Alexa's Secret Pregnancy

Alexa stood in the bathroom, staring at the calendar on her phone. Her finger traced the days, stopping on the date circled in red—an ominous reminder that her period was late. Late by several weeks.

“I’ll just take a test,” she muttered to herself. “It’s probably nothing.”

The walk to the pharmacy felt longer than usual. Her mind raced with every step, each scenario more daunting than the last. She slid her sunglasses on, hoping to hide the worry etched on her face.

Inside the pharmacy, her gaze swept over the shelves, landing on the array of pregnancy tests kit.

Her hand hovered, hesitant, before she grabbed not one but several, from 10 different brands—she needed to be sure. At the counter, she avoided the cashier's eyes, her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and fear.

“Is this all for you today?” the cashier asked, ringing up the tests.

“Yes, thank you,” Alexa replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Back home, the tests sat on the counter like a jury ready to del