deserves some rights
"What?"
Carn scrunches her nose in concern.
Beverly's hand reaches for hers, rubbing her thumb on the back of Carn's hand.
"Listen, hon. When you took health freshman year, did your teacher talk about sex?"
"No- Catholic school, remember?"
"Right."
"Why? Do you think I have aids?" Carn had heard Richie making jokes about it to Stan and Eddie, and she understands that you get it by having sex.
"No, hon. Migraines and missed periods are pregnancy symptoms."
There's a ten second silence that felt more like ten hours.
"I'm pregnant?" her voice is infinitesimal.
"Maybe."
"But- I cant be pregnant. We've only done it twice."
"It only takes one time."
More silence. And then....
"OhmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmyGOSH," Carnation gasps for air.
"Hey, hey. Calm down. We don't know anything just yet. We can't make assumptions, right?"
She nods quickly. "You're- you're right."
"Deep breaths, okay?"
Again, she bobs her head up and down, following Bev's deep breathing.
"How about this- I go pick up Clara from work and we buy you a pregnancy test," Beverly offers, smoothing Carn's hair.
"That- that sounds good."
"Alright. I'll see you in about a half hour. It's probably just a false alarm."
"What are you going to tell my mom when you show up with a drug store bag?"
"That we bought you some candy."
****************************
True to her word, Beverly comes back with Clara (who told her boss that she had a family emergency), two of the most accurate pregnancy tests in the pharmacy, and, of course, Sour Patch Kids- Carn's favorite.
"You doing okay, Carn?" Clara hugs her.
"I hope so."
"Don't worry. Richie and I have done it loads of times, and I've never gotten pregnant. Are you on the pill?"
Carn shakes her head. "Against the Church."
"I'm pretty sure premarital relations is also against the Church," Clara points out.
"That's.... different."
Beverly and Clara share a look, but don't argue.
"Here you go," Bev hands her the tests. "I'd recommend taking them back to back and checking them at once."
Carn thanks the both of them and goes to the bathroom. After she's finished with the first one, she chugs down some water and uses the second. Then she wraps them both up in toilet paper and walks back into her room, sitting on her lacy comforter with her best girlfriends on either side.
While waiting for the timer to beep, the three girls were so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
It beeps. Carn jumps, startled. Bev resets the timer for the second one. You'd think the room is deserted, it's so soundless.
Beep.
Collectively, they draw a deep breath.
"Guys... I- I can't."
"Do you want us to check?" Clara asks softly.
"Please."
Her best friends nod, each unwrapping one.
Hail, holy queen
Still air.
Mother of mercy
Bev turns hers over first, squinting at the line or lines.
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope
Carn recites the Hail, Holy Queen like never before.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve
Clara is turning her's over now.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
If Carn really is pregnant, it will be the end of everything. There's no way she can go to college.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, with thine eyes of mercy turned toward us
And it would affect Bill too, and his future.
And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus
But pregnancy is just a possibility. Who knows if she actually is?
Oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary
Beverly and Clara share an anxious look.
Pray for us, oh holy Mother of God
This is it. The results.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
"Positive."
YOU ARE READING
Yellow Dress//Bill Denbrough
Fanfiction"Shut up and love me." As if Bill hasn't already had to grow up too fast, Carnation has some news that will forever alter their lives and test their relationship. Sequel to Catholic Girl//Bill Denbrough
