Page 107 of Theodore

Mara stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

“I’m where Ialwayswanted to be.” Mara murmured.

“Well. I’ll make some coffee, shall I?” I chuckled

41

HANNAH

Ipeered at the blue line in shock.

Beside me, Mara inhaled sharply.

“Fuck.”

I closed my eyes as I tried to remain calm.

This isn’t happening.

“Buthow? I’m on the pill.”

My voice wobbled, tears threatening to spill at any moment.

I’d felt sick for a while, and my period was late. Mara made me get a test, and we were both sitting on the bathroom floor at her house, stunned.

“It’s not one hundred percent...have you missed any? Been ill? On medication?”

I racked my brains, which was like searching through a dusty filing cabinet lately.

“I honestly take it every day without fail.”

Mara slid her arm around me as she kissed my head. “Then it’s that one percent. You need to tell Theo.” She whispered as I groaned.

“I can’t,” I murmured, as she glowered at me.

“What do you mean youcan’t?”

“He’s been through so much with the whole Lissa thing...he doesn’t want to be a teen dad. Trust me.” I sighed as I picked up the pregnancy stick, analyzing it compared to the instructions.

PREGNANT.

“Hannah,” Mara said, and I turned to gaze at her sadly. “It’snotyour choice. Tell him. You’re such an awesome couple, and he’ll be so happy—”

“It’ll hold him back, in this town, forever.” I shook my head sadly. “I don’t want that for him.”

“Tell him!” Mara demanded, her eyes flashing. “Tell himnow. You can decide together, but don’t you dare try to go through this alone.”

She was right, but I just felt trapped. I wasn’t even sureIwanted the baby- I lived with my mom and brother, for God’s sake. I was still in school—I had no job.

Hardly idyllic.

Mara handed me my phone, and I texted Theo, asking if he could come and get me from Mara’s.

Theo rang me instantly.

“Hey, baby.” Theo yawned as my tears fell at the sound of his voice. “Hannah?”

“Can you come and get me?” I croaked out but knew he was probably already in the car.