Beginnings of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

what was being served overpowered the tenuous grasp I had on my stomach.
    I slapped my hand over my mouth and ran to the nearest bathroom. The students behind me cleared a path when they saw my face, and I got there just in time. I heard the door open as I flushed and came out of the stall.
    â€œAre you alright? Cole sent me in to check on you.” Bree said as she looked at me.
    â€œI’m okay.” I leaned over the sink to rinse my mouth out. “Thanks. I think I’ll just go to the nurse or something. I’m really not feeling well today.”
    â€œYou look kind of pale. Well, more than usual.” She said with a grin.
    I actually managed to smile as I left the bathroom with her right behind me. Bree waved and continued on into lunch while I looked up at Cole, who was waiting right next to the door.
    His eyes were full of concern, and all I managed was a weak smile.
    â€œYou are obviously not okay. I think you need to go to the nurse. Maybe she can send you home. I’ll drive you and stay until your sister gets home.”
    â€œYou can’t just leave school, Cole. Someone will catch you skipping and then you’ll be in trouble.” As if it was the least of my worries, I thought to myself.
    â€œIt’s already taken care of. I texted my mom and asked her to get me out so I could drive you home. Now, let’s go to the nurse.”
    As we were walking there we heard an announcement for Cole to report to the office.
    â€œI’ll see you in the parking lot.”
    He left me at the door to the nurse’s office and went to the office. I told the nurse I wasn’t feeling well and I just needed to go home and rest. She called my mom and then let me sign out.
    I gathered my things from my locker and went out to the parking lot. Cole pulled his truck around to where I stood, and I climbed inside. He looked at me, but said nothing and started to drive me home.
    I spent the entirely too short drive trying to decide what to say to him. I could tell he was worried and still unsure of what was going on, and I didn’t want to tell him I thought I might be pregnant.
    He had all these plans for what he wanted out of life, and I didn’t want to be the one to ruin them all. How was I going to tell him? I wouldn’t blame him if he left and still did what he wanted.
    The mere thought of him leaving almost pushed me over the edge into a full-blown panic attack. I fought against the overwhelming urge to surrender to it and got my emotions back under control. I was going to need every ounce of control I could muster to get through the conversation I knew was coming.

Chapter Five
    Cole helped me out of the truck and into the house. He took his jacket off and threw it over the back of a chair and then took mine and did the same. I walked over to the couch and sat down, pulling my legs up until I could rest my chin on my knees. He came and sat next to me.
    â€œHow are you feeling? Do you want me to get you anything?” Cole asked.
    His eyes held an intensity I wasn’t used to seeing, and I knew my silence was to blame. I opened my mouth to tell him, but nothing came out.
    â€œYou’re really starting to freak me out. Are you sure you want me to be here? I get the feeling you don’t.”
    I moved closer to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I inhaled deeply of his scent and tried to calm my thoughts.
    He slid me onto his lap and held me. I felt him relax a little and knew he was trying to be patient.
    â€œI do need to talk to you, but it isn’t what you think. When I got up this morning I had to run to the bathroom to throw up and then I remembered I was late.” It all came out in such a rush I wasn’t sure if he understood what I was saying.
    â€œYou thought you were late for school and it made you throw up?” Cole asked.
    â€œNo.” I was so nervous I thought I might throw up again. “When I threw up, it reminded me I’m