Never Alone || Carchelle

Carla

I lie awake for what seems like forever, staring at the ceiling, trying not to worry about the way Chelle had reacted when I told her this whole thing would be over soon. Is there something she's not telling me? I wonder. I blink, trying to chase away the unwanted thoughts crashing around inside my skull and sigh. Suddenly my alarm goes off and I rub the sleep out of my eyes. Guess I fell asleep at some point then? I roll my eyes and check the time. I have a an hour before my appointment. I quietly open my bedroom door, write a note for Chelle who's presumably still asleep in her room... Or avoiding me, one of the two... And head outside to my car... 

The clinic is barren, bare and empty. The sound of my shoes bounce off the walls, reminding me how alone I am. The nurse hands me a form to fill out. And my heart feels heavy. I hand the filled out form back to the nurse and gingerly sit down on one of the many rock hard plastic chairs. I aimlessly flip through a magazine and glance up as I hear a door open. A young girl comes out, partner in hand. Even she has someone I think sadly. I hear my name being called and stand up. I'm taken into a small room and talked through the steps. What drug will do what and when. How fast it'll happen, what to expect afterwards. "Do you have support afterwards?" the nurse asks and I frown "Afterwards?" I ask and she explains the emotional toll this will take on me and my body. The hormones leaving my body, the possibility of regret. "You will need support, someone who will be there. You have that right?" she says again and I nod, my heart sinking. She hands me a small cup, a pill rattling around in it. I hesitate to grab it, the nurse looks me in my eyes, grasps my hand and says "If you're not sure about this, maybe you need to take some time" and I nod, brushing away my tears from my cheeks and stand up "I'm sorry" I murmur and she smiles at me "It's quite alright. Look after yourself love" she says gently and I smile back "Thanks" I say as I close the door and exit the building. 

The drive back to the flat is exhausting. The thoughts building in my head rattle round and round in circles. Why did I keep it? What am I gonna tell Chelle? The walk to the flat seems brief and before I know it Chelle is right in front of me. Her eyes are brimming with tears and my heart freezes... "Chelle? Are you alright?" I stammer and she shakes her head. She grabs my hand and leads me to the sofa. I sit down and watch as she closes the door and sits besides me. "I need to tell you something Carla" she says and I gulp. I need to tell you something too I think, knowing I need to tell her I'm still pregnant. But how and when? And what on earth is so important that Chelle needs to tell me now? And why is that something, making my normally super strong and never openly crying, best friend, fall apart so badly?