"Moooom!" I yelled, my mother sighed in impatience.
"Yes, Clara?" I flipped my blankets, looking everywhere for a packet of papers.
"Have you seen my homework?" I could hear my mother's high heels clicking on the floor.
"I found it…but you'll have to redo it. Royal got a hold of it!" I groaned, stupid Hunter Wolf! He eats everything he shouldn't!
"It's due today, though!" I complained, as I heard my mother sighing again.
"Just, go over to one of your friends' houses! I'm sure they won't mind if you copy!" I groaned once more before grabbing my bag and leaving the house. Who was I going to copy off of? Something in my gut told me...to go copy off of Orland! He's smart, Right? Of course he is! He's a straight A student along with my cousin so either way I'd be able to copy and get correct answers! I bounded into the inn as Jake greeted me. However, instead of his usual nonchalant tone, he greeted me in a way that sent shivers down my spine.
"Good Morning, young human lady. Ceci would like to speak to you; do you think you could stay for a few hours? She'll give the school an excuse for your absence." I blinked and nodded.
"Wh-what does she need to see me about?" I asked, slightly nervous. Jake's lip twitched a bit before he responded.
"I'm not sure how to tell you…and I think you'd be more comfortable hearing this from Cecilia…she's good at telling people this kind of stuff…but the Sylphs told us…my father, Ceci, Orland, and me."
"Told you what?" I asked with a slight shiver in my voice, was it bad? Was something going to happen to me or my family? Or is something happening now?
"Cecilia will be down to tell you, momentarily." And with that, he left for Tanya's shop.
At that moment, I had completely forgotten about the homework packet, I was too focused on what was wrong. I put my head in my hands and looked up when I heard Cecilia's footsteps clunking down the steps.
"Good morning, Clara." She greeted me, I nodded and replied with a 'Good Morning' as she pulled herself a chair, "Would you like some tea?" she asked politely, I shook my head.
"Ceci, What's going on? Is there anything wrong with my family? No one's going to die or anything, are they?" I could feel the stinging trying to escape as Cecilia grabbed my hand affectionately.
"No, no, Clara dear. It's not bad…but it's not good either." I nodded as she started patting my hand.
"You're pregnant, Clara." My eyes widened.
"What?" I asked, hoping I had heard her wrong.
"Pregnant, dear. Meaning you're carrying an unborn child." I felt my face go white and pale…the queasy stomach, the tight fit, the swollen feet. It all stood out like a puzzle. But then again…
"Are you sure the Sylphs are right? Th-they're not playing some horrible prank, are they?" I sobbed, feeling tears pour from my eyes as Cecilia hugged me.
"I'm sorry, Clara. This has to be scary for you. Your parents will be angry with you at first, but I promise they will love and support you." I wiped my eyes with the palm of my hands and sniffled a bit…okay well…a lot actually as Cecilia handed me a box of tissues; I blew my nose and wiped my red, puffy eyes.
"Are you going to tell, Leonel?" She asked while giving me a cup of tea, "What?" I asked her as she threw my snotty and teary rags away, "Are you going to tell Leonel? Or do you want me to tell him, too?" I wiped my eyes again.
"Why should I tell, Leonel?" I asked, she just smiled in an understanding way, "Well," she began, "doesn't the father deserve to know of his own child?" I then remembered where babies came from…Leonel's birthday party and the old ship. Dammit, I'm such an idiot! Why did I have to feel so sorry for him? Why? I could've just given him some expensive gift but no…I had to give him that! I wondered if he'd care? Of course he'd care! He's my best friend, right? But I was mostly worried that he'd get the wrong idea…I mean…I don't like him like that! He's my best friend! Why did this all have to happen to me?
"Come on now, Clara." Cecilia said, lifting herself from the chair and offering me her hand, "Let's get you cleaned up." I took her hand as she led me into the bathroom, pulling out a washcloth from a nearby cabinet, and turning on some warm water. I placed the cloth under the running water and began patting my eyes with them, she then got some cream out from the cabinet applying some around my puffy, swollen eyes.
"You look a lot better." Cecilia said, leading me to the mirror, I smiled and thanked her, "Oh by the way," she began as I turned my head to look at her, "I sent Orland with your excuse." My eyes widened as I felt my face go white, "You didn't tell Ms. Mana about the baby, did you?" she just smiled.
"No, Clara. I only told Ms. Mana I had to talk with you for emergency purposes only. No one else knows about it except for Orland, Jake, Egan, and me. But I suggest you tell your parents, Leonel, Dorothy, and Barrett before too much longer." I sighed and nodded my head, this was all happening so fast for me…what happened to the little girl I once was? Why now? Why couldn't this have happened when I was older and married? How will I tell my parents? Leonel? His Parents? My thoughts continued racing as I inhaled deeply, trying not to cry. Ceci wrapped her arms around me.
"You'll be fine, Clara."