It all started at that party last summer. You’d never really thought much about it until now—some fun memories, maybe a bit of a blur in places, but nothing that would change your life. Or so you thought. Months went by, and despite the occasional tiredness, your body stayed pretty much the same. No one suspected anything, least of all you.

Then, in the middle of gym class, the pain struck like lightning, sharp and unrelenting. You tried to brush it off, but it didn’t ease up. Instead, it worsened with each passing minute, stealing your breath. You excused yourself and stumbled into the bathroom, gripping the sink as another wave hit. The realization settled in—a horrifying, surreal clarity.

You rushed into a stall, gripping your stomach, when suddenly, with a pop, your water broke. Panic swirled through you as you leaned against the cold tile walls, trying to steady your breathing, wondering how in the world this could be happening.As you brace yourself against the stall walls, fighting the waves of pain, you hear footsteps outside the bathroom. The door creaks open, and a voice—Elios' voice—calls out.

“Hey, you alright in here?” he asks, his tone a mix of concern and awkwardness. The gym teacher must’ve sent him to check on you, but you can’t even think of what to say.

You stay silent, hoping he’ll leave, but he doesn’t. Instead, he shifts his weight, hesitating. “Look, everyone’s a little worried. Are you hurt or something?”

The silence is thick, broken only by your labored breathing. You press a hand over your mouth, trying to muffle a groan as another contraction tightens around you. You can’t let him know what’s happening—not here, not now.