Maya's hand lingered there, motionless. The air in the room grew heavier, pressing down on her, until her pulse began to thrum in her ears.
"No," Maya whispered again, her voice barely audible. "It can't be."
She abruptly rose, pacing the small dorm room. Her mind raced through numerous excuses. Exhaustion, stress, or perhaps, a change in diet. That's all it is. Stress messes with your cycle. You're fine. She told herself.
But deep down, something told her otherwise. A quiet persistent dread coiled in her gut.
Should she call Jina? What was she even going to say? This and many more thoughts spiral in her mind. On an impulse, Maya shut off the screen.
Putting the phone she had just picked up down, she snatched her hoodie and cap from the chair. And slipped them on, tugging the brim low over her eyes. She hurried off to the door but the moment stormed out, she collided head-on with Jina.
"Whoa— !" Jina stumbled back, nearly dropping her phone. "What the hell, Maya?"
Maya froze for a split second, eyes wide. "Sorry," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jina blinked, steadying herself. "Are you okay?" She asked, "You look pale, where are you going?"
Maya shook her head quickly, avoiding her gaze. "I just need to step out for a bit."
"At this hour?" Jina pressed, concern evident in her voice. "You sure you're —"
But Maya was already brushing past her before the words even landed. Muttering another quick apology as she descended the stairs.
"Maya!" Jina called after her, but she didn't stop. The door closed sharply behind her, leaving Jina standing there in confusion.
Within minutes, Maya was down the stairway, descending the stairs two at a time. Her hurried footsteps faded fast, echoing against the tiled floor until they were swallowed by the hum of the city outside.
The cool night air hit her face as she walked briskly down the street. The neon lights of Seoul flickering around her. Her heart pounded with each step. She didn't have the time to think. Her body just moved, guided by panic.
When she got to the pharmacy, she hesitated. Staring at the glass door. People passed by without noticing her. Just another young woman in a cap and mask. But to her, this felt like standing on a cliff's edge.
Finally, she gathered the courage and pushed the door open. The fluorescent lights were harsh, the air too sterile as she stepped in. Maya made her way to the health aisle. Her hand trembling as she reached for a box. Then another, just in case.
She returned to the counter but the cashier barely looked up, as she paid in cash. Deftly slipped the small paper bag into the pocket of the hoodie.
The evening air felt too warm, too thick as she walked out. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking. But the world seem to be moving on as always. Like nothing has changed.
And yet, here she was, clutching a paper bag like it held her fate. Because it did. She hated this. The secrecy, the fear, and the not knowing.
The girl who had walked out of that hotel suite weeks ago, would never have imagined this moment. That night was supposed to be forgotten. A blur of bad judgment and carelessness.
In that instant, her phone buzzed with a message from Jina.
Jina: Where did you run off to? Are you okay?
She stared at the message for a long moment before shoving the phone back into her pocket. Intuitively, she picked uo her pace. Fearing anyone could recognize her.
As she returned to the apartment, she slipped quietly inside. Jina was in her room. Sprawled across her bed, headphones in and laptop open. It was her habit of leaving the door half opened. Maya tiptoed past, and locked herself in their common bathroom.
She placed the box on the counter of the sink. Staring at it like it might vanish if she looked away long enough.
It's going to be negative. She repeated the thought like a prayer. You're overreacting. You're just tired.
Picking it up, her fingers fumbled with the packaging. The soft crinkle of plastic sounded deafening in the small space. Her reflection in the mirror looked back. Wide-eyed, nervous, and almost childlike.
Carefully she followed the instructions. Moving slow and deliberate, as though precision could somehow influence the outcome. Then she set the test on the counter and turned away.
Two minutes. Let's just wait for two minutes. She thought.
But those minutes stretched endlessly. Every heartbeat echoing in her ears. She paced. Breathed. Told herself not to panic. But it was all useless.
When the timer on her phone finally buzzed, she hesitated. Her hand hovered over the counter. Then, with a slow exhale, she picked it up.
Two bold pink lines, displayed befor her eyes. Maya's knees nearly gave out. She sank onto the cold tile floor. The stick trembling in her grip.
"No…" she whispered, voice cracking. "No, no, this can't be right."
Her heart was racing, her vision blurring. She deftly grabbed the second test. Fumbling to open it. Needing proof that this was a mistake. A false result, a bad batch, anything. She repeated the process, tears pricking at her eyes.
Minutes later, the second test confirmed what the first had already told her.
Positive.
Maya pressed her palm over her mouth, biting back a sob. Her mind spiraled. Flashes of that night, the stranger, and the dim suite . The warmth of his skin, the weight of his voice. Everything that happened, came crashing back like waves she had tried to outrun.
She didn't even know his name. What was she going to do?
The next hour passed in a blur as she sat on the bathroom floor. Back against the door, and knees drawn to her chest. The reality pressed against her chest until breathing felt like work.
This can't be happening.
I can't be pregnant.
Her life was just beginning. She was finally breaking into the industry. Her agency had lined up magazine covers, brand deals, and rumors of a drama lead. This would ruin everything.
Tears slipped down her cheeks before she even realized she was crying. She wiped them away quickly, angry at herself.
"Get it together, Maya," she whispered hoarsely. "You can't fall apart now." But the words came out empty.
Suddenly, Jina's singing voice echoed through the hallway. A cheerful music, too loud. Maya jumped, hurriedly shoving the test boxes deep into the trash bin beneath the sink. And covered them with tissues. She splashed cold water on her face as she forced herself to look in the mirror again.
Putting herself back together, she pushed the bathroom door, nearly collided head-on with Jina who was headed for the kitchen. But this time in the hallway.
"Maya! When did you get back?" Jina exclaimed, steadying her. "You scared me, where have you been. And what's going on?"
"I... I just needed some air," Maya muttered, keeping her head low.
Jina frowned. "You sure you're okay? You're sweating."
"I'm fine."
She brushed past her and went straight to her room, closing the door before Jina could say another word. Her heart thudded violently as she locked it.
"This can't be happening…" She sank into her bed. Her body trembled as reality settled in. Cold, sharp, and undeniable.
Her phone rang beside her. Through the blur of tears, she saw the message:
> From: Manager Han
Subject: Congratulations ; Seoul Beauty Campaign Final Selection!
Maya, you did it. They picked you. Press tour starts next month.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her biggest career break arriving the same night her world began to crumble.
She pressed a trembling hand to her stomach,
"What am I supposed to do now?" She whispered to herself.
While the city's lights blinked indifferently outside, with the sound of distant traffic filling the night; Maya Kim sat frozen in her room. Her reflection staring back at her with wide, terrified eyes.
And just like that, the girl who had everything realized she might lose it all.