Falling for the Ghost of You(60)

I barely hear her. "'Oh, look at me! I'm Miss Nevada, tee hee! Oh, Zane, you're so strong. Oh, I can't keep my hands to myself because you're just so—oh, there I go again, running my hand down your chest. Because I'm a tramp! That's how I got to be Miss Nevada, one blow—"

"V," Lauren interrupts me. "Just go over there."

"I can't," I say. "You know we can’t risk it. Did you just throw up in your napkin?"

She folds said napkin and places it on her plate, grimacing. "My stomach's a little queasy."

"Are you okay? You're not pregnant, are you?" I say with a little laugh. Because it’s Lauren, and there’s no way…

She doesn't say a word, carefully not meeting my eyes.

My jaw drops. "Oh, my god," I gasp.

I grab Lauren's arm and drag her into the restroom. Once inside, she pulls away and locks herself in a stall. Moments later, the sounds of violent retching fill my ears. I grab a bunch of paper towels and wet them.

Lauren finally comes out from the stall, sweaty and pale. I help her clean up, then I run out to grab her a bottled water.

When I come back, she's leaning against the counter, eyes red and watery.

“So,” I say cautiously. “Just to clarify—you are pregnant?”

She bows her head. “Yes.”

I can't believe it! Narrowing my eyes, I study her intently. She looks the same—thinner, maybe. And tired.

Lauren is pregnant. How can this be?!

"So...how many weeks?" I ask tentatively.

"Nine," she says bleakly.

"What? How? Who is the father? I'm going to kick his ass!"

She brushes her hair away from her face. "I've been sort of seeing someone. I never told you because...I don't know. It’s complicated. And no, I'm not going to tell you who he is yet. Not until I tell him about the baby. And don't try to guess who he is!"

A million questions are on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them down. "Do you—what are you going to do, do you know?"

Lauren's shoulders slump forward. "I don't know. I don't want to take care of another baby. I mean, I'm practically raising Brianna. I...just don't know."

I take a deep breath, carefully considering my words. “Well, you know there are options if you don’t want to keep it. And whatever you decide, I’ll be there to help you. With anything you need. Hey, if you decide to keep the baby, I could be Aunt Violet!”

Even though this is impractical, I could see us raising a baby together. I would be the cool fun one. We could be on a reality show! I love babies!

Lauren just gives me that look. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I guess I’ll talk to the father first. And I still have to tell my mother.”

“Okay, well, have you been to a doctor yet?”

She starts to look sick again. “No. I’m not on Mom’s plan anymore.”

Oh, yeah. I pat her arm. “Well, we can look online for some resources. I’m sure there are a lot out there for pregnant girls. I’ll look tonight when I get home.”

“Thanks.” She nods weakly. “Um…can we talk about this later? I think I need to go home and get some rest. Tell your mom I said congratulations, okay?”

“Sure. Do you want me to drive you?” I ask.

“No, that’s okay, I’m going to call my Mom. Thanks, though.”

After a quick look in the mirror to reassure herself she’s presentable, Lauren heads for the door. She opens it, then hesitates and turns back to me. “Go talk to Zane,” she says.

Then she’s gone, and I’m left staring at the door.

I am…I don’t know. Shocked. Hurt. Terrified for Lauren. I just can’t believe she’s pregnant. If there was anyone more virginal than me, I thought it was her. And all this time, behind my back, she’s been doing it!

I guess I should be mad she’s kept a whole relationship from me, but it's just so bizarre. Lauren is such a private person. She doesn’t like talking about herself, and—

Oh, wait! I bet I know who the father is!

Damon Fox, the football player. She’s been tutoring him since the start of school, and they seem to get along pretty well. And the relationship is complicated because Damon has a girlfriend. Shanna something. She’s in our Spanish class, though I’ve never really talked to her. And Lauren’s never liked her! She said once that she thought Shanna had the most chilling laugh she’s ever heard.

It’s Damon, I know it is. He’d better be there for her, or I will beat the crap out of him.

But then what? They get married and raise the baby together? I highly doubt that. He’d better at least support whatever decision she makes.-