And the whispering starts immediately.
Shock and humiliation hit me like a freight train…
And I start to feel lightheaded.
Then suddenly, everything goes black.
I wake up in bed with bad cramps.
Sunlight is shining through the window…
But all I want to do is go back to sleep…
And forget that last night ever happened.
I’m about to do just that when my phone pings with a text.
Leon
Anyway, now that the whole preggo business is out of the way, let’s hang.
I’m still staring at the message when there’s a knock on my door.
My mom pokes her head into my room…
She walks over and sits on the edge of bed.
Maura
My cramps are worse than they’ve ever been.
Maura
I miscarried in front of the whole school…
Maura
And now, everyone knows I was pregnant.
Maura
And before you say it…
Maura
I know how disappointed you are in me.
Disappointment is probably an understatement.
She hasn’t yelled at me yet…
She moves in close and cups my hands in hers.
Mom
I’m not disappointed.
Maura
I swear Leon and I were always careful…
Maura
I didn’t mean for this to happen.
Mom
I’m not upset that you got pregnant, Maura.
Mom
I’m upset that you didn’t tell me.
I blink at her, surprised.
She isn’t angry about the pregnancy?
It takes me a moment to figure out how to respond.
Maura
You were so proud of me for getting into Stanford…
Maura
Have always been so proud of how “perfect” I am…
I look up and meet her gaze.
Maura
I didn’t want to disappoint you.
Maura
I thought that’s what I would do if I told you.
Mom
You could never disappoint me.
Mom
I am so proud of the woman you’re becoming…
Mom
And I will always support you no matter what happens in life.
She leans over and pulls me into a hug.
Maura
I really wanted to tell you.
Mom
You can always tell me anything…
Mom
No matter how bad you think it is.
We hug for a few more moments…
Mom
There’s someone here to see you.
Justina pokes her head into the room…
Mom
I’ll leave you two to talk.
Justina walks over and leans against my side table.
Justina
You look a lot better than you did last night.
Maura
Don’t remind me about last night.
Maura
I’m never going to live that down.
Justina
Eh, it’s not as bad as you think.
Justina
People just think you got you period.
Justina
Yeah, no one takes Paige seriously…
Justina
Especially after she got popped selling oxys in the bathroom.
Maura
Oh my god, seriously?
Justina
Police showed up and everything.
Justina
What happened onstage is already old news.
Maura
Thanks for telling me.
I look up at her and manage a small smile.
Maura
Thank you for last night too, and…
Maura
Thank you for this.
I reach under my pillow and grab the abortion pills.
Maura
I’m honestly relieved I didn’t have to get an illegal abortion.
Justina
Well, technically you did have an abortion.
Justina
Your body had a spontaneous abortion.
Justina
That’s what a miscarriage is.
Maura
I’m glad it's all over.
Maura
But here, take these back.
I hand Justina the pills.
Maura
There will be someone else who will need them.
She smiles and puts them in her purse.
Maura
It was a huge deal.
Maura
I don’t know what I would have done without you.
Maura
Seriously, if there’s a way I can repay you…
Justina
Well, if you insist…
Justina
Me and the girls are going to see that new rom-com next Friday.
Justina
Buy me some popcorn, and we’ll call it even?
There’s another knock on the door…
In walks Simon, holding flowers.
Justina leans down and whispers to me under her breath.
Justina
That is if you’re free next Friday.
She winks then walks to the door.
Simon walks over and sits on my bed. Hands me the flowers.
Simon
How are you feeling?
Maura
A lot better, thanks.
There’s an awkward silence.
Simon
Wait, I want to say something…
Simon
And if I don’t get it out now…
We lock eyes and he grabs my hand.
Simon
I’m sorry I was such a dick about the pregnancy in the beginning.
Simon
But it wasn’t about me, and I was wrong.
He lets loose a quick breath.
Simon
I have for a long time.
Simon
I’ve been scared to tell you because we’re such good friends but…
Simon
You need to know the truth.
My heart is pounding in my chest.
Simon
I know you don’t feel the same way, and that’s okay.
Simon
But you have to know—
I squeeze his hand to stop him.
Maura
Simon, I do feel the same way.
Maura
You said you weren’t interested in dating.
He laughs under his breath.
Simon
I just didn’t know how tell you.
Simon
We were such good friends.
Simon
I didn’t want to ruin that.
I look over and see that it’s Leon again.
I grab my phone, click on the text…
Then, I grab Simon’s hand.
Maura
You haven’t ruined anything.
Maura
In fact, I think things are just beginning.
Maura
I want to buy you dinner…
Maura
To make up for losing all your bitcoin.
His answering grin is wider than I’ve ever seen it.
Simon
I don’t care about the bitcoin.
Simon
I’d do anything for you, Maura.
I bite my lip on a smile.
Maura
Because I think we should both celebrate getting into Stanford.
He grabs his satchel, and pulls out sparkling cider.
Simon
I figured we’d should cheers…
Simon
You know, to celebrate getting into our dream school.
He pours out two glasses…
I hold it up, feeling my stomach fill with butterflies.
