Floras Big Secret

Chapter 1: The Secret Within

---Flora stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft rays across the room. It was a peaceful morning at Alfea, yet Flora felt anything but peaceful inside. She had been awake for hours, turning over the thoughts in her mind, the uncertainty of what her future held slowly eating away at her.It wasn't just the typical worries that came with graduation—though, that was certainly a part of it. Flora had always been the one to ground the group, the gentle soul who looked to nature for answers. She wasn't the type to rush into big decisions, always considering the consequences of every step she took. But this... this was something that caught her off guard. She wasn't sure how to deal with it, or even if she was ready for it.Flora had known for a few days now, ever since she'd missed her cycle. Her body had been signaling something was off, but she hadn't wanted to believe it. She had taken the test yesterday, her heart racing the moment she saw the two pink lines. The answer was undeniable. She was pregnant.She swallowed hard, her breath shaky as she reached for the small box on the bathroom counter. It was hidden in the back of her drawer, beneath a pile of makeup and toiletries. She hadn't told anyone yet—not even Helia. She wasn't ready. She wasn't sure what it would mean for her future, for her relationship with Helia, or for her role as a fairy. Would she still be able to protect nature? Would she still be able to follow her dreams of healing the planet? There were too many unanswered questions. Flora exhaled deeply, feeling a strange mix of fear and excitement. She had always dreamed of being a mother someday, but this... this was unexpected. She wasn't sure she was ready to be a mother at this stage in her life, especially when there was so much uncertainty about her path beyond Alfea.Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone coming up the stairs. It was Bloom—her roommate and one of her closest friends. Flora quickly shoved the pregnancy test back into the drawer and closed it, trying to steady her breath. Bloom was always full of energy and had a way of brightening up any room, but right now, Flora wasn't ready to face the questions she might ask."Flora? Are you awake?" Bloom's voice called through the door.Flora smiled faintly and tried to sound casual. "Yeah, just getting ready. I'll be out in a second."She quickly grabbed a fresh set of clothes, trying to shake off the anxious feeling in her chest. She didn't know what to do. Bloom had been her closest friend throughout their time at Alfea, and the thought of keeping something this big from her made Flora feel guilty. But how could she share this news when she wasn't even sure what it meant for her own life? Flora opened the door to find Bloom standing there, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you okay?" Bloom asked, sensing something was off in Flora's demeanor. "You seem a little distant."Flora nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just a little tired. You know, end-of-year stuff."Bloom didn't seem convinced but didn't push further. "Well, I was just going to grab breakfast. Do you want to join me?"Flora hesitated, glancing at the bathroom door. She had no intention of letting Bloom see the pregnancy test in the bathroom, at least not yet. "Sure, I'll be right there," she said, forcing a cheerful tone.As Bloom left to head down to the dining hall, Flora allowed herself a moment to breathe. She still hadn't told Helia either. He would be the first person she'd talk to once she had a clearer sense of things, but she knew how much he'd want to support her. Helia had always been patient and understanding, but he would be worried. And she wasn't sure how to put into words everything she was feeling.---**Later That Day...**The day had passed in a blur of normalcy. Flora had joined Bloom and the others for meals and classes, trying to act like everything was fine, even as the weight of the secret hung over her. It was late afternoon when she finally retreated to their shared dorm room to catch her breath. As soon as she stepped inside, Flora's gaze flicked to the bathroom door. She was alone in the room, which was a small comfort. She walked over to the bathroom counter, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the drawer to retrieve the pregnancy test. It was still there, tucked in the back, but as her fingers closed around it, she froze.There, on the countertop, was something that made Flora's heart skip a beat.The test. The one she thought she'd hidden away.Bloom had clearly been in the bathroom, and in her usual thoroughness, she must have opened the drawer. Flora's mind raced as she processed the situation. Bloom was going to ask questions—questions that Flora wasn't ready to answer.She quickly tried to shove the test back into the drawer, but before she could close it, the door to their room opened, and Bloom stepped inside.Flora's heart skipped in her chest as Bloom's eyes flicked toward the counter, where the test lay. For a moment, there was silence—just the two of them staring at the item that had become the catalyst for a conversation Flora wasn't prepared for.Finally, Bloom spoke, her voice soft but filled with concern. "Flora... is this...?" Her voice trailed off as she stepped closer.Flora's stomach twisted, and she felt a lump form in her throat. She couldn't lie—not to Bloom, not now. But how could she explain? How could she make sense of something she herself was struggling to understand?"It's... it's mine," Flora said quietly, her voice shaking slightly. "I... I found out this morning. I'm pregnant."Bloom's eyes widened, and she took a step back as if the news had physically struck her. She blinked a few times, processing the words, and then slowly, she closed the distance between them. She placed a hand gently on Flora's shoulder, her expression softening."Flora, you don't have to say anything you're not ready to. But I'm here, okay? Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here."Flora nodded, her emotions overwhelming her. She had wanted to keep this secret for a while longer, at least until she figured out what she was going to do, but Bloom had always been there for her, and now more than ever, she needed the support of her best friend. "I... I don't know what to do," Flora admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never expected this to happen, especially not now. I don't know how to balance this with everything else going on in my life. Graduation, the future... I just feel so lost."Bloom squeezed Flora's shoulder. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. It's okay to be scared. We'll figure this out together."Flora took a deep breath, feeling both relieved and terrified all at once. It was a relief to finally share the secret with someone, but it also opened up a whole new set of fears and questions she hadn't yet begun to process.And the biggest question of all lingered at the back of her mind: What would Helia think?---