The brown envelope from the clinic burns in my hand as I stare at Huang Xing across our tiny kitchen. How did he find it? I specifically hid it behind the cereal box, thinking out of sight would mean out of mind. That's always been my strategy with difficult things - ignore them until they disappear.

"Whose pregnancy results are these?" Huang Xing blurts out, clutching the envelope like it contains evidence of a crime. His typical tact has deserted him completely.

My throat goes dry. Do I lie? Make up some story about a friend? The words won't come. Instead, memories flood back: the doctor's baffled expression, the long train ride home, sitting on my bed for hours staring at nothing, wondering if I should call my parents, wondering if I should tell him - the other half of the equation.

Huang Xing's expression softens when I don't immediately deny it. "Qiu Qiu..." He takes a step toward me, his usual confidence replaced by uncertainty.

I set down my instant noodles, suddenly not hungry anymore. The weight of the secret feels heavier now that it's about to be exposed. Two months ago, we were just two roommates celebrating Lunar New Year alone together. Now everything has changed.

I finally meet his eyes, my heart pounding. "Remember two months ago... when we both stayed in for Lunar New Year..."

His eyes widen slightly as understanding dawns on his face. I can see him connecting the dots - the late nights, the forgotten condoms, the way we'd been tiptoeing around whatever this thing between us has become.

Taking a deep breath, I decide there's no more avoiding it. "A-Xing, those are my lab results. I'm... I'm pregnant."