Chapter One
"It doesn't seem right that someone like that would get sick and die." [He] countered, 'Why shouldn't it be right? It's what happens." ~ Jan Elizabeth Watson
Nine Months
Waking up was always the worst part of the day. It was like a slap in the face after feeling so peaceful for the last eight hours. My alarm clock blared continuously and sounded strangely like time to face reality, time to face reality like a mantra. I swung my arm around in the darkness and hit my alarm clock. I sighed as silence filled the room and I shut my eyes willing myself back to sleep. I hadn't been sleeping well at all lately so I was even more tired than usual. My door swung open to reveal my brother Mike with a toothbrush in his mouth, eyes squinting in the darkness.
"Margaret, mom says to wake up." I didn't answer him and he sighed turning to clomp down the stairs. It was a Monday the worst day in the history of the world. School was my own personal hell the boring classes; smelly lunches and judging students could take a toll on anyone. I had always thought when I was younger when I was a senior I would finally be popular but boy had I been wrong. I begrudgingly got out of bed and stumbled down the stairs. My mother was bustling around the kitchen and trying to make breakfast. She had always been one of those mothers who made a nice breakfast every morning, kept the house spotless and doted over her children. Well most of her children anyway.
"Morning mom," I said stifling a yawn. She grumbled her reply and continued wiping down the counter. I shuffled over to the fridge and swung the door open shivering as the cold air hit my skin. I scanned over the food and instantly felt nauseous at the thought of eating. Looks like I'm skipping breakfast. I quietly moved to the kitchen table and began to put my heavy school books in my bag.
"Good morning mother," my sister called flitting down the stairs to our mother's smiling face. Mom opened her arms and hugged her patting her head affectionately. Lily turned to me and smiled her flouncy curls like a halo around her head. A pang of jealousy shot through me at how effortlessly gorgeous she was even in the morning. I supposed some people would say we looked alike considering we were twins. Although I disagreed. While we both had curly black hair Lily's were a like a satin crown and mine were a frizzy mess. She flaunted her long legs and curves with short skirts and I hid mine under baggy jeans. We had similar faces but she had thick lashes and I had thick glasses. The major differences that anyone could pick out were our eyes. Lily had big owl like eyes the color of melted caramel. Mine were a dark green that contrasted strangely with the rest of my face.
Lily slid out of mothers embrace and grabbed a granola bar from the cupboard. I turned away from her trying to ignore her happy attitude.
"Margaret you really should eat something," mom scolded watching while Lily with a fond smile on her face.
"I'm not hungry," I stated hurrying up the stairs before anyone could reply. Ever since I was little my mother had always favored Lily. I couldn't blame her considering the things that I had failed to do. Like have a boyfriend, take honors classes and being the outgoing doting daughter she had always wanted me to be. The only time my mother showed me any kind of affection was when I brought Embry to the house. I had to remind myself that it didn't matter what my mother thought but it did.
Twenty minutes later Mike, Lily and I were on the bus pulling away from our brightly colored house. It was rainy like usual in La Push, Washington. Fat ran drops slid down the window making the day seem even more melancholy. I could feel a piercing headache beginning from the loud chatter of students. I had always gotten migraines but lately they had been becoming unbearable. When we pulled into the parking lot I slid past students seemingly invisible. That was how I lived because it was easier. I trudged into La Push Tribal high school trying not to call unwanted attention to myself. That's when I heard him. He called my name loudly and unafraid as I turned sharply to face him. My hearts reaction to him didn't disappoint, it never did.
Embry Call was standing in all his glory waving his arms frantically. He was beautiful that much anyone could see. He was tall maybe six feet much taller than my 5.4 frame. Raindrops slid down his beautiful russet skin. His smile made my heart pound faster even when it wasn't directed at me and it brightened the rainy day. That jet black hair that always fell in his eyes made my stomach quiver. Those eyes, eyes you could get lost in. Those warm, rich brown eyes always warmed me to the tips of my toes. He was perfect. I still never quite understood why he still hung out with me. I don't think anyone understood what went through his mind but I certainly didn't want to.
"Maggie!" he called again a breathtaking smile running across his features as he saw me. I smiled back timidly and shuffled towards him. When we finally reached each other I looked up at him though my lashes but he surprised me. Instead of our usual act of small talk as we walked to class he grabbed my hand. His hand was warm and it seemed to fit mine perfectly. I stifled a gasp as he smiled down at me making my insides turn to a puddle of goo.
"Hey how was your weekend? I barely saw you," he said obviously oblivious to the effect he had on me.
"Very —," I hesitated. I hated to think about weekends because it made me feel guilty. There was so much I could do like swimming, hiking or maybe even hang out with other teenagers but I never did. I had a horrible headache the whole weekend and stayed in bed, hiding. That could be my excuse and it would be. Even though it was true it didn't make up for how pitiful my life really was.
"I didn't feel very well." I looked up to see Embry studying me closely as I avoided his gaze.
"How do you feel now?" he asked concern etching his tone.
"Fine I guess just a little tired," I replied just as the bell rang. "Come on we have debate first period." I pulled on Embry's hand and he followed reluctantly.
"We have speeches today don't we?" Embry asked. I nodded my head and he groaned.
"You'll do fine besides Mrs. Everett loves you," I told him. Everyone loved him I added silently in my head.
"Only because of my good looks and charm," he replied sarcasm thick in his voice. I rolled my eyes and giggled. I stopped when I realized it hurt to laugh. I could still feel my head throbbing after each breath that left my mouth. It was going to be a long day. I looked up at Embry who was still smiling down at me and realized I would be okay.
XXX
I didn't get nervous during speeches. I didn't need to because no one knew who I was anyway. I actually enjoyed debate class. Call me crazy but getting a grade for arguing seemed like a pretty good deal to me. But now as I stood I felt faint just thinking about giving my speech. AS my name was called I trudged slowly across the ragged carpet my heart clenching uncomfortably in my chest. I felt a familiar burning in the pit of my stomach and my heart skipped a beat. Oh no. Please God not now. It was happening again. Not now anytime but now.
As I reached the front of the room I felt a piercing pain that stretched from my stomach to my lower back. It was like someone had reached inside me and ripped my insides apart. I felt my hands shake and sweat drip down my back. I wanted to bend over and moan but I bit my lip. "Alright Ms. Smith you may begin." I barely registered what Mrs. Everett as I dug my nails into my palm. A wave of pain ricocheted off my chest leaving me breathless. Black spots filled my vision as I grabbed onto the desk, my legs suddenly wobbly.
"Ms. Smith?" I couldn't do it. I had to get out. Before I had made the conscience decision my legs were already moving. I ran past the gaze of curious students and through the hall the white lights hurting my eyes. Slipping into the bathroom I fumbled my into a stall slamming the door behind me. I sank down to the floor gasping for breath as I clutched my stomach. The pain was worse crippling me as I lay my head on the cool tile floor. I could barely pull in enough air as I tried to keep in the sobs of pain. I don't know how long I lay there clutching my stomach in pain. Eventually the pain began to recede just like it always did. I tried to sit up pushing away my hair that was sticking to my forehead. My hands were shaking and I could feel exhaustion willing me to lie back on the cool floor again. I complied closing my eyes as I felt my brain recede and I let the darkness take me away.
XXX
It felt good to just float in the blackness. I had always wondered what it would be to be weightless. It was like drifting slowly through water. I knew in the back of my mind I was sleeping but I had never slept like this before. I couldn't find my body to move it but that was okay I didn't want to. So for what felt like days I floated mindlessly until I felt a warm touch. I could feel my body again and my mind was losing the fog. My eyes snapped open and fresh air burst into my lungs.
"Oh thank God!" I looked up into a pair of large grey eyes and I tried to sit up. "Are you okay?" the girl asked.
"I'm fine," I croaked rubbing my sore back. I looked around and realized I was still in the bathroom. "What time is it?" I asked looking around the empty room.
"It's last period. I just came in to use the bathroom and you were just laying here. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Don't worry," I said gripping her arm as she helped me up. Besides my sore muscles there was other sign of my attack. It almost seemed like a dream but remembering the pain I knew it was real. "Thanks for your help but I need to get home," I stated avoiding the girls piercing gaze.
"Do you need a ride?" she asked as I shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot.
"Thanks but I'll walk I could use the fresh air," I replied. She nodded as I began to walk to the door. I stopped and turned to face her. "Could you not mention this to anyone?"
"Uhh sure," I could hear the uncertainty ringing in her voice. I nodded and ran out the door. The walk to my house was long and I had to cut to the woods. As I trampled over branches and dead leaves I realized there was something horribly wrong with me. I had gotten the pain before but it had never been that bad. I had always thought it was just cramps or maybe acid buildup. I had tried to not eat spicy foods and taking pain killers but it didn't help. My heart was pounding by the time I unlocked the front door and stumbled inside. The house was empty and it felt somewhat eerie. I quietly made my way upstairs and grabbed my laptop. I typed my symptoms into the search bar, weight loss, fatigue, headaches and abdominal pain. My eyes widened at what appeared on screen. Things like hepatitis, scarring of the liver, gastric ulcers and ovarian cancer. I shut my laptop breathing heavily. I couldn't really be that sick could I? I picked up the phone thinking it was time to make a very long overdue doctor's appointment. Maybe I was just over anticipating things. Besides how could anything like that ever happen to me?
A/N: Hey everybody,
I wanted to thank anyone who is reading and encourage you to review. I hate it when people don't review. It helps me to post faster because I get support. So please review. Thanks!
Sunnygirl40 ;)
