It was during the final lesson of the day that Elizabeth felt something strange in the pit of her stomach. Normally when that happened, it would be a phone call from a member of the family out of the blue but this time, it didn't feel like that.

She focused her eyes on the whiteboard as she tried to get her work written down. Overall, today hadn't been all a bad day. The Biology test was foul in places but it wasn't as horrible as she thought it would be. Alexia was still chatting around with a huge grin on her face.

"If you think of Alexia, you compare her to a rainbow," thought Elizabeth as she wrote some notes down in her school book, "Bright, cheery and positive."

A sharp knock at the classroom door brought her to her senses.

"Yes?" asked her teacher.

"Elizabeth Sack needs to report to the head of year as soon as possible."

Elizabeth felt pairs of eyes fix in towards her, with a blush, she began to pack up her things and left the class to its business.

What had she done wrong in class? Elizabeth wasn't normally a misbehaved student, so why was she being called out? That stomach might not have been lying after all! 

On arrival at the head of year office, to her surprise, she spotted Alexander sitting by a long table with his rucksack promptly next to him. Her heart pounded as she knocked on the door.

"Enter."

On hearing a female voice, Elizabeth slowly opened the door, resting her eyes on Alexander and the head of the year group Mrs Jobs.

"Ah Elizabeth! No need to look so frightened, you've done nothing wrong."

Elizabeth stared at Mrs Jobs, "So, this is for a good thing that I've done?"

"Not quite, we need you to do a good thing that would help your friend Alexander this evening."

"Like?"

"Like taking him back to your house, the reason being that his dad's flight has been delayed by three hours and his mum won't be able to get back in time."

She nodded, "I see but what about his sister?"

"She is at an evening class so she wouldn't be able to come."

Alexander gazed at Elizabeth, "Your parents don't mind?"

"Well," smiled Elizabeth, "They will be surprised about what has happened but they have met you before and your parents so to them, you won't be a random stranger."

"Good, that's settled! Thank you Elizabeth for stepping in at such short notice, you can both go."

As both of them left the room, Elizabeth's stomach began to ache, ache with the all too familiar pains that women get every month. Her hand touched her stomach as she tried to walk.

"Are you in pain?" asked Alexander.

"A little bit." winced Elizabeth.

"Do you want me to rub your tummy?"

"Wait till we get back to mine."

The walk back to Elizabeth's house did take longer then usual but Alexander wasn't too bothered about it as he walked close alongside her. Out of the corners of her eye, she looked at him a few times but he didn't return those looks. They walked past a newsagent that were full of pupils from their school, buying sweets and chatting loudly.

"Thanks Elizabeth, you know, for this."

"You're welcome Alexander, that's what friends are for."

On arriving at the house, they were greeted with two fluffy cats sat on the driveway mewing and purring. They were Elizabeth's two pet cats that her family had adopted a few years back and they were like a brother and sister to her. Both of the cats followed the pair into the house.

"Who's this?" asked Leon, Elizabeth's dad.

"My friend Alexander from school, Mrs Jobs is going to call you about why he is here."

Alexander smiled, "Nice to meet you Mr Sack."

"Ah, nice to meet you again! I now remembering meeting you and your parents at a winter service last year."

"Dad, we are going upstairs." buzzed Elizabeth.

"Be good!"

"Of course dad!"

Alexander stared around Elizabeth's bedroom in awe and amazement. There were stacks of books piled everywhere and cuddly toys at the top end of her bed, a few pictures of family members were above the music unit, home to her CDs. Elizabeth blushed as she moved items of clothing around into drawers and her half-broken wardrobe. The walls were painted purple and a desk by the window made the room look very full indeed.

"Care to sit?" asked Elizabeth as she gestured towards the bed, "I do apologize for the mess."

"It's fine, you have a lot of reading material around."

"Feel free to take a look," beamed Elizabeth, "I  have everything from History books to books written by Jane Austen."

From the edge of the bed, she watched as her visitor explored her books, his fingers tracing the spines and covers of them with an interested look printed on his face. His eyes fixed in on one book in particular.

"What is this book?" he asked.

Elizabeth paused, "It's an old children's book that was given to me by my Gran, it belonged to my Granddad but he died before I was born."

Alexander examined the book with interest, "I'm sorry for your loss."

From somewhere deep down, Elizabeth's hand touched Alexander's knee, "It's OK, you didn't know."

For a few brief seconds, they stared at each other with curiosity and surprise, both sets of eyes were firmly fixed on the other until Elizabeth felt pain in her stomach.  

"I need your healing hand." moaned Elizabeth.

"Sit back and I will rub your tummy for you."

Elizabeth slowly sat back on the bed, her long brown hair cascading down past the ends of her pillows. Alexander placed the book back in its home and moved next to her, a warm hand reached her tummy and slowly started to rub it.

"Ah, that's lovely."

"I try my best."

"You do, always, in everything."

"And while I'm thinking about it, what did Alexia say to you earlier?"

Elizabeth's smile vanished, "When?"

"This morning."

There was a small pause before Elizabeth fixed her gaze on her friend, "She said that you... um... um..."

"Something about my body?"

"Well, yes... but it wasn't negative."

"Which part?"

Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow hot, "Your bum."

Alexander's mouth dropped open wide as Elizabeth started to giggle. His hand stopped rubbing her tummy but remained on it.

"That rude girl!"

"She was only speaking her mind Alexander, can we just leave it at that?"

"Well, unless she's fallen for me then yes..."

"It's not her." butted in Elizabeth but her hand flew quickly to her face on realising what she had just spoken.

It didn't take Alexander long to realise what Elizabeth's words were, "It's you!"

"Well, I was going to tell you, one day, Alexander." whispered Elizabeth as she blushed.

Alexander moved in closer towards her, "You kept that hidden from me for a while."

"I'm sorry, I truly am, you can leave me and not speak to me."

He scoffed, "Why in the world would I do that? For starters, you're unwell."

"Because I'm a crazy fool, a crazy fool in love."

His other hand touched hers, "Believe me when I say this Elizabeth, although I'm not a guy looking for love, you are a pretty girl and a good friend."

"Thanks Alexander, but this crush..."

"Will take its course."

"Of course, I do love you Alexander."

Both of them got closer as he rubbed her tummy, a hidden secret now out in the open, thanks to Elizabeth's stupidity.

"Do you want me to go on a walk with me and my mum tomorrow? asked Alexander, "Only if you're feeling up to it."

"I would love to, no matter what my condition is or how I'm feeling, I wouldn't miss anything with you."

"And that is love?"

"And that my dear Alexander, is love."

Aw, so romantic XD (OK Scarlett, cut out the feels as they will distract you from continuing the story!)

So, what do you think of this chapter? Will Elizabeth feel better in time for the countryside walk? And now with the truth out, how will Alexander fair as he takes his best friend to do one of his favourite loves which is long walks? And that dear readers, is a part of my best friend in real life. I'm trying to incorporate him into Alexander, the main character and myself as Elizabeth. Do you think I'm doing a good job? Leave your comments below! Scarlett x