Author note: It's been a while...again, if you want to read this fanfic faster, AO3 (Archive of Our Own) is where to go! It's always going to be updated there first (And it's five chapters ahead of this on AO3)! Strawberry_Tales is the psuedo to search!

-End Note-

Summer 20

It was the day after the festival as I sighed deeply. Ms. Mana's class was today and I did not want to be present after I almost threw up on Orland yesterday. I was still so ashamed that I did that!

A small knock on my bedroom door caused me to jump, my mother's voice asking if she could come in as I agreed for her entrance.

"Good morning, Clara." She greeted me as I gave her a nod. She noticed my expression and sat next to me on my bed.

"It's awkward and hard, isn't it?" She asked as I sighed.

"You have no idea." I said, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees with my cheeks in my hands.

"Oh, believe me. I do. I've never told you this story, because I wanted to protect you…but your father and I were in a secret relationship for a while." I glanced over at my mother as she blushed.

"On his first dance festival I became so nauseous that I, too, threw up in the fountain." She said as I straightened my back in surprise.

"No way! You practically threw up on dad?" I asked as she nodded.

"And that was also the day we found out that you were coming into the world." She said, holding me close.

"Wait, was the dance festival a new holiday at the time?" I asked as mom shook her head.

"No, it had been a festival for a while." Mom replied.

But, that…w-was it on a different day?" I asked.

"No. It's always been held on the nineteenth of summer!" Mom said as I pondered a bit more.

"Was it canceled one year?" I asked as mom blushed.

"No, it was never canceled. The truth is, your father and I were only married for a little over two weeks until you were born."

"Really? I thought you and dad were married for a year before I was born!" I exclaimed in shock as she blushed.

"No, we actually only said that to protect you. The whole story is a bit complicated, but your father and I will make it a point to tell you someday." She said as I felt my eyes widened before sighing.

"But even so, you had an excuse for throwing up on dad. I didn't have any type of excuse for throwing up on Orland." I said.

"I was still embarrassed though." Mom said as I looked down.

"Being your age was very awkward for me as well, and I know it was especially awkward for your aunt Julia." She said.

"It was awkward for you and Julia?" I asked.

"Being an adolescent is awkward for everyone. You, Leann, Orland, Leonel, Sera, and Serena are going through a difficult time right now. But, everyone goes through this stage, Clara." Mom said as I sighed.

"I guess." I replied as she kissed my forehead, lifting herself from my bed.

"Get ready for school." She said, "Everything is going to be okay, Clara." And with that she closed the door behind her as I sighed, getting ready for today.

I walked towards the academy, inhaling deeply. I was about to enter the building to hang with Leonel for a moment before our class started. I was hoping that talking to him would take my mind off of yesterday's incident when a voice stopped me.

"Good Morning, young human lady." Jake greeted me, however, instead of his usual nonchalant tone, the tone he used sent a shiver down my spine.

"Ah, m-morning." I greeted, feeling a bit nervous. Was he going to scold me for almost throwing up on his son?

"Ceci would like to speak to you; do you think you could stop by the inn?" He asked as I blushed.

"Uh, sure, I-I can stop by after scho-."

"No, she kind of wants to talk to you now." He interrupted me as I felt my face flush. I didn't want to be seen by Orland so early in the morning after I nearly threw up on him.

"W-why does she wanna talk to me?" I asked, 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, since she's good at telling people this kind of stuff. However the Sylphs told us, that is, my father, Ceci, Orland, and me."

"Told you what?" I asked curiously, wondering if this had anything to do with Orland's laughing outburst a few days ago. However, with the tone of voice Jake is using, probably not. And Jake is usually not one for jokes.

"Ah, j-just head to the inn." He said, continuing his route for Tanya's shop.

I inhaled deeply slowly inching my way to the inn, I peeked in the window to make sure Orland wasn't around before entering.

"Good morning, Clara." Egan greeted, "I suppose Jake told you that Ceci wishes to speak with you?"

"Yeah. And it sounded urgent." I replied.

"It…kind of is." He said, blushing slightly.

"Ah, does it have anything to do with me throwing up on your grandson?" I asked nervously.

"Well…yes and no. Ceci will have to tell you, I don't think I'm fit to tell you this." Egan said, walking out from behind the front desk.

"I'll go get her and tell her that you're here. If you want, you can wait for her in the kitchen." Egan said as I nodded, heading into the kitchen, taking a seat nearby.

I waited for what felt like an eternity until I heard the door open as I turned to see Ceci stepping in.

"Good morning, Clara. Sorry to keep you waiting" She greeted me.

"Morning. And it's no problem, I-I probably deserve it." I replied as she furrowed her brows.

"Uh, deserve…to be kept waiting?" She asked as my face flushed.

"I-I know you're mad about me almost throwing up on your son." I said.

"Why would I be mad about that?" She asked, as I felt my face turn white.

"Ah, J-Jake's tone was a little off, and when I asked Egan if what you wanted to talk about had anything to do with throwing up on Orland he said…well, he said yes and no, but I thought that was just a cover up." I said, wringing my hands nervously.

"Oh, well Jake's concerned tone can rub off on others the wrong way and you throwing up on Orland does lead to…uh, the reason I wanted to talk to you." Ceci said, blushing slightly.

"Would you like some tea before I tell you?" She asked as I shook my head.

"I-I'm…a little nervous now." I admitted as she gave me a small smile, taking a seat next to me, grabbing my hand and giving it a small squeeze.

"It'll be hard at first, but…I know you can get through it." She said as I nodded.

"And you should definitely let Leonel know about this soon too." She said as I furrowed my brows, what does Leonel have to do with anything? It was silent for a moment.

"You're…going to have a baby, Clara." She said, I felt my eyes widened.

"What? No-no! That-that can't be right!" I exclaimed, I felt tears welling in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Clara. I know this has to be scary for you." Ceci said as I started to sniff.

"How did this happen? I-I mean it was just one time!" I exclaimed, freaking out.

"All it takes is one time." Ceci said as my mind began racing. Why did I have to feel sorry for Leonel? I could have just given him some expensive gift instead of my virginity! I should have thought about the consequences! But I didn't think anything like this would happen!

"Come on now, Clara." Cecilia said, lifting herself from her seat while 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. She placed the cloth under the running water and began patting my eyes with them, she then got a tube of cream out from the cabinet applying some around my puffy, swollen eyes.

"You look a lot better." Cecilia said, leading me to the mirror as I began to shake.

What am I going to do? How was I going to tell mom and dad? Leonel? Dorothy and Barrett? How was I going to take care of a baby? Could I put it up for adoption?

So many questions raced through my mind as I felt Ceci place her hand on my shoulder

"I'll make you some tea to calm you down. I already sent Orland an excuse for your absence. Don't worry though, I didn't tell Ms. Mana about the baby." She said, noticing my tears were coming back, she wrapped her arms around me.

"Everything is going to be okay, Clara."