Note: Sorry, I kinda keep forgetting about you guys! Again, if you're interested in reading this faster plus seeing any type of update, look to AO3 Strawberry_Tales is my psedo!

-End Note-

Summer 21

I waited in the library for the morning class to end and the afternoon class to start, twiddling my thumbs in a nervous anticipation. My mind began to race. Screaming at me that I was going to be a mom at such a young age. Screaming at me that I wasn't ready. Screaming.

I hated the fact that I had Mr. Barrett's class today! He had ears like a dolphin, so I knew I wouldn't be able to tell Leonel; even if I whispered it in his ear, I couldn't risk it. I could wait until after class, but even so, it would be better to just get it over with.

I ripped out a piece of my notebook paper, jotting down what I needed to tell him without having to risk whispering it for Mr. Barrett to overhear, folding it a few times, stuffing it in my pocket. I'll give it to him when he gets here and when Mr. Barrett turns his back to write on the board.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. The clock seemed to be ticking at me in a mocking way, and after what seemed like an eternity; the bell for the afternoon class rang. I heard the morning class' footsteps rush out of the academy as I inhaled deeply, grabbing my tote. I peeked out of the library seeing my classmates enter the classroom as I slowly walked to join them. I wanted to flee the academy, but I didn't really have anywhere to go and if anyone saw me playing hooky I'd be in more trouble than I already am now.

I entered the classroom, my classmates turned their attention towards me as I noticed Leonel had a relieved look on his face.

"Alright, since Clara's now here, time to start class." Mr. Barrett announced as I took my seat next to Leonel; my eyes glanced over at him for a second before darting back towards Mr. Barrett, impatiently waiting for him to turn around to write notes on the board. I fiddled with the note in my pocket while he flipped through his teacher's book, looking for the next chapter we needed to discuss.

"Today, class-…" He began, finally turning around to write on the chalkboard as I quietly placed the note on Leonel's lap; he looked down at the folded paper and blinked a few times before glancing over at me. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes, giving him a nodding gesture without turning my head from the board; letting him know that the note was for him. He fretfully took the paper and began to unfold from under his desk it as I started to pretend to write notes.

THWACK!

The sound of Mr. Barrett's yardstick caused us to jump from the sound. Orland and Leann's eyes widened as they noticed the note in Leonel's hands, knowing what was going to happen next. I felt my heart racing as Mr. Barrett held out his hand. Leonel sighed, obediently giving his father the note.

No! Please, don't read it! Just throw it in the trash! I prayed in my head as he gave Leonel and me a stern look.

"Clara, Leonel. I know that you both know there is absolutely no note passing in my class. And as punishment I'll be reading it out loud to the class, no matter how embarrassing." He started to unfold the paper, my heart racing faster.

No, please, no! I prayed as he cleared his throat.

"Due to…our…" He scanned the note.

"What?" He asked in slight horror, scanning the note again several more times as if he had read it wrong the first time three times. His face held a look of shock and horror before eventually changing to disappointment and anger. He folded the note back.

"I'll see you two after class." His cold voice felt like icicles stabbing my mind in torment as he threw the note in the desk drawer, slamming it shut before continuing to write the lesson's notes on the board. His handwriting was noticeably messy from his shaking. My classmates blinked in confusion, wondering what could have possibly made Mr. Barrett so upset.

The bell rang as Leann and Orland rushed to leave the academy as if an explosive was about to detonate any second. And there definitely was an explosive in the form of a person; Mr. Barrett looked like a ticking time bomb as Leonel and I slowly made our way to his desk. Leonel looked nervous, and since he had no idea what that note said, he's probably having an internal panic attack.

"You have no idea how pissed off I am at you, Leonel! No idea!" Mr. Barrett snapped, as Leonel was taken aback.

"God dammit, son! Why would you even think that was a good idea? D-do you not know about the consequences of doing that?!" Mr. Barrett exclaimed in such fury while Leonel gave him a blank, but horrified stare, not understanding what his dad was so angry about, while my eyes were streaming tears.

"Uh…" was all Leonel could say as Mr. Barrett slapped his hand on his desk before continuing.

"I can't believe that-that you lied to me and your mother about why it took you two so long to clean up after your party! A-and I can't believe I took that lie!" He exclaimed as Leonel's face reddened, his expression changed as if saying 'oh shit' he started to become nervous.

"I-I'm sorry, dad! I-it'll just be that one time! I won't do it again. P-promise!" He exclaimed as Mr. Barrett groaned.

"Well, it's too late now! I-I don't even know how you two are going to be able to do this!" Mr. Barrett exclaimed.

"Y-you'll probably have to chaperon me everywhere I go." Leonel said with a disheartening sigh, as Mr. Barrett furrowed his eyebrows and blinked at him in confusion.

"Uh, wha-? Why would I do that?" Mr. Barrett asked in confusion as Leonel blinked at him a few times in bewilderment.

"Uh…you are mad at me because I lost my virginity before marriage, r-right?" Leonel asked, Mr. Barrett's brows rose before becoming angry looking again.

"What? No! That's something your mother will be pissed about as well. I'm furious because she's pregnant from you two supposedly cleaning up a lot of trash after your party!" Mr. Barrett motioned his hand towards me as Leonel's eyes widened.

"Cleaning, my ass. There was more than cleaning going on." Barrett said with a snap as Leonel turned his head turned towards me.

"Wait…y-you are?" Leonel asked. I nodded, wiping my tears as he began shaking.

"Why did you think I was so mad?" Mr. Barrett asked.

"I-I don't know! I didn't get to read the note! I-I'm just now learning about this!" Leonel exclaimed in a panic.

"Okay, point taken, and I probably should have said something about her being pregnant first; but more importantly what the hell were you two thinking?" Mr. Barrett asked in fury.

"Ah…" Was all Leonel could say as my sobs became more uncontrollable. Mr. Barrett plopped into the seat, exhaling noisily and looking up as if an answer to our problems would fall from the ceiling; no such luck.

"Sheesh, Leonel, I can't believe you. And your poor mother is going to be furious when you tell her." Mr. Barrett said, a little more calmly, but still angry as I noticed Leonel's face had turned white and he was shaking.

"You better tell Jack and Rosalind sometime today too, Clara." Mr. Barrett said, as I nodded.

"This can't be happening." He mumbled, and a little loud too for I could hear him clearly.

"Go home, you two. I still need some time to recover. And that means straight home, Leonel! Don't go somewhere else to avoid your mother." He said the last part with sternness as Leonel and I obeyed his command leaving the building. My best friend stopped me at the door and pulled me aside.

"Are you sure?" he asked as I nodded. My tears came out faster; he wiped the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs before giving me a big hug.

"It'll be okay." He reassured me, I shook my head, it wasn't going to be okay, it just wasn't! We were too young, and unprepared. We weren't in love like people who have a baby should be!

"I'll see you around." Leonel whispered, breaking the hug. "You're not in this alone, Clara." And with that he left for the south of the academy towards his house as I slowly made my way east towards the farmhouse.

I slowly turned the knob to the front door of my house, taking a step in. Mom looked up from her novel, smiling at me.

"Hello, my darling!" my mother chirped, before noticing my red puffy face, her eyes widened in worry.

"Clara, baby, what happened? Did someone say something inconceivable about you?" She asked in a concerned voice, I shook my head.

"It's nothing. I sorted it out!" I lied as mom just smiled compassionately at me before asking.

"What would you like to eat for dinner tonight?" I pondered for a moment; I was so hungry but now was not the time for food, then again, I did want another apple pie. I shook my head while sighing.

"I'm not hungry now. M-maybe I can make a suggestion later?" I said in a slight lie.

"Oh, okay. Take your time, Clara." Mom said, not taking my lie, but knowing I wanted to be alone as I rushed upstairs into my room flopping onto my bed, lying down, and looking up at the ceiling. How was I going to tell my parents about this without feeling their fury like I felt Barrett's fury today? He said to tell them sometime today but I was scared!

I knew my dad would be the most angry about this, and I didn't want him to be ashamed of me. I placed both of my hands on my bulging stomach, feeling the stinging tears welling from my eyes. I blinked them away to feel stronger, but they just kept coming back. I had a hard time wiping them from my eyes as I had a difficult time erasing all of the terrible images my parents would do to me once they find out my secret, especially my dad.