Sense and the truth

WTF was going on?

Claire lay there on her bed, head in her hands. She was confused and scared. She hadn't stopped being sick, and she kept crying and laughing at random things. However, she was still managing to hide it, most of it being with her running away, making some excuse whenever she needed to use the bathroom, or cry at some picture. Maybe I should tell someone.

But if she told Shane, he would freak out and go over-protective boyfriend mode. Again. If she told Michael, he would go all dad like and tell Shane. And if she told Eve, well, Eve would tell everyone. No, this was something she would have to figure out on her own.

But what if she was in trouble? Like some disease like cancer? Or something like brain tumour? Had she had trouble with her mind lately? Had she- no, you're just being paranoid. And how is vomiting and being emotional having ANYTHING to do with brain tumour?

She sighed and lay back. Sleep she decided I'll go to the library tomorrow. She closed her eyes, and felt herself drift off.

Shanes POV

I watched my girlfriend sleeping from the doorway. I was worried, though I didn't let it show. Ever since she'd cried when I told her about my arm, she'd been constantly running away, avoiding us more and more. Something was wrong, and I wanted to find out.

I and Michael waited until she'd left the house. I felt guilty about spying on my girlfriend, but I was concerned for her. This wasn't like Claire, at all.

"This way." Michael was pointing towards the way of UNI. We'd waited for 20 minutes before going, and then started to "trace her scent" as Michael put it. That wasn't a nice thought. We drove for what seemed like ages before he said "we're here" and climbed out of the shiny black vamp car.

"Where's here?"

"I think she went to the library" he said and gave me a half grin. "No surprises there."

"Well, she's in a school, there are loads of books and she's Claire, so no, not really."

We entered the library. It was a big hall, crammed with thousands and thousands of books. Some piled high on each other. And there was so much dust, that the floor and walls were a dull grey, at least until before all the books came.

"There" Michael pointed, and sure enough, there was Claire, sat at a desk with her head bent over a book (shocker), her long dark hair flopping in front of her face. She was so beautiful, and she could be in danger. No, there was no way I would let that happens.

"Shane!"

Michael was clicking his fingers in front of my face, repeating my name over and over.

"Sorry."

He shot me an amused look. "Dude you're starting to be just like Claire, you space out so hard – not that that's a bad thing" he said quickly, hands up in surrender as I glared angrily at him.

Refocusing, I looked at Claire again, this time noticing a huge pile of books right next to her. "Holy shit, what's she looking up that requires half of the library?"

"No kidding" he replied "I don't know, maybe- hang on," because Claire was getting up and started to head towards another bookshelf. "I'll go look, wait here. " Using vamp speed, he went to Claire's desk and looked at the books she'd picked out. But when he came back, his face was pure confusion.

"Well?" I demanded.

"Diseases"

"What?"

"Diseases. They're all about Illness's and diseases."

"Why? Why would she search for something like that?"

"I don't know" he said, shaking his head "I don't know."

We decided to go back home and confront her there. It was so weird. Why would she look up diseases? Was she ill? Had she caught something from that fucking lab? I couldn't stop pacing.

"Shane, seriously, you're going to wear out the floor." Eve commented and it took all my self-control not to send some vibe back. "Look, I'm sure she's fine. She's probably really stressed out with school work and her crazy ass boss."

"yeah." I replied, not really listening. Just then I heard the door open and close. I looked at Michael.

"Be cool." He warned as we heard her footsteps come towards us.

"Hey guys, I'm going to go study, see you lat…" but she trailed off when she saw the looks on our faces. "What?"

"Claire what's going on? " Michael asked softly.

"Huh?"

"What's the matter? You keep doing this. "

"Doing what?"

"Avoiding us. Every night, you're either too tired or studying and then you go upstairs to your bedroom. You never want to sit with us, hang with us, not even with Shane! And then, when I went to go look for you earlier, all I found were dozens of books about diseases and bugs and illness's. why Claire?" Eve said, her voice starting to get louder.

"This isn't like you Claire, what happened?"

Her mouth was slightly parted. She stared at us and I was afraid she would start to cry. I stayed silent and walked up to her. Quietly I asked her, trying to keep my voice from shaking "Claire, are you ill? I'm worried, please talk to me."

It worked. She turned her face towards me, her eyes glittering. "I- look, the books are something to do with Myrin, I can't tell you about that. And I'm not avoiding you, it's just…I…I…" and with that she burst into tears. Swiftly, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her onto the couch with me. Michael softened and knelt down in front of her. "Claire, what is it?"

She took a deep breath and stared down at her lap. "Recently, I found out that, that…"

"You found out what?"

"I got told that well, my grandma…she…she…died." And with that she threw herself into my shoulder, crying hysterically. Then, of course, Eve started to cry as well and rushed over to her, apologizing over and over for yelling at her and that she had no idea and she was just concerned and how sorry she was about her grandma. Then Michael stood up and joined in the hug and it felt like we were a family again.

Finally, she sat up wiping her eyes and explained. "I stayed away from you, because I keep randomly crying and I didn't want you asking and worrying because I didn't want to talk about it. We were really close when I was younger. She used to make me enter all these singing competitions and take me out and everything. But then she had to go into a home. And I was going to visit her when I got spare time, but I didn't. I should have visited her, I'm so selfish. I should have taken time off and put some more effort in I-"

"Claire, you could never be selfish." I interrupted. "This isn't your fault. You never really have time, and besides, who knows, Amelie might not have let you go anyway. Please believe me babe; you are the kindest, sweetest most selfless person we all know. "

She nodded and buried her face into my shoulder. Then after she calmed down, Michael put on a movie and we all sat down to watch. Finally, I could relax. She was ok.

Claire's POV

It was true what I said. My grandma really did die. I just hadn't realized how guilty I felt until now. I really did miss her.

It felt so good that finally I didn't have to avoid them. Now I could actually spend time with my boyfriend. Of course I was still vomiting, but then I would say I needed the bathroom or was going to get a coke. It was brilliant.

When the movie ended, it switched onto the news. Yawning I stretched and relaxed against the solid warmth of Shane as Eve got up to switch the movie. It wasn't until nearly the end of the report that something made me pay attention.

"Aww, look at the baby!" Eve cooed as the presenter continued to welcome Isabella smith to the world. And it hit me. That was what it was.

I was pregnant.

And with that I fainted, my head going limp against Shane's chest.