Growing up too fast

I have always had my life planned in a sense. I've never considered a path other than college after high school, and for the majority of my life, I've had the same goal career-wise. But recent events caused me to wonder what would happen if my plans were suddenly interrupted?

One of my friends recently discovered that she is pregnant. Wow. I have always heard about teen pregnancy through the media, and have known girls in my school who have gotten pregnant either shortly after high school or while they were still there. But never have I been close enough to one of them for it to make an impact.

This girl is one of the sweetest people I know, and she's always been there if I needed someone to listen, and I've tried to do the same for her. This, however, is the biggest thing she's gone through, and while she's talked to me about it, I feel like this is just the one time when I can' t really give her good advice, because I've never been in the situation. Nevertheless, I have told her my thoughts and tried to help her out as much as help is needed at this early stage.

The biggest thing she's had to deal with is rumors at school. First one girl overhears something, and then she knows, and then suddenly the whole volleyball team is aware of my friend's situation. That's life in a small town.

I am so worried for her. I support her 100% in her decision to have the baby, and I have promised to be there for her if she ever needs anything. I think she can handle it. I'm just so scared for her, maybe mostly because she doesn't seem scared herself at this point. I don't think the impact of this has set in on her yet.

My only hope is that she will be all right.