• Chapter 3: Getting Help
    As the day went on, her sickness didn’t get any better, but didn’t really seem to get much worse. As band rolled around, she sat in the chair, playing her clarinet until she knew she was about to throw up. She got up and asked the director if she could go to the restroom, so he wouldn’t even consider sending her home for being sick.
    “No, we have 20 minutes left,” he rejected her request.
    “Please, I really need to go, for 2 reasons. 1. It’ an emergency. I’m about to wet myself. 2. I have girl problems,” she made up, knowing that he knew if he denied her, he would be considered the biggest jerk in the school.
    “Go, quickly,” he revised.
    “Thanks,” she replied, quickly moving out of the room. She was glad the restroom was close to the band room because she didn’t have much time since she wasted so much giving her excuse. She started to sprint opening a stall as soon as possible. She leaned over and hurled. Well, when I told him it was a girl problem, I wasn’t lying, if you think about it. Last I checked, men don’t normally get pregnant. She thought about that again, she realized she was pregnant, and started to panic. Well, it’s not proven yet. Don’t freak out until you know! After that thought, she walked back to the band room and continued to play, as if nothing had happened.
    For the last 15 minutes of band, everyone sits in the gym until lunch because the Symphonic band practices. Kauri sat next to Cameron, which wasn’t normal for her. She usually sits next to Carrie, but she knew she had to tell Cameron about her dilemma. He was trust-worthy, and if she said not to say anything, he wouldn’t tell anyone, not even Carrie. “Cameron, can I talk to you? Over there, please, it’s important.”
    “Why can’t you talk to me now? I’m listening.”
    “Now, please. No one knows, and I want it to stay that way, unless I specifically tell them.”
    Cameron stood up and followed Kauri. “What?” he bitterly asked, obviously upset that she made him get up and move for no apparent reason.
    “Ok, this summer, I was raped and I didn’t tell anyone, not even my parents. Now, I THINK I’m pregnant. Either I’m pregnant and I’m having morning sickness, or I’m just sick. But, I’m afraid to tell my parents. If you could pick up some pregnancy tests so I can be sure, that would be great. I’ll pay whatever it costs you. Please, you need to help me out on this!”
    “Oh my…. Kauri. All you have to do is just tell your parents, maybe they’ll understand. Also, why do you need tests? Can’t you tell? Did you skip your period?”
    “Ok, guys shouldn’t ask me that, but yes. I did, but under-weight people aren’t necessarily regular. Didn’t I have this discussion with you before? Anyways, I can’t just tell my parents, because I didn’t tell them when I got raped, so they might not believe me.” Kauri sighed of stress.
    “Oh. How about you just go with me to the store after school, pick out the tests, take it, and then go home. You don’t have to pay me back.”
    “I’ll call and ask my parents, and yes I do have to pay you. Thanks so much, Cameron,” Kauri said, thankful she had friends like him. “Oh, and please, please, PLEASE don’t say anything to anyone, including Carrie. Especially since there is no proof. I don’t want people getting worked up or saying stuff when it might not even be true, ok?”
    “What if she asks what we talked about?” he worried, knowing he couldn’t lie to his girlfriend.
    Kauri sighed. “Just tell her…” she paused, coming up with something off the top of her mind. “Just tell her I want to be able to tell her myself, and I’ll do that at a different time,” she said, making sure he wasn’t lying to her, since he wouldn’t be able to do it.
    All throughout lunch, it was a little awkward. She could tell he wanted to tell her badly. Kauri was more quiet than usual, trying to keep her puke down as much as possible. She did go to the restroom once to hurl, claiming she had to use the restroom again. Her only fear was that she would leave and he wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to say something, but she trusted him.