“You sure?” Sage asks while glaring at Finley.
“I’m sure. Night all.”
I wordlessly walk into the house, up the stairs, into my room, and into my bathroom. I go through my nightly routine before collapsing into bed.
Tomorrow will be the start of something new,I think before I fall into a deep sleep.I’m not going to be such a bitch. I’m going to be the old me.
???
The next day, the group all decided to go out exploring, but I stayed behind. I hadn’t felt well this morning, and after eating lunch I felt worse. After throwing up twice, I decided to lie in bed all day.
“Out of bed, lazybones. It’s dinnertime.” Sage plops on the end of my bed.
“Come on, Sage. Leave me alone. Don’t you have a boyfriend to suck the face off of?”
“Seriously?” Sage demands, “Are you going to keep up this bitchy attitude this entire trip? If so, then you should stay in here.”
I scowl at her. “Wow, Sage. Way to be supportive.”
She rolls her eyes. “You have been nothing but a bitch since you and Sterling broke up. I understand it has been tough, but that’s no reason to take it out on the rest of us. We’re here for you, but I’m tired of you using us as your punching bags.”
“You’re right.” I sit up and sigh. “You deserve better. Sorry. I think I might be sick though. I threw up twice today.”
Her anger melts to concern in a moment. I feel guilty that she let me off the hook that easily. She reaches over and feels my head.
“You don’t feel warm. Did you eat something bad?”
I shake my head before lying back down. She presses her lips together in thought.
“Normally, I would ask if you’re pregnant, but you haven’t been sleeping with anyone, right?” At my glare, she continues. “So that’s a no since I had my period last week, you had yours two weeks ago. It’s probably food related, or maybe you’re coming down with a cold?”
She continues prattling off her theories as my mind sticks on one.
Pregnant?
She’s right. I was supposed to have my period two weeks ago, but I didn’t. I didn’t realize it because my mind has been preoccupied, but that means I could be pregnant.
We used condoms.
We almost always used condoms.
Except that once.
“You’re right, Sage. It’s probably a cold. Can you tell Mom I ran out for some medicine and soup? I’ll be back in a little bit.”
As I climb out of bed and put on real clothes, Sage doesn’t leave.
“I can take you.”
I turn back to her.
Shit. I can’t have her go with me.
“Thank you for offering. I love you, but I think I need a drive to get my attitude in check. I promise, tomorrow I’ll be better.”
I hug her tightly, and she hugs me back, less reluctantly than before. It makes me smile that she has warmed up so much to me.
“Fine, but only this once.”