Every Little Thing

Chapter 4

I wonder what Kendall could have told me that she felt it was so important that it couldn't wait.

"What? Tell me," I demand, bracing myself for more bad news.

She looks nervous, and I don't know how to read her body language.

"Um... so first, you need to know I had no clue. Please don't hate me for what I'm about to say?" She looks away from me.

"Kendall, you're scaring me. Why are you so nervous?" I pleaded, placing my hands on her shoulders and turning her to face me.

"I don't want to upset you, Mallory." Tears fill Kendall's sad, coffee-colored eyes.

"What could you possibly say that could upset me? I'm so baffled right now." This girl is beginning to frustrate me.

Kendall takes a deep breath before blurting out, "I'm pregnant."

What?

"This couldn't wait? What the hell, Kendall?" She's right, I'm pissed as I drop my hands from her shoulders.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. You know how sporadic my periods are. I'm already starting to show, Mallory. I thought I was putting on weight, but I'm four months pregnant!" She starts to cry, and I feel like a selfish bitch.

I take her into my arms and hold her as she cries, pain filling my heart.

"Shhh. I'm sorry for how I reacted," I apologize, and without thinking— "What does Scott think?"

Kendall looks at me with tears flowing down her cheeks. "Are you sure that you're okay with talking about Scott?"

"Yes. I want to know how Scott took the news," I admit because I know how he is with and a baby right now could cause them significant issues.

"He doesn't know yet. I came right here after my doctor's appointment. He's going to hate me! You know how he is. He has our life planned out. First, save money for a house, then save money for marriage, then save money for kids," she rambles nervously.

I'm not sure which emotions to feel. Do I feel jealous of Kendall or sorry for myself that I'll never have the chance to have Ben's baby? Do I feel compassion for my best friend, whose world is about to be turned upside down? Do I feel scared for her telling Scott the news that essentially destroys his plans and possibly their relationship?

"Please, Mallory, say something, anything!" she begs me, desperation is evident across her face.

"I... I don't know what to say," is my only response because it's true.

"I'm sorry. I needed to tell you and don't know what to do." She hides her face in her hands.

My sympathy for my best friend exceeded all my other thoughts. "It will be okay, Kendall. I'm here for you no matter what," I say, holding her tighter.

She lets all of her pent-up emotions go as I continue to hold her tight, trying my best to comfort her.

"Scott is going to hate me. I know that he is," she cries.

"Come on, now. Scott loves you. He's not going to hate you. It's not like you did this on purpose. Wait! You didn't do this on purpose, right?" I inquire, wondering the same thing myself.

"No, but I'm afraid that's what he'll think. He knows I'm tired of waiting for us to have our life perfect before even setting a date to marry. Shit! He's going to think this was on purpose." she states before sobbing again.

I squeeze her. "What can I do to help?"

"Ugh," Kendall moans, "I should be caring for you, not the other way around. I'm such an awful friend."