Bad Sister

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎

In the month that follows, my heart slowly feels more at peace, even though the week after my sister's birthday had my stomach in knots whenever I saw her.

For a week, I could not sit still without thinking about that night; about Reilly. Being alone didn't help much either. Because what do I have more than time for my thoughts to eat me alive. Nothing but guilt and regret.

I didn't talk or reply to Reilly's text after that day. I doubt he even thought about me. . . especially since he was with Maddie twenty-four seven promoting upcoming designers.

For his brand, Maddie had told me one time. I had occasionally called her when she told me. Plus, he's genuinely a kind person, she'd added.

I smiled at that, pressing my lips together as she went on and on talking. When she spoke, my heart soared for her. I was happy and proud of her.

Unlike me, she was really working towards her dreams rather than sitting on them.

I sigh, life.

While she was away, I made my mind up and told myself that she didn't have to know. Afterall, what she doesn't know won't kill her. At first I was worried that Reilly would say something about that night, but recent events had proved otherwise.

I don't know whether to think that he's afraid to lose her or, maybe he is actually in love with her as she had claimed.

"Thank you so much for this Toby,"

"It's no problem Kira," he replies cheerfully while I pull my things together.

I heave, shoving things into my purse. "There's a dry clean pick up in an hour," I tell him as I walk to the door.

"Ms Gardner," we both say in unison. He nods and smiles behind the counter.

I force a smile, trying to push away the pessimist in me. I bite on my thumb nail, holding onto the door as I survey the place. I hope I didn't forget anything else.

"I'll be fine." Toby reassures. "You just go get your pap smear."

"Check up." I correct. More or less getting test results.

His bushy eyebrows scrunch up with confusion. "What?"

But he doesn't need to know that.

"It's a check up," I tell him, "Not a pap smear."

The look he gives me makes my insecurities intensify. And I wonder if I made the right call asking my neighbor's kid to fill in for me at work while I go to the clinic.

Toby presses his lips together as awkwardness fills the atmosphere. He looks around and starts playing with the remote before surfing through the limited TV channels.

"I'll be back in half an hour." I tell him.

"Sure," he says, calmly as I leave. "Take your time Kira."

The door shuts behind me and if I wasn't hot enough, the sun puts me to shame as it feels closer and bright than it was earlier.

My drying throat and aching stomach makes me doubt if I can walk to the clinic.

Given that it's barely past lunch hour, the town is quiet and calm. Thankfully, the laundromat is on the outskirts of town, but also close to the suburbs.

With a heavy sigh, I look from left to right and I shade my eyes with the back of my hand as I walk to the closest bus stand.

A visit home sounds good right about now. When I sit at the stand I think of the egg and avocado sandwiches my mother made for us in my senior year.

Unfortunately I gag at the thought of half cooked eggs drenched in oil.

By the time a bus comes by, I feel as if everyone around me is sent to tempt me with food. More half the occupants of the bus had something edible in their hands, most of it causing bile to consistently rush up my throat.

Argh, these craving having been getting the worst out of me.

If Maddie was here, she would be laughing her ass off at my weight gain all while reprimanding me from going to see our parents.

The downside of going home was the disappointment I'd face if Maddie didn't come along. The biggest one being from dad if he finds out that his daughter didn't have what he calls 'a solid job'.

My heart thuds when the bus comes to a stop and I literally shove people out of the way as I walk with my head down.

I message Desiree as I near the clinic.

I make a silent prayer when I get into the clinic and sit down. The clinic seems busy, with workers in scrubs rushing about while people impatiently wait for assistance.

Once again, I feel that my body burn up like it did when I woke up in Reilly's bed.

I gulp, and guilt overwhelms me.

A few minutes later Desiree comes and we're on our way to her office.

"Okay. I got your test results back." She says sweetly, with a big smile on her face. "Congratulations, you are four weeks pregnant."

"What?" I laugh, smacking the chairs arm. "That's impossible." I force another laugh.

I barely digest the words before reacting. Pregnant.

Desiree frowns and crosses her arms, "Well, when was the last time you had sex?"

"Five mo-"

Oh shit.

"But that's impossible." I argue.

Perfect. Just perfect.

"Who's the father?" She asks, curiously leaning in.

I gulp and stare at her. My sister's boyfriend. Perfect.

I laugh, standing up, but deep down but heart is shattering and I'm hopeless.

Suddenly my stomach growls and when I feel that familiar rush in my throat I run into the restroom with my hand covering my mouth.

By the time I get out of the restroom, a few girls, gathered by the TV with their heads tilted up are screeching.

Curiousity gets the best of me and I'm walking to them, wiping vomit from my lips.

I fing myself, watching with them and a picture of Maddie, laughing, with Reilly is on TV.

I gulp and digest the bits and pieces.

"Oil tycoon; Michael Michaelson's son, Reilly Michaelson proposes to girlfriend, upcoming model Madilyn Pierce with a romantic gesture."

My breath hitches in my throat and for a second I forget how to breathe. This is just great.

He proposed to her.

Fuck my life.

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Well...hello you.

Its been a minute, but I'm trying to update as often as I can for you.

But anyway, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the late chapter.

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