Jersey

sixteen

*2 months later

"Red is way too classy." Ellie said over the phone, holding up a bright red shirt Grayson suggested.
Grayson from the other side of the phone sighed, "What's wrong with the blue?"
She looked at it again, "Nothing major I just- I wear blue all the time. I don't want them thinking I'm a basic girl."
"They're not going to label you as basic based off of your clothing choices. It's all in your personality, baby." He assured.
She nodded, "You're right. I'm being stupid. This is the closest thing I have to being famous."
"Ellie, everyone already knows you."
"They know me as your girlfriend, not anything else. I do want something other than the fact that I can pick up hot guys on my record."
He laughed, "You'll be great. I can't wait to see you on tv."
"Don't say tv it makes my stomach churn." She sighed, plopping onto her bed, "My stomachs been hurting a lot lately. All these nerves piling into one."
"On the bright side, once it's over the nerves will be gone. Trust me babe, when I first had an interview I almost threw up."
"Don't say throw up."
Grayson laughed, "Get ready babe. I'll be rooting for you over here."
She smiled, "I love you."
"I love you too."
Ellie then got ready for her interview she was doing talking about her new book that already sold out in various stores. She was excited for the opportunity, but couldn't help but be nervous- hence the last week of feeling unlike herself.
Driving to the interview was a struggle. She had a constant need to pull over and throw up. She remembered before a presentation in class she had the same feeling. Only this time, it was worse.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out her car and down a long hallway which only made her more uneasy.
"Hey." She was greeted, "I'm Maxine, your interviewer."
"Hi." Ellie smiled, "Really happy to be here today."
"Let's talk a little before the interview starts." She suggested, leading Ellie to her chair.
Once Ellie sat down, she winced, almost tasting puke but none of it being in her mouth.
"So you shouldn't be nervous. It'll be smooth sailing, just tell us a little about yourself and your book and we'll be good. Piece of cake."
For some reason, the use of cake triggered her. She stood up quickly going to the nearest trash can which was on set, and threw up.
Maxine gasped, "Oh my god, Ellie are you okay?"
As she continued to throw up, she felt her eyes water, "No, I'm fine, it's just nerves-"
She was then cut off by more puke escaping her throat.
"Baby, I don't think that's nerve throwing up. Did you eat something this morning?"
"I had an apple." She answered, wiping her mouth, "It wouldn't make me throw up, I eat apples all the time." Feeling dizzy, she directed herself to her chair.
"Ellie, you don't look well at all. Even when you walked in you looked queasy, maybe it's a stomach virus."
"Maxine, no I know my body, I just started feeling this way when I found out about the interview. I'm nervous but- clearly the phase has passed so I'm good." She said fixing herself.
"We'll reschedule, okay? Your health is much more important than this."
"Maxine." Ellie said hesitantly, "I'm fine, I swear."
"Get that in writing from a doctor, and I'll believe you."

Ellie walked back to her car, feeling a sharp pain in her stomach. It was a large cramp that made her wince in pain, struggling to get into the drivers seat. At this point, she thought she was having a very bad period day. She stayed put for a minute, then got a call from Grayson.
"Hey baby, ready to go on? My tv is all ready." He encouraged.
"The interview is cancelled." She groaned.
He raised an eyebrow, then seeing her discomfort, "Are you okay, Ellie?"
"My stupid period. I threw up and these cramps are horrible. I'm scared to even start driving, I might pass out." She explained.
Grayson sighed, "Do you need someone to drive you home? I can call you an Uber."
"You're in Chicago, Grayson, you can't order a Uber."
He nodded, understanding how stupid he sounded, "Then you do it, okay. I don't want you driving if you feel that horribly."
"I don't live that far, I can probably make it." She said now starting up the car, "I'll call you when I get home."
"Okay, be careful." He said, then ending the call. Ellie took a deep breath, now starting to drive. It was a successful drive home, and Ellie felt refreshed to be home to finally get in her bed. Before lying down, she went to the bathroom to change into more comfortable clothes. Then, she found herself over the toilet seat hurling, this time cramping at the same exact time. She felt miserable, gripping onto the seat as if her life depended on it. She heard her phone ring from her room but felt too weak to get it. She sat on the bathroom floor clenching her stomach. She struggled to reach under the sink for a pad until she pulled down her pants and realized, she in fact wasn't on her period.

Now, Ellie was convinced she had a very severe stomach virus. Lying in a hospital bed after being examined, she called Grayson.
Before saying anything, he realized her surroundings, "Where are you?"
"Hospital." She said sadly.
"What?" He asked, overcoming with worry, "What happened?"
"I'm not even on my period, I think it's a stomach virus." She sighed.
"How long have you been there?" He asked.
"Not long." She answered, "My stomach still really hurts though."
"Luckily, stomach viruses are curable." He said with a sigh of relief, "You said you've been feeling ill for a while?"
"Just about a week. I didn't think it was serious." She said, "When I was hurling over the toilet seat I knew something had to be wrong. What if I have to get my stomach pumped?"
"Yeah, I don't think that'll happen babe. They'll probably give you some medication to ease the pain until you're all better."
"Fingers crossed." She said, interrupted by the opening of the door.
"Hey, Ellie. How are you feeling?" Her doctor, Sam, asked.
"Better but not great." She answered.
"Well, we have your results. If you'd like to keep it private I'd suggest you end the call." He informed.
She shook her head, "Oh it's just my boyfriend."
"Alright well then, I guess this is news for the both of you."
"Um, okay." Ellie asked sitting up.
The doctor then walked over to her, handing her a picture of the inside of her stomach.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Let me see." Grayson said from the other line.
Ellie held it up to the camera, and Grayson squinted, "I don't get it."
"It's an ultra sound." He cleared up, stopping both Grayson and Ellie's heart, "No stomach virus, just pregnant."
Ellie's face was stuck in shock. So was Grayson's.
"Babe." Ellie said, trying to bring him to, "You heard that?"
"Y-Yeah." He said, now looking at her, "Y-you're pregnant?"
"I'm pregnant." She repeated.
"Oh shit."

After hearing more details about her pregnancy, she learned that her throwing up and constant cramps were because of the lack of medication she was on due to her finding out of her pregnancy so far out. She was almost two months. Grayson and Ellie only told few people. Ethan, Grayson's brother, and their parents. Grayson planned to do a gender reveal soon which would be his way of telling the world Ellie was pregnant. Although Grayson wanted to come home, there was no need. Ellie was still in her early stages so she wasn't experiencing much of anything. However, Grayson and Ellie talked more than usual every night- mostly because now Grayson was talking to the baby.

"Hey, my mom and Ethan are coming over later." He informed.
She groaned, "What? Why?"
"You're almost four months pregnant now which I heard is when the mood swings and kicks come in. Until I can be there, I want someone there since your parents are in Georgia."
She lightly smiled, "That's sweet but I don't need your mom and brother tending to my every need."
"They're also coming to see you. They haven't in a while."
She sighed, "Okay fine. When do you think you'll be able to come home?"
"Soon." He answered, "I have a four day break in between tour in a few weeks. I'll be down there to see you."
"I miss you." She said sadly.
"I miss you too baby." He said with a fake pouty face, "I can't wait to be with you again."
She smiled.
"Wanna talk to him and or her?"
"How would I do that?" He asked, "And why would I do that?"
Ellie huffed, "So he or she can know what their fathers voice sounds like, idiot."
He rolled his eyes, "Okay babe, I'll call him and or her later. Cyrus wants me to run through these songs really quick."
"Okay, love you." Ellie smiled.
Grayson smirked, "Love you too."