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Chapter 3: An Invitation to Justin's Party

The final bell rang, releasing a flood of students into the hallways, and I felt an unexpected rush of relief. The first day of school was over, but the weight of my secret lingered. As I walked toward my locker, my mind drifted back to the conversation I'd been avoiding all day—telling Tara.

I spun the lock on my locker, forcing myself to focus on the mundane act. Just as I pulled the door open, I caught sight of Justin, the most popular guy in school, striding down the hall with his usual swagger. He was the type who seemed to command the room, effortlessly drawing attention. I didn't know him well, but I admired his carefree confidence from a distance.

As he approached, he glanced my way and, to my surprise, smiled. My heart skipped a beat. "Hey, Mia!" he called out, his voice smooth and inviting.

"Hey!" I replied, trying to keep my composure.

He walked closer, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "You coming to my party on Friday? It's going to be epic—lots of people, music, and food. You should totally come!"

My heart raced, a mix of excitement and dread washing over me. Justin's parties were legendary, but the thought of being around so many people was daunting. What if someone noticed my growing belly? What if they asked me about my summer?

"I'll think about it," I managed to say, forcing a smile despite the knot in my stomach.

"Cool! Let me know. It'll be fun to hang out," he said before moving on, joining his friends who were waiting nearby. I stood there, both exhilarated and anxious. Did he really want me there, or was it just a polite invitation?

As I closed my locker, Tara appeared at my side, a grin plastered on her face. "What was that about? Did Justin just invite you to his party?"

"Uh, yeah," I replied, trying to sound casual. "He just wanted to know if I'd come."

Tara's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You have to go! This is a big deal! It could be a great way to kick off the year."

I hesitated. "Yeah, but... I don't know if I'm ready for a party right now," I said, my voice trailing off. The prospect of being surrounded by a crowd, pretending everything was fine while my life felt so unsteady, was terrifying.

"Come on, Mia! You can't hide forever. It'll be a good distraction," she urged, her enthusiasm palpable.

"Maybe..." I replied, not fully convinced. The thought of getting lost in the music and laughter was tempting, but what if someone noticed me? What if someone asked questions I wasn't ready to answer?

"Just think about it, okay?" Tara said, nudging me playfully. "Besides, you might even get to dance with Justin! Who knows?"

The idea of dancing with him sent a flutter through me, but it quickly faded as reality sank back in. "Yeah, right," I said, attempting to laugh it off.

As we walked to the parking lot, I felt the familiar weight of my secret pressing down again. Tara was chattering about outfits and plans, but my mind was racing with thoughts of the party. Should I go? Could I manage it without breaking down?

That evening, as I sat on my bed scrolling through social media, pictures from past parties filled my feed. Everyone looked so carefree, smiles wide and eyes sparkling with excitement. It made me yearn for that kind of normalcy, but it also reminded me of how different my life was now.

I tossed my phone aside and stared at the ceiling, wondering if I could really let myself have fun again. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes, imagining what it would be like to dance freely, to laugh without worry. But the reality of my situation loomed over me, whispering doubts into my mind.

Just then, a text from Tara lit up my phone: "Don't forget to let me know about the party! You'd be missing out!"

I bit my lip, staring at the screen. Maybe I could go. Maybe I could let loose, if only for a few hours. But deep down, I knew that whatever decision I made would echo beyond that night.

With a sense of determination, I typed back, "Okay, I'll think about it. I promise."

As I hit send, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe stepping out of my comfort zone was just what I needed to remind me of who I used to be. And who knows? Maybe I could find a way to embrace this new chapter, even if it terrified me.