A/N Here's Chapter 10! I have an obsession with writing this story recently, which works out really well for you guys! ;) pleasepleaseplease keep reviewing. Your reviews really mean a lot to me! I hope you like where this story is going so far!
Chapter 10
Fifteen minutes later, both girls were still on the hard, cold, bathroom floor, in tears. Spencer had sobbed so much that she forgot for a moment what she was crying about… She just continued to bawl, shoving her face into Aria's shoulder. Aria cried right along with her friend. She didn't know what to do. She had no idea how she could help Spencer. She realized that they would run out of tears eventually, and have to get up and talk about it. She thought of what she would say to Spencer in such a confusing and unstable time. This wasn't a normal occurrence. There was no example to follow- from TV, books, movies, or her family and friends. Aria was going to have to navigate this situation on her own.
Five minutes later, Aria decided that it was time to calm down and move to a more comfortable place than the tile of Spencer's bathroom. She said softly, "Spencer, Spencer, sweetie can I move you to the bed?" Aria was still crying. The tears dripped from her face. "Spencer, you've got to help me a little. Just try to stand up, I'll help you." Spencer made her best effort to get on her feet. Aria pulled her up and slowly walked her towards her bed, where she pulled down the blankets and sheets. Spencer threw herself down into the mattress. "Careful, sweetie." Aria said through her tears, as she retrieved a few tissues and wiped Spencer's eyes. Her small bit of mascara was surely stinging her eyes, which were red and puffy. Aria then wiped her own eyes, which looked the same.
Aria took several deep breaths, and although she had managed to stop crying, there was still a quiver in her breath. She worked up the courage to lean down to her friend and say, "Spencer, this isn't going to solve anything. I know you're scared. You have every right to be scared. I'm scared too. But you need to take a nice, deep breath and calm down." Spencer attempted to stop crying, it was making her so tired.
Once her moans were diluted to a small whimper, Aria sat next to Spencer, who was rolled up in a ball. She said, "What can I do for you? I hate seeing you like this. I want to make you happy again." Spencer just stared at her. "Would you like me to call Toby?"
Spencer responded with an immediate "NO." She continued, "How am I supposed to explain this to him. What am I going to say? That I conceived through the immaculate conception?"
"No. But we will figure out what did happen." Aria replied.
A few minutes later, Spencer had stopped crying and was completely silent. Aria covered her with her blankets. "You must be freezing after all that crying" She said. "I know I am." Spencer nodded. "I'm going to go clean all that up. We don't need anyone walking in to see that. Should I just toss them in your garbage or…" Aria asked.
"You can throw them in that garbage, but can you get rid of that bag for me?" Spencer asked in a very tiny voice.
"Sure." Aria said. She threw out the tests. She tied up the bag and brought it outside to throw in the pail. She thought to herself, People usually take pictures when they get results like that. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. She returned to Spencer's room and got into the bed. Spencer stared at her.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Spencer asked.
"We have homework to finish, and you need to rest. I'm going to finish up the homework for the classes we have together and photocopy it so you can copy it down. You're going to sleep, and skip school tomorrow. If you want, I'll skip with you. I don't know what else we're supposed to do right now beyond that. I need to think." Aria said. She was worn out from having such a long day. She was almost ready to just let herself fall asleep next to Spencer.
Spencer would normally object to Aria's plan of cheating on homework and skipping school, but at this point, she didn't care. Aria was right. She needed to rest and take this all in. It was going to be tough, but she was a Hastings. She could, and had to get through it. She closed her sore eyes, and fell asleep almost instantly.
Aria debated what she would do. Obviously, Spencer couldn't do anything right now. Should she tell Hanna and Emily to come over? Should she make an appointment for Spencer? Spencer needed to make these decisions. Aria was at a loss. She couldn't do anything. She started her English homework first, and then completed her Trig and Physics homework. She photocopied them all, and paper clipped them before leaving them on Spencer's desk. What now? She really needed to head home. It was nearing 6:00 and if she wasn't home for dinner, her mother would not be happy. But on the other hand, she couldn't leave Spencer alone.
Aria decided that it was best to wake Spencer and discuss options. She walked over to the bed and leaned over next to Spencer, who was sleeping peacefully. She pushed the hair off of Spencer's face and gently nudged her arm. "Spencer" She whispered. She shook her back and forth a bit and called a little louder. "Spence. I just need to talk to you for a minute." Spencer started to move as she awoke from her slumber. Her eyes opened slowly. They were back to their normal bright white.
"Yes" She said.
"My mom will strangle me if I'm not home for dinner. But I'm not going to leave you here. Would you like to eat with us?" Aria asked.
"Aria, I'm not decent. I can't go there looking like this." Spencer said.
"I'll fix you up really quick." Aria said. She grabbed a hairbrush and pulled it through Spencer's wavy hair until it was all silky smooth. She used a damp paper towel to wipe away all the makeup that had previously run down Spencer's face. She applied new mascara, waterproof, this time, and decided that Spencer was back to her usual appearance.
"Okay! You're good!" Aria exclaimed.
"Are you sure your parents will be okay with this? You told them I was sick. I'm sure they don't want a sick person in their house." Spencer said. "I can stay here, it's fine."
"No. You're coming." Aria said. "Let's go." The girls got into Aria's car and took a short trip to the Montgomery house.
"We're home!" Aria shouted.
Ella was confused until she turned around. "Hi Spencer! It's so nice to see you. How are you feeling?"
"Better, thank you for asking!" Spencer said. She tried to act as if she was perky, when all she wanted to do was burst into tears.
"We're having stir-fry for dinner. Are you joining us?" Ella asked.
"If its okay with you, I'd love to." Spencer said.
"I wasn't about to leave her home alone while she's still getting better." Aria said.
"You're always welcome, Spencer. You know that. It's a pleasure having you here." Ella said.
Spencer smiled for the first time that day. She helped Aria set the table for their dinner. Aria looked at Spencer and mouthed "Are you okay?" And Spencer nodded.
Good. Aria thought. As long as we can get through this dinner.
As they sat down, Byron and Mike joined the three women at the table. They talked about their day at school, and Spencer and Aria tried to make it seem like they actually paid attention and learned something that day, when in fact, they spent all day thinking to themselves.
They got through dinner, and cleaned up their plates. Spencer approached Mrs. Montgomery so that Aria wouldn't have to. "Umm, do you think Aria could stay with me another night? I really hate being alone in my house…"
Ella answered. "Why don't you girls just stay here so you don't have to make another trip?"
Aria butted in. "I think that Spencer would be more comfortable in her own bed… She's still not fully recovered. We'll be fine, mom."
"Okay. Just be safe, girls." Ella said.
"Thank you so much for letting Aria help me out, and for dinner. It was delicious." Spencer said.
"It's no problem. I'm sure that you'd do the same for her, Spencer."
"Bye, mom." Aria said. She was in a rush to get out the door and leave.
"Bye girls." Ella answered and she ascended the stairs.
The door shut behind the girls and Spencer breathed a sigh of relief. So did Aria.
They rode back to Spencer's, once again, in silence. Every breath was quiet and their mouths remained closed.
As soon as Aria grabbed the handle of the door to Spencer's room, Spencer grabbed her wrist as if she wanted to tell her something. Aria looked up, but then, Spencer let go and said, "Nevermind…"
The door swung open, and they stepped inside. Aria said, "I'm going to use the bathroom." And went.
Spencer stepped up to her full length mirror and sighed. When Aria stepped out of the bathroom, she found Spencer standing sideways in front of the mirror with her shirt pulled up, looking at her ruler- flat belly. She fingered her lower abdomen, below her bellybutton, looking and feeling for a bump.
"There's nothing there, Spencer. It's too early to see anything." Aria said.
"But there is, Aria. Look." Spencer said, as she motioned Aria to come near. She pulled her skirt down below her hips and looked down. "Don't you see? Right there!" She said.
"I don't see anything, Spence." Aria said.
"Here, step into the light." Spencer too Aria's hand and ran it down her belly, hoping Aria would recognize what she had seen and felt. A little tiny curve on her pin-straight body.
Aria felt it. It was miniscule, but it was there. The slightest imperfection on Spencer's perfectly flat belly. She looked up at Spencer and said, reassuringly, "You're sure that wasn't there before? It's the slightest little curve. Maybe you haven't noticed it."
Spencer always paid attention to the shape of her overly slim body. That bump was new. "No." She said to Aria. "I'm sure that this wasn't here a few days ago."
"Maybe you're a little farther along. No big deal." Aria said.
"No big deal? This is a baby, Aria! There's a little tiny human inside of me! Right there!" Spencer pointed at her tiny bump.
"I know Spencer. I know. I just don't know what to do." Aria said.
Spencer added, reluctantly, "Aria, call Hanna and Em. We need fresh brains to think this over with us."
"Are you sure?" Aria asked.
"Yes, I'm sure." Spencer said. "We need to figure this out."
Like? Let me know! Haha! Chapter 11 will be up within 4-5 days, I can't wait! Can you guys? 3