IS THIS LOVE?

RUN

ADELE

Laura and Jed left a couple of hours ago meaning me and Rich have spent the day in once again. We don't go out much but I think that I prefer it that way. It means that we have more time to really be with each other instead of hiding from paparazzi.

"I love spending time with you like this. Just being at home, having a quiet night. It's sweet." Rich speaks. My heart warms, overflowing with love.

"I love you." I press a soft kiss against his lips, my heart heating with a sensation I can't describe. He returns the favour, kissing me back with just as much intensity but never rushing. It's slow and delicate.

And then suddenly, my stomach churns, an uncomfortable ripple surging through my guts. The discomfort rises before I sprint to the toilet.

I drop to my knees, my head falling over the toilet as floods of spew pour from my mouth. The only sounds to be heard is my belching, loud and raw. Until I hear footsteps approach the bathroom.

"Don't come in. You can't see me like this." I manage to muffle in between my gags.

"I've seen you naked; I can see you throw up." He enters without warning, his hands immediately tightening on my hair. He gathers collections of loose strands, taking care with each one. The other hand rubs small circles on my back, the feeling bringing an odd sense of security to me.

"You're okay." He kisses the top of my forehead before I lean down, spewing out whatever is left. I groan at the stinging at the back of my throat. Not only is this embarrassing, it's uncomfortable. I spit a few times trying to get that horrific, acidic taste off my tongue.

"Come on let's get you some water." He says just above a whisper before reaching out two hands to pull me up. My legs feel weak and my hands are shaking. But none of that really matters because here he is, steadying and guiding me.

We find our way to the kitchen, his hands stay enclasped with mine the entire time, ensuring I don't fall. He grabs a water, making sure I take it in slow sips.

"Do you have a bug or something?" He asks. I stare at the kitchen counter for a moment longer than I should, my mind trying to replay recent moments. But nothing comes to mind.

"I don't think so. I mean, I don't know what else it could be." But then I realise that I do know. And when that moment happens, everything stops. All irrelevant thoughts disperse, leaving space for one thing and one thing only.

Could I be pregnant?

I look up to meet his gaze and his expression says everything I need to know. We've been having unprotected sex for God knows how long now. The thing is, we knew about the consequences and still didn't do anything about it.

"I thought you were on the pill?" He asks, his eyebrows furrowing. My expression matches his because there's been a very clear miscommunication here.

"I never once told you I was on the pill." My voice is sharp and clear. I don't want to argue with him but if this is how he's going to react to something as precious as this, then I'll cause an argument.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" His voice raises just a smidge, an indication of his frustration. I feel as if I'm about to tip over the edge. He can't be angry with me when he was the one who should've been wearing protection. Worse than that, he should be grateful that we have a blessing like this.

"Because you never asked. Look, take as much time as you need to calm down because I'm not going to argue with you over something as precious as this. I don't even know if I'm pregnant, I'm just assuming so. So, I'll go get a test and in the meantime you can take a couple of deep breaths." I grab my keys before zipping out of the door, leaving no room for him to argue with me.

The drive to the pharmacy was short but a part of me wanted to take a little longer just to clear my head. I don't know how things managed to get heated with him so fast. We've never argued before and I assumed it would take a while for that to happen too. Saying that, I also expected that I wouldn't get pregnant this soon either but here we are.

I make my way back home, the test sitting in the passenger seat. It's taking as much space up in the seat as it is my mind. What if I am pregnant? We haven't even told Simon or our parents about each other. It's completely ridiculous.

I open the front door slowly, my frustration easing off as I enter the house. It's like the air here holds something serene. Something that won't allow anything heavy or uncomfortable.

"Rich?" I call out, poking my head in the kitchen, noticing no sign of him. It's just the room and a hell of a lot of empty space.

I scrounge around the house, searching for him. But he's not here.

Of course not.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through useless contacts until I find his. I dial it a few times but still, no answer.

The one time I really let a man in, the same thing happens again and again. I don't want to jump to conclusions but I had no idea he had this in him.

I tell him I might be pregnant and the first thing he chooses to do is run?

Run?

What kind of man is that.

———-
A/N

I just need this book to be over, I won't lie.

T x