Chapter2: Test Results
Well, I know how it happens. But not to me! There's such a slim chance that being what I am that I could even be-
"Pregnant," I gasp out, clasping the plumpness of my tummy. "No, no." I begin pacing around my bathroom, brushing my mangled strands of hair away from my neck and face. "This can't be. It's not possible." Immediately, I find it hard to consume any of the surrounding air. My pulse rises as a sticky sweat breaks across my skin. The walls feel as if they're closing around me.
Promptly, I shove myself to the wooded floor, heaving my head among my legs.
Once I regain my composure, I rise from the floor, dragging my shirt back on. I walk back into my room, clutching a sweater from my bed. Before leaving my room I find what little money I can, collecting a maximum of three dollars.
I slide through the front door of my home, clutching my truck keys in my shaky hand.
I gulp in an immense amount of air as I push the keys into the ignition. I yank the truck into drive, pulling out of my driveway.
Slowly, I drive down the dirt roads of La Push, making my way to our seemingly big store.
I draw the door open letting in gust of cool air. As I walk into the store I try to look as if nothing is wrong with me. But I can tell it's a failed attempt by the stares I receive from the other costumers.
I change the look I was going for to one many know around La Push. I snap my head towards the direction where two girls have begin speaking of me. They're in Seth's grade and by the way they talk of him I can tell they're crushing on him. I find one of the girls eyes, glaring her down. I flare my nostrils and bear down on my jaw. They soon grow silent.
Finding the secluded area for pregnancy test, I stop and stare. I stand for what I think is ten minutes only being a couple. Soon I fall into a haze controlled by my thoughts.
I have to be sure that all of this is real. It definitely doesn't seem that way. I have to buy one test just to be completely accurate. I know I'm in denial. Not wanting to face the truth. Maybe I'm just getting the test to reassure myself. There's the slight thought deep in my mind praying it's not true.
I'm only trying to fool myself.
All of the signs are showing. A lot faster than they should too. That's only because of being what I am. Although, doctor Cullen tried explaining it to me. I still don't understand it. Well, I understand it I just choose not to. And that's the same thing I'm doing now. Keeping myself from what I already know. Trying to make the present matter disappear. Or something. But I know it's true. And there's nothing I can do to stop it.
I'm pregnant.
"Miss," a soft voice calls from behind, breaking me from my haze. I turn around to face a young Quileute girl, she has a red apron on with her name tag pinned above her right boob. "Do you need some help?" she asks with a sympathetic look on her face. I can tell she's good at reading people's features. Or maybe I didn't hide the bump well. Failing to find my voice, I give her a short nod, tugging on the oversized sweater that I'm wearing.
Moving in front of me she bends down retrieving a couple of various brands. She stands, turning to face me, pressing the boxes in my hand.
She smiles brightly at me. It hurts to look at the girls cherry face. I fixate my eyes on the racks behind her checking the prices. I nearly gasp at the prices of some she's handed me. Hurriedly, I begin ramming the boxes back in their spots.
"They're too much," I finally choke out in a voice that sounds nothing like mine. The girl grabs my hand before the last is put away.
"Take it," she says smiling at me. I open my mouth to protest but she silences me. "No, it's fine. I insist. Take it. It's alright." She gently pushes me towards the back exit. I turn and force a smile as I walk out of the store.
When returning to my home, I make a hasty retreat up to my room. I shut and lock my room door, doing the same with my bathroom when I get in.
Taking deep breaths I try to slow my breathing down so that it will return to normal. I succeed for a moment but then my heart begins pounding faster in my chest as my palms break out into a sweat.
After ten minutes of trying to calm myself down and talking myself in and out of what I'm doing, I finally force myself to pee on the damn stick.
Now, all I have to do is sit a minute and wait. A minute isn't long, just sixty seconds. I hop on the counter, starring at the clock, waiting for the time to pass. The clock's continuous ticking seems to mock me with each movement of the hand. The seconds seem to go on forever.
Thirty, twenty-nine, twenty-eight.
My nerves take over and I begin to feel a nauseous feeling consume me. I clutch my stomach, trying to ease the queasiness. My pulse rises again as the clock comes closer to its designated time.
Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen.
My skin begins to burn up as my chest heaves up in down. I've never felt this off kilter since my transformation. Hurriedly, I turn on the cool water. I cup my hands underneath the flowing stream, splashing my face and drizzling it down my neck.
Finally, I cool down. I turn back towards the clock, seeing the last seconds count down.
Three, two, one.
I hold my breath as the next few moments fall into slow motion. I turn back to the counter seeing the damned stick in front of me. With trembling hands I force myself to pick it up. I wrap my fingers around the plastic, dragging it into my line of sight.
My vision blurs and it takes me a second to focus in on what I'm seeing. I blink hard not fully understanding what it reads.
Suddenly, the small pink happy face sinks into my being, burning me.
Rage fills my soul as my grip tightens around the small stick. I fling it across the room. Out of my sight.
"Fuck!" I yell at the top of my lungs, not caring if my brother or all of La Push hears me. "Fuck!" I find myself in the mirror, starring at what I've become. Furious, I slam my fist against the reflective glass. Shards are sent flying around me.
As if second nature, my arms fly up around my torso. Protecting what little life is held there. A sharp pain rips through my lower abdomen as realization hits me.
"It's all real," I gasp out.
In a matter of seconds my knees buckle beneath me, leading me to the floor, as a single solitary tear runs down my cheek.
"Remind me again why we are meeting in the woods?" Embry asks crossing his arms over his chest.
"Because our conversation needs to be private," I reply, hoping he catches on to the seriousness of the matter.
"Then why couldn't we have just-"
"Just listen," I drop my voice so that only he can hear. "I have to leave."
"What? Why?"
"You can't tell anyone. Don't let any of them know the cause of my retreat."
"Wait, what's causing you to leave?" I can tell he is becoming frantic, wanting to know the cause of my distress.
"Embry, you have to promise me."
"Leah, will you answer my damn questions?"
"Yes. Just promise me you won't breathe a word. Or think about any of it."
"Yes, Leah, I promise. Now what's wrong?"
Without a word I pitch the white and pink stick towards him. He flinches, stepping out of the line of fire.
"Goss Lee! Someone peed on that!" he exclaims looking at me with disgust. "What the hell does that have to do with you?"
"A shit load. Just pick it up and read the damn thing." I demand, tired from his bitching.
He does as instructed, guiding the stick to his face. He blinks, pushing it back, then pulling it close again. He shakes his head, then fixates his gaze upon me.
"Damn, so Emily's already pregnant! I thought she-" I stop him before he is lead too far. I gaze into his eyes, completely serious.
"No, Embry." I gulp, trying to push the words through my mouth. "It's me."
His eyes widen, and for a moment I think he's gone utterly insane. He face changes once more, an expression that I can't read, as the pregnancy test is released from his grasp.
TBC