James

You let go of the test with two stripes almost immediately. The plastic hit the sink and everything inside you felt like it was falling through the floor. 20 years. Rented apartment, studies, part-time jobs, constant lack of time. A child was definitely not part of the plans. He returns home late at night, tired and sleepy, with a bag of groceries in his hands. He starts talking from the doorway until he notices your confused face.

• What's happened? You silently hand over the test.

— Wait... this... you're pregnant?

You chuckle nervously, already on the verge of hysteria.

• Yes. Congratulations, it seems we are idiots.

“You don’t want to?” he asks quietly.

• I don't know, James, are you kidding me? I... I don't know.

And everything changes too quickly. Now between you there is more than just dates and breakfasts together. Now there is the fear of telling your parents, sudden quarrels out of the blue and his hand on your stomach at moments.

You were sitting in the evening, drinking tea.

• Say at least something, don’t be silent, please. — I'm just trying to understand how this even happened. He nervously runs his hand through his hair and moves to the window. “You take pills, don’t you?” he says quietly.
• Wow. Great. So it's my fault now?
• I didn't say that.
• But I thought about it. He purses his lips, because he really thought about it. For a second. From fear, from shock, from how suddenly his whole life had taken a wrong turn. You feel an unpleasant chill inside.
• Super, James. Just super. You turn away before he can see the tears. A few seconds pass in complete silence. And then suddenly you hear footsteps. He comes up behind you slowly and carefully touches your shoulders. “I’m sorry,” he says hoarsely. “I was scared.” You don't answer anything.
• I don't want you to think that you're alone right now, My head is just a mess right now. You smile weakly through your tears. — It's the end of the world for me there. For a second he smiles too. Tired. Almost broken. And then he gently pulls you towards him, and for the first time all evening you stop holding on with all your might.