Point of the Exercise
Another week had gone by with Tobias MIA. Rachel was starting to get used his moodiness. Jake on the other hand she was ready to throttle. He bad-mouthed Tobias every chance he got and he did it deliberately in front of her. They were all sitting at the arcade, waiting for Marco and Jake to bring back their drinks.
"Hey, you ok? You look out of it," Cassie commented.
"Yeah…I guess I'm just tired. I'm getting tired of Jake," Rachel answered just as the boys returned. Rachel took her milkshake and started to sip it. They sat in silence for a while, each contemplating their drinks.
"So what did everyone think of that science test today?" Marco asked tentatively.
"It was ok. I think I studied enough," Cassie answered.
"It was fine," Rachel muttered, feeling like she had to contribute to the conversation somehow. She bit the inside of her lip as her thoughts drifted to Tobias. She missed him, she had to admit that. She wasn't sure whether she missed the spontaneous sex though. It still took her by surprise. Cassie noticed Rachel drifting off into her own little world again and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" she whispered. Rachel nodded and the two girls stood, heading for the ladies room. Cassie rounded on Rachel once they were sure they were alone.
"What's going on?" she demanded.
"Nothing…I'm just tired, like I said," Rachel answered defensively.
"It's Tobias isn't it? You haven't heard from him have you?" Cassie pressed.
"No…not lately. I don't know. Part of me is glad he's not here right now so things between him and Jake can cool off but another part misses him," Rachel admitted.
"He's your friend. It's natural to worry about him and miss him," Cassie muttered.
"It's not that…I think…maybe he thinks I'm like his mate or something?" she explained.
"You can't be serious. He wouldn't think like that," Cassie retorted.
"Maybe not as a human, but as a bird yeah," Rachel countered.
"Man is this really messed up" Cassie sighed.
"I know…I feel like it's all my fault," Rachel sniffed. Cassie pulled her friend into a tight hug. They stood there for what felt like ages. Rachel finally composed herself enough to head back outside.
"Thanks, Cassie," Rachel whispered right before they sat down.
"Everything ok? We thought you got lost or something," Marco asked.
"We're fine," Rachel answered, forcing a smile. Deep down she knew something was wrong. She just couldn't figure out what that something was. They finished their drinks and headed towards the door. They parted ways in the parking lot, Rachel and Cassie heading one way and the guys heading the other.
"Thanks for earlier. I guess I really needed someone to talk to," Rachel sighed.
"No problem, Rach. It's what friends are supposed to be for. Come on, why don't you come over for dinner," Cassie offered. Rachel smiled and they veered towards Cassie's place.
After dinner, Rachel and Cassie headed out to the barn, school bags in hand. It was a nice night out and there was still enough light that they could see. Rachel sat down on a bail of hay and opened her history book. She looked up into the rafters, half-expecting to see Tobias perched there.
"He hasn't been here in a while," Cassie murmured, as if reading her friend's thoughts.
"I know…but I can still hope," Rachel sighed, trying to focus on her school work.
They fell silent as they focused on work. Rachel turned the page, trying to read when suddenly the print started to swim before her eyes. She closed her eyes and opened them but her vision was still blurry.
"Whoah…I don't feel so well," she gasped, trying to stand but failing miserably. Cassie caught her by the arm and slowly lowered her back down.
"Easy…is it just a dizzy spell?" Cassie asked but Rachel shook her head. She leaned over far enough before puking so that she didn't get any on her books. She heaved deeply a few times but nothing more came up. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Cassie, after making sure Rachel would be ok for a few minutes alone, sprinted out of the barn and up to the house. She returned with a glass of water. Rachel rinsed her mouth.
"Thanks," Rachel said hoarsely.
"Are you getting sick?" Cassie asked.
"I hope not," Rachel answered, shaking her head.
"You said you've been feeling tired lately. How long?" Cassie interrogated.
"A week or so. I'm due for my period in a day or so. That's probably what it is," Rachel assured her friend.
"I think I'm going to head home," Rachel finally said. Cassie helped her up and walked her to the street. Rachel finally made it home, collapsing on her bed, still in her clothes.
She woke the next morning to the light shining through her window. She looked at her clock and jumped. She was running late. She grabbed some new clothes and headed for the bathroom. Ten minutes later she emerged, toweling off her hair. She pulled it up onto a ponytail and applied a little makeup before running out the front door. She knew she should have eaten something before heading out but she didn't want to be late for class. She rushed into the building, not even bothering to stop at her locker.
"Breathe," Marco hissed in her ear as she sat down. Not two seconds later the bell rang.
"I am," Rachel whispered back, trying to compose herself.
The rest of the morning passed by uneventfully. Jake managed for once not to trash talk Tobias in front of any of them. They all sat down at lunch in relatively high spirits. Marco pulled out a roast beef sandwich and Rachel felt her stomach churn. She got up and headed for the bathroom.
"What? What did I do?" Marco asked.
"Nothing," Cassie assured him before running after Rachel. She found her rinsing her mouth in the girl's bathroom.
"Rachel, I think you need to see a doctor," Cassie said firmly.
"No…I'm fine," Rachel lied.
"No, Rachel you're not ok. You said your period is coming but you're throwing up. Could you be pregnant?" Cassie suggested in a whispered. Rachel's eyes bugged out.
"I…oh God! Jake was right…we didn't use protection," Rachel gasped, sinking to the floor. Cassie caught her, cradling her best friend.
"What if…what if that was his plan all along…to get me pregnant?" she rasped, tears starting to trickle down her cheeks.
"I don't think he would do that…human or hawk. He cares about you Rachel. I'm sure the whole mating thing was just an extension of that," Cassie murmured.
"How can I tell him? How can I tell Jake?" Rachel sobbed.