Chapter 34: Graduation and Complications
Bella POV
Today was the day. Graduation!
It wasn't so bad on the lead up to it, I was able to distract myself from the general nerves that came with graduating from high school. But there was no distracting myself today. I was nervous. Really nervous. It wouldn't have been so bad if it were a quiet affair, you know, like a sly handing over of my diploma and then that's it. But walking up in front of the whole school, plus parents? Yikes!
Charlie had taken the day off work for my graduation, but he was at the airport right now, picking my Mom and Phil up. What was I doing? I was still lying in bed, trying to pretend that today was just a normal day to try and trick my brain into not sending nervous tremors to my hands.
Paul was due to come over an hour before we left for the high school and Gyda, well, she had been here for a week already. She claimed she didn't want to be around Edward and if it weren't for me, she would have left by now. She'd tried to keep her promise to me, the condition I put in place to go to Sweden with her, but she kept saying Edward didn't want to speak to her. Of course, I knew the real reason why he was doing that but having her at my house was no better in keeping the surprise a secret.
I was pretty good at blocking my thoughts from her, with an exception. Edward's name. As soon as it left her mouth, I'd start reciting the alphabet over and over in my head, so she couldn't see what I really wanted to think about. It was much easier for Paul, the distracting your brain from thinking this, situation. He had taught himself to control his thoughts in wolf form, so luckily, my naked body had not been plastered in every wolf's mind. Something I was grateful for.
I heard Charlie's cruiser pull up in the driveway and groaned. I'd have to get up now, there's no way my Mom would let me stay in bed on graduation day.
"Gyda" I groaned.
My bedroom door opened fast, making it ricochet off the wall. A framed photograph of Paul and I wobbled a little, threatening to fall.
"Yes, your Majesty?"
"Is my Mom here now?" I mumbled into my pillow, though already knowing the answer. She walked over to the window, pushed it up and leaned out.
"Yeah she's here. Hi Renee and Phil! Lovely weather, ey?" she shouted out.
"Nice to see you again Gyda! You know something, I was thinking the exact same too! Is this the same Forks I came to last time?" I heard my Mom's infectious laughter travel through the window.
"Come on in, I've got some coffee ready to go. Oh, and I'm trying to get your daughter up but she's being a lazy bum-"
"I am not! I'm up, see?" I grudgingly pulled myself out of bed and wrapped my robe around myself.
Gyda closed the window with a smile.
"I like your Mum, she's nice" she said, opening a drawer and throwing a pair of my socks at me.
"Oh thanks-" I pulled them on "-and yeah she's a great Mom. Though today is going to be something short of unbearable" I groaned again. Gyda helped me up and then we went downstairs to greet our visitors. One thing I should mention. My Mom didn't know what Gyda really was. She thinks Gyda is a foreign exchange student from England. It was the best thing I could come up with when I was high on medication in the hospital. It didn't all turn out bad though, my Mom hardly ever questioned Gyda on her 'studies', but whenever she felt like questioning, Gyda always had answered ready. Oh, Mom also didn't know what Paul really was, either. Or any of the Pack.
As soon as the door opened, my Mom rushed into my arms. "Oh sweetheart! Happy Graduation Day!" she squealed.
I held her tightly "Thanks Mom! Oh, I missed you!"
"Oh I missed you too honey! Well, why aren't you dressed?" she complained instantly. Ugh, didn't I tell you?
I rolled my eyes "Mom, we don't have to be at the school until 1. It's not even 9am yet!"
"Do you think I want my daughter turning up to her high school graduation looking like she spent the whole morning lying in bed?" she said, raising her eyebrows at my robed attire.
"Well, that kind of is what I've been doing" I mumbled.
Mom interrupted me "-okay! Let's get breakfast on the go! We need to be ready to leave for 12, so we can take photos-"
I groaned again. There seemed to be a lot of that coming from me this morning. I guess it wasn't too bad though. Paul was due to be here at 12, so at least I'd have my wolf for comfort.
After Gyda was pulled into many hugs and kisses from my Mom and a handshake from Phil, they disappeared into the kitchen with Charlie. Gyda pulled me to the side.
"Bella, I feel a little embarrassed. I don't really have anything to wear" she admitted.
I chuckled "You could wear a garbage bag and I'd still be happy that you were there with me today" I reassured her.
She rolled her eyes "Seriously though, what do I wear? I can't wear this-" she motioned to her body. She was dressed in her mom jeans, a white hoody and unmatched socks with penguins on them.
I giggled "Where did you get those from?" I asked, pointing to her feet.
She furrowed her brow "Amazon. I thought they looked cute"
"They are cute. Gyda, please don't worry about dressing the part. In fact, it would comfort me to see you dressed like this. Just be yourself, okay?"
"Yep. Okay, I can do that. Just be myself. My vampire self or my pretend to be human self?"
"Just yourself" I kissed her on the cheek and went into the kitchen to sit next to my Mom. I had missed her a lot! Gyda served coffee to everyone and then we joined in the conversation, which was already making Charlie uncomfortable.
"Charlie, I can't believe after all these years, you've kept the cabinets yellow. Why didn't you ever paint them again?" Mom asked, completely oblivious to how uncomfortable Charlie looked. I had forgot that he still wasn't over my Mom, it must have been hard for him to sit opposite her, with her new husband holding onto her hand.
Charlie bristled his moustache "I like yellow. Brightens the place up"
Mom tutted "That's why I painted them in the first place! But come on now, the paint is starting to peel-"
I thought I'd save Charlie from anymore "-it's okay Mom, Gyda and I already picked up some paint to re-do them later" I saw Charlie mouth a grateful 'thank you' and Mom was pretty pleased with my answer.
"Did you pick up yellow again?" she asked.
"The yellow-ist yellow we could find Renee" Gyda answered. We had, in fact, not picked up any paint. But now I guess we had too. I looked at the cabinets myself. I suppose they could do with a touch up.
After breakfast, Charlie escaped to the backyard, where he claimed he had to check out how his vegetables were coming along. I had to kick myself to stop myself from laughing. Charlie growing vegetables? Ha! Mom and Phil moved to the living room, so Gyda and I escaped upstairs, where preparations were underway.
"You picked a good colour. This will go well with your skin tone" she said, holding up the dress I had bought in Port Angeles.
"You think so? It was between that one and a black one-"
She scoffed "-Bella, you can't wear black on graduation day. That colour is reserved for funerals only"
I shrugged my shoulders. I opened the window to let the summer air drift in, then I turned on her.
"Okay, what's up?"
She turned to smirk at me "What on earth are you talking about?"
I joined her on the bed, sitting cross legged "You're being all weird again. Tell me, what's wrong?"
She rolled her eyes and leaned her head against the bed post "Fine. If you must know, I miss Edward"
A, B, C, D, E, F-
"Why do you keep reciting the alphabet whenever I mention his name?" she raised an eyebrow and looked at me suspiciously.
G, H, I, J, K, L-
"You know, people only do that if they're trying to hide their thoughts from me-"
I pretended to look offended "-I'm not hiding my thoughts!"
M, N, O, P, Q, R, S-
"What are you hiding Bella?" she smirked at me.
I jumped up and ran to the bathroom "I think I'll have that shower now" I said and slammed the door behind me. I could hear her gentle laughter through the door. I turned the water on and looked at myself in the mirror. I had to be really careful now. She was suspicious! I only hoped she'd let it go, because I didn't want to be the one to ruin the surprise.
"Oh, so there's a surprise!" she called from my bedroom, with a laugh.
Crap! "Yeah, Paul is turning up half hour earlier! That's a surprise, right?" I called back. I rolled my eyes at myself and pulled my phone out.
Kinda need you to be here for 11:30.
I'm trying to keep Gyda from looking into my thoughts
and this is my cover story!
Love you x
Something I had questioned Gyda on when I first realised. Why could she read my mind when Edward couldn't? I had asked her, of course, and she didn't really have an answer. After all, I had an invisible shield blocking external force from making me vulnerable (or so Jasper thinks anyway) but Gyda could read my mind. I wondered why. She thinks it's something to do with the fact that I'm her great something Granddaughter. We couldn't really think of another explanation for it.
I showered quickly, wrapped myself in a towel and ran back to the bedroom to find it was empty. Phew. I dried myself quickly and dressed. I didn't have a full length mirror in here, but I could see from the little half mirror hanging above my desk that the dress suited me. Though I wasn't so sure on the shoes. In fact, I really didn't want to wear those shoes. The attendant at the boutique had pressured me into buying a pair of black stilettos, something that wasn't my style. This was graduation day, not a catwalk! I groaned again, and started digging around in my closet, hoping I had something else. A knock on my door made me spin around, but it was only my Mom.
"Hey sweetie, you need any help?" she closed the door behind her.
"Well, I'm trying to find something else to wear on my feet. I'm not wearing those-" I pointed to the stilettos that I had threw under my bed. She pulled them out and examined them.
"Hm, I see what you mean. Well, don't you have a nice pair of boots or something? What about those black laced ones I bought you from Phoenix?"
"I'm not sure I ever brought them with me Mom, ugh! I can't find anything!" I gave up searching and sat on the bed with Mom. I don't know why I was close to tears and it seemed Mom noticed too.
"Oh sweetie, graduation nerves?" she put her arm around me and rubbed my shoulder.
I sniffed "I guess" I mumbled. Though I knew that wasn't it. I wouldn't cry from nerves. I was getting upset about little things recently. Charlie had assumed it was still the shock from my traumatic experience, but I didn't know, this felt like something else. I put it down to the imminent absence from Paul that I was due to face in a matter of weeks.
"Oh honey, you're bound to be nervous. Leaving high school is a big step in your life. But you'll have me there, and your father, Phil and Gyda. We'll all be there to support you-"
"-Paul's coming too-"
"-even better! No need to be nervous sweetie" she kissed my forehead and pulled me into a hug.
She pulled back "Now, let's go and talk to Gyda and see if she has anything you could borrow" she took my hand and pulled me downstairs. Gyda was sat in the kitchen alone, whilst Charlie and Phil were talking baseball in the living room. Mom steered me straight past and into the kitchen.
"Ask her" Mom whispered, pushing me towards Gyda. She lifted her head and smirked.
"I'll go and get you something. Stay there" she said, and she left out the back door. Mom was so confused.
"Did she already know what you were going to ask her?"
I chuckled "Something like that"
Mom helped with my makeup, which we both decided to keep simple, and my hair, which just needed a brush through it and I was ready to go. Well, that was when Gyda got back with something for me to put on my feet. She'd already been an hour, where was she? A knock at the door made my Mom squeal and she ran to answer it.
"Paul! Oh my son-in-law is looking fabulous! Is that a new suit?" she yelled, pulling him into her arms before he had even replied. He eyed me from my Mom's shoulders and I laughed. He had already found out how er, flamboyant my Mom could be.
"Nice to see you Renee, is Phil here as well?" he asked. Mom dragged him into the living room to greet Phil, so I was left with closing the forgotten front door. So much for greeting my boyfriend. I checked the time on the clock in the kitchen. It was 11:30. We had to leave in half hour and Gyda still wasn't back. I picked up my phone from the table and sent her a message.
Where are you? We have to leave soon!
Hope you're okay
Almost immediately after pressing send, my phone rang.
"Gyda! Where are you? Are you alright?"
"Sorry. I'm on my way back now"
"Oh, did you bump into Edward or something?"
She laughed "Uh, no. I didn't go to the Cullen's. Can you open the front door please?" and then she hung up.
I ran for the door and let her in. She carried a box in her hand and dragged me straight upstairs.
"These are new, I haven't even taken them out of the box yet-"
I eyed the box. It was a weird brown colour and the logo of the shoe store, which I had never heard of, was beginning to peel from the side
"Uh, how old are they?" I asked.
She smirked "Don't worry, only the 1970's, but I thought they'd suit you. Here, try them on-"
Well, I had to give it to her, Gyda did know what I liked, and these boots were it. They were only ankle books, but they laced up, giving them a sort of military look. Surprisingly, they went well with the dress.
"See? They look great on you!"
"Where did you get these from if not the Cullen's?" I asked.
She shrugged "Not everything I own is at the Cullen's. Come on, we'd better go downstairs. Don't forget to put your graduation robes and cap on" she winked.
Downstairs was mayhem. Paul was being dragged around by my Mom for photos with Charlie and Phil, who were also looking uncomfortable with the arrangement.
"Ooh Bella! Come here! Let's get a photo with your father-" she threw the camera into Gyda's hands and posed next to me and my Dad. A family photo of the three of us. Then it was my turn with Charlie alone, then my Mom alone. Then my Mom and Phil. Then just Phil.
"Okay, let's get going, or you're going to be late!-"
"-wait just a minute, Renee. We're not finished with the photos" Charlie said, kind of harshly. He took the camera from Gyda's hand and threw it at Renee. Charlie pulled me to his side.
"Gyda" he motioned her forward.
She raised her eyebrow "Are you sure?"
Charlie smiled "Never been surer about anything in my life. Now, get on over here" Gyda stood on Charlie's other side, and with a fatherly arm over the both of us, Mom snapped a photo. Then of course, we had photos of Gyda and me, Gyda and Paul, Gyda, Paul and me.
"Okay, we really need to go" I said, though I really didn't want to leave the house.
If I thought it was mayhem at my house, you should have seen the parking lot at the school! Proud parents were everywhere, dragging their children around for photographs with family members. I spotted Angela with her parents and Quil, being forced into photos with Angela's brothers. I waved over and she waved back. I spotted her red dress underneath her graduation robes, she looked beautiful. Quil seemed to think so too. I waved out to Lauren and Jacob, who were posing for photo's with Billy and Lauren's parents.
"Baby, come here" Paul's arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his chest.
I swivelled in his arms so I could see his face "Nice to finally see you. I thought I'd have to share you with my Mom today" I leaned up to kiss him briefly, aware that my parents were probably watching us.
"No need to share me babe. You look so beautiful" he whispered.
"You don't brush up too badly yourself" I said. He was wearing a pair of navy blue pants with a white buttoned shirt that he had left unbuttoned at the top.
"Thanks. Hey, have you noticed something?" he asked, looking around the lot.
I followed his eyes "Uh, the sun is out? For a change?"
He chuckled "Exactly. The Cullen's aren't here-"
"-oh! I forgot about that! But it's Alice, Jasper and Edward's graduation today too" I wondered what excuse they had come up with to be absent from Graduation. The sun was out, and if they had turned up, they'd be exposed.
"Not sure, but I suppose something measly like graduation doesn't faze them anymore. Especially if this is like to 50th time they've done it. Anyway, I don't think Edward has even left Grandma Inola's house once. He's looking after her today for me. She wanted to be here, but she was in a lot of pain when she woke up-"
"-is she alright?" I asked worriedly.
"-Bella! Everyone's starting to go in! You'd better find your class!" Mom called out, interrupting me.
Paul smirked down at me "Go and show everyone else how beautiful you are. I'll be sitting with Gyda" he kissed me and I ran off to find Angela.
"Bella, over here!" she called. She was waiting in the line forming to go into the Gym.
"Oh Ange, your dress looks amazing on you! How are the shoes?" I asked her, looking down and seeing the red welts on the back of her feet already.
She cringed "The shoes look nice, but they're killing my feet-" I looked to see if anyone was watching, then dipped my hand into my bra and pulled out a packet of second skin.
"Oh Bella! Thank you! Could you help? I'm finding it difficult to bend down-"
"-no, not at all. Just stay there-" I bent down, awkwardly in this dress, and taped a piece of the second skin onto the back of her foot. I stored the rest back in my bra as Angela sighed with relief.
"Better?" I asked, chuckling.
"Much, thank you"
I linked my arm through with hers "Hey, how have you been feeling?" I whispered to her. Now I was looking at her properly, she didn't look very well. She was pale, a little clammy on her forehead and her lips were dry and cracking. Her breathing, I noticed, was heavy as well. Like she was struggling to do it. Was this normal for pregnancy?
"Ugh, the morning sickness has started. It's the worst. Once I think it's over, I smell something and it starts all over again"
"Aw, I'm sorry. I'll try to remember not to eat or drink when we hang out" I laughed.
She chuckled "That would be much appreciated Bella. Poor Quil has to eat outside, I can't stand the smell of anything"
That was the end of our conversation as our class was called in to enter the Gym. There were yellow banners hanging everywhere, with streamers lining the windows and rows and rows of chairs, facing the stage that stood front and centre at the end of the hall. We were ushered to seats at the front of the rows, and I sat next to Angela. Now I was here, I felt even more nervous than I did back home. I looked behind me, but my family hadn't come in yet.
"It's alright Bella. It'll be over with before you know it, and then we have the rest of our lives to look forward to" Angela said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, though I didn't miss how she clung onto my arm.
An hour later, everyone was seated in the hall and Principal Greene took to the stage to make the usual announcements, blah blah blah.
Then they started calling the names and mine being Swan, well, I had to wait for another hour before I was called for my diploma. We all applauded for Lauren, when she was called, and I could see Jacob and Billy sitting at the back of the hall, near Paul and Gyda.
"Bella Swan!" was finally announced and, with burning cheeks, I made my way to the stage, focusing on not tripping over in front of the entire school. There were cheers and applaud from the crowd, but the loudest applause was coming from the row at the end. Gyda and Paul were stood next to each other, Paul's arm slung over Gyda's shoulders, both of them looking at me proudly, as were my parents and Phil. I think my Mom was crying, oh boy. I put on my best smile and walked onto stage, took the diploma the Principal handed to me, shook his hand and then walked off the other end of the stage, to the safety of my seat again.
"Congratulations Bella!" Angela whispered to me.
"Thanks! That wasn't as bad as I was expecting! Didn't even trip or anything"
Angela chuckled "Well, hopefully I won't in these shoes"
Once Angela's name was called forward and another roar of applause from my family, her family and Quil, we were allowed to start leaving the Gym to meet our families in the parking lot.
"Oh Bella honey! You were wonderful!" My Mom came rushing over straight away, pulling me into a hug.
"Really proud of you Bella" Phil said next, giving me a one armed hug.
Charlie was waiting for me, his arms outstretched "Oh Bells, I'm so proud of you" he kissed me on the head and then let me go to Paul and Gyda.
"Well done love, though I must say, I was waiting for a fall" Gyda smirked as she pulled me into a strong hug.
"I'm pretty proud of myself that I didn't" I laughed. She kissed me on the cheek and pushed me to Paul, who scooped me up in his arms and kissed me soundly on the lips.
"I'm so proud of you baby, you looked beautiful up there" he kissed me again, and then we were towed away for more photos.
At 6pm, back at Charlie's house and with my Mom and Phil on their flight back to Jacksonville, things felt a little more relaxing. Well, at least graduation was done and dusted.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're smarter than me. I've never even gone to school" Gyda announced. She had her eyes closed leaning back in Charlie's armchair. I know she couldn't feel it, but she looked exhausted.
She chuckled "I am"
"Do you need to hunt?" I asked. I had noticed her irises were turning black. She hadn't left my side in over a week and I knew, no matter how much she enjoyed it, the human food wasn't giving her sustenance.
"I think I'll need too. Especially if we're going to La Push later-"
"-dammit Gyda! That was a surprise!" Paul whisper shouted.
"Oops, sorry-" she didn't look sorry at all "-well, that's the thing about surprises isn't it? They're no good if it keeps you from talking to the person you really want to talk to. I suppose it doesn't matter to you that Bella might not want to be surprised, but all the same, I think I'll leave you to it. Surprises and friends don't seem to mix, especially if you think someone loves you and they just act like a poncy ass!" she shouted and like a blur, left the house, slamming the door behind her. Paul and I sat there, mouths hanging open at her sudden outburst.
"What the hell?" Paul asked.
I sighed "I think this is to do with Edward. It's nothing you've done. That, and she's hangry"
He chuckled "I didn't know vampires got hangry-"
"-Gyda is an exception. So, what's the surprise?" I asked, slyly.
"Well, you may know I have a surprise, but I still want it to be a surprise. You can get changed into something more comfortable if you want, I'm gonna make a call" he kissed me on the head and walked into the kitchen. I rolled my eyes but went upstairs to change. I placed the boots back into their box, carefully, so I didn't break anything and hung the dress up in my closet. I carefully folded the graduation robes up and placed them at the bottom of my closet, along with the cap. I decided to just throw on a pair of jeans with my tennis shoes and a long sleeved shirt and my jacket. I figured this surprise might be outside all night.
"Babe, you ready to go?" Paul called from downstairs. I quickly brushed my hair and ran down to meet him. He was still in his graduation outfit, and it was making my mouth water.
"Are you going to change?" I asked, licking my lips.
He chuckled "I might" he winked. He held his arm out for me and led me to a car outside.
"Bella! Congratulations on your Graduation!" Jacob yelled, pulling me into a vice- like hug.
"Oh Jake, I can't breathe!" I complained, and he placed me back on my feet.
He laughed "Sorry! Lauren is really excited to see you. So, shall we?" he opened the back door of the Rabbit for me.
"You know, it's common decency to let the girl sit shotgun" I pointed out, as Paul belted himself up next to Jacob up front.
"Lauren loves riding in the back" Jacob said, with a wicked look at Paul. Paul sniggered as I finally understood what he was talking about.
I cringed "Ewww! Jacob Black!" I scooted my butt over to sit as close to the door as I possibly could, lest I get cooties.
"I'm kidding Bella! Well, I'm not really, but we're careful not to make a mess-"
"-just drive! Ugh!"
Jacob drove us straight to his house, where I was surprised to see a huge gathering at the front. As soon as I got out of the car, everyone shouted, "Happy Graduation!" and then I was pulled into various hugs and kisses by each member of the Pack. I spotted Lauren and Angela in low whispers but they made their way over to me as soon as they saw me.
"Happy Graduation girls!" I squealed, hugging them both.
Lauren giggled "Honestly, that's the third time they've yelled that already! It was bad enough trying to escape from my parents! They thought a home cooked family dinner constituted as a graduation celebration" she laughed.
"Did you know they were planning this?" I asked them.
"Nope! Jacob's been very good at keeping this from me. How about you with Quil, Ange? Ange? Are you okay?" Lauren asked, for Angela was looking a little green.
"Ange, do you need to sit down? Lauren, could you grab a glass of water please?" I asked, whisking her away. I sat Angela down on a log near the edge of the forest, where she sat leaning forward, breathing heavily through her mouth.
"You feeling sick?" I whispered, rubbing gentle circles on her back. She didn't speak, only nodded, then started heaving.
"Quil!" I called out. He came running over straight away.
"Hey baby, it's alright. Here-" Lauren had returned with the water and passed it to Quil "-take a small sip" he held the glass to her lips.
Lauren looked at me with worry "Has she eaten something funny?" she asked me, in a low voice.
I shrugged my shoulders. Lauren wasn't aware of Angela's secret "Probably. Maybe she's overwhelmed with today?" I offered. This seemed plausible to Lauren, who started asking the Pack to move the party to the beach, to give Angela some space. They all turned to look at Angela and Quil with worry. Jared even offered to carry Angela into the house, but Quil turned him down.
"She'll be alright. I've got her. You go down to the beach, we'll meet you there in a little bit" he told them. Once everyone was clear, only Paul, Jacob and Lauren remained with us.
"Ange, do you think a lie down will help it pass?" I whispered.
She nodded her head feverishly, so Quil scooped her up and carried her into Jacob's house.
"Use my bed Quil, I've got clean sheets" Jacob called out.
Lauren approached me, grabbing hold of my arms "She really didn't look well. Should we call a doctor? Maybe Sue?" she asked, but I shook my head.
"It'll be okay. Quil will take care of her. Listen, you go down to the beach with Jacob and Paul. I'll meet you all in a little while, okay?"
She didn't look too sure about my offer, but Jacob's gentle tug on her shoulder reassured her. Paul came up to me then "Are you going to be okay staying?" he asked, sounding reluctant to leave me.
"I can't leave her, she's my best friend. Go and enjoy yourself, I'll be down in a little bit" I leaned up on my toes to kiss him. After he had left, I went into the house, into Jacob's room to find Angela on the floor, throwing up into a trash can. I hurried in to hold her hair back.
"How often is she doing this Quil?" I asked, as dry heaves racked her body.
Poor Quil looked close to tears "All day, every day. I don't know what to do! It's been this bad for about 2 weeks now!-"
"-are there any triggers to it?-"
"-at first it was just the morning. Now, it's whenever she smells food or drink or someone mentions it! Literally anything will set it off. I feel so helpless! What can I do?" he asked, as the first of the tears threated to fall.
I thought quickly. I was sure my Mom had suffered severe morning sickness when she was pregnant with me, I remember her telling me about it when I was old enough. Ugh, what did she call it?
"When was the last time she ate a decent meal?"
He closed his eyes, trying to remember. That wasn't a good sign.
"She's just been eating saltine crackers since it got bad. I think she managed-" he leaned closer to whisper in my ear so Ange wouldn't hear "-mash potatoes, two days ago, but she's holding nothing down. She's getting weak, I can see it-"
"-yeah, I noticed she didn't look well today. Ange, does that feel better now?" I asked, for she had sat upright with her eyes closed.
"Yeah. I think that's it for now. Oh, my stomach hurts" she groaned quietly. Quil helped her onto Jacob's bed, where we led her down. I rushed to dampen a cloth to put on her forehead.
I put my hand on Quil's shoulder "I'll be back" I promised, and rushed off, down to the beach, where I knew she'd be.
The party was in full swing, but I didn't have time to start enjoying it. I saw Sue sitting with Grandma Inola and Billy near the bonfire, where Jared, Paul and Jacob were dancing wildly to a traditional song, something I'd never heard before.
"Oh Bella! Congratulations on your graduation dear! Come and sit with me, I'm just watching my grandson dance, oh what a beautiful thing to watch" Grandma Inola gushed.
"Thanks Grandma. I will in a little bit, I just need to borrow Sue"
"What's wrong Bella? Is everything okay?" Sue asked, suddenly hyper aware that there was a problem. I knelt down to whisper.
"It's Angela. She's real sick. Can you come and have a look at her?"
Back at Jacob's house, we found Angela still in Quil's arms, looking paler than a vampire.
"Sue, do something!" he pleaded helplessly. Sue knelt down next to him and began taking her pulse.
"Angela, it's Sue" she said, trying to get Angela's attention. But she didn't respond or move.
"What's going on?" Quil yelled out. Sue took out her phone and called for an ambulance.
"Quil, is Angela pregnant?" Sue asked him quickly, the phone held against her shoulder.
"Yes, yes! Help her!"
She went back to the phone "Yes, she's pregnant. I'm a nurse and it looks like it could be hyperemesis gravidarum. Yes, okay thank you" she hung up the phone and already, we heard sirens outside.
"Quil, carry her outside" Sue instructed him. I moved out of the way as Quil walked past carrying a limp Angela in his arms. Once outside, the Pack had gathered around again, clearly distressed when they heard the ambulance sirens.
"Hey, what's going on? What's happened to Angela?" Paul rushed over to me. I wrapped my arms around his waist and cried into his chest.
"Baby, what is it? Is she hurt?"
"No! She's really sick" I cried into his shirt.
"Bella, I'll call you later! I gotta go with her!" Quil called out from the back of the ambulance. The doors were slammed shut, and it drove away.
"Baby, will you please tell me what's going on?" Paul begged. He held my face in his hands and I thought keeping the truth a secret really wasn't going to do much good. Angela would need tonnes of support now, and it wasn't worth risking her health for the sake of keeping the pregnancy a secret.
"Angela's pregnant"
"She's pregnant?"
"Yeah. It was supposed to be a secret! We have to go to the hospital!-"
"-Bella, I'll go to the hospital. You stay here and try to enjoy your party with Lauren. It's what Angela would have wanted. I'll keep you updated" Sue said from behind me, then she dashed off into her car to follow the ambulance.
Try and enjoy the party? Whilst Angela was in hospital? How could I?
"Baby, what do you wanna do?" Paul asked, holding me close. Over his shoulder, I could see Lauren and Jacob in the same embrace, as well as Kim and Jared. Embry and Leah were stood close to each other, looking just as worried as the rest of us.
It was a sad day when one of the Pack was taken ill.
Author's Note:
Have any of you ever suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum? If you have, you'll know exactly what Angela is going through.
That's the thing with this story, I want to incorporate real life situations. The death of a loved one, pregnancy scares, depression. It's all here and it's real, isn't it?
Remember I'm only a message away if anyone wants to talk and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was purely for Bella's graduation day! The next couple of chapters will revolve around the Pack i.e. Leah and Embry's new imprint, and also Lauren, Jacob, Kim and Jared.
Stay safe and well x