The Arrangement

10

Lili
I was smothered by people when I woke up. "I would like to breathe!" I say. They let me step past them and I sit at the counter. "Are you sure you're ok?" Tess asks. "I'm fine. Stop smothering me." I say. Cole sets a plate in front of me. "Finally. I'm starving." I say, taking a bite out of my waffles. They all stare at me weirdly. "Are you ok Lili? You're acting.......different." Mom says. "I'm great." I smile. "Are you sure? Because you're acting like you're." she stops. "Like I'm What?" I ask, looking back at her. "Like you're pregnant." she finishes, making me laugh at her. "You're joking, right?" I ask and she shakes her head. I turn back to my waffles and finish them off. "I'm going to change." I hop off the stool and go get some clothes.

I step back out and Tess examines my clothes. "You get the Tess approval." she nods. "Thanks?" I say confused. "You have to take me where you go shopping." she grins. "I just raid Cami's clothes at her store." I say.

Mom shoves a bag in my face. "Go take this." She says, pushing me towards the bathroom. "It's going to be negative." I say. "Just go take it." she sighs. I take the test and set it upside down on the counter. I set an alarm and wait.

I hear the alarm go off and I hesitate to flip the test over. My heart was pounding as I flipped the test over. I shove it back in the box and peek my head out the door. They were all busy and I went to my room. I hid the test where they can't find it and went to the living room.

"What did it say?" Mom asks. "Negative. Like I said." I reply. "Then why are you acting like this?" she asks. "What is that supposed to mean?" I ask. "You're acting different. You hardly ever eat." she says. Dakota was still in my room and I heard him scratching at the door. "I gotta check on him." I say and open the door. He pushed past me to the front door. I take him outside.

I put him back in my room and I got a call from Jordan.

L: hello?
J: Lili. You have a meeting today, at 1:30 about your album.
L: with who?
J: the label.
L: Thank you.

I hung up and checked the time. I went back to the living room and sat in one of the chairs. "What are you thinking about?" I hear, ripping me from my thoughts. "I have a meeting at 1:30." I reply. "About what?" Chloe asks. "My album. I don't really know why." I shrug.

They finally leave and I go to the meeting. "What's this about?" I ask. "We want to know when you are going to record your next album." she says. "Oh. I haven't thought about it. I need to write songs." I sigh, "I'm sorry. I was going to take a break for a little while." "It's ok Lili. You are a very busy woman." she laughs. "Ok. Thank you." I say and head back to the house.

I park the car and open the door. I put my keys on the table next to the door and go to the kitchen. I get a water bottle from the fridge and turn to see Cole and Dylan. Dakota saunters over to me and smells me. I kneel to his level and pet him. He nudges me lightly and I stand.

I go to the bathroom and throw up. I brush my teeth and head to my room. I change into some pajamas and lay on the bed. Dakota jumps on the bed and curls up next to me.

I got up and changed into some comfy clothes. I go to the store and get groceries. I run into Tess with some of her friends. "OMG! that's Lili Reinhart!" one of them squeals. How do they not know me? They are literally friends with my sister. Tess runs and hugs me. "I just saw you yesterday. Miss me that much?" I tease. "No. Can I not hug my sister when I see her?" she asks. "I guess." I say. Her friends got pictures with me and I checked out.

Cole helped me put groceries away, and then we sat on the couch. We watch movies until I run to the bathroom. I wipe my mouth and head back to the living room. Cole came back from the kitchen and handed me a cup of tea. "Thank you." I mumble, taking a sip. We sit on the couch and I curl up next to him. He pulls me in my lap, and I drink some of the tea.

I woke up tucked into Cole's side. I checked the time and it was 2:30 in the morning. I sigh and get up. I head to the kitchen and get some water. I sit on the couch and watch some tv before going back to bed. Cole moves slightly and looks over at me. "What are you doing up so early?" he asks groggily. "I can't sleep." I reply. He turns to face me. "Why is that?" he asks. "I don't know. It's weird." I sigh. "Try to get some sleep." he says, pulling me closer to him.

I ran to the bathroom and threw up. I brush my teeth and head to the kitchen. I start breakfast and feel hands wrap around me. He kisses my cheek and rests his chin on my shoulder. Dakota nudges my leg repeatedly. "Stop." I say, but he doesn't. "Dakota. Enough." I snap. He sits by my feet and looks up at me. I plate the food and set the plates on the island. I take Dakota out.

I head back in and he runs to my room. I go to the kitchen and sit next to Cole. Dakota barked and I look back at him. He had the bag the pregnancy test was in. I turn back to my plate and finish eating. We head to the living room and Dakota say in front of us with the bag in his mouth. I run to the bathroom and throw up. I wipe my mouth and go back to the living room. "You're pregnant?" I hear.