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Chapter 6: Secrets

Alice's words hit me like a shock, echoing through my body like an overwhelming impulse that couldn't be contained.

My best friend is pregnant.

There is so much information to process in such a short amount of time. And I wanted to question her, interrogate, have her explain to me in plain words how she let this happen. But Alice wouldn't allow it, she didn't want Liam to hear anything about it.

It was supposed to be a secret, at least until we were alone again. Another secret. Shit, I don't know if I can handle anything else to keep just to myself.

The car ride is silent and unsettling. Liam makes lighthearted jokes about us all living together, but he notices the glaring lack of enthusiasm from both of us. Poor guy, he has no idea what is going through our minds.

Finally, he accepts that we're not in the mood for his jokes and leaves us in peace, enjoyn the awkward silence that remains and the growing curiosity consuming me slowly.

I look at Alice, her head resting against the car window beside me in the backseat. She watches the buildings passing by quickly, and I imagine the whirlwind of thoughts hitting her at this moment.

I feel sorry for her because I know her well enough to know that she doesn't want to have a baby right after graduating from college.

At least it's a topic that makes me forget that John Kauer is possibly stalking me. He'll have to accept that we can't continue whatever started last night. And now, I have other concerns.

We arrive in front of the building where our apartment is located, and I insist on carrying all the boxes that Alice insisted on taking.

"You're forgetting that you can't exert yourself," I whisper in her ear, and she looks at me with narrowed eyes. "There's no discussion, come up with something to keep Liam from suspecting," I say, and continue carrying the boxes to the service elevator.

She pretends to use her phone next to the car, and it doesn't take long for Liam to question why Alice isn't helping us as he would like.

"She's dragging her feet, being lazy," he smiles and says, not really caring much.

"I think she's on her period this week, give her a break," I lie, hoping it's enough to shut him up. And as expected, he doesn't delve into the subject.

Sometimes I forget that men are afraid to talk about menstruation.

We finally finish carrying all the items up to the ninth floor, where we will be living, and Liam graciously opens the door to our apartment.

It's a mix of good feelings to see that space that will be ours after living on the college campus for so long. Sharing the bathroom with just two people is certainly better than an entire floor, as it was at university.

"I'm so excited!" I twirl around the still-empty living room, and my voice echoes.

"I'm just sad that I have to unpack all these boxes of stuff and clothes," Liam flops down on the floor, tired. "Alice, can you at least help us organize the closets? Hana told me about your... condition."

His words make Alice widen her eyes, and she looks directly at me. She grabs my wrist and quickly leads me to the room, desperate.

"Ouch, you're hurting me!" I exclaim and pull my arm out of her grip.

"What did you tell him, Hana?" She almost shouts, then lowers her voice enough, so he won't hear.

"Nothing, Alice. Jesus! I told him you're on your period, that's why you didn't make any effort," I see her face relax at the exact moment she hears my words. But it quickly transforms into a reflection of the anguish she feels internally. "Don't cry, you're not alone in this." I say.

"I'm sorry, Hana. I'm desperate. This wasn't supposed to happen, not at all," we sit on the bedroom floor, and she rests her head on my shoulder before she starts crying.

"Alice... Who's the father?" I ask, and she immediately stops crying. I see anger in her eyes, and I want to understand why.

"It doesn't matter, Hana. He doesn't want this baby," she says with a choked voice. She wipes the tears from her cheeks and tries to compose herself.

"For a moment, I thought Liam could be the father, you know. You two are always hooking up with each other," I say, and it makes her smile. I'm glad about that.

"If only. Although, can you imagine Liam being a father?" she asks, and we burst into laughter.

She crawls to the door to see if he's listening to our conversation and sees him still lying on the floor, apparently asleep from exhaustion.

"What do I do now, Hana? I'm screwed," she rests her head in her hands, hiding her face.

"I don't know, Alice. I wish I had the solution to all your problems." I won't lie. Not only that, but I wish I had the solution to mine too... If only she knew all the craziness that happened from yesterday until now. "But one thing I can confirm: you're not alone. I'll support you."

We've been together since the beginning of college. I wouldn't abandon Alice when she needs me, and I understand her keeping the identity of the baby's father a secret. If he doesn't want to take on that responsibility, it shows what kind of man he is. She deserves better.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I quickly pick it up. I see the confirmation for the job interview next week. It's only two days away, and I can't control the anxiety anymore.

I was so overwhelmed that I even forgot to tell Alice about the news.

"I have good news, at least. I got a job interview!" Alice tries to jump, but I hold her back. She still doesn't seem to realize she has a baby in her belly.

"Which company? When? Where?"

"Calm down! I'm not sure yet. They didn't give much information besides the address. They said everything will be explained in the interview."

"That's weird, Hana. Be careful, there are a lot of scams nowadays," she warns, and I feel hesitant. Could she be right? I was so excited that I didn't even ask about the details of the place.

"It will be fine, don't worry," I say, trying to calm her. And to calm myself, as now I'm even more anxious than before.

"I need to go to the bathroom, I've been nauseous all morning. How can someone so small make me feel so sick?" she says before getting up. She leaves her phone on the floor beside me and rushes off. I smile, realizing that this is really happening. It all feels too unreal.

However, Alice's phone vibrates, bringing me back to reality. I ignore it the first two times, and on the third, I consider answering so that whoever it stops bothering me and understands that she's not available.

But when I do that and look at the phone screen, the air escapes from my lungs.

It's Nathan, he's the one calling Alice repeatedly. My fucking ex-boyfriend!

This wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that they publicly hate each other.

Suddenly, I realize that it's not just me who has secrets to keep.

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