The Swap // Denis Stoff

16

'Let's go to she shop. We need to find out.' Kellin says, standing up and grabbing his hoodie.

'We need to find out?' I say sarcastically, staying put and crossing my arms. 'This is none of your business!'

'Well it kind of is now that you were the one who mentioned it!' He doesn't sit back down, but waits for me by the bus door. 'Come on.' He says, crossing his own arms and staring at me. 'Also, I'm probably the best one to be here for you when you find out. I have a kid of my own and I'm married.'

'True...' I say quietly. Kellin is great with his kids and is so sweet to his wife. I stand up slowly and grab my own hoodie, kicking my shoes on. We both put our hoods up as we make our way to a supermarket so do the deed. 'Kellin I'm so nervous.' I breathe. Just as he goes to say something my phone starts ringing loudly. I look at it; it's Denis.

'Hello?' I answer.

'Hello sweetheart.' He says cheerily. 'How's your night so far?' He doesn't sound drunk and it's pretty quiet in the background.

'It's good!' I lie. 'Kellin and I are just out getting a couple of things from the supermarket. 'Where are you?'

'Just outside having a smoke. This thing is almost done. How does me coming to get you around half past 11 sound?'

'Sounds good. Glad you're having a good night.'

We say our goodbyes and I hang up as we reach the shop. 'Oh well.' I mutter. 'Here goes nothing.'

We get back to the bus and Kellin sits down patiently. I stand and stare at the box, not quite believing that I'm about to do this. Kellin senses my anxiety and stands, walking over to me. 'You will be fine either way honey. Just go with it and see.'

I bought two tests just to be sure. I take them both into the bathroom and sit down, ripping one of the tests out of the box. I don't even read the instructions and I force myself to pee on it. I don't even hesitate and I grab the other test, peeing on that one also. Might as well do them both at the same time; the waiting for the results is so fucking painful and I don't want to do it twice. I hear Kellin clearing his throat outside the door and it makes me even more nervous. I place the tests on the cistern and walk out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.

'Where are they?'

'In there. I don't really fancy sitting on the toilet waiting for them to come through. I don't even want to look at them in the first place.' I shrug my shoulders and sit down on the couch. Kellin lingers by the bathroom, glancing at his phone every now and again, I presume to check how much time has passed. After a couple of minutes of awkward standing about he goes inside and grabs them both.

'So?' I say, looking up. I pretend to not care but deep inside I am freaking out. I feel my heart beating ten times faster than it should as I try to read the expression on his face. So far I can't make it out. He looks up to me, confused, and comes to sit by my side. I glance over at the tests and he looks to me as I check them.

'Wow.'

'Yeah.'

One positive; one negative.

'Do you know which one you did second?' He asks.

'No! Oh well, doesn't matter. The positive one must be faulty or something.' I laugh nervously, trying to convince myself.'

'Maybe we should go and get another...'

'Nah!' I stand up, slapping my knees. 'Don't be daft, it's fine. I'm not pregnant. There's no way.' I stand up and take the test from him, throwing them in the trash. I throw a couple of bits of paper towel on top of them to cover them up and then sit back down, intentionally ignoring Kellin's stares.