The Only Exception

3. The Start

have a nice readddd, i'll be waiting for your comments, i seriously love themmmm

Asi paced the length of the bathroom, her breath shallow, hands shaking. The white stick in her grip felt like it was burning her skin, but she couldn't bring herself to let go of it.

"Let's do another one," she said abruptly, voice thin and unsteady.

Ruya, sitting on the edge of the bathtub, arms crossed, let out a slow breath. "Asi, my sweetie, you already did three tests. All positive. I think it's pretty clear."

Asi shook her head violently. "No. No, it can't be. It can't." She pressed her free hand against her forehead, squeezing her eyes shut. "How did I do this? How was I so irresponsible? Me? How?"

She started pacing again, movements frantic, the words spilling out faster, almost tripping over themselves.

"Asi, please stop," Ruya sighed. "You're making me dizzy."

But Asi barely heard her. "It's his fault," she muttered, then louder, "It's his fault! With all his lines and smirks and—" she gestured wildly in the air—"and his eyes—" she exhaled sharply, voice almost a growl—"he makes me lose my mind!"

Ruya let out a short laugh. "Oh, I would love to keep hearing about your crush on Alaz—"

Asi's head snapped toward her, eyes dark with warning.

Ruya bit her lip, raising her hands in surrender, but the amusement hadn't left her face. "Okay, okay, not the time. But please, calm down."

"I can't," Asi bit out, resuming her pacing. "I can't calm down." The panic in her voice was rising again, clawing its way up her throat. "I can't have a teenage pregnancy."

Ruya blinked. "Asi, you're twenty-seven years old."

Asi waved a hand wildly, as if shooing away the fact. "But I feel like a teenager!"

Ruya let out a long, slow breath, rubbing a hand down her face. "Well... we have plenty of solutions."

Something about the way she said it made Asi stop pacing. Slowly, she turned to Ruya, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

Ruya looked at her, steady and gentle. "Asi... if you don't want this pregnancy, you don't have to go through it. I will support you no matter what."

For a moment, Asi just stared at her. Then, her breath hitched, and her whole body seemed to collapse in on itself.

She slid to the floor, her hands covering her face, and started crying. Not quiet tears, but raw, gut-wrenching sobs, the kind that tore through her chest, leaving her gasping.

Ruya was beside her instantly, pulling her into her arms, holding her tightly. "Everything will be okay," she murmured against her hair. "I'm here."

Asi clung to her, shaking, her tears soaking into Ruya's shirt. "I don't know what to do."

Ruya held her tighter, her chin resting lightly on top of Asi's head as she stroked her back in slow, steady motions. Asi's body trembled with every sharp breath, every uneven sob that tore through her.

"You don't have to decide right now, sweetie," Ruya whispered, her voice low and soothing.

Asi shook her head against Ruya's shoulder, her fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt. "But I do," she choked out. "I need to have a plan. I can't— I can't just—" Her voice cracked, and she pressed her forehead into Ruya's shoulder, as if trying to disappear into the warmth of her.