The Pregnant Girl

Till I Know

### Chapter 3: Till I Know

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue across the room as Mia stared out the window, lost in thought. The world outside was alive with the sounds of children playing and the distant hum of cars passing by, but inside, her mind was a whirlpool of emotions. She was still reeling from the unexpected news that had turned her life upside down: she was pregnant.

Mia had always envisioned her future with clarity—college, a promising career, and perhaps someday a family. But this? This was not part of the plan. She had just turned eighteen, and the thought of motherhood felt like a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. The reality of her situation loomed like a shadow, and she struggled to grasp it fully. Was she ready for this? Did she even want it?

Her phone buzzed on the bed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Sophie, her best friend.

**Sophie:** *Hey! Are we still on for the movies tonight?*

Mia hesitated, her fingers hovering above the screen. In her heart, she longed for the distraction, the laughter, and the normalcy of a night out. But how could she pretend everything was okay when it felt like her whole world was shifting beneath her?

**Mia:** *I’m not feeling great. Maybe another time?*

She hit send, instantly regretting it. Sophie would know something was up. They had shared everything since childhood—secrets, dreams, fears. How could Mia explain that her life had taken a turn she never saw coming?

As she sat in silence, her mind drifted back to the night it had happened. The party had been lively, filled with laughter and music. She had felt invincible, lost in the moment. And then there was Jake. He had a way of making her feel alive, seen, and cherished. But one night of reckless abandon had led to this moment, and now all she had were questions.

Mia picked up her notebook from the bedside table, its pages filled with doodles and half-formed thoughts. Writing had always been her escape, a way to pour out her feelings when they became too overwhelming. She flipped to a new page and began to write:

**“What do I want?”**

She paused, the pen hovering above the paper. Did she even know? The thought of motherhood was both exhilarating and terrifying. She could already picture the tiny fingers, the soft skin, and the overwhelming love that came with a child. But she also envisioned sleepless nights, the weight of responsibility, and the dreams that might slip through her fingers like water.

A knock on the door broke her concentration. It was her mother, peeking in with a concerned look. “Mia? Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure,” she replied, forcing a smile.

Her mother entered the room, her presence filling the space with warmth. “I was just checking on you. You’ve been quiet lately.”

Mia shrugged, unsure of how to articulate the turmoil within her. “I’ve just been thinking a lot.”

Her mother sat on the edge of the bed, her expression softening. “Thinking about what?”

Mia hesitated. “About the future… and, um, everything.”

A moment of silence stretched between them. Her mother reached out, placing a hand on Mia’s knee. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

Mia looked into her mother’s eyes, searching for the right words. “What if I’m not ready for this?”

Her mother’s brow furrowed, and she took a deep breath. “No one ever feels fully ready, Mia. But you’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together. You have options, and I’m here to support you, whatever you decide.”

A rush of gratitude flooded through Mia. She had been so afraid of disappointing her mother, but hearing those words eased some of the weight on her heart. “What if I want to keep it?” she asked slowly. “What if I want to be a mom?”

Her mother smiled gently. “Then we’ll make it work. We’ll learn together. And if you decide it’s too much, that’s okay too. You have time to think things through.”

Mia nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. Maybe she didn’t have to have all the answers right now. Maybe it was okay to take things one step at a time.

“Can we talk about what that looks like?” Mia asked, her voice steadier than before.

“Of course,” her mother replied, a reassuring smile on her face. “We can start with your options, and then we’ll talk about what support you’ll need. But remember, whatever you decide, it’s your choice.”

As they continued to talk, Mia felt the shadows lifting, if only slightly. It was still too early to know what the future held, but one thing was clear: she wouldn’t have to figure it out alone.

For the first time since she found out, Mia felt a sense of determination rising within her. **Till I know**—that would be her mantra. She would take her time, explore her feelings, and seek clarity in the chaos.

And for now, that was enough.