Haunted

"Perfect" - UNEDITED

Disclaimer: This chapter has not been edited from the original as posted on JBFF. There will be mistakes, typos, continuity problems and other issues.

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Hannah couldn't cry. For all the times in her life she'd wished that just for once she was the one who wasn't crying, this was one time she really wanted to cry.

"Open up," Chloe shoved a spoonful of ice chips in her mouth. "So anyway," Chloe went right back to going on and on about Slade and Danny.

"Again," Hannah cringed as another contraction started. It felt like she had less time between each one every time. A break was all she wanted. Wait, no, all she wanted was to cry. She didn't even want to see Derek, or her parents.

"Got it," Chloe was timing them on their Aunt Emily's phone app.

"You're doing great," Emily rubbed her back.

"I'm not doing anything," Hannah pointed out. She knew that sounded mean but she didn't care right that second. It was true. All she could do was sit there - stand there, actually, because sitting hurt like hell.

"Just keep breathing," Emily coached. Hannah rolled her eyes. Did she even have a choice?

"Okay," Hannah said when the contraction ended. If only she could take a nap. She felt sick just then, like she might throw up.

"So I asked Slade if he was really sure, you know? Like sometimes I think he's just afraid," Chloe started telling her story again. Normally Hannah loved when Chloe talked like that, going on and on, distracting her from whatever was bothering her. Today she couldn't take it.

"Not everyone is gay, Chloe," Hannah snapped. Chloe blinked, obviously surprised.

"I don't think he's gay," Chloe said. "I just think-"

"Ugh, we all know how this story ends," Hannah couldn't stop herself. "You and Slade are obviously going to end up together. We get it."

"What? You don't know shit, Hannah," Chloe protested.

"Girls," Emily motioned to Chloe like she wanted her to stop but Chloe kept going.

"Clay has a new girlfriend," Hannah said. That shut Chloe up fast.

"Chloe, please go get Hannah some more ice," Emily handed Chloe the cup. Chloe backed up and then left the room without saying anything.

"I'm sorry," Hannah said.

"Don't even think about it," Emily rubbed her back some more. "Just let it go now. Let's get this baby out of you and then you and Chloe can talk all you want."

"I just want to cry," Hannah said. She hadn't meant to admit that but it was nice to have it out there.

"That's okay," Emily smiled. "I can handle crying."

Hannah didn't explain she actually couldn't cry because another contraction hit her then. She squeezed Emily's hand and tried to get through it.

Chloe was back when the contraction ended. She started feeding Hannah ice chips again and didn't say anything. At first the quiet was nice but then Hannah realized Chloe and Emily were both just watching her.

"Tell me about everyone," Hannah begged.

"Oh!" Chloe's face lit up and Hannah recognized the mean look on her face. "Did I tell you about Aimee's boyfriend?"

"No," Hannah shook her head.

That was all it took. Chloe started going on and on about Aimee and some older guy. She went from there to talking about Emma's crush on Danny and moved through each one of their siblings. Hannah couldn't really follow most of what she was saying - the contractions were too intense.