New York, New York - Mike Faist

THIRTY-THREE

*jocelyn* 2:00 am

"We're all adults here." Portia started and reached for her bag

We all agreed, drunk of our minds. Portia pulled out for pregnancy tests. Which were apparently the funniest thing ever. We all bursted out laughing and took one.

"Who's going first?"

"Well, there are 4 bathrooms here." They all turned toward me

"You have four bathrooms?" Dani asked

"Yeah. The two half baths. The one in my bedroom and the one in the guest."

"Alright, Joss you take your bedroom. Ella, take the guest and we'll take the halves."

We all ran to our respective bathrooms and took the pregnancy tests. I wasn't worried. I took birth control when I had to and we were always safe. After taking it I walked back into the living room as all the other girls did. We set a timer for 5 minutes and continued to talk. The timer went off.

"Ready?"

"Yeah, don't look until we're all here!"

We all scurried off to grab the tests expecting nothing. I kept mine face down and jumped back on the couch. We all giggled at each other once we were all back.

"Ready? 3...2...1.." Dani counted down

We all flipped over our tests. I was expecting negative. But I got the opposite. Positive. Positive? My face paled. My blood ran cold and my hands involuntary dropped the test. All the girls smiles dropped as they saw this. Portia reached for the test and read it aloud.

"Positive?" She sounded scared

I stood up and began pacing with tears begging to be released.

"Oh my god. This isn't happening."

"Joss, calm down."

"No, Portia! I'm pregnant! I'm only 20. I have a whole future. I can't have this. I'm not even married yet! Oh my god!" I slid down the wall with my face buried in my hands

I heard feet pattering against the hard wood floors and somebody pulling me into a hug. I broke down on whoever it was shoulder.

"Hello? Mike?" I heard Dani speak

A few seconds passed.

"You need to get home." She spoke urgently

A few more seconds and the phone was hung up. I pulled myself up and began to pick up the place,which was trashed.

"Joss, sit down." Ella said hesitantly

"No, it's okay. Can we just pick up a bit?" I practically whispered

"Of course." They all started helping me pick up

A few minutes later the door opened and Mike stepped in. I looked up with tear stained cheeks and his face turned confused. He took long strides toward me and pulled me into him. Tears came flowing again as the girls excused themselves and grabbed their stuff. Luckily, the apartment was already picked up and they were packed up.

"Jocelyn, honey, what happened?" I pulled away and went to the kitchen counter

He swung off his backpack and followed me. I pushed the positive pregnancy test toward him and laced my head on my arms. A few rouge tears slipped out. I heard Mike took a deep breath in and I looked up at him. His face displayed an emotion I couldn't pick out. He made eye contact with me and took a few steps toward me.

He took hold of my forearms and asked the question.

"Do you want to keep it?" He searched for hope in my eyes

With no hesitation I answered.

"No." He sighed and let go of me

He walked a little bit away and I couldn't help but feel like I disappointed him. I followed cautiously.

"Mike? Please say something." I pleaded

TW THEMES OF ABORTION

"You want an abortion?" His voice cracked

"Yes. But Mike, we can't do this! I mean, I'm only 20 and we aren't even married yet. Are we even getting married?" I started

"Of course we're getting married." He scoffed

"Okay, still! Mike, I'm not ready. I can't have this kid, I'm sorry." I apologized

"Don't be sorry. It's okay. I get it. When should we go in?"

"Tomorrow. Please, I would like to get it over and done with." I leaned my forehead into his chest

"Of course, honey. Let's go to bed, yeah?"

"Yeah."

. . .
The next day

"Ready to go?" Mike swung the car keys from his finger

I took a deep breath.

"Yeah, let's go."

. . .
At the clinic

"Jocelyn Darling?" The doctor called me

I squeezed Mikes hand one more time before following her into the room.

. . .
Later that day

Mike and I were laying in the couch. Still observing what had happened less than 24 hours ago. In the time span of like 12 hours, I found out I was pregnant, I told my fiancée, and I got an abortion. Crazy times. I told the girls about my choices and luckily they supported me.

.   .   .
one week later

I was sitting in the dressing room after the show talking with the girls when my phone started ringing. The girls quieted down and I picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hello,is this Jocelyn Darling?"

"Yes, this is she." I sent a weird look to the girls

"Wonderful! My name is Heather Friar, the casting director for SIX the musical, and we would like to you offer you the role of Katherine Howard."

"Oh! Yes! I'll take it. Thank you so much!" Then Heather hung up the phone after saying she would email me the information.

"What was that?" Ella asked

"I just got offered Katherine Howard in SIX!" They all screamed and pulled me into a group hug

I laughed and we started talking again. Luckily, Mike came to get me and I was released from them. I love those girls, but they can be a lot! Mike slung his arm around my shoulders as we walked.

"You look happy." He looked down at me

"I'm officially booked for after Grease! Rehearsals start literally the day after we close!"

"That's great! Actually, I'm also booked."

"Really! What show?"

"A new one. Dear Evan Hansen."

"We are too cool."