Almost Normal (Editing)

Chapter Three

JADE

"Just claim what most pregnant women claim, mental incapacity." Jamie said waving around her salad fork.

I rolled my eyes and took a sip from the can of soda from the cafeteria vending machine. I could almost feel my teeth slowly getting cavities from the sugary brown drink. I looked across the room and saw my brother, surrounded by his normal clique of friends. There was a girl with red hair sitting in his lap wearing a flowy sundress and gold cross necklace. Her name was Angel and she was Andrew's current obsession this semester. I could hear the sound of her steady heartbeat and it took all of my strength to not go over and introduce myself. Angel flicked her hair over error shoulder catching my eye. Her pink glossy lips curled up into a smile as she gave me a small wave. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"What do you think Jade?" The sound of Jamie's voice bringing me back to the present.

I blinked a couple times turning back around and facing Jamie and Alexandra. Jamie had a thin eyebrow raised at me while Alexandra sat there stoking her giant stomach.

"I um...." I stared at Alexandra for support.

"Olive. The name for the baby." She answered smiling.

"Why do you want to name it after food? Just yesterday you wanted to name it Candy." I replied daring to take another sip from my drink.

"I still don't see why it's a bad name." She said frowning slightly.

"You're right, Candy is not a stupid name. Just don't blame me if she grows up to become a porn star or a cheap hooker."

"Jade that's enough!" Jamie said turning over to face an upset looking Alexandra.

I mumbled an apology turning back around looking for Angel. Her and the rest of my brother's group seemed to have left. I frowned and turned back around facing an angry looking Jamie.

"You were staring at her again weren't you?" Jamie said stabbing her salad viciously.

"Why do you care?" I said watching her eat.

"You were being a total bitch to Alexandra, you know she's super sensitive about this stuff right now. When's the last time you ate?" She asked.

"Less than twelve hours ago." I replied.

Jamie sighed and got up gesturing me to follow. She threw away her salad and kept walking down the busy hallway me following her all the way to the girls bathroom. She ducked down making sure no one else was in the stalls before locking the door behind me.

"No. Not again." I said about to turn around and walk out.

"Jade it's fine. I know you too well to not notice when you're hungry." She said pushing her sleeve up her arm.

I shook my head trying to block out the sound of her heart thumping in my ear. Last time I fed off of her someone walked in. Let's just say that we both got an interesting lecture on safe sex. Also she nearly had to go to the hospital because I took too much. It's been months since then and we've really talked about it. She was my best friend. She was the only one here who knows who I am.

"Jade I swear to God if you don't I will." She said holding up a small razor dangerously close to her wrist.

I quickly swatted the piece of metal our of her hand and pulled her sleeve down her arm.

"Are you insane? Do you want to get caught? How would you explain a razor mark on your wrist to your parents?" I scolded.

"You mean my mom and Todd? They won't care. They're off on some stupid skiing trip. Besides they're not the caring type." She argued.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose pacing around the bathroom. Jamie glanced at her watch tapping her foot impatiently.

"We're not leaving until you do this." She said.

I sighed and gave in.