The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 32

Jamie

By the time I manage to stop shaking and freaking out, the fucking pharmacy is closed and I have no other option than to drive over to the supermarket to pick up a pregnancy test. This is so much fucking worse, I could run into anyone here. I shouldn't have sat in my car crying for so long earlier. Fucking idiot, I should have just gone in and got the test. It's too late now, but I need to do this, so supermarket it is.

I run to the aisle with the condoms and pregnancy tests, and quickly grab the first one I see. I was sure to take a shopping basket, so I can shove a magazine or something on top of the test to conceal it. I grab a magazine before heading over to the checkout. I don't recognize the lady working behind this register, and it's pretty quiet. Only a couple of people to wait behind. Great. I tap my foot impatiently as I wait in line. I'm anxious, I'm nauseous, and I need to pee. I've been holding it, for obvious reasons.

"Jamie? Hi."

Fuuuuuuuuck! Who the hell is talking to me right now!?

I turn around slowly and see Zara Campbell standing behind me in line. Okay. This could be worse. I don't know her too well. Actually, I'm surprised she's even talking to me at all. This is fine. I'll say hi, and that's it. Only one person ahead of me in the queue now.

"Hi, Zara." I say, before quickly turning around.

"Are you okay? You don't look so good."

Fuck off, Zara! I don't wanna chat.

"I'm good, just feeling a little queasy. No big deal." I answer her without fully turning around to face her. I notice she's holding a four-pack of red bull though. That's all she's buying? Why am I judging her? Wish I was in here for fucking red bull.

"I didn't realise you were into fishing." She says. What the fuck?

I turn to face her, and her eyes are on the basket in my hand. I look down and see that I grabbed a Fisherman's Monthly magazine. Jesus Christ, I couldn't have picked up a Guitar magazine or something? I wasn't thinking clearly though, duh.

"Next!" The checkout lady calls. Shit. That's me. And Zara's showing an interest in the items in my basket. Fuck. And she's Shaun's sister! Double fuck!

"Uh, you go ahead. I forgot something." I say to her, hastily trying to move past her and the other people standing behind her in line.

And in my haste, I drop my basket. It happens in slow motion. I pretty much cry out in pain and anger with myself as my fucking fishing magazine slips out of the basket and falls to the floor. Closely followed by my pregnancy test.

"I got it." Zara says, casually crouching down to pick up my shit. There's no getting away from this now. I'm frozen to the spot, braced for an awkward scene.

Zara picks up the test (and the fucking magazine) and without so much as a second glance, she hands them to the cashier along with her red bulls.

"All of this?" The lady asks Zara, while frowning at me. I still can't move, and Zara just nods her head.

The lady rings up the items, Zara pays for them, and I look back at the confused line of random people who just witnessed that as Zara pulls me away by the arm. She doesn't speak until we get outside.

"Did you drive here?" She asks me, perfectly calm and even. I nod. "Where's your car?"

I point it out, and she walks over to it. She's still holding my fucking pregnancy test. This is a complete disaster. I'm routed to the spot as Zara stands at the driver door of my car.

"Keys." She commands, and for whatever reason, I hand over my car keys. She unlocks the car and gets in, behind the wheel, without another word. I get in to the passenger seat.