If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Fourteen

Sophie’s POV

“You look happier.” I comment as Max enters the kitchen the day after he came home from his brothers.

“It’s because I have all my friends around me.” He replies; a genuine smile on his face; something I had come to accept I wouldn’t see for a while.  A couple of minuets later Charly joins us, the biggest smile on her face that I have ever seen. Putting two and two together I shoot her a knowing look, and then a smile breaks out of my face too. Everyone knew she liked Max... While everyone except Max did. And if I’m right; which I’m sure I am, this is great news; for Charly and for Max, she’s just what he needs after Anne.

Anne’s POV

After rushing yet again to the loo to be sick even though I haven’t eaten anything this morning, I decide that I can’t wait another week to see whether or not I miss my period. I need to know, and I need to know now. But if I am pregnant what if the baby’s Max’s? I can’t put him through any more heartache, and it’s not like I can just pretend it’s Tom’s either ; that’s not fair on either of them, and he would know right away that I have no way of knowing who’s the kid is. After Max found out and Tom and I had moved in here, I thought all the drama in my life was over. Apparently not.

“I’m going out a bit, can I get you anything?” I ask Tom while walking into the living room and kissing him goodbye.

“I’m fine, but are you sure you’re okay? You’re still not looking great."

“Thanks for telling me I look like crap.” I say, trying to make a joke out of the situation by pretending to be hurt. But Tom replies in all seriousness.

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Yeah I know.” I sigh. “I’m fine.” I smile.

“Okay,." He repluies unconvinced. "But call me if you need me.”

“I’m fine Tom.” I shout as I leave the house; welcoming the cool air.

I walk straight to the local supermarket and grab a pregnancy test of the selves. There’s no point in hanging around after all. After paying I head to the store’s loos, not wanting to give Tom the opportunity to find the test before I’m ready to tell him.

Sitting on the loo waiting for the three minuets to be up is the longest three minuets of my life. I stare apprehensively down at the test as the seconds slowly tick by...

Negative.

Negative? How can it be negative? Knowing that deep down that something is up with me and knowing that sometimes the tests can be wrong, I hurry back into the store and buy two more tests. Ten minuets later I find myself waiting for what seems like an eternity once more. Maybe I want to be pregnant. I mean if I’m not, what’s actually wrong with me could be serious right? As I begin to panic the times passes much faster and before I know it I’m looking down at two tests which are also both negative. Feeling sick I turn around and throw up into the loo. If I’m not pregnant what’s making me feel like this?

Charly’s POV

“Come in.” I call as someone knocks on my door. I find myself hoping it’s Max, I haven’t seen him properly since our kiss last night, which was amazing. To my disappointment it’s Sophie.

“You look like you were expecting someone else.” She laughs, stepping into the room. I sigh, was it really that obvious? “Let me guess, Max?” I look up at her in shock; I don’t get how she could know.

“How do yo..?”

“Come on, I’m not stupid. You both disappear last night, and then you both appear this morning looking very happy and pleased with yourselves when Max looked the exact opposite last night.” I feel myself blush, when she put it like that it was obvious, but thankfully no one else had seen us looking that happy this morning.

“Please don’t tell anyone Sophie?” She looks back at me slightly confused.

“I thought you would want people to know?” I thought I would want people to know to. But not having talked to Max since the kiss, I’m no longer sure he was being truthfully when he told me I wasn’t just a rebound.

“But what if he’s only with me to try and get over Anne?”

“Charly, you’re a great girl, and he’s a great guy, he wouldn’t do that to you.”

“She why hasn’t he spoken to me since?”

“In all honesty you haven’t made a great deal of effort to talk to him either.” She’s right, but I don’t want to push him or come on too strong he obviously wanted space before, what if he still wants it, and I ruin all that because I’m too needy? “I think he’s giving you space because he’s not sure how you feel about him, you may have told him last night, but I’m guessing he told you how he feels too, and you’re clearly still doubting him.”

“Why do you have to be so wise?” I laugh.

“I speak from experience, and learned from it.” I smile. “And in answer to your first question, no I won’t tell anyone, but talk to Max or I will. We don’t want him running off again, and you’re his main reason to say.

Tom’s POV

Anne enters our room looking shaken up and still ill. I shouldn’t have let her go out today what was I thinking?

“Babe, please tell me what’s wrong?” I ask, pulling her onto my lap and cradling her in my arms.

“It’s just a sickness bug, I’ll be fine soon.” She replies, but it does nothing to convince me when I can tell she’s not convinced herself.

“Why won’t you tell me the truth?”

“I am telling you the truth Tom.” She snaps, before resting her head against my chest, clearly tired. But she’s only been out for the day, she shouldn’t be this tired. Even though my worry is deepening I let it drop, I’ll just have to ask again when she’s more awake. Surely it can’t be anything serious? “Sorry. Do you mind if I just go to bed early?” She asks.

“Of course not babe.” I say while lifting her up and then tucking her into bed. I kiss her once on the forehead. “Sleep well; I hope you feel better in the morning.”

“Love you Tomtom.”

“Love you Anne.”

Walking into the living room I switch on my laptop and type her symptoms into Google.

Sickness, tiredness, lack of appetite and a temperature.

Two results come up; the first pregnancy, I relax a little. That’s nothing to be worried about; she’ll be fine; except... Shit. It could be Max’s. Not wanting to think about that any longer I allow my eyes to scroll down the page, to the second option. Oh God, please no. She’s pregnant she has to be. I feel tears creep into the corners of my eyes as I blink rapidly to try and get rid of them with no such luck. I slam my laptop shut before getting up and pacing the room. She’s pregnant Tom, the worse thing you have to worry about it whether or not you’re going to be bringing up your ex best mates kid. Anne’s going to be fine. She has to be.