The gang's all here

A few students come by the library to check references or something during their spare periods. Most, on seeing you, look like a deer in headlights. They either complete their task quickly or just turn and race back out of the library. Gossip is such a valuable commodity in an all girls school. By the time lunch rolls around you're sure that even girls who stayed home sick have heard that you're back.

No surprise then when you see a familiar face peek around the edge of the door. Bethany looks worried, but she smiles at you and tiptoes over to your table as if she's a thief sneaking into a museum. "Hi," she whispers nervously, looking you over as if you're some strange beast that might bite.

"Hi" you reply, leaning back and putting your belly on display, "Anything exciting going on?"

Beth's mouth opens and closes a few times and she develops a slight blush as she fights to look at your eyes rather than your swollen midsection. You know very well that you and your unexpected return are the most exciting things happening at school. Any girl asked for exciting news or gossip has just one topic to talk about - but how can she talk about that with you?

Beth gets saved from the awkward situation when Felicia strides in and gives you a grin. She comes over and tells you to shift over, then slides in next to you on the bench seat. "I'd ask how you're doing, but you look pretty pleased with yourself" she says with a big, shit eating grin.

"I am. No reason not to be." You rest a hand on your belly and tell them both the little fib about coming back to do your homework.

Bethany says "Oh, that's a good idea."

Felicia snorts and says "You'd never catch me coming back if I didn't have to."

"What? Not even to see your friends?" asks Hanna, who's apparently capable of being really quiet when she want to. She sits next to Beth and gives you a big, but slightly worried smile. You put her at ease by giggling and asking how thing have been.

Much more social than Bethany - in fact one of the most charismatic girls at the school - Hanna has no trouble telling you that you have been the talk of the town. She says that if you'd been away for a few more days there would probably be a story about how you were kidnapped by Bigfoot.

"Sounds about right," you reply, "but aren't you worried that what I've come down with might be catching?" You drum your fingers over the taut fabric that covers your belly.

"Meh, Vivian already asked me something like that" Felicia says, feigning disinterest. "But I don't like it much when uppity skanks tell me who I can be friends with." Her face curls up into a vicious smile that wouldn't look out of place on the Grinch. "And I let her know that. If you see her, ask if it feels breezy in here."

Bethany sucks in a breath. "You didn't!"

Felicia starts doing her fingernails and calmly explains "If you want to accuse other girls of being sluts or tell me who I'm 'allowed' to be friends with then you really shouldn't wear a frilly crimson thong to school."

That gets some giggles from both you and Hanna as you imagine Vivian, one of the most bitchy and vile girls at St. Catherine's trying to explain to her own clique of friends why they are NOT going to be picking on you today.

Zoey arrives just a little later and wiggles past both Felicia and you so that she can sit on your other side. "So," she says, putting a hand on your shoulder, "wow!"

It's rare to find Zoey speechless. You give her a quick hug and take her hand. "You can touch it if you like," you tell her, pulling her unresisting fingers toward your tummy. As Zoey's palm presses against your thinly covered flesh you relax a little and add "You can all touch it if you like. I know some girls don't like it, but to me it feels... nice."

That's all the encouragement your friends need - in moments you've got four excited schoolgirls laying hands on your belly and a flood of questions. You actually have to lean back and thrust your belly out so there's enough skin for all of them to pet. And it does feel nice - it feels like you're being included in this circle of friends once again. You try to answer all the questions - everything from 'How long have you been pregnant' and 'how do you feel' to 'have you had morning sickness' and 'got any weird cravings'. Apart from 'who's the father' you answer them all.

After a bit you feel overwhelmed with warm feelings and you just grab a nearby head at random and give her a kiss on the cheek. Then you do the same with the others; even Zoey, who looks a little worried and starts to blush, gets a quick kiss.

You all settle back into your seats and everyone starts talking. Felicia's hand lingers on your belly longer than the rest and you feel so warm and happy that you trap it there with your own. After all the pain and worry of the last few days you know that everything is 'right'. And you think to yourself that once again your dear, mysterious 'husband' has been right too.

"My parents are away for the next week," says Hanna. "We should so, so get together!" With that the five of you start planning.