's

my eyes closed. My head pounded like a drumline, and my body ached in

y over his chest. His breathing was slow and steady, completely at peace. Memor

up destroying my birthday

d on the floor, and my heels scattered near the door. I needed to

ptoed out of the room. My shoes dangled from my fingers as I made my wa

fresh air hit me like a slap. I inh

my head as I finally got home,

re-my parents, my younger sister, a

en?" Mom demanded,

n my throat. What cou

didn't even think to call us? D

now. "We know that last night wasn't easy for you, but shutting ever

m. "It doesn't matter," I whispered. "

apped. "I'm not a kid anymor

d, but Dad's remai

Anything could have happened to you!" "Ivy, we've been patient with y

and turned to face them. "W

e your birthday last night, you've been acting like the rest of us

into the streets without minding to listen

, Emma," I muttered

. "Talk to us, Ivy. Why cou

the man I thought I could trust, had destroyed every bit of felt I'd ever felt? That his b

about it," I said firm

you all just..

you. Don't you see that? Whatever it is you're going

fall. I couldn't face them. Not now. "I just ne

spered, following me. "Are

aside. "I'm fine. Just tire

om that night lingered like a shadow, but I buried it ben

mmented one evening as w

"Love the concern." flippin

ed. "You've been acting st

er off. "

mes, and my body felt like it was on an exausting ride. At fir

Dark circles shadowed my eyes, and my skin was pale. My stomach

rely above a whisper. "I th

Oh my God, Ivy. Are

ff. "Don't ask quest

or dad. By the time we got home, my hands were shaking as

do it or just star

pped, snatching the test and

. When the timer buzzed, I couldn't

shouted thr

glanced at the test,

lowly, extending th

nant," I

ped. "Holy-d

going to and I don't think Nathan

y voice firm. "This i

s he?" Emm

hrough my mind. His piercing blue eyes, the w

lied. "It do

utiously, "you can

t going to tell him?

mly. "This is my