Collapse and Revelation

Aria's POV.

Weeks passed, and somehow life was brought down to normalcy. Back to school, and study, days flowing together with lectures, homework, and small talk at dinner which required fake smiling which I was now perfect at.

When Selene asked me about my well being I said that I was fine. It was easier than explaining why I always felt so heavy in my chest, why always seemed to be tired, why my mind constantly kept going back to the same things I could not find myself to mention.

That afternoon Selene and I were sitting facing each other at the school cafeteria. There was a lot of noise, students interrupting one another, trays banging on tables, laughter going up and down in intermittent bursts. It was curiously reassuring, as though the world had not been slipping under my feet in the same manner that it had been slipping under my head.

“I am glad,” I said and shook a drink in front of me although I did not intend to drink it.

Selene lifted her eyes at the food which she was eating, and her face was full of curiosity. "Relieved about what?"

"Your parents," I replied. "That they're trying again. I know how uncomfortable it was to you when they talked of separating. I'm really happy for you."

She sat back in her chair and her face relaxed. "I am too. It feels... right."

I nodded and had to smile. “When they said there was a separation you were so sad. I hated seeing you like that."

She sighed. “I had a sense that everything was falling apart. I didn't know how to handle it back then.”

“But now it is better.” I remarked to her.

She nodded. "Yeah. It is."

There was a moment of silence, which was broken by Selene.

She shifted in her seat. "Holidays are coming up soon."

"Yeah," I said.

“I think I were rather spend it at home,” Selene continued. “Spend more time with my family. Things finally feel settled."

"That sounds nice," I replied. "You deserve that."

She studied me for a moment. "What about you?"

“I am thinking about returning to my former school after the academic session,” I said.

Her eyes widened. "What? You're leaving?"

"Maybe," I said carefully. "I miss home."

She shook her head, clearly in disbelief. "Is that really why?"

"Yes," I replied, too quickly.

"Is it because of Lyra?" she said, and her head went down as she said it.

My chest tightened. "No."

“I know she has treated you so bad,” Selene said. "I know she has. I am very sorry, I will speak to her, I will make her never speak to you again in an uncivilized way. Do not go, you see you are the only one I like to talk to here in the school, and the rest of the pack. Please don't go. I need you here."

“I know,” I said and did not change the tone. "But that's not why."

She crossed her arms. "Then what is it?"

“All I want is a new beginning” I said. “I miss home, I miss mum and I just want to go home.”

She looked at me a long time. "You've been different lately. Quiet. Tired."

"I'm just stressed," I said. "And homesick."

She was just going to reply, when I experienced some sort of giddiness. The room was tilted at 90 degrees and the sounds that enclosed me were blurred.

"Aria?" Selene said, alarmed.

I tried to speak, but my body did not want to. I tried to stand up but it only made it worse, my legs gave out and I fell on the floor.

"Aria!" Selene shouted.

Someone called for help. The sound soon faded and I was enclosed in darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, I noticed first the white ceiling and the fluorescent lights over my head.

"Aria?" Selene's voice reached me.

I turned my head slightly.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice weak.

"You fainted," she said quickly. "You scared me."

"I feel strange," I murmured. "What's happening?"

A clipboard was brought into the room by one of the nurses. "Hi Aria, you fainted, hit the ground but at least, you did not have any serious injuries, but we are going to take some tests.

Selene stood immediately. "Is she okay?"

"She will be," the nurse replied. “We just want to find out what caused the collapse.”

They checked my vital signs, took blood and asked me a variety of questions. Had I been eating properly? Was I sleeping enough? Had I felt dizzy before? I answered in as honest a way as I could even when I saw Selene looking at me, becoming more and more anxious with each word of inaction.

Then after awhile they left us to ourselves. Selene was sitting on the bedside, and hanging to the edge.

“You should have made me know that you were not well,” she said to me. "Why did you not say anything? Answer me!"

I replied that I did not believe it was serious.

She shook her head. "You always do this. You carry everything alone. Don't you trust me anymore? Why didn't you tell me?"

I turned my head, and was unable to speak and a blanket of silence enveloped the room.

A physician finally entered the room carrying a file. He gazed placidly yet earnestly.

"Aria Thorne?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered.

“How are you feeling?” he asked and I nodded in response.

“Thats good,” he smiled. “Your test results are here.”

My heart began to race.

“We discovered something rather exciting.” His face a little more serious as he said it.

I held my breath.

"What is it doctor?" Selene asked.

"Aria Thorne, is pregnant." The doctor said.