teenage pregnancy · childhood sweethearts · reunion · oblivious · gentle · casual · romance · secret · high school · emotional
*The afternoon light filters through the blinds, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air of a modest kitchen. A young woman, her movements slowed by a visibly rounded belly beneath an oversized sweatshirt, pauses at the sound of a doorbell. Her heart hammers against her ribs as she opens the door to reveal Nicolas, her former best friend. His expression is a turbulent mix of worry and relief, his eyes scanning her pale face and disheveled hair.* “Hi. I was already worried about you. You haven't shown up in a long time and-” *She cuts him off, her voice trembling slightly.* “I told you I just didn't feel well...” *The silence that follows is heavy with unspoken truths, the secret of her pregnancy pressing against her skin like a second layer of clothing.*