𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

①④

...

The harsh, sterile glow of the bathroom light illuminated Jazmine's pale reflection in the mirror. It was late—far too late for her to be doing this. But sleep had become impossible with her mind consumed by a single question.

Days of anxious research had narrowed it down to two grim possibilities: cancer or pregnancy.

She still hadn't decided which one scared her more. Yet, despite her dread, she had bought a test—three, to be precise.

"Please, not this," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her fear. Her chest felt tight, her breaths shallow.

Her hands trembled as she tore the box open. The plastic felt foreign and heavy in her grasp. She stared at the test for what felt like hours, unable to bring herself to check. Finally, with a deep breath, she turned it over.

Two faint lines.

"Shit," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

The room seemed to tilt around her. Her heart raced as the air felt too thick to breathe. She backed away, clutching the sink for support. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

She couldn't do this. She couldn't be a mother. The very thought sent a fresh wave of panic coursing through her. Images flooded her mind: sleepless nights, helpless cries, a tiny life entirely dependent on her.

Her hands flew to her face, and she let out a shaky sob. Tears streamed down her cheeks before she could stop them. Her entire body trembled as she leaned against the cold sink, trying to ground herself.

The sharp sound of the front door opening snapped her out of her spiral.

"Jaz? Where are you?" Sofia's voice rang out, cutting through the suffocating silence of the bathroom.

Jazmine's eyes darted to the test in her hand. Panic surged anew as she scrambled to hide it in the drawer, slamming it shut with clumsy hands. She wiped at her tear-streaked face, forcing herself to steady her voice.

"Yeah! Coming, just a second!" she called back, her voice strained but loud enough to carry.

Sofia met her in the hallway, her arms full of grocery bags. She gave Jazmine a curious look, her brows furrowing.

"You okay? What were you doing in there?"

Jazmine forced a shaky laugh, brushing past her to avoid the intensity of her friend's gaze. "Just washing my face. That's all."

Sofia tilted her head, unconvinced. "Alright... if you say so."

They walked toward the kitchen together, Sofia unloading the groceries with ease. She started pulling out various items, the crinkling of plastic bags filling the awkward silence.

"You hear what's been going on in town?" Sofia asked, her tone casual but curious. "Apparently, JJ Maybank is losing his mind. They're saying he's wanted now."

Jazmine froze, her stomach dropping. "What?"

"Yeah, he's everywhere. Causing chaos. Honestly, it sounds bad this time," Sofia continued, her tone shifting to concern.

Without thinking, Jazmine turned on her heel, heading straight for the door. Her body moved on instinct, her earlier panic forgotten.

"Wait!" Sofia grabbed her arm, her grip firm. "You can't just run out there! Do you want to end up in trouble too?"

Jazmine glared at her, trying to pull free. "He's out there alone, Sofia. I can't just sit here!"

Sofia's expression softened, but her voice remained firm. "He's not alone, okay? I'm sure your sister and her friends will find him. They always do."