Playing for Keeps

Two Lines, One Truth

Imani POV

"Girl, imagine if that man got you pregnant with one look through the screen. That's some real Super Bowl magic."

I roll my eyes as Lilia swings her feet from the edge of the hospital bed, grinning like this is all some big joke. Serena, on the other hand, just watches me, her expression unreadable.

"Y'all are so dramatic," I mutter, pacing the small ER room. My arms are crossed so tight it feels like they're the only thing holding me together. "I'm not pregnant."

Serena tilts her head slightly. "Then take the test and prove it."

I keep pacing. My shoes squeak against the tile floor. The damn test sits untouched on the counter, practically daring me to look at it. My stomach knots so tight I feel like I might throw up.

I'm not pregnant. I can't be.

Lilia leans forward, drumming her hands against her thighs, still all jokes. "Alright, the moment of truth. Let's see if Sebastian really got that MVP magic."

I throw up a hand, shaking my head. "Nope. I don't wanna see it. Y'all check. I already know what it's gonna say."

Serena's voice is quieter, but there's something sharp underneath it. "If you already know, then why are you scared to look?"

I glance away, my jaw clenching. "Because it's impossible."

The words feel heavy as they leave my mouth.

Impossible.

That's what the doctors told me. That's what I believed.

Lilia snatches up the test with way too much excitement, holding it up dramatically. She squints at the result, then her eyes go wide.

"Oh. My. God."

My stomach flips. My heart pounds.

I don't turn around. I don't want to turn around.

"Don't play with me, Lilia," I warn, my voice tight.

Serena steps in, taking the test from Lilia's hands. I hear the shift in her tone before she even speaks.

"Imani," she says quietly. "You need to see this."

The room shrinks. The walls feel too close. My heartbeat echoes in my ears.

Slowly, I turn. My legs feel like lead, my breath locked somewhere in my chest.

Lilia isn't grinning anymore.

Serena's face is serious, but not in a bad way. Just... real. Like she knows the moment I look, my entire life is about to change.

I force a laugh, but it catches in my throat. "This... this isn't real. It can't be."

But it is.

Two lines. Clear as day.

I blink rapidly, my vision blurring. My hands feel numb. My chest tightens as the reality crashes down on me, fast and heavy.

Serena's voice is soft. "It's real, Imani."

My knees threaten to give out, and I grip the edge of the bed for support. Lilia, for once, is quiet.

"...Damn," she mutters.

I feel the tears before I realize I'm crying. I press a hand to my stomach, as if touching it will make it all make sense.

Serena takes a step closer. "Imani?"

Her voice sounds far away. Everything does. The room, the lights, Lilia's teasing smirk that's now gone. I feel like I'm underwater, drowning in something I don't understand.