Her Dangerous Distraction

After the night I had, the first thing I did was get the cab to stop at a pharmacy. I realized I was careless, maybe because it was my first time, but I didn't want that night to leave any lasting harm.

"Do you have the 72-hour pill?" I asked the attendant, snacking on a chocolate bar, a 40-plus-old woman giving me a judging look.

I know I probably have the walk of shame look, but I don't care. I have made choices over the years, and last night was also a choice that I had to accept.

"That will be 20 dollars, miss," she said with a mocking look. I used it immediately and went back to my school apartment, where Julian and I share.

I slumped onto my bed, my whole body aching, a testament to the intriguing night I had and there I slept off the ache and memories.

Two weeks after my graduation, I was set to start my work internship at a corporate organization, which was my launch into building the career of my dreams.

Amara, are you ready for what comes next? Julian asked, his voice brimming with excitement as we took pictures together. I made sure to capture moments with my certificate magna cum laude in finance, a testament to my efforts and hard work over the years.

"Yes! I am so ready," I shouted right back with excitement.

After taking more pictures in the school field with my course mates and professors, we headed out to a small diner to celebrate with some of our friends.

"Let's order a seafood platter and get drunk to celebrate. We totally deserve it," Julian stated in his usual fun-loving, sanguine manner.

"But of course, we can," I replied. My friend Bella and Taylor nodded in agreement. By the time the meal was delivered to our table, we had taken two shots to quench our thirst.

Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming urge to throw up. I had thought it was the drinks, so I held it in and dug into the seafood feast, but after two bites, the crabs could no longer control the urge, so I had to speedily run to the diner's restroom and throw up everything I had in my tummy. It was horrible.

"Hey girl, are you okay?" Julian called from the restroom door, and Bella came in, rubbing my back.

"How are you feeling, Amara?" Bella asked with concern apparent in her voice.

I couldn't answer as I was still puking bile from my guts.

By the time the nausea stopped, I felt weak all over, reminding me of the cold I had had a week ago. I was in bed all through the pre-graduation week, and I could not participate in any of the activities. Luckily, I recovered early enough to attend graduation.

"I will just go home, Bella, maybe my cold is back," I told her after I recovered a bit.

By the time I rinsed off, and we stepped out of the restroom, I saw the worry etched on Julian's face and the chagrin smile on Taylor's. I wondered why she was looking at me with weird eyes, but I ignored her. Julian ordered a cab, and we went home.

By the following morning, I was awake again, throwing up fiercely; it was like it wouldn't end. By this time, I knew I needed to see a doctor.

By the time I got to the hospital, I was weak all over and thought I was dying. This was obviously not the plan. I had just graduated at 24 after struggling to come out from the shadows of my past.

"So, doctor, what am I dying of?" I asked, staring at the middle-aged doctor.

"Ha-ha, young lady, you are so funny," he laughed, then continued, "You are not dying, but rather, congratulations are in order.

You are pregnant, and you will need to take good care of yourself from now on."

I could not stop myself. I screamed out, stunned, "Pregnant!"

It was as if a bell rang loudly in my head, pregnant? How, with whom? Where? When? And just like that, my mind flashed back to my one-night stand with the mysterious Ethan at the party weeks back.

I could not help myself, so I asked, "But doctor, how is this possible? The last time I used the 72-hour pill, did that not work to prevent pregnancy?"

"Oh, lady, yes, it does work, but sometimes your body might reject the pill, making it ineffective, especially if it was your first use, or you caught a cold using multiple antibiotics that counteract it."

"Besides, the primary function of the pill is to delay or prevent ovulation, so if ovulation has occurred already, it may be too late to prevent fertilization."

By the time I left the doctor's office, I didn't know where I was or how I would pursue my dreams.

A baby was the last thing right now. I never even thought I would ever have a child, judging from my horrible experience and financial challenges growing up.

Now, I am at this point, not knowing what else to do.

Just one night of recklessness has changed the trajectory of my plans, but I am Amara, and I go after my dreams regardless of setbacks and failures. I might be late, but I never lose.

I will never give up, and no man or mistake can derail me.