Claws.

29

CHAPTER 29

A FEW WEEKS LATER

"Say cheese!" Lilith giggled. She was balanced precariously on Will's tall, broad shoulders. The man behind the camera grinned and handed it back to Chase.

"Thanks man," He grinned at the guy. He flicked through the photos. "Awesome!

"I wanna see!" Lilith climbed down from Will and ran over to Chase. "Cool! Can I have a copy?"

"Of course." Chase smiled.

"Who's going first?" Raffi asked, sitting down by the monitor thing. The sounds of crashing pins and people laughing and chatting almost drowned her out.

"Birthday boy should." William smirked, putting an arm around Chase and scruffing up his blonde curls.

"Not cool man!" He laughed. "Sure I'll go first."

"I can't wait to beat you all." Sahari chuckled evilly.

"Bring it on!" Raffi challenged, determination glinting in his eyes.

"Children children." I hushed them. "You're both gonna lose!" I sniggered.

"Erm! No way!" Aiden argued. "I'll win!"

Nickoli laughed at us all. "I have no chance of winning do I?"

William laughed mischievously. "I could always help you with your stroke?"

"With balls?" Nickoli raised an eyebrow seductively.

"EWWWW!" I yelled, covering my own ears. "Brother!"

The pair laughed.

Lilith, sipping on her cola, asked with clear russet eyes. "What's so funny about balls?"

Nickoli and Will dissolved into cackles. Glaring at them, I replied "Nothing, Lil."

"Is it grown up humour?" she asked.

Sighing I nodded, relenting. "Yeah, don't worry about it."

"Coolio." She piped.

"She's so cute." Chase cooed quietly in my ear.

"Yeah." I smiled. Suddenly, my stomach churned. I tried to ignore it but as the game played on I felt even more uncomfortable. "Chase, play my turn I'm just going to the toilet."

"I'm too good for your sucky standards. " He smirked.

"Ha-ha." I snarked. I nipped to the toilet, quickly locking the stall.

Looking in the mirror I saw my face was pallid, stretched across my features.

My stomach churned again and I turned to the toilet just in time. Bile slipped out of my throat, burning and searing my mouth.

Surprised and uncomfortable, I shivered and rinsed my mouth out with the toilet taps quickly. The feeling was familiar- a heavy churn and rumble in my stomach.

"Jamie?" Raffi's voice called. "You ok in here?"

I wiped my face and left the stall. "yeah, um, a bit ill, I think."

She winced at me. "You look like crap."

"Oh thanks giraffi." I snorted.

"Well you do." She laughed.

"Lets go." I lead her out of the toilet, still shivering a little.

"You ok?" Aiden asked as I sat down beside him.