Infinite

Chapter 15: Bundle of Stars- Part 1

Houston, Texas, in the Clarke Home, Friday, December 13th, 2030, at 4:15 am

Rachel

I wake up to an intense swirling sensation in my stomach, and a streak of warmth raced up my back and onto my neck. I jump out of bed and run into the bathroom, throwing myself over the toilet as I hastily flip open the lid. I immediately lurch forward and vomit, feeling a wave of relief wash over my entire body as soon as I'm done.

"Rach? Are you alright?" Lucas exclaims as he rushes into the bathroom and sits behind me on the floor. The gray vinyl is freezing against my bare legs, and I begin shivering. Lucas grabs a towel to wrap around me, leaving his arms at my sides.

"Yeah, I just had to throw up all of a sudden," I reply weakly, not wanting to turn towards him because of how gross I feel right now.

"You should stay home if you don't feel well," Lucas whispers.

"The feeling is gone, now," I say as I start to get up off the floor, feeling Lucas' strong arms lifting me up effortlessly. I giggle at him and head over to the sink to brush my teeth.

"Okay, but I don't want you at work if you don't feel well, Rachel." Lucas gives me a stern look, like the one my dad always gave me if I was trying to go to school sick.

"Promise!" I say through a mouthful of toothpaste. Lucas chuckles and I see him begin to get dressed. I spit in the sink and turn to him. "Are you going to work right now?"

"Yeah, we are supposed to get in at five," he yawns as he slips on a pair of black jeans. They rest just below his hips, making his torso look even longer. He catches me ogling him and shoots me a flirty grin.

"I really wish that I didn't just barf when you look like that right now," I smirk as I dramatically wave my finger in the air gesturing to Lucas' muscular figure.

He laughs loudly and blushes, buttoning up his jeans and grabbing a light blue t-shirt. It's my favorite color on him; a bright blue that reminds me of Easter. It highlights Lucas' dark hair and eyes and makes him look even more gorgeous.

"I'm not afraid to get sick, if that's what you're talking about." He winks at me and comes back into the bathroom. "I just really have to go." He loops his right arm around my hips and pulls me against him as he gives me a very wet and passionate kiss. He pulls away from me, leaving me out of breath. "I will see you tonight, beautiful. I love you." He presses another firm kiss to my lips and darts out of the bathroom.

"I love you too!" I yell out after him as he runs down the hall. I can hear him chuckling in the stairwell. I crawl back into our warm bed and snuggle under the covers. I fall back asleep within a few minutes of Lucas locking the front door.

#

I wake up with the same nauseating feel in my gut and spring out of bed. As soon as I'm finished, the sensation fades and I feel brand new again.

That's so weird.

I don't have food poisoning because I have no other symptoms and Lucas isn't sick. I could be getting the flu or some other stomach bug, but it usually starts with fatigue and my nose, not full on vomiting.

My heart skips a beat as I eliminate all of the usual suspects.

Oh my god.

I rush back into the bedroom and rip my phone off of the charger to call Anne.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," I say audibly as I pace around barefoot. The floor is no longer cold under my feet as I feel like I'm on fire.

"Hello? Rachel? Is everything alright?" she asks quickly when she picks up. I can hear some papers shuffling in the background. I check my watch and see that it's a little after six.