Fall 9

I was sitting on a translucent, glass like ground; my friends were all gathered around me going in a ring around the rosy circle. Laughter escaped from their esophagi, I frantically began twisting my head in terror. Why were they doing this? Where was Leonel? Why wasn't he part of the circle? My heart started thumping harder, I passed out before I woke up. I gasped, shaking slightly, relieved it was just a nightmare. I groaned, I didn't want to get out of bed, but I knew mom wouldn't let me sleep in on a school day. I finally got the energy to climb out of bed and towards my dresser; my stomach was showing more and more each passing day and I was pretty sure everyone knew about the baby, no one could keep a secret in this town. However, just to be safe, I slipped on a loose long sleeve dress and some fleece leggings.

"Morning, Clara!" Mom greeted me as I made it downstairs, I smiled at her and nodded.

"Morning, mom!"

"What would you like for breakfast Clara?" she asked, I placed my finger on my chin in a thinking manner.

"Pancakes with yams and apples and some fruit ole." She smiled as she brought out the frying pan.

"Anything else?" she asked, I just shook my head as she got started. Summer was over; it felt so long yet so short. So many memories to store and so many coming! I felt my hand relax onto my belly, staring off into space. Mom woke me up from that dream.

"Clara!" she said, her voice raised a little more than usual as I looked over at her.

"Yes, mom?" she pointed to my breakfast. Wow, that was fast! Or maybe I was just daydreaming for a long time.

We were all seated around the table; mom took small bites while chewing slowly. Like always, dad and I jostled our food down our throats like wild animals. It was a wonder if my mother was my real mother! Well, she is because we have pictures of her and my father when she was pregnant with me; but it was strange that we are even related!

I pulled my bag on my shoulder bidding my parents farewell, making my way towards school. Leann was, surprisingly, the first one there. She was sitting on the foot of the stairs with her back turned towards me. One of her expensive designer bags propped up against her, a book in her lap and a pencil in her hand. I figured she was doing some homework so I rushed over to see what. Had I not paid attention in class and missed the assignment? As soon as I was behind her, I peeked over her shoulder gasping. What was in her book was probably one of the most beautiful sketches in the kingdom, maybe even the whole world; I leaned in for a closer look as Leann snapped the book close. She was blushing madly. I blinked in confusion as she turned toward me.

"Did…you see them?" she asked, I smiled and nodded, she continued blushing, "I know they aren't any good…" I interrupted her.

"Are you kidding me? These are great!" I snatched the sketchbook from her and flipped through the pages. Every one of her illustrations was as if a deity had drawn them, which caused me to be shocked! I had no idea that my cousin was this talented! Her drawings were so graceful…they just made me feel…happy…in fact they made me happy to the point I totally forgot about being pregnant, the movements in my stomach were no longer viable as I slowly flipped to the last page.
"If there was an art show I know you'd win first place!" I exclaimed, handing her her sketchbook back. She blushed and thanked me quickly, hurrying into the school. I wondered what her rush was. We still had an hour! But, maybe she was embarrassed about having a pregnant cousin. I felt the baby moving again sighing, as I followed her inside, taking a seat at my desk. We were both looking down at our desks in awkward silence.
"Clara?" she asked as I raised my head, looking over towards her, "Please don't tell anyone about my sketchbook. Grandfather is depending on me to take over the business."

"But…what does that have to do with your drawings?" I asked confused, Leann looked down with a tear sliding down her cheek.

"I don't want to take over the estate. I really want to be an artist. But, I know our grandfather is depending on me." My eyes widened; I was sorry and angry at the same time! It wasn't fair! Leann deserved to be happy! Our grandfather shouldn't have to say otherwise! What's wrong with not wanting to take over the business? Maybe my baby will want to take over, or her baby in the future if she has one! Grandpa shouldn't have to force Leann, or anyone in our family to take over! It was so dumb! Just plain stupid!

"Leann," I began as she looked up at me with her tear streaked face, "I think you deserve to be an artist! You deserve to be happy! Grandfather shouldn't have to tell us what we can and can't be! If you want to be an artist, go for it! The next generation can take over the business! Or better yet, give the estate to someone who would be happy and enjoy being a business person!" Her eyes filled with tears of joy as she jumped out of her seat and hugged me, a small thank you escaped her lips. I think that's what she needed, some encouragement

Ms. Mana licked her finger as she turned a page in the textbook, she dusted her hands before writing some notes on the board with her calligraphy handwriting.

"Today, class, we'll be learning about some popular music culture in the Kingdom! Can anyone tell me what the main music instrument of the Sechs Empire is?" she turned around as both Leonel and Orland raised their hands, Ms. Mana smiled and pointed at Orland, which I didn't think was fair, she always picked Orland, it just made me so angry!

"The drums." Orland stated Ms. Mana smiled.

"Correct Orland!" She continued writing on the board. "The drums are the main instruments of the Sechs Empire, I've heard many…" she was cut off by Leonel.

"They actually use Taiko drums and Timpani drums!" he retorted, Orland snared and retorted back.

"Well, congratulations on having a daddy who's from the Sechs!" we all gasped, that was to be a secret between this class and Mr. Barrett! Oh, he was going to have a fit if he found out that Orland spat out his secret.

"Well at least my dad's not prejudice and hateful!" Leonel yelled, Orland's face turned a red color.

"Well at least I'm not a dad yet!" Leonel's face turned red in anger and embarrassment, tears began to spill from his eyes, Orland sniffed in annoyance.

"You're about to become a dad yourself and look at you! Crying like a baby! How do you expect to be a father when you can't even take care of yourself?"

"Shut up!" Leonel yelled, Ms. Mana went in between them.

"Please children! Settle down!" but it was a bit too late, they had launched for each other; punching, kicking, and biting. I gasped, as Leann and I made our way into a corner. Ms. Mana raced out the door onto the school yard where I'm sure Mr. Barrett was, she yelled;

"Barrett! Leonel and Orland are in a fight! Help me! Please!" and like magic, Mr. Barrett was in the classroom, Leann and I were still in a corner, trying to avoid getting hit as Mr. Barrett grabbed the two boys by their collars, jerking them away.

"What is the meaning of this, you two?!" Mr. Barrett demanded as Orland and Leonel began bickering, causing Mr. Barrett to raise his hand, motioning for them to stop.

"One at a time. Leonel, you first." Orland mumbled a 'daddy's boy' under his breath as Leonel began,

"He was criticizing my child!" Leonel yelled, Orland butted in.

"I did not criticize your child! I criticized you for not being fit to become a father!" Leonel shot him a glare.

"I bet you were thinking horrible things about it." Orland scoffed.

"I was not! I just feel sorry for it because look at who its father is!"

"You bastard!" Leonel shouted, curling his hand into a fist, ready to strike Orland, luckily though, Mr. Barrett grabbed his wrist before he had a chance.

"Both of you will see me here at three o'clock." Mr. Barrett scolded as he released Leonel's wrist, "Now I'm going to take both of you to see Dr. Ray, but as soon as you're patched I'm bringing you both straight back here, understand?"

"Yes, dad."

"Affirmative, sir."

I didn't know what to do or say, I could tell that they were both beat up pretty badly, but I wanted to run up and slap Leonel before giving him a big hug; it was stupid but sweet of what he did for our baby.

I blinked and looked over at Ms. Mana brushing her dress as she turned towards us.

"That was a bit…unexpected. However I'd like to know who the mother of the baby is, she's probably under so much stress. I want to help her." Ms. Mana smiled a bit, turning her desk right side up as she began to straighten and file her papers. Leann and I were finally out of shock over what happened that we began to help Ms. Mana.

"Ms. Mana?" I asked while trying to organize the Summer papers in order from the first to the last as I saw Ms. Mana look at me, "What did you mean by wanting to help the mother?" she smiled again.

"Well, Clara, the mother is probably under so much stress right now having to take care of a baby, and I bet she's still so young that I think she may need some guidance." I looked down and cleared my throat.

"Would you be willing to teach me, Ms. Mana?" I asked, she blinked and cocked her head to the side before her eyes widened as her hand went slightly in front of her mouth to block a gasp.

"Oh my gosh! Clara! Are you and Leonel…" I interrupted her.

"Yes, Ms. Mana, we're going to have a baby." I placed a hand on my growing abdomen. She blushed, clearing her throat.

"I was actually going to ask if you two were dating, since you two have been best friends since you were practically in diapers!" My eyes widened. I didn't know how to answer, I didn't want to answer, because I didn't want her to think I was a whore.

"So are you two dating?" she asked again, I felt the warm tears trying to climb out of my eyes. I was trying so hard not to cry, I shook my head.

"No, we're not dating…it was a stupid one night stand! I thought it was the perfect birthday present! I didn't think anything like this would happen!" I covered my mouth, trying to muffle my sobs. I felt Ms. Mana's hand on my shoulder. I looked up as she pulled me into a hug.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. I know this has got to be scary for you! But we're all here." I returned her hug as Leonel and Orland both walked back into the classroom with bandages and ice packs.

"Remember to see me at three boys." Mr. Barrett reminded them as he nodded his head towards Ms. Mana before leaving.

"Well, class…now maybe we can get back to the lesson…I'll give you boys extra credit for participating…" her voice was a bit nervous, while I saw her silently mouthing 'please don't fight again…'

My feet were dipped in the cool water of the pond as I ate a jar of grape jam. Grape jam was best during the autumn, nothing to it! My finger wiping the bottom of the jar as I took the last few bites, waiting for Leonel; he promised to meet me here after his father talked to them. I looked up towards the sound of crunching leaves, a smile bestowed upon my face as Leonel took a seat next to me, pulling his boots off and dipping his feet into the water.

"Hey, Clara!" He blushed a bit, "Have you decided on a name for our baby? It won't be long now!" he smiled as I looked down pondering, placing my hand on my bulge, and shaking my head.

"I haven't really given any thought to a name…maybe after it's born? I mean, I don't really know if it's a boy or a girl, yet."

"Well, I really like Cadence for a girl." I looked over as he blushed "Uh, Hey Clara?" he asked nervously.

"Yeah?" I asked confused, wondering why he told me he liked the name Cadence when we still had plenty of time to decide on names. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to keep the baby.

"Do you think I'll be an okay dad?" I giggled, giving him a big hug.

"You'll be a great dad, Leonel! The baby's lucky to have you for a dad!" I placed one of my hands on my belly, while the other was still wrapped around Leonel. I think today was a sure sign that I should keep my baby instead of giving it up for adoption. It was already so loved!