Page 116 of The Young & the Sinner

Olivia

Despite the factthat we said we’d talk the day after the party, Lizzie and I never got around to it. I still didn’t know what had gotten her so down, though she seemed to be improving in the past week.

She looked to be gaining some of her weight back slowly, though not by much, and there was a glow about her that made me think she might be okay. We hadn’t really hung out outside of school since, and on that next Friday, Lizzie came home with me after school.

I still hadn’t told Lizzie about how far my relationship with Mason had progressed; I hadn’t told her how deep I had fallen, or that I thought I might be in love him.

We got out of my car, and Lizzie looked over at something past my shoulder. “What?” I asked, turning behind to look.

There was a “For Sale” sign hanging in the front lawn of the house next door.

“I can’t believe Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are moving,” I muttered.

They talked about retiring to California where most of their grandkids were, but I didn’t think it would be so soon. I looked back at Lizzie. “Hopefully whoever moves in after them are good people. I know it would drive Max crazy if we ended up with loud neighbors.”

Lizzie smiled a little. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

I shrugged because it was out of my control.

I knew we were the only people home at this time, and I thought it would be a good time to bring up what was going on with her.

“Tea?” I asked her.

Lizzie nodded, and I could see the resigned look in her eyes. She knew what was coming.

We were silent while we waited for the water to boil. Then I passed her a mug, and Lizzie held it up against her chest. With it finally being fall, the weather had turned cold, with the promise of snow in the next couple of weeks. I was born and raised in Chicago, but I didn’t think I would ever get used to the winters here.

I leaned against the counter, facing her. I wasn’t going to force Lizzie to tell me. If she really didn’t want to talk, there was nothing I could do about it, but I really did think she wanted to tell me.

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out.

I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t even think I was breathing. That was not something I thought she would ever say.

I cleared my throat. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Pretty sure. Five pregnancy tests, and I’m late.”

“Do your parents know?”

“No. I dread telling them.”

“It’s Sam’s baby?” She nodded. I took a sip of my drink. That’s the thing about being so young, we never really thought this kind of thing could ever happen to us. When Lizzie and I talked about kids, we were talking about the distant future. And now it was happening, and we weren’t even in our twenties yet.

“What are you going to do?” I asked.

“You mean, am I going to get rid of it?” I nodded, and Lizzie placed her hand on her stomach. I didn’t even think she was aware that she was doing it. “I want to have this baby. I know it wasn’t something I planned, but that’s alright. I had enough time to process it, and I’m okay with changing my plan.”

“What plan?”

“Graduating. Becoming a playwright.” She shot me a wobbly smile. “It’s not the end of the world not to get there, right?”

“But that’s your dream.”

“Well, maybe it’s time for a different dream.”

I thought that was optimistic of Lizzie to say. At the very least, she was finding new ways to adapt to this huge change in her life.

So then, why did I feel like crying? I put my mug down and walked over to her, taking her into my arms. She hugged me back, her hold tight, and I didn’t want to let her go.

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