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“I took the test,” Sydney tells me.
I dropped the one I bought off at the condo on Thursday morning before leaving Pembrooke. And I hadn’t heard from her since. Part of me thought—hoped—that meant it was negative.
Sydney opens up the tote bag she’s carrying. It’s canvas, the side decorated with the logo of a famous New York theater. She pulls out a plastic baggie and tosses it on the counter.
“And then I went out and bought three more because I was hoping that one was wrong.”
“They wereallpositive?”
“Yep.” She draws out the word.
Sydney leaves both of her bags on the counter and wanders deeper into the apartment, passing the kitchen island and heading toward the living room.
The far wall is all windows, overlooking the woods behind campus that are in the shadow of the Green Mountains.
“Wow. This place is really nice,” she says, glancing over the couch and coffee table.
I pick up the plastic bag on the counter.
Sure enough, the four tests are all positive.
My best friend is pregnant. With Harrison Baker’s baby.
Even the thought sounds absurd.
And a crazy reminder of how quickly and completely life can change.
I exhale, setting the baggie back down and walking toward Sydney. She’s collapsed on the couch, head tilted back, feet up on the coffee table and eyes focused on the distant peaks.
“Do you have any alcohol?” she asks. “I couldreallyuse a drink.”
I huff a laugh. “Sydney.”
Even if she wasn’t pregnant, I wouldn’t think she was serious. She’s never been much of a drinker. Something to be said for having the choice, I guess.
Holden and I have never had a scare like this. I’ve never been late. This isn’t a situation I’ve ever come close to experiencing first-hand, but I easily can imagine how terrifying it would be. Any escape would sound pretty good to me too.
“I’m supposed to leave for London in ten days. What the fuck do I do, Cassia?”
“Wait, what? I thought you decided against that program.”
“Well, I applied anyway. Because I didn’t think I’d get in. But then I did. Andthatwas supposed to be the end of summer surprise. Not…this.”
I take a seat next to her, tucking my feet underneath my legs. “You need to go see a doctor so you can find out for sure.”
“I took four tests. They couldn’t haveallbeen wrong.”
“You never know. And you should hear what your options are. Tell Harrison. And then…” I exhale. “You’ll have some decisions to make.”
Sydney chews on her bottom lip. “Yeah. You’re right.”
“You drove all the way here by yourself?”
“I couldn’t keep sitting in that condo alone. Catherine’s gone on a work trip, so I had a car.”
“Catherine’s gone on a work trip?”
“Yeah.” Sydney sighs, oblivious to the trickle of unease running through me. “And she’s barely home, even when she isin town. For the best, I guess. It’s not like I’ve felt like talking. But there’s not much to do except freak out when I’m alone.”
