2 Lines

Chapter 7 - Confessions and Promises

By Thursday morning, the anxiety was unbearable. Every glance from a classmate, every hushed conversation that I wasn't part of, felt like a clue that my secret was slipping. It was only a matter of time before the truth came crashing down around me, and I couldn't keep pretending everything was fine.

I didn't even make it to homeroom before I texted Tara.

"Can we talk? Meet me by the library before lunch."

The minute I hit send, my stomach twisted with nerves. I had to tell her. The guilt of keeping everything inside was eating me alive, and if anyone could help me through this, it was Tara. I just had to hope she wouldn't look at me differently after I told her.

The morning dragged by, and I barely paid attention in my classes. When the bell finally rang for lunch, I made a beeline for the library, my heart pounding in my chest. Tara was already there, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. She spotted me and smiled, but the concern in her eyes was unmistakable.

"Hey," she said, her voice warm but cautious. "You okay? You seemed off this morning."

I glanced around to make sure no one was listening before pulling her into a quiet corner by the library doors. My hands were shaking, and I forced myself to take a deep breath before speaking.

"I need to tell you something. And it's... it's big."

Tara's eyes widened, but she didn't interrupt. She just nodded, giving me the space to gather my thoughts.

I took another breath, my throat tightening. "I'm pregnant."

There it was. The truth, out in the open at last. I braced myself for Tara's reaction, my heart racing as the silence stretched between us.

Her eyes widened even more, and she blinked, as if trying to process what I'd just said. "Pregnant? Mia... how long have you known?"

"About a month," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I found out right before Justin's party."

Tara's mouth opened and closed a few times, clearly struggling to find the right words. She finally reached out and took my hand, her grip firm but gentle. "Mia... oh my God. I... I had no idea."

"I know," I said quickly, tears stinging my eyes. "I didn't tell anyone. Not even you. I just... I didn't know how to. I'm so scared, Tara. I don't know what to do."

For a second, I thought she might start crying, too. But then she squeezed my hand tighter, her voice steady. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you. Always."

Her words were like a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of panic. I hadn't realized just how much I needed to hear that until now.

"But," I said, swallowing hard, "you can't tell anyone. Not yet. I'm not ready for everyone to know."

Tara nodded quickly. "Of course. Your secret's safe with me, I promise." She paused, her face softening. "But Mia, you don't have to go through this by yourself. I know it's scary, but you've got people who care about you. Me, your mom..."

"I don't even know if my mom's okay with it," I muttered, wiping my eyes. "She's barely said anything since I told her."

"She's probably just in shock," Tara said, her voice full of understanding. "But she loves you. She'll come around, I know it."

I sighed, leaning back against the wall. "I hope so. But it's not just her I'm worried about. Once people at school find out... I don't know if I can handle it, Tara. The gossip, the judgment."

Tara stepped closer, placing both hands on my shoulders. "Mia, listen to me. You're strong. You've always been strong. And yeah, people might talk, but who cares? You've got me, and your mom, and we'll get through this together."

I met her eyes, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a glimmer of hope. I wasn't completely alone. Maybe I wasn't ready for the whole world to know, but having Tara on my side made it feel just a little less impossible.

"I just don't know how to move forward from here," I admitted quietly. "Everything's so... uncertain."

Tara squeezed my shoulders reassuringly. "One step at a time. You don't have to have all the answers right now. But you do have options, Mia. And whatever you decide, I'll support you. I mean it."

I nodded, grateful for her words but still feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, staring into the unknown. But at least now, I wasn't standing there alone.

"I'll figure it out," I said, more to myself than to Tara. "I just need some time."

"And you've got it," Tara replied. "As long as you need."

For the first time that week, I felt like I could breathe a little easier. It wasn't a solution, not yet, but it was something. A step. And that was all I could ask for right now.

"Thanks, Tara," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Really. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She pulled me into a hug, squeezing me tight. "You won't have to find out. I've got your back, always."

We stayed like that for a few moments, the weight of my confession hanging in the air but feeling a little lighter with Tara by my side.

As we finally pulled apart, Tara wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled. "Okay, no more crying. We're going to get through this, one step at a time."

I nodded, managing a small smile of my own. "Yeah. One step at a time."

And for the first time in weeks, it felt like maybe—just maybe—that would be enough.

4o