I woke up in বিছানা and felt a cool cloth on my forehead. I gingerly lifted it off my face and greedily drank the cup of water that was beside my bed.

“Courtney, আপনি okay?”

I held my breath until I saw that it was Bridget walking through the door. I exhaled, and sat up.

“Is Duncan প্রথমপাতা yet?” I asked nervously.

She shook her head no. I sat up and hugged my knees to my chest.

“Bridgette, what am I going to do? How am I going to tell Duncan?”

She came and rubbed my shoulders as the waterworks came down.

“Courtney, Duncan’s not that heartless. Sure, he might be upset at first, but after he gets over it I’m sure he’ll help out…”

I glanced up at her. “But what if he doesn’t?”

She smiled at me. “You’re always welcome in my apartment.”

I hugged her hard. “Thanks Bridgette, I’m sure I’ll be fine from here on.”

She smiled, gave me one আরো reassuring glance, and left. After sitting alone for a while with only the tick-tock of the clock to give me comfort, I finally decided to make dinner. No use moping around, I figured. But still, I could barely concentrate on what I was cooking; I kept listening for the sound of the key opening the door. As I put the ডিনার on the table, I felt arms encircling me. I squealed and backed up in surprise, turning around to see a confused Duncan.

“What? A guy can’t give a hug to his girlfriend?”

I took a step closer, but still stayed pretty far.

“H-how did y-you get in?” I sputtered out.

He pointed to the door. “It was open. Geez, since when are আপনি so paranoid?”

“I am not paranoid! I just didn’t hear আপনি come in… I was surprised, that’s all…”

He shrugged and kissed my cheek, brushing the topic off. After seeing the ডিনার laid out on the table, a smile spread across his face. “Awesome Courtney! I’m totally starved!”

I couldn’t help but smile a little at this.

We sat down and Duncan immediately began to eat. But I just picked at my food. His sudden প্রশ্ন cut through the air and I lifted my head in shock.

“Courtney, আপনি okay? You’ve been অভিনয় weird for a few days now…”

I couldn’t tell him. How could I when I refused to believe it myself? But I heard Bridgette’s voice in my head and I decided to just get it out with. Biting my lower lip, I took a deep breath.

“Duncan…whatever I tell আপনি now, will আপনি promise আপনি won’t be mad at me?”

He came up to me and lifted my head up to meet his. “Courtney, what in this world could make me so mad, you’d have to ask me not to be mad?”

“D-Duncan, I-I’m…I-I’m…”

"Courtney, spit it out already.”

I softly whispered, “I’m pregnant…”

Duncan froze in his spot and took his hand off my face.

“W-what?”

That’s when he ran into our room and slammed the door with a bang.

The tears started all over again, coursing down face as I sat in utter despair. I was indecisive for only a moment. In the পরবর্তি সেকেন্ড I’d taken my কোট and my bag and left for Bridgette’s apartment.

It only took a moment after I left the elevator for a wave of exhaustion to come over me.

I decided to take a break and maybe lie down on one of those couches in the lobby. One মিনিট wouldn't hurt, right? Besides it wasn't like I was in a rush অথবা anything.

I lied down and closed my eyes. In সেকেন্ড I was unconsious.