Chapter 11

Noah

"You look like hell." Roy told me, stepping in front of me to block my way.

"Excuse me." I sighed, trying to step around him.

"What's wrong with you?" Mick asked, joining forces with Roy.

"Oh God." I groaned, attempting to push through the two of them as they completely blocked my way. "You guys are going to make me late." I sighed as they pushed me back, making sure I was standing directly in front of them.

"Then you better start talking." Mick crossed his arms.

I narrowed my eyes at the two of them, crossing my arms as well.

"I have health next hour. We're in the middle of our sex ed unit." I began. "Can I please go to class now? I'm not in the mood for your shit" I asked harshly.

Roy and Mick silently stepped out of my way, allowing me to pass.

And now I was on the dreaded walk to Health class.

I hadn't spoken to or seen Harper since last night when we got back from the cottage.

It was just us in the car but not a single word was said other than necessity. She listened to her music the whole time and I silently focused on driving.

Harper was already in her seat when I sat down next to her.

She didn't look at me.

I didn't look at her.

But we were both aware of each other's presence.

And it wasn't awkward. Similar to the drive back from Up North, it was a comfortable silence where we knew that the other person was there.

It wasn't even silent, with the hustle and bustle of a high school classroom on a day that we were about to learn about 'the birds and the bees'.

Some people were uncomfortable and some people were thrilled to get to make sex jokes without being reprimanded by the teacher.

"Now, I was going to play a movie this class... But I can't seem to get the VCR to work..." Mr. Jameson said, standing at the front of the classroom with a stack of papers. "So, instead, it's a powerpoint day. I require one full page of notes, back and front, on what we're covering today."

"Which is what?" Someone from the front of the class asked, already titling their notes pages.

I'd barely opened up my backpack. I heard Harper let out a soft laugh next to me followed by a subtle 'know it all' muttered under her breath.

"Fetal development." Mr. Jameson said happily, reaching up to turn on the projector. "We're going to track the development of a fetus from fertilization, through all three trimesters, to their journey into the world."

Harper's shoulders sunk and with a shaky hand she pushed back her hair, eyes set in front of her on her paper.

Harper stayed completely still and unmoving throughout the beginning of the presentation but I kept a watchful eye on her.

The beginning of an anxiety attack for her usually involved her completely shutting down and not moving. It was her way of calming herself down and coping.

"At twenty two days, one of the most vital organs starts functioning with one tiny cell. The heart." Mr. Jameson said.

Harper twitched, her hands tightening into fists on top of the table.

My hand twitched too with the desire to reach over and grab hers but I knew that I couldn't.

Harper stayed unmoving apart from the steady bounce of her foot as she took minimal notes, just getting enough down to fill up the space requirement.

"Here's an example of a fetus at six weeks. As you can see, the fingers and toes are beginning to take form." Mr. Jameson said, pointing to the diagram on the board. "The fetus is no bigger than a walnut shell at this point but the eyes are beginning to develop as darkened little sockets."

Harper shifted in her seat, her face scrunching up as if she was about to sneeze.

"Fingers and toes." She whispered to herself, rubbing a hand across her stomach.

I wanted to pull her against me, hold her tight, and reassure her that everything was okay.

But I was frozen in my seat, nauseated at the fact that fingers and toes formed so quickly.

"By eight weeks, the fetus is completely dependent on their mother's nutrients. The yoke sack is no longer a sufficient source and everything that is keeping the baby alive is coming from mom. Everything she does influences the health of her child, her entire body working towards growing the healthiest baby she can." Mr. Jameson explained.

Harper tensed, her hands forming fists again.

"This can be seen with certain cravings, nutrients the baby needs. Aversion to certain foods is the mother's body telling her to avoid them for the health of her child. The very air that she breathes is a support system for her child." Mr. Jameson said, his eyes scanning the classroom to make sure everyone was taking notes.

I rested my hand the desk, about a foot away from Harper's. I saw her eyes flicker to it and her hand squeezed into a tight fist again.

"Twitchy movements of the fetus begin at nine weeks as the nervous system continues to develop. These are the beginning practices of walking and it's continued into eleven weeks, where the first signs of movement can be detected by the mom. As simple as little flutters, maybe resembling butterflies, the baby is practicing out her limbs, bouncing around to get used to walking."

Harper's hand jumped to mine, giving it a brief squeeze before she seemed to realize what she was doing and pulled it away.

Her face had lost all color and she was shaking in her chair.

"This is the last point of a pregnancy that abortion is safest." Mr. Jameson explained.

Harper's head snapped up and her mouth tightened, shaking even more than before.

I instantly reached for my phone, sending Coach an urgent text.

*Call Harper out of class. Something's not right.*

I rested my hands on my lap underneath the desk before reaching over to subtly squeeze Harper's leg.

She grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly as she gave me a pleading look.

Our eyes had only just met when the phone rang and I relaxed.

Mr. Jameson answered and listened for a minute.

"Harper, you're needed in the athletic office. Bring your things." Mr. Jameson said seriously.

Harper let out a breath, quickly grabbing her bag and exiting the room.

I took a deep breath, shifting my seat in my chair.

I looked down at my half filled page of notes, ready to learn all about the kid that I almost had but never would.

This day was going to be hell.