Built From Broken

Two Lines, One Lie

The apartment was quiet, except for the faint hum of the bathroom fan. Soraya sat on the edge of the tub, hoodie sleeves pulled down over her hands, phone pressed to her ear.

"You peed already?" Nyelle asked, her voice crackling through the speaker.

"Yeah. I'm waiting now. Says three minutes." Soraya whispered, glancing at the stick lying flat on the counter like it held her future.

Her leg bounced. She bit her lip, heart thudding in her chest.

"Ion know why i'm nervous for you." Nyelle muttered. "Shit feel like a damn movie."

"It is a damn movie. I was supposed to be relaxing after that event, now i'm pacing in a bathroom wondering if I got a baby in me."

Suddenly, the test blinked to life—two lines.

Her breath caught.

"Oh my fuckin' gosh." Soraya whispered, voice shaky. "It's positive."

Nyelle gasped. "No way. You forreal?"

"I'm looking at it Ny. Two lines. Clear as day." She stared at the stick like it might change if she blinked too hard. Her hand shook.

"Damn." Nyelle said softly. "What you wanna do?"

"Ion even know yet. I—" Soraya sat back, overwhelmed.

But in the background of Nyelle's call, another voice chimed in. "Positive? Wait... who pregnant?"

Bam.

Nyelle snapped. "Mind your business, boy!"

But it was too late.

Soraya's eyes widened. "Wait—was that Bam?"

"Girl he ain't hear the whole—"

Click.

The call ended. Panic set in.

Meanwhile, Bam leaned against the counter in his kitchen, phone already to his ear. "Ay, blood."

Kairo was halfway through rolling up when he answered. "What's good, bro?"

Bam grinned. "Congratulations."

Kairo blinked. "..Huh?"

Bam laughed low. "How you don't know yo girl pregnant, blood?"

Silence.

"What?" Kairo sat up straight. "Nigga what is you talkin' bout?"

"I overheard Nyelle on the phone with Soraya. She said she just took a test. Said it's positive."

Kairo's stomach dropped. "Man... stop playin' wit me."

"I ain't." Bam said, still grinning. "You got a lil Kai running round in there already."

Kairo hung up instantly, heart pounding as he called Soraya.

She answered, voice low. "Hey baby."

"You pregnant?"

Soraya froze. "What?"

"Don't do that. Bam just called me talkin' bout some test. Why you ain't tell me ma?"

"I didn't tell him shit." she snapped, pacing. "I told Nyelle—and I wasn't even ready to tell you yet."

"So it's true?"

Soraya paused. Her chest tightened. "I... I don't know."

Kairo's voice dropped. "What you mean you don't know?"

"I took one. It said positive. But i'm not sure. I'm
about to go get another test."

He didn't say anything for a few seconds. Just breathed. "Aight. Call me when you know."