Page 27 of Origins

What comes next? Wasn’t that self-explanatory? I’d go off and get my year of experience, possibly sign with them as a professional hero, and then my career would begin.

“Like, workwise?” I said, trying to process her question. “...Or, with us?”

Her expression softened to a look of almost soul-crushing vulnerability.

“With us.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

Her question hung heavy in the air as I gave myself a moment to mull it over. I never considered what would happen tous. Maybe that was a bit foolish on my end, but I assumed that whatever we had now could go on forever. But she was right. Sure, my first-choice placements would result in me staying here, but I wasn’t exactly a top candidate, and if my only offer came from the other side of the country, I’d have to take it.

“I don’t want to lose what we have here,” I said slowly, as if buying myself time to think. “I just–I don’t know whatwewill look like when I’m out in the field, and you’re–”

“Here?”

I nodded, causing her face to fall a little.

“Sulien, before we go any farther, I need to know if you want me in your future.”

“Callie,” I said her name like a prayer. “It doesn’t matter how the showcase goes or where I end up. Every day, for the rest of my life, I will choose you.”

That felt insane, seeing as I’d only known her for about two weeks. But I’d like to think my heart knew better than my brain, and every fiber of my being begged for me to be with her.

“No matter what?” She asked softly, holding up a pinky.

“No matter what,” I promised with a smile, wrapping my digit around hers.

And I meant it. No matter what the future brought, it would be fine as long as I was with her.

Chapter 9

Callie

Two weeks later…

The white tiles in our bathroom were cold and unforgiving against my butt as I leaned against the wall, waiting for the five-minute timer on Rori’s phone to go off.

Because of my family, I was used to moments that felt surreal or like I was a spectator watching a movie play out from my point of view. But I’d never quite had a moment like this.

I stared at the plastic white test that sat on the edge of our sink. Honestly, it felt like the damn thing was mocking me.

Since spending the night with Sulien nearly two weeks ago, most of my time had been spent at his place. It was easier for us to focus on everything that needed to get done for the showcase if we were together. But, for the last few days, a weird exhaustion had hung over me. No matter how much I slept, I’d wake up tired. I even dozed off in class yesterday. When Sulien found out, he immediately wanted me to go to the hospital.

But I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Instead, I figured if I took a day off school, I’d be able to recuperate. That was until I talked to Rori and realized my period was a week late.

“I’m not old enough to be a mom,” I said as if trying to convince the test.

I was only eighteen, and Sulien was only twenty-two. Plus, he was on the precipice of his career taking off. With the showcase being next Saturday, he didn’t have time to worry about this, not right now.

“Someone should have thought about that sooner.” Rori sang from her spot beside me.

I shot her a glare, but she wasn’t the object of my anger. I knew she was right. Having unprotected sex was risky, but in my defense, I’d assumed that because of how hot Sulien was all the time, he couldn’t get me pregnant—kind of like how you couldn’t get pregnant in a hot tub. At least, I thought you couldn’t, but apparently, I’d need to check that fact as well.

“What if he hates me?” I asked, unable to think of anything other than how I was potentially about to ruin his life.

What if the only placement Sulien was able to get was in California? That was too far to commute, and I still needed to finish school, so I couldn’t go with him. But that also begged the question—would I be able to finish school? Or would everything I’d worked for be derailed by this one mistake?

Rori moved closer before pulling my head to rest on her shoulder.

“I don’t think he’ll hate you.” She laughed. “He’s texted you about fifteen times since he dropped you off this morning.”

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