According to the Stars

After having so much fun writing "Counting Stars" for the Speak Easy #148 writing challenge, I decided the story needed to continue, this time from Emily's perspective...

 8 weeks later... 

       Rob and Katie’s wedding is still on. Katie is oblivious. Rob doesn’t have the balls to tell her, and I am equally afraid to hurt her with the truth. Our friendship has cooled considerably. Katie has noticed but whenever she brings it up, I simply don’t want to talk about it. How can I? Whenever we are all together it is so awkward. My heart breaks. They are busy planning their wedding like that night never happened and me? I am tortured and trying to put on a brave face as I prepare to be Katie’s maid of honor. Deep down I know I want him for myself.


 
      “Are you okay Emily? You don’t look so good. We can always shop for bridesmaids dresses another day.”
        " No, I am fine. I just feel a little queasy. It will pass. Time is marching on. Let’s shop!” I say with a brave face.    

         We head to the mall where a prominent bridal boutique is nestled in its heart, Katie alive with chatter and me silent trying desperately to ignore my rolling stomach. We enter the mall through the food court where the assortment of smells combine and assault my senses. All of a sudden, I am overwhelmed. I rush to the nearest trash bin and empty my stomach. “Oh God, Emily, you are not Okay at all! You are sick and we have no business at the mall! I am taking you home, immediately.” Her concern is obvious and a tinge annoying considering. I don’t deserve her kindness after what I have done with her fiancé…my former best friend. Already I am beginning to feel a bit better and beg to press on. I don’t want to be a bother. I am mortified that I am sick. We look through all the dresses at the shop, and I try on several. Some are ridiculous while others are absolutely beautiful. Katie has very definite ideas about what she wants for her wedding and it is nice to see her so happy. 
  

         And then she innocently drops the bomb. “Rob is meeting us for lunch, isn’t that great?” she smiles widely. “Yeah, great,” I mumble inconvincibly. The perfect dress has been found, my measurements recorded, and the order placed. We head back to the food court as Katie’s cell begins to ring. I can tell by the conversation it is Rob. He is meeting us there. Just what I need to have to act like everything is Okay when I feel wretched. I just want to go home. He stands when he sees us. Our eyes meet and hold. I feel my face heat up and hope to sweet sunny Jesus that Katie doesn’t notice. She doesn’t. I feel as if he can see right through me.

          We have our choice of several types of food in the court. Chinese food sounds so good to me and I suggest we eat that. Both Katie and Rob give me the strangest look. “Emily, you hate Chinese food!” Rob says and Katie nods in agreement. “I don’t care. That is what I want. It looked really good when I passed the stand. That is what I am getting!” They exchange looks. They both get sandwiches from Subway and I dig into a huge helping of Chinese food. I don’t remember what it is called, but it looks so good to me. I simply inhale it. I can’t believe how good it tastes. “You should slow down there! You did puke your guts earlier.” Katie warns with a laugh. I shrug my shoulders. I am hungry now. I eat, ignoring Rob as best I can.

        A week later when I still am vomiting at random, I decide I better visit the doctor. Maybe there is a pill to settle my stupid stomach. After the visit and numerous tests, I begin to accept there is no simple solution to what I have. I ignored all the signs because I didn’t want this to happen. The world as I know it has come to an end and I am clueless about what to do. The father of my baby is marrying my best friend…and I am pregnant. Oh shit…I am pregnant. Karma is not my friend. The universe is punishing me. Look at the mess counting stars has gotten me into! Oh Dear God! What the hell am I going to do now?

to be continued...

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