13

Elena’s POV

One month later…

I couldn’t hide it anymore. My stomach had started to protrude in a way that even the thickest cardigan couldn’t fully cover. I stared at my reflection every morning, trying to convince myself that the bump wasn’t obvious. But it was. And worse? I was already plus-sized before this pregnancy, so the changes were… undeniable. My body felt heavier, my breathing shallow, and even the simplest movements had become effortful.

I’d gotten used to wearing loose clothes and walking around with a hunched posture just to make sure nobody noticed. Elizabeth had been my rock—covering for me during PE, walking behind me in hallways to block stares, and always having excuses ready when someone asked why I looked a little too pale or why I wasn’t eating properly.

But nothing could have prepared us for what happened next.

That morning, a notice was posted on the bulletin board in the middle of the hallway. Big, bold red letters:

MANDATORY INTER-SCHOOL SWIMMING COMPETITION – ALL STUDENTS MUST PARTICIPATE

My stomach dropped the second I saw it.

Swimming? Swimming?!

There was no way I could do that. Not like this. Not when a single glance could expose everything I’d been working so hard to hide.

I turned to Elizabeth, who had just finished reading the notice beside me. Her expression was blank at first, then her eyes widened in realization. Her jaw clenched.

“We need to talk to Mr. Leonard,” she said firmly.

I nodded, already sweating—not from pregnancy, but from full-blown anxiety.

⸻

Minutes later, we stood in front of the sports master’s office. Mr. Leonard was known for being cruel, rigid, and completely lacking in empathy. Rumor had it he once made a kid run laps until they fainted just for forgetting their socks.

“Sir, please,” Elizabeth began the moment we entered. “We’re not feeling well. Elena and I—we really shouldn’t be in a swimming competition right now. We respectfully ask to be excused.”

Mr. Leonard looked up from his desk, eyes cold and unforgiving.

“You can either join the competition,” he said without even blinking, “or face two months’ suspension and complete disciplinary service when you return.”

“But—” I tried to reason.

“No excuses,” he said flatly. “You’re in a supernatural school. We train warriors here, not weaklings.”

Elizabeth looked at me helplessly. I couldn’t breathe. My vision blurred for a second.

“We’ll… we’ll participate,” she said eventually, though her voice sounded like gravel.

I nodded stiffly. I didn’t have a choice.

⸻

We went to the girls’ locker room and searched through the uniform options. Every other girl was wearing a sleek two-piece school-branded bikini. Obviously.

“No way,” I murmured, eyeing my reflection. “I can’t do this.”

Elizabeth frowned, digging through the clothing bins until she pulled out a full-body swimming trunk—one of those old ones used for competitive swimming.

“This might work,” she said. “It’s tight, but it covers the stomach.”

We agreed.

We slipped into our clothes quickly. I was adjusting my suit when the locker room fell silent. I turned, and there she was.

Amelia.

She stood by the door with two of her girls, her arms crossed, that same evil glint in her eyes. She scanned me from head to toe and smiled—slow, wicked, knowing.

“Wow,” she said, her voice echoing across the locker room. “I never took you for the modest type, Elena. Hiding something?”

Elizabeth stepped forward. “Ignore her,” she whispered. “She’s bluffing.”

But my chest was already tight. My heart was racing. That smile—Amelia knew. She didn’t have to say it.

⸻

At the poolside, Mr. Leonard was already pacing with his clipboard.

“You there!” he pointed at me the moment I walked in. “What are you wearing?”

I froze. “It’s… part of the regulation—”

“It’s not,” he snapped. “This is a school competition, not a circus. We wear what the team wears. Uniformity. Put this on.”

He tossed me a bikini top.

I hesitated. “Please, I—”

“No negotiations,” he barked.

Elizabeth grabbed my wrist and whispered, “Put it over the trunk. Swim fast. Get out first. I’ll handle the towel.”

I nodded slowly.

We lined up at the edge of the pool. My hands trembled. My stomach wasn’t just heavy now—it felt like it was sinking.

I adjusted the bikini top over my one-piece suit as best I could and stepped into the water. It felt cold and unfamiliar against my skin.

Then came the whistle.

We dove.

I swam harder than I ever had in my life—not because I wanted to win, but because I wanted it to be over.

The water gave me cover, gave me peace, gave me… time.

When I touched the wall, I saw Elizabeth already climbing out and hurrying to grab my towel from the bench.

But before she could reach it—

Amelia stepped forward and snatched it.

“Well, well,” she sang sweetly. “Looking for this?”

Elizabeth’s eyes went wide. “Give it back.”

“Why rush? Elena needs to… breathe a little.”

She held the towel behind her back and walked toward the pool’s edge with a slow, mocking strut.

“Elena!” she called loudly, catching the attention of nearly everyone present. “Why don’t you come out? Or do you intend to start living underwater?”

People laughed, but I stayed submerged, water up to my chin, eyes darting around in panic.

Mr. Leonard turned and narrowed his eyes at me. “Everyone else is out of the pool, Elena. Why are you still in there? Get out!”

I froze.

There was no escape.

Elizabeth looked at me, helpless.

I felt every eye on me. My breath caught. My heart pounded.

And then…

I stood.

Slowly.

The water slid off my body, and I stepped out.

Gasps echoed across the entire court.

There was no denying it. The swell of my belly was prominent. The wet bikini clung to my skin, and even with the one-piece underneath, it was obvious.

Some people whispered. Others stared.

A few covered their mouths in shock.

I couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. I couldn’t even look at Elizabeth.

My hands instinctively moved to cover my stomach. My face burned. I wished the ground would swallow me whole.

Mr. Leonard stormed over, his face flushed red with fury.

“You’re pregnant?” he demanded. “You came to my school and participated in physical activities—pregnant?!”

I didn’t speak.

He turned to one of the officials. “Take her to the disciplinary committee. Now.”

Tears welled in my eyes. I blinked rapidly, trying to stay strong, but everything was falling apart.

Mr. Leonard turned back to me. “You’re suspended. You’re not allowed back on this campus until you’ve given birth.”

Elizabeth rushed to my side, wrapping a towel around me. “You don’t have to say a word,” she whispered. “Let’s go.”

We didn’t talk as we walked away. We didn’t look back.