𝖛𝖎𝖈𝖎𝖔𝖚𝖘 ↠ sweet pea [2]

|| THIRTY-FOUR ||

Lauryn hadn't left the trailer. Not even for a moment. Her skin had gone pale, as if she was allergic to any kind of sunlight.

Her usually pretty face had faded into a cheek-boney, disheveled slate, and she was getting skinnier by the day. Her hair was only brushed when she'd wash it, which was scarce compared to her usual every-other-day routine.

The pregnancy, as well as the breakup, were eating her alive with every breath. But still, no one knew about the second baby, and she was starting to pretend it was all a fantasy, even though she knew if something happened to the baby that it would be completely her fault.

The only people she had seen aside from Courtney were Katie and Fangs. They daren't bring anyone else into the trailer when she was so withdrawn, not even Rich, who was calling and texting her every day.

She replied to him when she had the energy, which was scarce, but she wouldn't admit that the only thing keeping her going was his daily good morning message, where he would always say something in an uplifting, supportive way.

Courtney had been taken in by Bumblebee for the time being, which Lauryn put up a vicious fight against, however, Fangs deemed it the best seeing his sister wither away as the days went by.

Spending most days on the couch had Lauryn's spine in a constant ache, but she didn't care. Even looking out the window made her feel ill. The curtains had to be closed all the time, she couldn't risk seeing anyone who betrayed her.

Her sunken eyes wilted as she fixated on the television every passing day, hoping to find some sort of clarity from the horrors she'd succumb to at night.

She thought it had only been a few days, but in reality, it had been over a week.

Lauryn was snapped out of her thoughts from where she slumped on the couch, the same blanket draped across her folded boney legs.

"Did you hear about the seizures most of the Vixens had at school today?" Katie questioned, licking the froth from her upper lip before placing down her mug.

"No, I didn't, what happened?" Lauryn shook her head, pulling her woollen red sleeves over her hands. She was about to pretend to listen, which she had gotten pretty good at.

"Uh," Katie began again, snapping herself back into the room. "No one knows what caused it, but it's lucky you weren't there. All of them were down except Cheryl."

She couldn't help but tune in. "Even Veronica and Toni? A-Are they all right?"

"Yes, Lauryn, they're fine. At home, asleep, probably. But the real question is, are you all right?"

Lauryn's face fell, her insecurities causing her to try and cover her body with the blanket. "I'm fine, yeah."

"Everyone's worried about you, you don't look well. Are you eating?" Katie took one of her freezing cold hands as she approached her quickly, suspecting she would back away if she knew her next move. "God almighty, your hands are freezing. Lauryn, you're sick. Is this all because of Sweet Pea?"

"I'm not sick," Lauryn denied with a chuckle. She realised she couldn't find any supporting words to spit out, but it didn't matter since Katie still wouldn't have been convinced.

"Have you spoken to Sweet Pea at all?"

"No, why would I?" Lauryn scoffed, before glimpsing Katie's concerning look at Fangs. "Is something going on?"