Chapter Eleven

I tried to do my best to get around the house without asking for help, but walking was one of the most painful things to do. Even walking at school was challenging and embarrassing. It was too dangerous for me to use crutches because of my chances of passing out, so I was forced to use a wheelchair. When I woke up for school -two weeks after the shooting-, I was excruciatingly tired. I wasn't sure if it was because I was healing, if it was because of the pregnancy, or both. I placed my good foot on the cold, wood floor and stood. It was so cold that it almost felt wet. I got my balance before I staggered forward, grabbing the edge of my dresser. My thigh was healing nicely, but it still hurt. I knew that I would have a scar once it was fully healed.

"Jas!" Luna ran into my room with a smile. I glanced up at her as I pulled my pants on. "You're five weeks pregnant!"

"Five weeks pregnant and exhausted." I exhaled deeply.

"Well, lucky for you, you don't have to walk anywhere." Luna handed me a shirt then my jacket. "How does it feel to be pregnant in high school?"

"It feels like I'm going to be made fun of." I frowned slightly as I became nauseous. I can handle people teasing, but I didn't need any more issues with bullies. Before I knew it, I was running across the hall to the bathroom. I nearly ran into one of the security guards, but only they stopped. I collapsed next to the toilet, throwing up. My body buzzed when I finished and I held my aching sides. I hadn't eaten yet so all that came up was bile. It caused my throat to burn. "Don't pass out. Don't pass out."

"Jas?" Luna called as my vision blurred. I laid back before I blacked out so that I didn't hit the toilet.

*~~*~~*

"Maybe you should stay home." Luna told me as I brushed my teeth. I looked at her through the mirror, wondering why she didn't want to go to school.

"We both need to graduate, Lune. Come on, I'm fine." I replied. She nodded as she thought with her arms crossed.

"I'm gonna ask Mykel." She turned to leave. Before I could grab her, she was out of the bathroom and walking quickly down the hall.

"No, Luna! We are going to school!" I yelled after her. When I finished getting ready, I went to the stairs. I could see Luna and Mykel at the bottom of the stairs talking so I slowly started to make my way down. I held onto the railing tightly, terrified that I would fall and hurt myself farther. I stepped slowly, trying to make sure I wouldn't fall.

"If she wants to go to school, she will go to school. You know that fighting with her doesn't work." Mykel met me at the top of the stairs and picked me up. I could see my wheelchair waiting for me by the door. Luna sighed and watched us.

"Fine." She threw her arms in the air with a huff. I caught a glimpse of something on her left wrist and as we passed her, I grabbed her hand. I studied where her X had been, confused when I saw the number 5.

"Luna!" I squealed, kicking my legs that Mykel held in one arm. He shifted slightly before turning to Luna. "You have a number! Look!" She looked to her wrist, but didn't show any excitement.

"I know. It showed up yesterday." Her words made me stop. I was beyond confused now.

"Is that why you didn't come over?" I looked at her face. She crossed her arms, seeming like she was upset. "What's wrong?"

"Why would she be upset about getting a second chance?" I thought to myself. "I know she loved Lily, but getting a second chance is a fool's hope. It never happens."

"My soulmate died and suddenly I get a new number?" She didn't look at me. I tried to get out of Mykel's arms, but he just tightened his grip. I gazed at him until he let me down. I kept the weight on my good leg so that it didn't hurt. "Does that mean that I have to forget about her? That she didn't mean what she meant to me?" I took Luna's hands in mine causing her to look up at me. I didn't know that she would feel this way if she got another number, but I knew that it was my job to show her the bright side.

"She will always be a part of you. She lives on forever in your heart and even if you found your second chance, your first love never goes away. She would want you to be happy and to find someone that you can grow old with." I told her sincerely. Her eyes watered and I hugged her. "Plus, you've got your best friend here to help you."

"I love you, Jas."

"I love you, too, Luna." I smiled. After a moment, I pulled away. "Now, let's go to school." I glanced at her to make sure she was alright. I knew now that having a new soulmate would be different for her. Her first died almost two years ago and Luna came to terms with the fact that she would die alone. I knew she held onto the hope that she would see Lily again when she died. I wondered why she got a second chance and what it meant. I hoped that Luna would be happy now because I knew that even though she seemed happy, she was actually sad inside. I studied her caramel skin and dark hair that bounced in curls around her head and shoulders. She was beautiful to me and I wanted to make sure that she got to experience everything she wanted in life. It wouldn't be fair if she didn't get the chance.