The woman stood up, her eyes flashing with amusement. "Bring it on," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Sarah lunged at her, but Lily managed to grab her arm and hold her back. "Sarah, stop, this isn't worth it," she said, trying to reason with her friend.
But Sarah was beyond listening. She shook off Lily's grip and continued to exchange heated words with the woman. The argument escalated, with both women raising their voices and attracting the attention of the other bar patrons.
The bartender intervened, trying to calm the situation. "Ladies, please, let's keep it down," he said, but Sarah and the woman were too far gone.
The woman sneered at Sarah. "You think you're protecting your friend? Julian's just using her like he uses me. She's just another notch on his belt."
Sarah's eyes blazed with fury. "How dare you," she spat, but before she could react further, the woman turned and walked away, leaving Sarah seething with anger.
Lily grabbed Sarah's arm and pulled her away from the bar. "Let's get out of here," she said, her voice firm. "This isn't worth it."
As they walked out of the bar, Sarah turned to Lily. "What are you going to do about Julian?" she asked, her voice still shaking with anger.
Sarah's anger and concern for Lily suddenly gave way to worry as Lily's face went pale and her eyes fluttered closed. Lily's body began to sway, and Sarah quickly grabbed her, holding her upright.
"Lily, oh no, Lily!" Sarah exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice. She helped Lily sit down on a nearby chair, fanning her face with her hand.
The bartender rushed over, concern etched on his face. "Is she okay? Do you need me to call someone?"
Sarah nodded, still trying to revive Lily. "Yeah, please call an ambulance. I think she needs medical attention."
As they waited for help to arrive, Sarah held Lily's hand, talking to her softly, trying to keep her awake. But Lily remained unconscious, her body limp in Sarah's arms.
When the paramedics arrived, they quickly assessed Lily's condition and decided to take her to the hospital as a precaution. Sarah rode with her, holding her hand and worrying about what could have caused her to faint.
At the hospital, the doctors ran some tests, and Sarah anxiously waited for the results. She was determined to get to the bottom of what was going on with Lily and Julian.
The doctor's words hung in the air, and Sarah's eyes widened in shock. "Pregnant?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor nodded sympathetically. "Yes, the stress of recent events likely contributed to her fainting spell. We'll need to monitor her closely and ensure she's receiving proper care."
Sarah's mind reeled as she processed the news. She looked at Lily, who was still pale and overwhelmed. Sarah took a deep breath, trying to be strong for her friend.
"What's going to happen now?" Sarah asked the doctor, her voice firm.
The doctor smiled reassuringly. "We'll take good care of her. Let's focus on stabilizing her condition and ensuring a healthy pregnancy."
As the doctor left the room, Sarah sat beside Lily, holding her hand and trying to process the news. She looked at Lily with concern and affection, wondering what this meant for her friend's future.
Sarah got up and said, "I'll go get you something to eat. You must be starving. What do you feel like having?"
Lily smiled weakly and said, "Something greasy would be great, thanks."
Sarah laughed and headed out to get Lily some food. She returned with a plate of fries and a bottle of water. "Here you go, I got you some fries from that place down the street. Hopefully, it'll help settle your stomach."
Lily's eyes lit up at the sight of the fries, and she took a tentative bite. The salty flavor was just what she needed, and she felt a bit more energized.
As they sat there eating and chatting, Sarah tried to reassure Lily that everything would be okay. "We'll figure this out, Lil. You're not alone in this," Sarah said, her voice full of conviction.
Lily looked at Sarah, her eyes searching for guidance. "What am I going to do, Sarah? I'm pregnant, and it's...it's Julian's," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sarah took a deep breath and put a reassuring hand on Lily's arm. "We'll figure it out together, okay? But first, let's focus on getting you better and making sure you're okay."
Lily nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she could count on Sarah to be there for her, no matter what.
"Do you want to tell Julian about the pregnancy?" Sarah asked gently.
Lily hesitated, unsure of what to do. "I don't know...I need some time to think about it," she said, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Sarah nodded understandingly. "You take all the time you need, Lil. I'll be here for you, no matter what you decide."
Lily's determination grew as she said, "I'm not telling Julian. This is my decision to make, and I'll handle it on my own."
Sarah looked at her with concern, but also with understanding. "Okay, Lil. I support you, whatever you decide. But are you sure you're ready for this? Being a single mom can be tough."
Lily took a deep breath, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. "I'll figure it out, Sarah. I always do. And I have you to help me, right?"
Sarah smiled and hugged Lily tightly. "Of course, I'm here for you. We'll face this together, just like we always do."
Lily smiled weakly and nodded. "Thanks, Sarah. That sounds amazing. I think I'll take a nap while you get everything ready."
Sarah helped Lily get comfortable in the hospital bed and tucked her in. "I'll be back soon with a delicious meal. Get some rest, okay?"
Lily closed her eyes, feeling grateful for her friend's care and support. As she drifted off to sleep, she knew she was lucky to have Sarah by her side.
Sarah quietly left the hospital room, already thinking about what healthy meal she could prepare for Lily. She smiled to herself, happy to be able to take care of her friend during this challenging time.
As Sarah headed home, she started making a mental list of all the ingredients she'd need for a nutritious meal. She was determined to help Lily feel better and take care of herself and her baby.