Really, all my training was failing me then. I was completely overcome with the physical reaction of all this heavy news and I could see it reflected in Rachel’s eyes. “Are you ok?” She asked looking fretful as my breath was laboring just to escape my body. I felt like I was going to pass out, and clasped my hand to my chest letting the room spin around me.

The next few moments I only remember the motion of. My arm was being jerked, then slowly moving my shuffled feet while leaned against a thin light body and then my back resting against the hard flat surface of a wall. My eyes focused back to see a still worried Rachel scanning my face. Her small hands were seized around my arms to keep me steady.

“What is going on?” I raised my arms to break free of her only causing her to hold me tighter. “Get off of me you druggy skank.” Her face dropped as well as her arms and I was able to walk off to the center of the hall. I hugged myself tightly taking in even breaths willing the panic to subside. I had not meant to snap at her but my major flaw was that I was terrified of closed spaces. Otherwise known as claustrophobia. When I collected myself and realized what I said I turned back to her. “Rachel, I’m sorry for saying that. I don’t like being crowded. I panicked.”

The girl only smiled ruefully shrugging, staring down at her feet, arms folded across her chest. I frowned at her, rubbing my forehead roughly, and asked, “What happened?”

“Ms. Sayre told me to take you to the nurse. Looked like you were going to pass out in there. I just carried you out.” Rachel’s words were mumbled, betrayed her hurt at what I had called her.

“Thank you.” I expressed awkwardly and there we stood in the hall neither sure what we should have said at that point. It was Rachel that spoke first.

“Can I broach a theory and you must promise me not to get angry given the fact you were just rude to me?”

I cringed at the words and fell back against the lockers across from her. When she looked at me with expectant eyes and I motioned for her to continue. She nodded and said, “Based on your reaction I believe some things are sliding into place for me, and I must ask you something.” She paused taking in a deep breath pushing her head back to stare at the ceiling. I only watched and waited not sure where it was going. “Do you have feelings for Kate?” It was then that she moved her head back to its natural position and fixed me with an unwavering stare.