Torn

Chapter 7: Positive

"Um, uh, uh, um. You see the thing is that-- um, uh. I can explain."

"Jacqueline," he walked over to the bed and stood next to her. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yes. It's probably just a false positive though. That happens all the time."

"Really? J, if you are, then what are you going to do? You have prom coming up and graduation."

"Yes, but then we can do this together. Right?"

Jacqueline got out of bed and took Thomas' hands in hers. But Thomas just looked at the ground and shook his head. He let go of her grip and spoke.

"No. You are going to take three more tests before I can figure out what I am going to do."

Tears stung Jacqueline's eyes when she heard what she had hoped was a dream. Thomas went and bought her 3 more tests. When he got back upstairs, Jacqueline was throwing up for the 10th time that day. He sat on the bed and waited for her to finish. After she finished, he handed her all 3 and just looked at her, as if saying you know what you need to do. Go now.

Jacqueline had used all 3 tests and they all came out positive. She showed Thomas what the tests came out as before she threw them out.

"Oh, shit Jacqueline."

"What are we going to do now, Tommy?"

"Well, I'm gonna have to go to prom with you. I'm not going to let some other guy who I don't know dance with my girlfriend. Well, pregnant girlfriend."

"And after graduation?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. You won't be showing by the end of next week. Trust me."

"I just feel so stupid. Why didn't we use one?"

"I don't know. We have a whole box of them."

Jacqueline gasped then spoke very softly.

"What will we tell Dylan?"

"I don't really know yet..."

"We have to tell my brother something. Otherwise, he might find out on his own."

"And why would that be so bad if he does?"

"Have you not met Dylan? He will not speak to us for about a month if he finds out from someone else."

"Then we better tell him soon."

"When we're ready."

"J, I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I did this to you."

"No, you didn't. It's all my fault. Really."

Thomas looked up at Jacqueline with tear-filled eyes. "Maybe it's no one's fault. Maybe it's just destiny that brought this upon us."

"I still feel stupid. I encouraged you not to use one, and I didn't take the pill."

"Babe, come on. It was my choice not to use one. Stop blaming yourself."

Thomas pulled Jacqueline into a hug and kissed her on the top of her head as tears dripped down her face and onto his shirt.