Chapter 5

ALTHEA

Kirill ghosted me.

After I left Nevan’s house, I went back home to finish my project. My mother was gone and so was the stranger she tried selling me to. I didn't report her, didn't tell anyone, and for three weeks now, I’ve been alone, living off the little money I found on the table when I returned home that night. Her best friend told me not to worry about her, and honestly, I’ve enjoyed being away from her. I’m just hoping she is truly alive. Our relationship is complicated, just like with Kirill.

For the first three days after the party, Kirill wouldn’t reply to me, and when he finally texted, he was different.

Even when I met him at school, it was almost like he was avoiding me. He barely had time to say hello to me in between writing our papers, and I keep telling myself the pressure might be getting to him.

The night before our English paper, I fell ill, and he came over. He took care of me all night, but he was gone before morning.

Time has moved so fast, and today, I finally graduate from Atherton. I’m excited to see Kirill, and hopefully spend some time with him because this text thing is not working for me. I miss his hugs, I miss hearing his voice while looking at him.

I'm trying to make breakfast when the egg tray slips out my hands and they all break. I try to clean the mess, but I find myself gagging.

“Althea, you alright?” Theresa asks, coming into the kitchen.

“Yeah,” I retch, looking away from the mess. “Just cleaning up these eggs. I think they've gone bad.”

“Those eggs?” She frowns. “I put them there. I came here yesterday to borrow some. Yours had gone bad, so I went out, bought a tray, and split it with you.”

My brain stutters for a moment.

I did notice the eggs were over a dozen, and I had fewer than ten before now. “Oh.”

“That’s okay,” Theresa smiles. “The first few weeks are always hell. I was like that when I found out I was pregnant too.”

“Theresa, I’m not pregnant.”

“You’re not? I thought—”

“No,” I shake my head. “You’re wrong. See, I—I can’t be pregnant. I’m not sleeping with anyone.” I tell her, my voice dropping when I remember I have, in fact, had sex with someone. “It was just once”

Theresa laughs. “All it takes is once.”

“No,” I shake my head, shaking away any and all thoughts that might feed the idea. “I’m not pregnant.”

“Right,” she nods. “Come find me when that test is positive so I can say told you so.” She grins.

“That’s not funny, Theresa. I’m already nervous and you’re here trying to feed me more fears.”

She shrugs. “This might be the first one I’m keeping, but Thea, you know I’ve been pregnant enough to identify pregnancy.”

“Identify yours,” I snap. “I am not pregnant, and I’m going to be late for the ceremony, so help yourself, and don’t forget to lock the house,” I tell her, my appetite gone now. “See you.”

“Congratulations!” Theresa calls after me, but it doesn’t sound innocent. It sounds somewhat accusatory.

Now that she’s put the idea in my head, I can’t make it through the day without ruling it out. Theresa’s assumption has me overanalysing myself. I do my research and match zero symptoms.

On my way to school, Mr Johns stops at a store and I use the opportunity to go into the pharmacy beside it and buy two pregnancy test kits. They let me use their employee bathroom and when I finally look in the car, my heart drops. Theresa was right.

I try to cling to the fact that I had a period two weeks ago, but there is no way that two tests can be wrong. One? Sure, but TWO?!

No. I’m pregnant. This wasn’t supposed to happen, it shouldn’t be happening.

“Althea?” Mr Johns calls, pulling me from my thoughts. “We’re here, kid.”

I quickly stash the tests in the pocket of my dress, and jog to the auditorium. I try to find Kirill before the ceremony, but Ruelle finds me first and ropes me into pictures. It takes everything in me to smile. Dread brews in the pit of my stomach, right next to the pup I’m carrying.

When I finally see him, we wind up on stage together. He gives me a small smile and compliments my hair in a whisper before he sits down.

The ceremony takes forever, and through it all, I can’t stop thinking about the secret in my pocket.

Immediately after the closing remarks, Kirill leaves the stage. Most students are with their parents, but that’s not where he goes. I notice him and his friends gathered in the corner, laughing amongst themselves.

“Althea Monroe,” someone calls. I turn around to find Kirill’s father behind me, wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. “Great speech. I think I saw Principal Holland cry. You’ve done well for yourself and Atherton. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

“Any plans?” He asks. “I hear you got into some good colleges. Have you decided yet?”

I had.

But now, I don’t know. “Not yet,” I force a smile.

He nods. “Well, when the choice is made, do not hesitate to reach out to Principal Holland or me. We would love to sponsor you. I believe in investing in excellence, and you, my dear, have something special.”

I do. His first grandchild. He doesn’t know, but soon, everyone will. “Tha-thank you.”

“Congratulations once more,” he says, giving me a pat on the shoulder that almost feels parental.

Alpha Aleksander moves on to speak to another student.

I look for Kirill immediately. I need to tell him before fear changes my mind.

I find him in one of the empty classrooms with Nevan, Baxter, Ashton and Kimora. Their laughter reaches me before I reach the door.

“If you had to pick,” Baxter says, “Cassidy or Monroe?”