Portia looked at her best friend sitting silently by the balcony, her posture tense, her gaze lost in the distance. Gently, she asked, "Are you okay?"
Alexia turned her head slowly, nodding. But the way her fingers clutched the edge of the chair told another story.
"You said you wanted to tell me something?" Portia prompted, her voice soft. "What's bothering you?"
Alexia hesitated before whispering, "I might be pregnant."
Portia's breath caught. "Is it…?"
"I don't know," Alexia murmured, barely audible.
Without another word, Portia walked over and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm here for you," she whispered. "No matter what."
Alexia's voice wavered as she said, "You live so far from me… No one will want to marry me now. How will I come to live in the capital?"
Portia pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, a smile touching her lips. "Why do you have to marry someone to come to the capital? Just come as yourself."
Alexia looked at her, confused.
