4 Sisters of the Apocalypse

18- Meg

Meg

Pregnancy makes me tired. I'm not nauseous though. Be grateful for small favors right? Instead of researching a journal or unpacking I slept. By the time I hear my roommates entering the quad it's already getting dark. I hate how short the days are in winter. It reminds me that time is fleeting. I listen as they chatter about clothes and boys.  They seem happy and carefree. Loneliness envelops me like a twisted sheet. What am I doing? These girls are my best friends in the world. I hear a soft knocking at my door.

"Meg? Are you in there? It's Malorie... I smuggled you out something to eat."

I opened the door and bear hugged Malorie then I started sobbing.

"Oh Meg..." Malorie asked, "What's wrong?"

I wanted to tell her. I needed to tell someone. I let her into my room. She handed me a turkey hero with mayo, pickles and tomatoes--just the way I like it.

Malorie noted, "You are hungry! Meg what is going on? Remember our quad is a--"

We said it together, "Judgment Free Quad."

I gulped down the last few bites of the sandwich. She handed me a juicebox from her purse. Malorie always reminded me of Mary Poppins. Perfectly perfect in every way. Could I tell her I've been deflowered? Does anyone say deflowered anymore?

Malorie began making my bed. I didn't stop her. She had a motherly nature and I needed exactly that. Once it was so smooth you could set sail I laid down and patted the bed for her to lay next to me. She grabbed my hand and we both stared at the ceiling for a bit. There was a water stain up there. We thought it looked like Bill Clinton. It gave us the creeps.

Finally I sighed, "Malorie..."

"Yes Meg?"

I thought, I'm just gonna do it--I'll rip off the bandaid and expose the wittle wound to the world. "I'm pregnant." I began to sob. I didn't plan to weep like a baby. I thought I could be stoic about the whole thing. Saying it outloud to a true friend made it more real somehow.

Malorie ran out of the room. I must have scared her off but she re-entered with a tissue cube with purple violets all over it.

Malorie handed me a few tissues and asked, "Are you sure? I thought you were a virgin. Uh... no judgment."

I sat up and blew my nose then explained, "I was... I practically still am!"

Malorie winced. "Either you are a virgin or you're not Jo. You can't be a little pregnant either."

I leapt from the bed like it was on fire. "I know! I know! But it's all so stupid, I'm so stupid."

Malorie put her arm around me which set me into another sobbing spell. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "Look Jo, I'm here for you. When you're ready--if you're ready to tell me, tell me..."

I let it out in one breath, "Right before Christmas break I slept with Rory--ONE TIME!"

Malorie's green eyes turned wide. "Rory? Your next door neighbor Rory? Your childhood best friend Rory? The dear Christian boy who wanted to wait until marriage, Rory? Sweet innocent Rory?"

"Are you trying to kill me Malorie?" I plopped backwards onto my bed, "That's the angel. He's the one who uh... you know..."

Malories scooted next to me and whispered, "Are you sure?."

"Sure I did it? Or sure I'm pregnant?"

Malorlie scratched her red curls. "Both I guess."

I put my extra large fluffy white pillow over my face and screamed. Through the pillow I muffled, "I haven't peed on the stick yet but I'm sure. I'm late. I'm never late."

Malorie sneezed three times.

"God bless you!".

"He does," Malarie replied. "After class I'll run over to CVS and buy you a test."

"What if someone sees you?"

Then I'll tell them it's for Nunya!"

"Nunya who?"

"Nunya business."

Malorie is the dorkiest, cutest Christian I know.

___