"You're what?!" Kat whisper screamed as I continued to gnaw on my bottom lip. "I'm pregnant" I repeated clearly, yet quietly so I didn't have to say it a third time. Kat gasped, replying "Pregnant!? Since when!"

"Um, I found out last week" I shrugged, feeling awkward.

"Oh my god! Who knows?" Kat started her questions, her eyes still wide.

"Aaliyah, River, and my ex-boyfriend"

"Is the ex the dad?" She asked, her facial features softening out to a look of sympathy.

I nodded, with a small shrug.

"What does he look like?" She asked, and as I was reaching for my phone, Colby was approaching with a basket of French Fries and a glass of cold water.

I took them and thanked him, drinking some water before eating a couple of fries.

"You can go back and bowl Colby. We'll be back soon. Just going to eat our fries. Thank you" Kat shooed him away and Colby glanced at me for a second before hesitantly turning around and heading back towards the group, probably sensing that he shouldn't ask questions even though I saw him give me a suspicious look.

I thought it was odd that he didn't say anything but I grabbed my phone and went into my camera roll, trying to find a photo of us together.

I finally found one, it was from Aaliyah's golden birthday. I showed her the photo and she inspected it. "How long were you guys together?"

"On and off throughout high school for a little over 4 years."

"Was he your first boyfriend?" Kat asked, still looking at the photo of my ex.

I nodded, shrugging. I didn't really want to talk about him right now. Every time I thought about how we were no longer dating, I would cry and I didn't really feel like crying in front of Kat again.

"Where did you get fries?" I heard Aaliyah laugh, clearly surprised.

"Colby" I smiled up at her, patting the floor for her to sit down next to me.

I offered her some, which she took happily. "Already getting free food out of the boys I see" She smirked over at me, sending a wink, making me blush. "Ohh! Someone's got a crush on the emo kid!" Aaliyah teased, grinning. I blushed harder, shaking my head. "He barely looks at me, guys. Yeah, he's attractive, but I don't see that going anywhere, anytime soon. Should've seen him bowling. That Tara chick had his attention more than I did."

"They're just friends. She's Jakes' girlfriend" Kat informed.

"I've met her a few times. She's an interesting person" Aaliyah shrugged, stuffing a couple more fries into her mouth.

"Interesting? Interesting how?" I asked, confused on how they all know each other.

"She's not really your type of friend. A little too bubbly"+

"Kat's bubbly, and my friend... or at least I think she's my friend" I spoke softly, glancing towards Sam's girlfriend. "Oh my god! Yeah, we're friends! Awe, we're going to be besties in no time!" She grinned, squeezing me into her side.

"Hey! Don't steal my bestie!" Aaliyah threw a couple fries at Kat, making her laugh.

"Alright, let's get back to bowling" I announced, standing up and rubbing the salt off my fingers, onto my pants. "So why did you decide to tell me? We haven't known each other for that long" Kat questioned me. I shrugged, following Aaliyah back to where Colby was. "I don't know, we sort of just clicked, I knew I could trust you. Plus, you wouldn't leave me alone!" I laughed, thinking about how persistent she was. It was cute, but frustrating.

Her question of why did you decide to tell me? Wouldn't get out of my head. She was trustworthy, I kept repeating to myself, trying my best to not overthink what I had just done.

"I can't wait to have a baby around here! Oh my god!" She squealed, smiling huge before prancing away towards Sam, having a little more pep in her step.

She wasn't going to tell him, was she?

I sure hope not.

I quickly chased after her, grabbing her bicep, making her turn around. "You cannot tell anyone!" I gave her a stern look and she nodded, telling me she understood but I still felt extremely paranoid.

"Can't tell anyone what?" Sam asked, narrowing his eyes at Kat and I, trying to figure it out.

"Telling you goes against what I just said. Don't worry about it. It's just girl stuff, you wouldn't like it anyway" I reassured him but he still gave us a look, like he wasn't buying what we were selling, so Kat chimed in "We were talking about menstrual cycles. Want to still be included?" and Sam gave us a skeptical look, but let it go.

By the time 1AM rolled around, people started clearing out and heading home, leaving about ten of us left.

"Oh Leighton!" Sam quickly walked over to me, my heart racing.

Had I done something wrong?

"Hm?"

"Corey is moving out in a couple weeks, he told us last night so his room is also available now. Let me know which room you want, so I can rent out the other one"

I was confused.

Corey was leaving?

Whose Corey?

I just nodded, telling him the room I had originally seen was fine. I didn't want to cause any more stress; I'd live fine with whatever I had.

I had noticed Colby was hanging out with some girl that seemed to know Kat and I couldn't help but wonder why he was ignoring me.

Did he not like me?

Did I annoy him?

Was I not what he wanted in a roommate?

The idea of living with someone who didn't like me sounded awful, so I could feel the nerves start to bubble in my stomach the more he seemed to act like I didn't exist.

My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a tap on my shoulder, causing me to jump quickly, turning around only to be met with Aaliyah staring at me. "Hey, are you ready to go? River is coming home with us" Aaliyah seemed concerned and I couldn't help but wonder why.

"Yeah, I need to go properly thank Colby and pay him back. Meet you near the bathrooms?" I asked, holding my hand out so she could help me stand up.

"That works, I gotta go say bye to a couple people anyway" Aaliyah reassured me before walking in the opposite direction. I put my bowling shoes up on the counter, an employee taking them to clean them when I turned around. I crouched down and pulled my sock up a bit since it was bunching weird, when I was all of a sudden falling over.

Way to go Leighton.

I just hoped no one saw that.

I looked around and thankfully no one seemed to be paying attention to me.

I pulled my long sleeve down more and my jeans up higher on my waist, god I was a mess. I just hoped I didn't look like a morning after right now. I slipped on my black vans before walking over towards Colby, hoping I didn't make a fool of myself.

The girl he was with noticed me first and stopped talking, causing Colby to turn around and notice me. "Hey! I just came to say bye, and ask how much I owed you for the French Fries? That was really nice of you to help me. Thank you" I gave him a small smile, my lips closed.

"Yeah, you're welcome. I'm glad you're feeling better and don't worry about it" He waved me off and I sighed. "I don't like feeling like I'm in debt to people. It was my problem, let me pay you back. Either you can tell me, or I can go ask myself"

"Leighton, honestly it was no problem. I'm just glad it made you feel better"

I held my finger up and walked over towards the restaurant part of the bowling alley. I glanced over the menu and noticed that the French Fries were $2.50 for a small and $3.99 for a large.

I fished out my wallet and grabbed a 5-dollar bill, walking back over towards Colby. "Thank you" I spoke sincerely, setting the bill down in front of him and turning to head to where Aaliyah and River were, not giving Colby a chance to react.

Aaliyah, River and I were silently walking out towards our car when I heard quick footsteps coming from behind us. "LEIGHTON WAIT!" Kat called out, catching up with us.

"Hm?"

"Can I have your number?" She panted, holding out her phone. I giggled, smirking.

"I thought you were dating Sam?" I teased back, giving her a taste of her own medicine.

Kat smiled and shrugged. "He can be the side hoe" She smiled and I put my number in her phone and took a contact photo for her.

"Thank you for helping me out tonight. You really didn't have to, but it was greatly appreciative. Remember, don't tell anyone" I raised an eyebrow at her, and she nodded.

"I promise! Thank you for hanging out tonight, I hope Sam and Colby pick you and if not, You can move into my place!" She grinned yet again, leaning in to give me a hug.

"I hope they do too, but that's their choice. Goodnight, Kat" I waved and climbed into the passenger seat of Aaliyah's car, River sitting in the back making me laugh.

"Pregnant people deserve the front seat" Aaliyah explained, giving me a cheesy smile.

"Damn, I didn't know pregnancy came with so much special treatment! I should've gotten knocked up sooner!" I joked and Aaliyah shook her head. "One baby at a time Leighton"

It had been a couple days since the bowling alley extravaganza and I had yet to hear if I had gotten the room or not so I spent that morning searching for more, and submitting more applications. I had also sent in some job applications, making sure to stay away from anything to do with coffee.

I was actually incredibly thankful I didn't land that job, because the smell of coffee makes me want to vomit nowadays.

Now I was currently sat on Aaliyah's couch, ugly crying since I had gotten the text that Gabe wouldn't be able to get off work in time to make it to the baby's appointment, and Aaliyah had an important meeting to attend to, which meant I was left all alone.

I thought about telling my mom, but I really didn't want this news to spread, especially so early on.

I had already heard to never announce a pregnancy too early, because the worst case scenario was dreadful in the first place, let alone to have to repeat it over and over again to so many people.

It had been another 15 minutes of crying, but now I was brushing my hair while the tears streamed down my face, when an idea clicked in my head.

Kat.

Would she want to come to my appointment though?

Would she want to?

I quickly pulled out my phone, finding her number since she had texted me the next morning after we had gone bowling.

I sent her a text before pulling out my toothbrush

I had gotten dressed, and I was reaching for some cute wedges I had gotten a couple years ago, when my phone started ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hey! I'd love to come! I'm actually with Sam and Colby right now because they're about to film something, but I can totally have them drop me off!" She spoke in a cheery tone.

Was she always this happy?

"But wouldn't you have to explain why you're being dropped off at the hospital?" I questioned, hoping she hadn't spilled the beans.

"I'll tell them I'm meeting up with you after your doctor appointment for lunch, that way they don't have to worry about getting me, and we can just hang out" She spoke in a clear tone which made my face scrunch up.

Weren't they right next to her?

"Oh. Okay, yeah that works. It's at 3:15, I'll text you the address" I informed her, deciding not to question her and just trust that she didn't blatantly tell them her plan.

After I got off the phone with Kat, I ran my hand over my stomach, trying to see if there was any sort of bump there, but yet again, there was not.

Honestly at this point maybe I just had a brain tumor and I'm not pregnant.

When was I supposed to get a bump anyway?

I had arrived at the hospital, texting Kat where to meet me, when I felt a sadness wash over me. I was having a hard time grasping that this was my first ultrasound, and the people that have known me my whole life, aren't here.

I'm going with someone I met a week ago and for some reason it just felt wrong.

This was such a special moment, and I was going to be sharing it without who didn't matter to this baby, or to my life.

Was I wasting away one of the very few special pregnancy memories I'd have?

I checked in, letting them know I was here and I felt my phone buzz, seeing Kat texted me that she was lost.

I called her, directing her where to go and the second her pink hair came into view, I hurried over to her. "Hey! Thank you for coming" I hugged her tight, slipping my phone back into my back pocket.

"Thank you for inviting me! I'm so excited to see the little thing! Do you know how far along you are?" She asked, eyeing my stomach.

I shook my head, heading back towards the waiting area.

Kat and I sat in the chairs, until my name was called.

"Let's go look at your kid!" She pulled me up and hurried over to the nurse, making me laugh.

"Kat, I'm pretty sure I'm the one with the baby unless you have something you need to tell me?" I giggled, catching up to her and the nurse.

"I am not with child, but I'm excited to see yours!" She smiled and and I rolled my eyes, following them through the hall.

"Okay, if you could step on the scale, please" The nurse pointed towards the scale, myself sighing.

No girl wants her weight taken.

"Kat don't look"

"I won't judge you" She scoffed but turned away anyway.

Kat kept me entertained while we went through the basics of getting my weight, height, and blood pressure.

The nurse has Kat step out of the room for the breast exam.

Kat came back in and I laid down on the exam table, gown covering my lower half since I had to do a vaginal ultrasound.

I flipped off my cardigan and tossed it onto the chair next to Kat and I watched her eyes scan down my arms. "Damn girl!" She laughed, noticing my tattoos.

"What?"

"You have so many!"

I nodded and laughed when Kat grabbed my arm to inspect it.

I had a full sleeve on my right arm. My shoulder down to my wrist and the top of it blended into the rose that was on my hand.

I got most of it last year, but it was finished 2 weeks before I found out I was pregnant.

My feet sat in the stirrups, and I heard Kat call my name, making me turn my head over to her, and that's when I saw her phone pointed at me.

"Hey!" I shouted, covering my face, laughing.

"What! It's a memorable experience! You're cute if you think I'm not going to film it" She smirked, walking over to me. "Say babyyyyyy!" She grinned, holding her phone out to me to take a photo with me. I humored her, letting her take a few pictures.

We heard the door open, and in walked the doctor.

She seemed to be in her late 40s, maybe early 50s. She had short blonde hair and brown eyes. A smile was prominent on her face as she introduced herself.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Hughes, but you can all me Melinda. Your test came back positive, so you are in fact pregnant. You are 8 weeks along. Your due date will be December 5th, now let's take a look at the baby" She walked over to the ultrasound.

I tried to comprehend the information she just threw at me, wondering why she seemed so rushed. I mentally sighed then closed my eyes, but that didn't last long when I felt her insert the camera inside of me.

"That feels weird" I blushed, suddenly remembering a professional was in the room.

"You're 20, right?" She asked, and I nodded.

"21 in June"

"Quite young you are" She noted, and I felt awkward.

Was she judging me?

"I had my first kid when I was 22, so I get it. Is dad in the picture? My son's wasn't" She spoke nonchalantly making my eyes widen.

"He is, he just couldn't get off work, so I brought my friend Katrina" I smiled over at her, and Dr. Hughes said a quick hello to Kat.

"Alright, if you look here, this is your little one. They have a steady heartbeat. It's 171bpm which is good"

I noticed Kat was filming when I turned to wipe my tears as I listened to the heartbeat.

"You normally can't hear the heartbeat this clearly, so I'd definitely say you got a strong little one in there! I can take a few photos if you want? The fetus just looks like a little blob right now" She laughed, showing me the ultrasound screen.

I agreed to the photos, even though it just looked like a small blob in a picture.. but hey, that was my small blob.

"Everything seems to be good; I will have your pictures printed out and hand them to you. These are some early parenthood pamphlets. This one is like, things to expect when you're expecting. Symptoms, aches and pains. Things that are normal and common, things that are a concern" She pointed out the different pages before handing them to me. "I will be back with your pictures. When you get to the front desk, let them know where you'd like your medication sent to, and then I will hopefully see you in about a month for your next ultrasound. Congratulations Ms. Fox" She gave me a smile before heading out the door.

"Oh my god that was so cute!" Kat moved her phone towards me as I continued to wipe away the tears.

It was weird to know that that little blob was my baby. That this was really happening.

"I guess it wasn't a brain tumor" I joked, sniffling a bit.

"What?" Kat chuckled, staring at me like I had 3 heads.

"Well earlier today, I tried to see if I had a bump, and I didn't, so I thought maybe I just had a brain tumor and was imagining all of this" I hid behind my hands, carefully swiping the end of my tears away.

"You're so weird!" She giggled, ending the recording. "Do you have any inkling of what it could be?"

"What? The baby?" She nodded and I shook my head.

I was honestly kind of wishing for a boy, since I heard they were easier babies and pregnancies, but I also wanted to use all the old baby clothes my mom had from when I was little, so I was a little conflicted of what I hoped my little one would be. I honestly hadn't really thought about it too hard.

A nurse came back with the ultrasound pics and then I made an appointment for a month from now, also telling them CVS would work to get my prenatal vitamins.

I texted Gabe a photo of the ultrasound pics, telling him that everything went well and that I was 8 weeks pregnant and that he or she was due December 5th.

Kat and I went to Burger King for lunch since their milkshakes sounded soooooo good.

I practically had an orgasm when I drank it, making Kat laugh. "What? It's so good!"

"Glad you like it. Maybe tell your baby to not like them though, they're pricey" She smirked, and I rolled my eyes.

"Baby has expensive taste just like their aunty Aaliyah" I rubbed my belly, still trying to wrap my head around that there was an actual human in my tummy and not just last night's burrito.