05.

DALIA'S POV

The huge double doors slammed shut behind me, as I stumbled into the empty hallway. Various emotions washed over me, my cheeks burning from embarrassment and my eyes glossy with tears. I let out a heavy sigh, and briefly leaned against the wall nearest to me as I pulled off my shoes and gathered the length of my dress. My moment of peace was short-lived, as I heard the doors open again, followed by brisk footsteps. I whipped my head back to see Jeffrey, rushing out the doors behind me.

“Dalia!” His voice boomed throughout the hallway, and shook me to my spine. The scowl plastered on his face told me he was probably the only person more mortified by the situation than myself. Either edge of his lips were down-turned, and his brows furrowed at the center of his forehead, causing the stress lines he so desperately tried to hide to appear. As he approached me, I noticed the veins pulsing underneath his sweaty skin, it was almost as though they were trying to pop out of his temples. I took a deep breath as I felt the nausea rising my throat again, and concluded I needed to make a run for it.

Gathering my dress a little higher with one of my hands, and holding my pair of shoes in the other, I began to sprint down the hallway. Thoroughly ignoring Jeffery, who continued to shout my name, I reached the end of the hall, and finally saw a sign which read 'conveniences'. I felt as the vomit moved up and down my throat and chest, reaching the very roof of my mouth at times, and threatening to force its way out whenever I would take too large a step. It seemed like I had run from the hall to the restroom at light speed, my sheer humiliation and Jeffery's angry voice being responsible for this. I shook the thought away, carelessly dropping my shoes to the ground, and threw myself at the open W/C in the first stall I saw. Forgetting to even shut the door behind me, I wrapped both arms around the bowl and emptied my guts inside.

As my stomach started to hurt from the wrenching, I fell to the floor, resting my back against the iron divider, and silently thanking the universe for the sleek back which allowed me to throw up without worrying about my hair getting in the way. The sound of swirling water rose from another stall, and it occurred to me for the first time since I came bursting into the bathroom that I was not alone. I held my breath and listened intently to the gentle clanks of a pair of block heels as they collided with the marble tiles. My eyes followed the shoes from underneath the divider until I was able to get a clear view of their owner. A tall, dark woman appeared before me, smiling tightly, with her head tilted sideways as if in question of my predicament. I only managed to shrug in response. The woman was dressed in a knee-length dress, covered in bright gold sequence, that made tiny, almost inaudible sounds as she swayed her way to the sinks. There was a knock on the main door, and my eyes quickly averted from her dress.

“Dalia?” Jeffrey stood with his arms crossed at the entrance of the bathroom, right opposite my stall.

“Fuck.” I muttered, reaching across to press the round silver button above the bowl. The sound of flushing water filled the room, as I struggled to my feet.

“What the hell was that? What the hell is this?” He demanded, pointing in my direction.

“Boss, I'm so, so, incredibly sorry.” I began. “I don't know how it happened, I wasn't even feeling sick before we got on stage. Maybe it was something in the drinks? Or the-”

“I don't give a damn what it was, Dalia! You just embarrassed us in front of eighty percent of Hollywood.” Jeffrey snapped at me, cutting me short, and sparing us all the pain of hearing the long list of possibilities my mind had conjured up At that moment.

“I'm sorry.” I whispered.

“Yes, I bet you are.” Jeffrey responded, his voice full of what I presumed to be disappointment. “Get home safe.” He shook his head and took his leave, quietly closing the door behind him. I shut my eyes, and took a deep breath, before dragging myself to the sinks. Gold sequence lady stood quietly for a few seconds, before dipping her hand in her purse, and slowly sliding something over to me.

My eyes nearly popped out my head when she removed her hand to reveal the item she had passed to me.

“I heard the vomiting.” She explained. I simply nodded and thanked her, as I picked up the brand-new pregnancy test. I make to ask why she just had one of them laying in her purse, but before I can gather enough courage to, gold sequence lady wipes her hands, and exits the restroom, leaving me to my woes.

It would not be the first time I had taken a pregnancy test, yet I read the instructions over and over, as though I had never seen one before. My hands trembled, as I ripped the packaging open and brought out the test stick. Looking up in the mirror, I catch the terror in my composure.

“I can't be pregnant.” I declared, in a flimsy attempt to convince my reflection. “I have student debt to pay, and Jeffrey still hasn't given me that raise… although, after what happened tonight, I should probably just forget all about that.” I took off the cap and made my way to another stall, avoiding the stench of vomit like it were not my own. I carefully positioned the stick right underneath me, as I stood over the bowl, bent my knees slightly and peed.

“Now, we wait.”