Page 131 of Even Exchange

“Allegedly,” Andi says, standing. “Let’s not freak out until you pee on a stick.”

Twenty minutes later, I stare down at the results on the counter. Stella was smart enough to suggest I pee in a cup so we can take multiple tests for accuracy.

“Can I freak out yet?” I ask, tears welling in my eyes, looking at the four very clear, verypositivepregnancy tests.

“Yeah.” They put their arms around me. “You can.”

And I break down in their arms and cry.

* * *

I awake in my soft bed with puffy eyes and a pounding headache. I wish I could say I don’t know how I got here, but it looks like joke’s on me. The pull-out method isnot, in fact, an effective birth control.

Who knew?

“Charlie?” I hear, paired with a knock.

“Yeah,” I groan, covers pulled over my head.

The door creaks open and the bed dips at my feet. I peek out from the blanket, shooting straight up when I see who’s sitting there. “Sophia?”

“Yeah,” she says as Sage, Stella, and Andi stroll in after her, all joining her on the bed.

“What are you doing here?” I ask Sophia, and she and Andi share a look. “I thought you were in Georgia.” I glare at Andi. “You told them?”

“No,” Andi says, taking my hand. “I said youneededthem.” She smiles, looking at them and back to me. “I didn’t expect they’d show up here first thing, banging on the door.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Sophia says.

“I thought you left for Georgia today?” I ask her.

“We were supposed to, but plans changed,” she says with a soft smile, squeezing my hand.

I throw an arm over my head. “So now I’m affecting everyone’s lives?”

“Char,” Sophia says, taking my arm off my head. “What’s going on?”

“I got kicked off the cheer squad,” I say, thinking of the second half of the message that pulled the rug out from under me. Not only am I pregnant, but I also lose a huge part of my identity.

“What?” Sophia squeaks. “Why?”

I drag a hand down my face as they all look at me expectantly. “Because I’m pregnant.”

Sophia’s and Sage’s mouths fall open. “No.”

“Yes,” I say.

“It’s Noah’s?” Sophia asks.

“Obviously?” I say, brows furrowed.

“So you two were just raw dogging it all summer?” Sage asks.

I roll my eyes. “It seems that way.”

“When was your last period?” she asks.

“I don’t know? It’s super irregular, so I never track it.”

---