I squeezed my eyes shut, anticipating the second result. Exhaling, I checked the results and it remained the same.
Two red lines.
I laughed. Like genuinely laughed for almost a minute because I was fucking screwed.
Pregnant at seventeen? My parents are going to kill me. Slowly the laughter turned into heavy breaths and sweaty hands. My chest felt tight and I was sweating.
"Calm down, Dahlia," I whispered desperately to myself. "It might not be as bad as it looks."
Yes, it was. It was fucking final year. I couldn't show up for prom with a protruded stomach or slay graduation with a bloated face and oversized dress.
I was too skinny for anyone to believe I've just got a pot belly.
Fresh tears gathered in my eyes. I was crashing out and on the verge of a panic attack. There were so many scenarios playing in my head. The disappointment on my family's faces, the mocking laughter from my school mates and everyone I know.
Everything was just weighing down on me when something crossed my mind.
"What the hell am I doing? Why am I even panicking? I have William. My parents are know of our relationship. So what's one more special gift?"
I might have just been saying it to feel better but I did feel better knowing that no matter what, I was going to have at least one person by my side.
That was more than enough for me.
I hurried out of the bathroom and picked my phone from the nightstand. I dialed Williams immediately.
Then answer was instant and it made me smile. It was one of the reasons I loved him. He prioritised me over everything else.
"Babe," his husky morning voice greeted. "You know I love you, but it's freaking 6am in the morning."
I chuckled. "And why is the star quarterback still in bed by this time, huh? Shouldn't you be out there jogging or something?"
"Don't even get me started, Dal. I got home pretty late last night. The team wanted to celebrate our victory against Maryland."
"Right," I swallowed thickly. "I... I have something really important to tell you."
I heard him yawn over the other end of the line. "Okay, out with it."
I hesitated for a few seconds, my nerves acting up. "It's really big news..."
"Geez, Dahlia! Of course it'll be, for you to call me so early in the morning. Just say it already," he groaned.
"I'm pregnant," I blurted.
There was silence for almost ten seconds and then he laughed. Heartily.
"Really babe? That's the best you could do? Do you know pranking me this early in the morning is a crime?" He asked.
I wished I could say the same to my PT test.
"I'm serious, Williams. I'm pregnant," I told him.
"The fuck do you mean you're pregnant? We did it one time and you took pills after that so what the hell are you saying?" His voice turned serious in an instant and my heart skipped a beat.
"I get that you are surprised. I am surprised as well but remember I told you I was feeling funny some days ago. I checked on the internet and my symptoms were ruled as pregnancy so I took a PT test early this morning to confirm and..."
"This has to be rage bait," he cut me short. "It just has to be because ain't no way you're for real right now! Have you been sleeping around behind my back?"
The accusation was instant and caught me off guard. I was stunned for a few seconds, processing what he just said to me.
Then came the fury.
"What the hell, Williams? Why would you say something like that to me?" I fired. "We've been together for two freaking years. I betrayed my vow to keep myself until marriage because you thought the feelings were one sided. I gave you my virginity and you go ahead and say this?" My voice was laced in anger and hurt. At this point, the tears were already stinging my eyes.
I wanted to believe this was just a huge misunderstanding. An effect of the shock he was going through. He didn't really mean it, no matter how bad it stung.
"That was freaking two weeks ago. When you're screaming my name like you can't get enough, how'd I know you didn't go looking for a different experience with someone else..."
"Williams!"
"You're a cheerleader, Dahlia. A fucking lead chair. Everyone knows cheerleaders are fucking hoes. Just because I was your first, doesn't make me your last so don't come playing saint and trying to impose a pregnancy on me. Are you trying to ruin my career?"
Each word sliced through me like a blade. The ruthlessness of them sent tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Take that back, Williams," my voice cracked.
"Take what back, Dahlia?" He sighed. "You know what, I don't even think you're serious. But if you are, you had better get rid of that thing because I got an offer from the best university in the country and I'm not going let you ruin that for me. If you're cut to be a teen mom, then go girl, but leave me the fuck out of it," he spat. "And find the father to that damn thing!"
The line went dead immediately, shattering the remaining pieces of my heart.
Yet I refused to accept it. Because this is it couldn't be happening to me.
Williams was the love of my life. My first everything and the father to my baby. He couldn't just throw away everything we shared.
At least I didn't. No matter how many timess he cheated on me. I understood his needs and realized I had to compromise if I was going to keep a healthy committed relationship. That was why I let him have me on his eighteenth birthday.
And now...
I tried calling him over and over but he wasn't answering. Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"You can't do this to me, Will. You just can't."
I tossed my phone on the bed and walked into the bathroom to shower and get ready for school. We needed a face-to-face talk.
I picked out a black flannel skirt, black shirt and white sweater. I barely had the time to straighten my hair like I usually would so I pushed a band through it, let the red curls be.
Downstairs, the chef was already serving breakfast but I didn't have the appetite or time to eat. I practically ran out, without even sparing my family members a glance. I got into the car and remained silent as the Chauffeur drove.
It wasn't until I got to school that it occured to me that Williams never came early and often skipped school at will. I was the one carrying his grades.
It didn't matter whether he skipped or not, I would go over to his place if I have to.
I waited at the gate for him but there was still no sign of him.
"Dahlia, hey," I heard suddenly and turned to meet the most beautiful set of green eyes I have ever seen. He immediately looked away, fondling with his fingers nervously.
"Hello, Zac." Something about seeing his shy chubby self made me smile. I never fully understood why he was bullied by everyone and called fat Zac when he was literally so cute. "I see you're early today."
"Y-You t-too..." he stuttered, playing with his fingers nervously.
"Is someone bothering you?"
"Oh no," he shook his head quickly. "I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday and well... all the other times."
I smiled. "It's no biggy. If anyone tries to bully you, just let me know, alright? I'll rip them to shreds."
He laughed and just then the bell rang. I glanced at the parking lot. He was still not here. I guess I'll just have to check for him at practice.
"See you around, Zac," I waved and headed to class.
I zoned out for most of the lessons and couldn't stop checking my watch. Soon, it was lunch time and I immediately got off my seat, even before everyone else.
"Dahlia wait..." my friends yelled from behind but I didn't have time for them now. I was going crazy. I needed to see Williams.
At the cafeteria, I spotted his empty table and walked over to it to wait for him. Students began trooping and after what seemed like forever, his teammates showed up.
The entire cafeteria erupted with gaps and murmurs as the popular boys showed up. I didn't see Williams amongst them.
"Dahlia," Jax, the second most popular player grinned. He was always so happy to see me and always subtly flirting with me. Yes, he hated my relationship with William. "Couldn't wait to see your man, huh?" He teased as the boys settled down.
"Where is he though?" I asked.
"You're curls are mad sexy. Why do you go through the trouble of straightening them?" Austin was already messing with my hair.
"Guys, seriously, where is Williams?" I groaned and the way they exchanged glances told me they were hiding something.
"He...uhm... had something to take care of," Phil said and my eyes narrowed at him.
"Or we could just tell her he's busy fucking Zoey Huston in the locker room," Jax shrugged and the rest of the group glared at him.
My breath hitched.
"Seriously, man? What happened to bro code?" Austin shot him a glare, confirming Jax's words.
"You do this every time, outing your friend because you want his girl? That's fucked up man," Phil spat.
My head was spinning, my heart was clenching so hard and the tears, the damn tears were threatening to fall even though I have been in this situation many times.
Only that this time, there was another life involved.
"Out him? Man fucking outed himself. Just look at him walking in with Zoey, looking like they fucked," Jax huffed and I turned to the door.
He was not exaggerating.
Williams was walking in with her, my arch nemesis, Zoey Huston, hands draped around her waist. She was busy giggling and trying to fix her hair.
His eyes darted to the table, connecting with mine and the next thing he did knocked the breath out of my lungs.
Right before everyone, he kissed her.