Chapter One

Khushi looked in horror, as all 32 pairs of eyes looked at her. She stood still, not sure of what she should do and looked at Payal. Payal just gave her a look of sympathy. Khushi looked around the room and looked at the teacher, who was looking wide eyed at her. She looked at Lavanya and Sheetal, who were gaping at Khushi. And then she looked at Arnav, who was just looking at her wide eyed like the rest of the class.

Khushi looked down and side to side, and then back at the class, tears formed in her eyes. Unable to stand there another second, she grabbed her bag and ran out of the room. She ran down the hall and went straight into the bathroom, feeling like the was going to hurl.

And indeed she did.

Once she was done, she came out and washed up. Going through her bag, she took out a strip of "5 Gum" and quickly chewed on it. Looking up, she looked at her reflection. She was pale, paler than usual. She didn't look the beautiful-pale she was, but sick-pale.

Tears formed again in her eyes and she held into the slab of the sink and cried. A few seconds later, the door opened, Payal coming in.

"Khushi-"

Khushi quickly tackled Payal and hugged her, crying on her shoulder. Payal hugged her friend back and moved her fingers through her hair to comfort her.

"Hush," Payal soothed. "Don't cry."

"Payal, I'm all alone," Khushi cried.

"Shh, don't say that. You have me and you have another being within you, so don't say that."

"But-"

"Shh. Don't cry."

Khushi slowly let go of Payal and wiped her tears away and caught her breath.

"Khushi, you need to be strong. If not for me or yourself, do it for the being inside you."

Khushi nodded and wiped her escaped tears away. "You're right. But... I can't believe I just spilled it like that."

"Doesn't matter. You'll have to ignore them. Too much stress isn't good for you."

"But what about him?"

"I don't know... That can be figured out later."

"Why are you being so strong for me?"

"Because I'm your best friend. And I want to support you."

Khushi nodded and then hugged her. "Thanks Payal. For everything."

"No problem," she smiled humbly.

*~*

Khushi headed to lunch and saw Payal waiting for her. They both went inside and some people looked at Khushi. Khushi did her best and ignored them, going on the lunch line to get food. She got her tray and went to find a table, when she looked up and saw all eyes on her. Khushi stood still, when Payal joined her.

"Khushi," Payal questioned.

Khushi snapped out of trance and went over to an empty table. Payal followed and both sat and began to ate. They felt like they were being stared at and snuck a glance up. They saw people looking at them, whispering stuff.

"I can't believe it spread this fast," Payal said.

"Hmm," Khushi simply replied.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

Khushi continued to eat when she saw Arnav come through the doors. He went on the line and got food and looked for somewhere to sit.

"Khushi, don't," Payal simply said.

Khushi looked at Payal. "He'll never talk to me. Especially after this... Just like everyone else."

"Don't let it get to you."

Khushi suddenly didn't feel so good. She looked up and saw Arnav coming towards them. That's when she really felt sick.

"I'm think I'm gonna hurl again," Khushi said quickly.

"Are you okay? Should I come-"

Khushi shook her head and grabbed her bag and ran out the lunchroom, darting past Arnav. Everyone looked at her as she dashed out of the lunchroom. They murmured stuff and looked at Payal. Payal simply grabbed her stuff nonchalantly and left the cafeteria and headed to the bathroom to find Khushi.