Dancing with Shadows ✔

Finding Comfort

Dancing with Shadows

Chapter 17

Emma was home, lying on her bed, surrounded by the soft glow of her bedside lamp. She was reading one of the many books she'd picked up about pregnancy, trying to absorb every bit of information she could about the journey she was on. The words on the page were interesting, but her mind kept wandering back to the events of the day.

Her thoughts shifted to Valentina, the one person who had stood up for her when Helina, London, and Clover were making her life difficult. The memory brought a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and a bit of surprise that someone would go out of their way to help her.

Setting the book down on her lap, Emma reached for her phone. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should bother Valentina so late, but then decided to go ahead. She typed out a message:

Thank you so much for helping me today. I don't know what I would've done without you.

Emma hit send and then stared at her phone, waiting for a response. It didn't take long. Her phone buzzed, and she saw Valentina's reply:

Anytime, Emma. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. By the way, would you like to sit with me and my friends at lunch tomorrow?

A smile spread across Emma's face as she read the message. She hadn't expected Valentina to be so kind and welcoming. Without hesitation, she typed back:

I'd love to. Thank you!

Feeling a sense of warmth and reassurance, Emma placed her phone on the nightstand. She lay back on her bed, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. As she gently rubbed the small bump, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. The day had been tough, but knowing she had someone like Valentina in her corner made things a little easier. She closed her eyes, still smiling, and let herself relax, hopeful for what tomorrow would bring.

**

Emma's heart pounded in her chest as she hurried down the hallway toward her first class of the day—Ethics. Most people would consider it a boring subject, but she didn't mind it. It was one of the few classes where she felt like she could engage in real discussions. However, this morning, her focus was on anything but the class content. As she walked, she noticed how the students around her parted like the Red Sea, their eyes fixed on her with a mix of curiosity, judgment, and even pity. She hated it.

She quickened her pace, her body protesting slightly with each hurried step. She reached the classroom door and quickly opened it, eager to escape the suffocating stares. Unfortunately, the moment she stepped inside, she realized it wasn't any better there.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Hunt," Mr. Ricks greeted her with a gentle smile. He was a kind man, one who had always treated his students with respect and warmth, almost like a father figure.

"Hi, sir," Emma replied, trying to muster a smile in return. He asked how she was doing, and for once, she was relieved to speak with a teacher who didn't judge her, unlike Mr. Ben and some of the others.

"I was told you need to sit in the front," Mr. Ricks continued, his voice considerate. "But to make it comfortable for you, would you like a window seat in the front?"

Emma's face lit up, and she must have looked like a child who had just been offered their favourite candy. She nodded eagerly, grateful for his thoughtfulness. It was the first time any teacher had given her a choice, and she appreciated it more than she could express.