wasting her life. Jade was constantly trying to control her emotions while speaking to her sister, but that didn't stop them almost coming to blows.
Kirsty noticed Jade looking miserable, like herself. Trying to improve relations, she spoke, unlike Jade. "Are you alright Jade?"
"Oh you know. Stomach cramps, " said Jade bluntly. Kirsty was prepared to offer some sort of reassurance, when she realised; normally Jade and her were synchronised in that department, but not at the moment. In fact, Kirsty had been almost four weeks late. She knew what this could mean, the inevitable teenage sin, but then doubt set in. Things like this didn't happen to her, they happened to the other stupid teenagers on the chat shows she watched. It couldn't be possible, her and Jade had been apart for a while resulting in their current lack of synchronisation. Kirsty cast her mind back to just over a month ago, her birthday. They were safe then. Yet another thought haunted Kirsty. They weren't safe the day after; she was going to get the morning after pill from the chemist in town, but she forgotten. With the whole party escapade, resulting in Kane getting shot, their night together had vanished from Kirsty's mind. Now she wasn't well, she was having headaches, she was tired and constantly throwing up. It was a feeling she'd never felt before. It had to be pregnancy.
"Kirsty, I'm sorry I've been so mad at you, " said Jade, realising that staying angry didn't solve anything. "I'm just confused, I don't know what to do."
"I understand, " said a preoccupied Kirsty.
"So, what was it like when you ran away?" Jade was trying to find out what had been prying on her mind. Although she disliked Kane, she still wanted to know how he'd ended up getting shot.
"It was good and bad at times. A real roller coaster ride of emotions."
"Do you regret it?" asked Jade.
Kirsty hadn't even begun to think of the implications if she were pregnant. Her family would hate her, but perhaps she'd be able to see Kane. It could work out in her favour. "No, " said Kirsty. "Actually Jade, I'm just gonna get some air."
"Do you want me tom come with you?" If Jade spoke to her sister more, maybe she'd understand her reasoning.
"No, you rest. You'll need it, " said Kirsty ironically. Kirsty saw pregnancy as something, which made people very fat and very tired, very quickly. She had to be sure; she would get a pregnancy test from the chemist in Yabbie Creek. Hopefully no one would see her. Jade smiled as Kirsty left. Maybe, if she just overlooked her actions, they could form some sort of relationship again. She needed someone to talk to, even if her sister was in the wrong.
***
Kirsty went to a public toilet, after buying the test. It was a nightmare, she handed it to the shop assistant, who'd given her such a dirty look, trying to figure out her age. It would have made Kirsty cry if she hadn't been so nervous. The test took fifteen minutes to work, fifteen agonising minutes to tell her the outcome of the rest of her life. Would it be simple or complicated, full of separation or happiness? Kirsty looked at her watch again. Ten minutes gone. This was the most nervous wait for a test result in her life, it couldn't even compete with one Flathead had given her. Kirsty would've taken a thousand tests, if it meant she didn't have to take this one. She paced around the small cubicle. She'd certainly felt different over the last couple of weeks, why hadn't she thought of taking the test sooner? Keep calm, thought Kirsty. The test could be negative; it was a possibility. Kirsty willed it to be; she yearned for the second blue line confirming pregnancy to be non-existent. She looked at the test. Slowly, the first blue line started to appear. Kirsty's heard beated fast, waiting for the second line that she dreaded. She was ready to breathe a sigh of relief, when a second blue line appeared on the test, faster than the previous, running along the test window out of control. She was pregnant. Kirsty didn't know whether to laugh or cry; her life was a sorry state of affairs. Her family, who'd just begun to tolerate her, would hate her again; her friends would be even more imaginary than they were now. All she'd have was Kane, but even he hadn't replied to her letter, she didn't know how he'd react. She had a part of him, still inside her, a part that significantly needed her. Kirsty may have felt alone, but she wasn't; she baby inside her developing more and more everyday.