This Too Shall Pass

Chapter 15

"Claire! You're going home! See you tomorrow!" The teacher calls into the silent room.

I look up, confused, and I slowly stand and tuck my papers into my folder, close my notebook and make my way out the door to the classroom.

I walk down a few hallways into the back corner of the school to my locker where I tuck my pencil pouch and notebook away and shove everything else into my backpack. I pull the bag out of the small compartment, pull my black hoodie over my head, and swing the bag over my shoulder.

Thud!

I take a few steps backwards and lean back to see around the corner, a 6th grader is lying on the ground not moving, I approach him slowly and tap his shoulder.

"Hey, are you okay?"

He perks up and looks at me with wide eyes.

"Y-y-you're Claire Mcloughlin?" He stutters.

I giggle a little bit and sigh.

"That'd be me!" I exclaim.

He stands up slowly, gives me a small, nervous hug and whispers into my ear "I'm sorry about your dad..." before letting go and smiling "Thank you, to you, Signe, and Jack. Just... thanks..." he quickly walks down the hallway and turns into his classroom.

I wonder who he was...?

I turn on my heel and walk down the empty hallways to the office where Amy waits for me. I enter the small room slowly and she looks up, smiles and stands.

"What's going on?" I ask her.

"Oh! Mark didn't tell you? Annabelle is finding out the gender of her baby today, she asked if you could be there." Amy replies calmly.

I had no idea!

I squeal and jump up and down a few times. "OH MY GOD!" I half-yell. Amy laughs and leads me outside to the new white van, I jump shotgun and throw my bag in the back, ecstatic.

-TIMESKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY MY UNFINISHED HOMEWORK I SHOULD PROABLY BE DOING RIGHT NOW BUT IM LAZYYYYYYYYYYY-

I practically leap out of the van and run into the building, Amy jogging to keep up. I pull my phone out and start to frantically text Annabelle.

Claire💚Bear:

Annabelle!!! OMG we r here!

ANNABELLE!!!

ABELLE!

Annabelle❤️💕❤️

OKAY, GOD, CHILL OUT! Room 212 Mark and I are both here already!

I shut off my phone and completely disregard the clerk at the desk and excitedly throw the door open leading to the hallway. I hear Amy call after me but she doesn't stop me, a few people laugh and I sprint down the hall until I reach the stairwell where I bound up 3 flights of stairs. I know this hospital all too well already. I got sick so much as a kid that when Daddy came to visit Mark I would have to get my weekly checkups in this hospital. Room 113 with Dr. Launstein. I remember.

I walk slowly down the hallway, looking for room 212

206...

I jog a bit.

210...

I take a few more paces and turn to stand in front of the room. I knock twice on the door and Mark answers with a smile. Annabelle lays on the bed in a gown, stomach exposed. She smiles at me and I run over to her. She holds her arms out for a hug, which I gladly accept.

"Ready to find out the gender of this little cinnamon roll?" Annabelle laughs.

I nod enthusiastically.

This baby is gonna be loved by millions...

But more importantly...This baby is gonna be loved by its family...