Page 17 of Palm South University: Season 2

Smacking my forehead, I start the walk back to the KKB house, mumbling under my breath the entire time. How idiotic can I be? This is Clinton we’re talking about. What happened between us was a mistake, an accident, a one-night thing. Did I really think he would hold my hand while I peed on a stick?

Throwing a quick wave in the direction of my sisters gathered on the couch, I quickly sprint up the stairs and back into my room, closing the door swiftly behind me. For once, I’m actually thankful that Ashlei isn’t here.

I pull the test out of my purse and make my way to our bathroom, tossing it on the counter and planting my palms to steady myself. Telling Clinton would have been a dumb move, and now that I see it more clearly, I’m thankful he was preoccupied. This is just something I need to handle on my own, even if it feels impossible. After a few deep breaths, I lift my eyes to the mirror, trying to find the courage I need.

You can do this, Erin.

Everything will be okay.

I only half-believe myself, but it’s all I need to make my next move. Grabbing the test, I rip open the package, pop off the clear plastic lid, and squat down on the toilet.

And then I pee on my hand.

A smart girl would have peed in a cup and dipped the stick in, but being that all of my intelligence is wasted in the classroom, my common sense is at exactly level zero.

Luckily, I do still manage to pee on the test strip, so I set it flat on the counter and walk away.

I try playing on my phone.

I try organizing my closet.

I try laying out my outfits for the next week.

Every time I look at my phone, no time has passed.

I open my planner.

I shut it again.

I make sure I have everything I need for my study session with Cassie.

Nothing distracts me, nothing stops my mind from racing with what the results of this test could mean, but enough time finally passes that I can check it.

Everything feels numb — my nose, my ears, my feet. The house is filled with girls, yet everything seems silent as I put one foot in front of the other, making my way toward the bathroom counter. My hand shaking, I take one last deep breath, and then I lift the stick and squeeze my eyes shut.

I open one, then the other, and the tiny screen comes into focus.

“Ready, G-Big?” Cassie pushes through my bedroom door without warning, causing me to curse and fumble the pregnancy test before quickly shoving it in my makeup bag.

“Hey baby G! Yes, all set. Just let me grab my bag.”

“Can we hit Cup O’ Joe’s on the way? I need a pick-me-up,” she says, thumbing through her phone as her bright red hair falls around her.

“Definitely.” I toss my makeup bag, test still inside, into the messenger bag with my books and notes before slinging it over my shoulder. “Let’s go.”