Chapter 10

Genevieve POV

It's Monday. Yay! Not really though. I have my detention with . Dear God. And assigned a butt load of homework. Not to mention is expecting those projects in history and I haven't even decided on a topic. Also, the icing on the cake, I'm pregnant with a machine that creates vomit.

I looked it up online and it turns out that morning sickness is actually good...for the baby. Still, I have no interest in being hunched over the toilet barfing up my breakfast, my lunch, my dinner, and everything in between. Of course it's not that frequent, but it sure feels like it. I do call myself a bit of a drama queen when it comes to my own discomforts.

And now, I regret to inform anyone and everyone, that my period is officially late. Hooray! Now my menstrual cramps will be replaced with pregnancy cramps. Isn't that just fantastic. Sometimes I think I overdo it with the sarcasm...Nah!

"So, Genevieve," began this afternoon, "it would be in your best interest if during the night you actually got sleep, instead of from what Victor tells me, parading around with your friends looking for rats."

"Does Victor really tell you those things?" I asked, surprised.

"Let me finish. And yes he does, as headmaster of the school I need to know of any problems with the housing," Sweetie informed me quite matter-of-factly. He cleared his throat. "As I was saying. If you feel the need to doze off in one of my classrooms please wait. It is only respectful."

I silently raised my hand with an expression of disbelief.

"Yes?" accepted snippily.

"I'm sorry, , but I don't think that's exactly how sleep works," I stated sassily.

"You know what Ms.O'Leary you're probably right, and just to make sure why don't you take out a piece of paper and write down every single thing you know about how 'sleep works.'" I was most often so intrigued by 's punishments. They were always so whimsical.

"Eye, eye, captain," I responded teasingly.

groaned and leaned back in his desk chair. Always good chatting with you too, Sweetie.

I pull out a clean sheet of lined paper and begin work on my list. I soon realize that I have a very limited knowledge on the intricacies of how sleep works. Maybe you should teach us more science, huh bud. Just a thought.

I also realize very quickly that little life ruiner, that's my cute nickname for the baby, has decided that my body needs to eject any and all food related items immediately.

I frantically raise my hand in front of , attempting to get his goddamn attention.

" !" I finally call after noticing that wouldn't be looking up from whatever paper he was grading until the sun went down.

"Yes, Genevieve," accepted, not looking up.

"May I go to the bathroom?" I asked worryingly. If this goes on any longer I'm going to vomit in your face, .

"In a minute," debated . What? What the hell will be any different in a minute, except for maybe a fresh puddle of puke on the ground.

"Please," I beg, my throat compressing all the gags that were trying to fight their way through.

"Okay, fine," finally allowed. I rushed over to the door to escape. However, I wasn't quick enough.

The urge to release all of my stomach's contents, including the baby, although that was impossible, built to its climax. I was smart enough to reach out for the trashcan before expelling my guts.

"Ms.O'Leary!" called, panicked.

I couldn't answer him, obviously.

"I'll call Trudy immediately," announced. Trudy! I can't have Trudy seeing me like this. And when she realizes there's nothing wrong with me she'll ask me if something else is going on and then, well, I can't lie to Trudy. That's just humanly impossible.

"Oh, dear," Trudy fussed, rushing over to me. I was sat in the empty nurses office. The nurse left right after school ended. Personally, I think it's rather unprofessional. "Poor sweetie," Trudy cooed, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Hi, Trudy," I greeted her, pulling away from the embrace. I was worried it might squeeze up what was remaining.

"Oh, you look awful," Trudy reminded. Aw, shucks, Trudes.

"I was hoping you'd know what to do with her," expectantly responded. He was waiting weakly by the door.

Trudy looked disbelievingly at . "Well, I sure hope so, she's obviously sick," Trudy remarked, pulling me into another warming hug, this time a little more gentle on the baby place.

"I'll take you home and make you a cup of tea right away. How does that sound?" Trudy proposed.

"Trudy, I'm afraid to say she has detention," reminded. Oh, bug off. I want my cup of tea.

"Well, I'm afraid to say that our poor Genevieve has the flu," Trudy theorized. She placed her palm on my forehead. "I guess you don't feel hot, but we'll find something else wrong with ya'," Trudy whispered to me. Oh, I bet you will, Trudy, I bet you will.

I grinned at her lovingly. Trudy is such a kind soul. I hope to be like her someday, except maybe a little more badass.

"Come with me, dear," Trudy ushered me slowly out of the room.

"We will, of course, reschedule this. I'm all packed this week so I'll talk to you tomorrow," requested.

"Oh, I don't know if she'll be doing much talking tomorrow. Bed rest and tele that's what I always say," Trudy responded. Scratch that last part. Trudy is hella badass.

And at the didn't speak, or maybe I just stopped listening.

Trudy had checked my temperature for a fever. There was nothing, obviously. "You've probably just come down with a bug," she figured. Yes, Trudy, a bug, a little baby bug.

Now, I sat in my room, which I now shared with Amber and Nina instead of Patricia and Nina which used to be Patricia and Joy. Seriously, I have no idea why everything in my life is all suddenly changing. Jerome was sitting beside me on my bed, catching up on homework.

We had barely been talking until Jerome asked the question, "So, you need stuff, right?"

"What? To take algebra?" I wondered aloud. Jerome never really was specific enough. It's his one quirk. His single, lonely quirk.

"No, no, for, like, babies and shit," Jerome reminded. "Like, you need to go to a doctor, and he needs to give you drugs and say that your baby is healthy and all that jazz."

"First off, doctors can be women," I corrected.

"Yeah, of course, or her, sorry," Jerome apologized.

"Totally," I sighed, "and you're right about the baby stuff. I need prenatal vitamins and some tests too. I should actually admit, I have no idea what I'm doing."

"Same," Jerome confessed.

"We should probably schedule a doctor's appointment," I figured.

Jerome flopped to his side. "Yeah," he agreed.

"I'll call them after supper," I informed. "Remind me?"

"Sure thing," Jerome said. "Gen."

"Yeah?"

"These baby things, parental vitamins or whatever, they cost money?" Jerome asked.

"Obviously," I answered.

"Fuck!" Jerome exclaimed.

"We'll get jobs or something," I proposed.

"Yeah," Jerome agreed wearily. "Gen?"

"What, Jerome?" I ask rather snarkily.

"Can we talk later?"

I sighed, "We can talk now."

"Never mind," Jerome pardoned. He began to stiff his books and papers back into his bag.

Jerome shuffled through his papers and books. He stuffed all of his things into his bag. Where ya' going, bro?

"I'll talk to you later, Gen," Jerome dismissed.

"You can talk to me now," I offered playfully. Jerome, buddy, what's up?

"Never mind," Jerome mumbled, standing up and walking to the door.

"Jerome?" I wondered.

"I just… don't worry about it," Jerome stuttered. He swung his bag around his shoulder and walked out of my room.

I didn't bother chasing after him. He needs space. I understood that. Still, a wave of violent emotion hit me at that moment. I began to feel tears fall down my face. No conversation with Jerome has ever been that tense. No conversation with Jerome has ever been that bare.

I folded over in my bed, being cautious of the company that now resided in my poorly self.

Suddenly, Amber walked into our room. I quickly wiped the beads of sadness from my face, but Amber still took note.

"What's wrong?" she exclaimed rushing over to my side.

"Nothing," I lied, looking at Amber.

"Oh, I get it," Amber assumed, her tone slightly condescending.

"What?" I asked. Did Amber snoop underneath my bed?

"I mean I just got mine yesterday," Amber confessed. Oh, Amber. I wish that was the case. "I don't get why we have to have periods. I swear it's the most inconvenient thing in the world!" If only you knew, Amber, if only you knew.

"Yeah," I sighed, standing up and walking over to the full body mirror.

"How are things with Jerome?" Amber asked excitedly.

"Umm…" I stalled.

"I mean, now that Mick and I are back together we should totally go on a double date," Amber suggested.

"Yeah, that'd be great," I blindly accepted. I stared intently at the plain where my baby would eventually push out. There was obviously nothing there yet, but I couldn't help but imagine it when it would happen.

"How are you liking being my roomie?" Amber inquired.

I turned to Amber. "You're lovely," I answered honestly. Amber was, sincerely, a much needed warming presence in my everyday life.

"You too, even if you do keep crying," Amber teased.

I giggled until Amber joined in too. Really lovely.

Supper was stressful. Jerome was sulking by his food, glancing at me sneakily in a nervous way. It wasn't helpful that my boobs were feeling really achy and it would look weird if I just started massaging my boobs at the dinner table.

"You scheduled it yet?" Jerome whispered to me finally over the salad.

"I told you, after supper," I reminded, slightly more curt than I had hoped.

Jerome sighed and looked back down to his plate of food. He played around with it absentmindedly. However, I was more than happy to inhale my entire plate.

"You feeling okay, Genevieve?" Trudy asked me as she came back into the dining room with a pepper shaker.

I barely had time to answer before Mara cut in.

"What happened?" she asked curiously.

"I just, just got sick during detention today and Trudy came and picked me up," I revealed hesitantly. "But I'm feeling all better now."

"That's great to know, but I still think you shouldn't go to school tomorrow," Trudy suggested.

"Yes, please," I joked, somewhat seriously.

"Okay, now pass me the water pitcher and I'll refill it," Trudy urged to the table.

Mara handed her the empty jug.

"I'm sorry about you getting sick, Genevieve," Mara sympathised.

I sighed, "It's fine. I feel fine. Besides, it got me out of detention with Sweetie, and now I don't get school tomorrow. That's a steal."

Mara gives me a look like I'm ridiculous. Oh, that's right, Mara's not human and she actually enjoys school. I completely forgot.

I turned back to my food, almost halfway done.

I glance at Jerome. It seems his form has become even more tense at the revelation of my nausea amongst our house mates.

The conversation within our friends starts up again as Jerome whispers to me, "Don't talk about it anymore."

I scoff silently. "Excuse me, but I wasn't the one who brought it up. Besides, what does it matter."

"Just, I don't want them to, ya' know, find out," Jerome hissed.

"Well, then you best shut up, mister," I shot back.

At this Jerome silenced himself, but it wasn't long before Alfie decided to join in our "conversation."

"Guess what I got from my uncle in the mail," Alfie urged.

Neither Jerome or I responded.

"Woah, a little tense much," Alfie teased.

"I'll talk to you later, Alfie," Jerome promised. He stood up from his seat and walked over to clear his plate, barely touched.

"Jerome," I called after him.

He didn't reply. I didn't know that Jerome would need this much space. I thought he'd be able to talk to me. I thought we were able to do those sort of things, able to work it out. I've never seen Jerome act this way.

I sigh loudly in a way that is audibly throughout the entire table.

All conversations stop and I see the faces of my friends turn to me curiously.

"Don't worry about it," I assure them. "I'm not hungry," I lied. I stood up and cleared my plate reluctantly.

I quickly rush up to my room as I start to feel tears from just, I don't know, being overwhelmed I guess, start to form in my eyes.

I slam the door behind me, taking deep breaths. It's okay, Gen, you're going to be okay. Why can't I believe this? Jerome seemed to believe it, but now I'm not completely sure.

I quickly walk over to my bed and open my laptop, looking up doctor's offices. Usually my mother would schedule my doctor's appointments or I would get them through the school, but obviously they wouldn't be able to appoint something they didn't know was even going on.

I write down a number on my hand. I would have to call from the house telephone, because my phone was still at 's. I had to turn it on for my detention.

I swiftly close the tabs on my search engine and flip into my mattress. So, Gen, this is what it's like to be an "adult." Ha, not really, though, 'cause adults actually get help with their problems. I'm just a silly teen.

I put my heads to my stomach and just as I had suspected as flat as pavement. Still, I could feel something and it wasn't the seasick feeling of nausea, but rather a bond like I've never felt before. I couldn't quite pinpoint it, but I knew it wasn't right. Or at least, I thought it couldn't be right.

So, listen, this story is slowly getting a little more off the track of the original plot line. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I hope that people don't mind my story twisting a little bit from the actual development. It would be kinda hard to keep to the exact plan when adding new character/s and interactions.

~Elle