Late

Mallory

The gut feeling of a Molloy woman never lied.

Well I wasn't a Molloy woman. I was a Lynch one.

But I knew what nanny meant.

What my gut had been telling me was right.

I'd been more cranky.

I'd been eating more.

Mam and I have been arguing more.

And most of all..

I hadn't had my period yet this month- and it was already the 30th.

I stared at the calendar on my phone, counting the days again just to be sure. But no matter how many times I went over it, the answer didn't change.

I was late.

My stomach twisted, and I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.

This couldn't be happening.

Not to me.

Not now.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and ran a hand through my hair, pacing my room. Maybe it was stress. School had been a nightmare lately, things with Mam were tense, and I'd been spending all my time with Kian, trying to balance everything. That could mess up my cycle, right?

Right?

But deep down, I knew I was lying to myself.

I needed to know for sure.

I grabbed my jacket and my bag, barely pausing to think before heading downstairs. Mam was in the kitchen, back turned as she stood over the stove.

"Where are you going?" she asked, not even looking at me.

"Just out," I muttered, slipping on my shoes.

She sighed but didn't press. "Be back before dinner."

"Yeah," I said quickly, already halfway out the door.

The second I stepped outside, I pulled out my phone and sent a text.

Me: I need you.

Her reply came instantly.

Rena: Where are you?

Me: Heading to the shop.

Rena: I'm on my way.

I exhaled shakily, shoving my phone back into my pocket as I walked.

I wasn't ready for this.

I wasn't ready for my whole life to change.

But whether I was ready or not, the truth was coming.

I stood outside the shop, arms crossed tightly over my chest as I waited for Serena. The cold evening air did nothing to calm the storm in my head.

What if it was positive?

What the fuck was I supposed to do then?

Before I could spiral any further, Serena appeared, her blonde hair tucked into a hoodie, her eyes scanning my face the second she reached me.

"Alright, what's going on?" she asked, slightly out of breath.

I hesitated, suddenly feeling like I couldn't say it out loud. But Serena wasn't stupid-she followed my gaze to the chemist across the street, then back to me.

Her eyes widened. "Mal..."

I swallowed hard. "I'm late."

Serena didn't say anything for a second. Then she grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "Okay. Let's go find out."

She didn't ask questions, didn't make a big deal out of it. She just walked beside me as we crossed the road and stepped into the chemist.

It felt like everyone in the shop turned to look at me, even though I knew that was just my paranoia kicking in. My heart hammered as I forced my feet forward, Serena right beside me.

The pregnancy tests were on the bottom shelf, like some sick joke. I crouched down, scanning them quickly, grabbing the first one I saw. Serena reached over, grabbing another one.

"Two," she said. "In case the first one's dodgy."

I nodded, barely hearing her as we made our way to the self-checkout.

I could do this.

I had to do this.

Serena paid, not letting me argue, and we walked out of the shop in silence.

"You wanna go home?" she asked quietly.

I shook my head. "No one's home at yours, right?"

She understood immediately. "C'mon."

We walked to her house, my stomach twisting tighter with every step.

By the time we got inside and I stood in front of her bathroom mirror, the box in my hands, I felt like I was going to throw up.

Serena stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "You've got this, Mal."

I nodded. Then, taking a deep breath, I stepped inside and shut the door.

It was time to find out.