What Happens Under The Sun

I dropped the key off to the cashier and hurried outside to get another cab. My heart was pounding and my mind racing the whole way to Tom's apartment.

What if when I looked at that little stick again it was wearing a little plus sign? What if I was pregnant? I was only nineteen for god sakes! And Tom, he didn’t exactly seem like the paternal type. But if he bailed on me and my dad found out, what would that mean for him? For his band? What if my dad found out that I was pregnant period? My dad would probably have Tom shot in the head.

I was pulled back to reality when we pulled up in front of Tom's building. I paid the driver and walked quickly inside to the elevators. I pushed the button frantically until one of the elevators dinged and the doors opened.

I bounced on the balls of my feet until I reached his floor and then flew down the hall to Tom's door. I knocked quickly without stopping.

''I'm coming!'' he yelled impatiently. The locks clicked and the door opened enough for him to stick his head out.

''Kate!'' he said and then looked worriedly back into his apartment.

''It's kind of messy in here right now.'' He said, sounding like he was subtly telling me to leave.

''I might be pregnant.'' I said flatly and his eyes almost popped out of his head. He stepped back and threw the door open for me.

As we walked to his dining room table, I couldn't help but notice how right he was. His apartment was a mess.

I took the box out of my purse and set it gently on the table. We both stared at it for a second and then I glanced at the clock. It was time to check.

''So this is gonna…'' he trailed off.

''Yea.'' I told him.

I picked up the box and held my breath.

I opened it and grabbed the stick from inside, covering the part with the reading with my hand. I set it down on the table, covering it with my palm.

''Ready?'' I asked Tom nervously and he nodded reluctantly. He held out a hand to me across the table and I took it, squeezing it anxiously.

Our eyes locked as I moved my hand and I could practically see Tom's life flashing before his eyes. I knew he was thinking the same thing as me. What if it read positive? I was nowhere near ready to be a parent and god knew Tom wasn’t.

What would we do? What if right now there was another life growing inside me? it was too intense, I didn't want to even think about it. Everything was hinged on the result of this test and we could sort everything out when we knew what it was.

I was the first one to break eye contact and look down at the test.

My heart raced.

There was one blue line. It was negative.

''Thank god!'' Tom said and I slammed my head down on the table in relief.

Thank god was right. Tom squeezed my hand and I looked up at him. He leaned across the table and kissed my head. He looked at the stick again and then back at me.

''Kate? You peed on that right?'' he asked.

''Yea why?'' I replied.

''Could you maybe take it off my table? I eat here.'' he said and I laughed lightly. It was a relieved and comforting sound.

I grabbed the test and the box and threw them in the garbage in his kitchen. I was glad that was over with. When I turned around, Tom was right behind me.

He kissed me softly as he oh-so smoothly pinned me against the edge of the counter. Before it got too involved, I pulled away.

''As much as I'd love to screw you on your counter, one pregnancy scare is enough for me.'' I said and he let out a short laugh as he backed away.

I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.

''Goodbye Tom.'' I said as I opened the door.

''What you're just gonna go?'' he asked.

''Yea.'' I said simply.

He suddenly grabbed me by the back of the neck and pulled me into a very seductive kiss. I was stunned for a minute and it took everything I had to push him away. I smirked.

''That's what got us into this mess.''