Careless Mistake
by Kelli
Part 4
July 2003....
Seven weeks later....
"I can't believe these rumors are still out there," Britney said, throwing the latest tabloid trash on the couch.
"Maybe because it wasn't a rumor," Fe said, straightening out the pillows.
"Well, the public doesn't know that. It was one night where we kissed in public and the whole fucking world acts like I'm gonna marry him," she says, throwing her arms out.
Fe rolled her eyes and took a seat in front of the TV. "Are you going to sit down and watch this movie with me or are you going to continue your dramatic outburst?"
"Aaahhhh," Britney said as she flopped down onto the couch, next to Fe. She folded her arms across her chest.
They sit like this for a few minutes.
"Why haven't you returned his call?" Fe asked, without looking at her.
"Someone probably has our cell phones bugged and next thing you know our conversation will be translated in the National Enquirer," she mumbled.
Fe chuckled. "Since when do you care what tabloids print?" Finally she couldn't take it anymore and turned to face her long time friend. "Boo, this is Justin we're talking about. Not some guy you went out with once. Just call him back, he's been leaving messages for a few days now."
Britney's lower lip began to tremble and a tear fell down her cheek.
"I know I should...."
"Then why don't you?" she asked, reaching out to touch her arm.
"Because," she said, starting to really cry harder now.
Fe waited until she finished her answer, so when she didn't she continued. "Because why?"
"I don't know.....that's the thing. Every time I think about calling him I cry. I don't want to spend the entire time on the phone with Justin, crying," she said, wiping her tears away with one of her hands.
Fe moved her hand around and started to rub the younger girl's back.
"Fe.....I missed my period last month," Britney said without looking up.
Fe's eyes got big. "You sure? You know sometimes when you're a little stressed your periods are irregular."
Britney nodded right away. "No, I'm sure. I feel.........different. My breasts are more tender....and I feel nauseous in the morning.....I'm not sick though," she sniffled.
She still couldn't bring herself to look up.
"Have you taken a pregnancy test?" Fe gently asked.
She shook her head no. "How am I going to go into a store and get one?" she asked, the tears falling down faster again.
"You're right....I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I can have someone pick one up," she said, trying to figure a way to do this without bringing a lot of attention to the situation.
"Maybe I should just go to the doctor. No one's going to think anything if I go to the gynecologist, are they?" she asked, wiping more tears away from her face.
"Well, I'd hope not," Fe said, rubbing her back again. "I'll make you the earliest appointment that I can," she said, standing up to go get her phone and address book from the other room.
Britney nodded and bit her lower lip.
"Is it....." Fe started.
"Justin's?" Britney finished.
Fe nodded and then so did Britney.
She gave her a sympathetic look before exiting the room. Britney brought her legs up close to her body and hugged them as she rested her cheek against her thighs.
Finally the realization that she might be pregnant set in. Now that she'd admitted this out loud, she had to deal with it. It was late July and her album was coming out at the end of next month. Jive would want her to tour to support it and of course she would want to do that. How can she do that if she's five to six months pregnant?
The phone rang, which made her jump. Blindly she reached for it, not checking the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Ohhhh so you do answer your own phone," Justin said.
She closed her eyes and tried to settle her rapid heartbeat.
"Yeah, once in awhile they let me do what the common folk do," she teased. "So, what's up Justin?"
"Nothing's up, I just called to say hi....isn't that still okay?"
She took a deep breath. "Of course it is. So, where are you?"
"I'm in Detroit, I think."
She nodded, even though he couldn't see her.
"So, uh.....you done with the finishing touches on the album?" he asked, trying to break the silence.
"Yeah. Now I have to rehearse for the VMA's and a couple of promos I have to do."
"Who are you working with?"
"Brian," she said softly.
"That's good. You gonna change it up a bit....work with different people because you could work with Marty...."
"I haven't decided yet, but I'll keep him in mind. I'd love to work with him."
"You okay? You sound like you have a cold...." He noticed the stuffiness in her voice.
"Maybe sinuses or something."
"Start drinking that one drink I used to make for you," he chuckled.
She smiled. "That stuff's disgusting."
He laughed. "Yeah, I know but you never got a cold when you drank it, did ya?"
"Britney, I made the appointment for tomorrow," Fe said as she returned to the room.
Britney tried to cover up the phone with her hand.
"Sounds like you're busy," Justin said.
"You know....getting ready to promote," she said as she bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears.
"Yeah....have fun with that," he chuckled. "I'll let you go. Don't be a stranger, okay? I like hearing your voice once in awhile when I'm out on the road."
"Yeah.....I won't Justin, I promise."
When she hung up the phone she gave Fe a look.
"I made your appointment," Fe said, taking the spot next to her on the couch.
Britney nodded.
"If I am, Fe.....how am I going to tell him?" she asked softly.
"You just tell him. He's an honorable guy, he'll support you through this," she said touching her knee.
Britney nodded.
"I'm not even going to start thinking about what Johnny or Larry or Jive are going to have to say about this," she said, throwing her head back against the couch.
Fe pat the leg her hand was resting on. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
