Page 29 of Bad Girl's Club

I stared at the lines of the test. This had to be a mistake. I threw it into the pile of tests I already took. Each test either had double blue lines, said: pregnant, or was duds. I guess there wasn't much more to debate with it. With every test, I reached out to Star. I wanted our friendship to work. Without her, I had a few people to talk to, but nobody made me feel as comfortable as she did. There wasn’t any judgment. I could call Tara or Celeste, but they have been so busy with their own lives. We’ve grown so much apart since I left Josh and since we didn’t have a wedding to plan.

Star had this way about her where she would show up, her hair would flow with the room and her movements, her eyes, an ultimate door to her soul, always blue like the ocean and inviting you in. Her personality was innocent and childlike, but she always tried to make sure everyone was comfortable and safe. Motherly. Star was definitely motherly. When she showed up, she didn’t bring extra. baggage and wanted everyone happy before herself. The selfless nature of Star is going to ruin her. I needed to make this right with her.

We hadn’t talked in so long; I didn’t know what was going on. I know they hurt her. Hell, they paid me off to keep me from saying anything. And I didn’t. I took the money and I stayed at my apartment. I planned to give the money to Star, I had no reason to take their shut-up money. I wanted to extend the invitation to Star, but she was content being a hermit with Kale. I’m glad she had Kale. That was good for her, I think.

I think too much, I think.

Chloe: Hey, please come over today. I really need to talk to you.

Star: Okay.

Chloe: I’d really like to clear the air.

Star: Okay. I just stepped into the bathroom to take a shower. Give me like twenty minutes.

I took a deep breath not realizing how much I needed her to say she was coming. I wanted her to be a bit more excited, but either way, she was coming over. That was the comfort I needed. I had twenty minutes to prepare for this conversation, but I didn’t know what would come about. What I did know was a) she would be mad, b) she might throw something, c) she might cry, or d), she stormed out and I might never see her again. Was I okay with that? Ultimately, I had to break her heart all over again. I hated that so much.

I signed into the dating app I neglected for so many weeks. I had signed up after everything blew up in my face with Josh, Dimitri, and the Bad Girls' Club. I wanted to separate myself from everything and find something different. At first, it was boring. A few guys here and there wanted to hook up, but nobody was serious. Until Garrett.

Garrett was tall, handsome, and had a lot of positive qualities to him. He had short black hair, was obviously worked out and his body was chiseled by the gods at the gym. He ate healthily. He owned his own business and was going places. He was in Houston, which wasn’t too far, but far enough to drive to get away from Groveton for a good break.

Garrett: Hey beautiful. I see you haven’t been on in a few days, but thought I’d send you a message anyways. I’d love to take you out to eat, have coffee or even see a movie with you if you’re interested. Please respond and let me know. I hope you log back in soon.

I stared at the screen clueless, mindblown, and not knowing what to do. Was he serious?

Chloe: Hello. I love coffee and I love food. I’m happy to meet with you after I get to know you a bit better. Shall we play 21 questions? I’ll go first:

Chloe: What are your hopes/goals for a relationship? Long-term, casual, etc…

Chloe: What made you message me?

Chloe: What are your favorite colors?

Chloe: Sunrise/ Sunset?

Chloe: Gold/Silver?

Garrett: I think I know the perfect place to meet with you if you’re up to driving to Houston. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for you a hotel. I have no goals, whatever happens, happens. I thought you were beautiful, and your bio looked very interesting. Blue and Green. Sunset and Silver. What’s your dream date? Where would you go if money wasn’t an option? How do you like your steak? Favorite drink? What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

I didn’t have the energy to respond to the questions he sent me. Star was knocking on the door, and I needed to get the elephant out of the room and put the cat back into the bag.

“Look, I don’t have time to talk to you, nor do I want to talk to you. I need this to be quick, to the point, and over with. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Dimitri, but It’s disgusting, and I want nothing to do with it.” Star was a statue, void of all emotions. She spoke and then froze.

“Star, first, I never wanted you to find out the way you did. I tried to protect you and advise you to leave. I didn’t know it was going to be like that. I never wanted you to get hurt.” I pleaded.

“Okay, fine. What is the reason I am here?” She snapped, throwing her hands in the air.

“I’m pregnant and I missed my friend,” I whispered. I stared at my feet because I didn’t want to see her walk out or even risk seeing the emotions on her face. I was ashamed. I was ruined and tarnished. Worse than anything Josh ever did to me, I slept with my closest friend’s father.

“Great. So, I’m going to have a little sister or brother?” She wasn’t as mad, I think. She was hard to read, still void of emotions. She’d be a great poker player.

“Not sure, yet. I’m still hoping for my period, but you’re the only one on this planet I can and want to talk to.” I admitted, “I can’t talk to your father, because I’m afraid of what he might do to me or have me do.”

I heard her phone’s notification chime go off. Was she recording our conversation? I thought to myself.

“Do you need to get that?” I nodded to her purse, which I assumed had her phone in it.

“Oh, yeah. Damn emails keep coming through and I’m not understanding why they won’t leave me alone. Let me check this really quickly.” She said pulling out her phone and going to her emails.

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