The bathroom filled with the warm scent of steam as you stood beneath the shower, water running down your back.

Outside, your mom’s voice came softly from your bedroom.

As you tried to focus on the rhythm of the water, you couldn’t help but feel the weight of the secret you were keeping, the small plastic stick with two pink lines, resting on your vanity.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door creaked open and closed softly.

You stepped out, wrapping a towel around yourself, your skin still warm from the shower.

In your bedroom, your mom was sitting quietly on the edge of your bed, holding the pregnancy test in her hand.

Her eyes met yours, gentle but concerned.

“I found this while putting away your clothes,” she said softly. “Have you told Jacob yet?”

You swallowed hard, looking down at your hands. “No… not yet.”

She nodded slowly, setting the test down on your dresser. “I’m here for you, no matter what. When you’re ready, we’ll figure out how to tell him, and what to do next.”