LOGINAnne-Marie’s P.O.VMarcus has been sick since Friday, and I’m just finding out. Understandable, since we’re not ‘anything.’ But I thought… I thought… He could have texted. Maybe. We literally spoke on Friday. He could have told me. Or was he so sick or didn’t want to bother me? I don’t know. Clinton said he had a headache the whole of Friday. It got worse in the evening—intense migraines, a fever, stomach pain—and he’s been stuck in bed ever since.“His doctor already attended to him; there’s been some signs of improvement, but I need someone to keep him away from his laptop, so he gets enough rest as prescribed by his doctor . He’s addicted to working, and that’s what got him sick in the first place,” Clinton explained, pleading desperately that I come to his rescue, since he unfortunately can’t be there for his boss. His mother has an important surgery scheduled for a couple of hours this evening. His siblings are out of town; his father isn’t strong enough to be left alone at the
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VIt’s a quiet Sunday afternoon at home. Yesterday wasn’t as quiet. Since I wasn’t allowed at work, I tried to get some sleep and extra study hours at home while Beatrice and Diana attended an event they tried to convince me to tag along to, but failed. My baby wanted to play—it’s rare to have that much free time with her—so that’s what I did. I played with her. I eventually got some rest and did some studying after she fell asleep while watching her favorite cartoon. I’ve called and texted Jeffrey my apologies for going off at him and a customer, but he hasn’t responded or answered any calls. I also emailed Miss Blake, thanking her for everything she gave my little girl, including the envelope of cash she hid inside a fancy black purse for me. It was an unexpected amount of money that I still can’t fathom why she’d give to me. I know I can’t return it. I’m just filled with too much gratitude, enough to wipe away the embarrassment I felt on Friday after catching thos
Anne-Marie’s P.O.V“What are you looking at, counter girl?” She snarls, flashing me a haughty smirk as she rubs a hand on his chest. “Never seen a couple kiss in your life?”“Rissa?” He murmurs, looking at her.“What?”I drop my gaze, and my feet magically find momentum again, taking me toward them while my cheeks burn. I press my fingers into the bag. I feel their eyes burning impatient holes into me as if they’re eagerly waiting for me to be out of their faces so they can get back to what they were doing before I interrupted. Approaching the door, I flick my eyes at it and see I need help opening it, since my hands are full. But I’d rather choke with pride than—.The door is opened for me.I lift my eyes, and it’s him. I’m not breathing. Blue eyes hold my gaze only for a second before he drops them and gestures for me to go inside.“Girl, go in. We don’t have all day,” Rissa remarks with a bored sigh. I quickly go inside without saying a word, and don’t stop moving.“Not even a th
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VI look over my shoulder and see Angela rushing toward me, klutzy, holding a branded backpack and a pen in one hand and some books and an iPad in the other, which tells me she ran after me the second I got up, without taking time to put herself together.Feeling sorry, I wait and give her my full attention. “You were gone before I knew it.” She pants, a grin spreading on her face when I start moving toward her. “Where did you sit?” I ask, taking her books and iPad.“Front row. I saved you a seat, but you were seated all the way at the back and had all the guys breaking their necks to look at you.”I bristle at her words, but mask it with a forced smile, helping to put her things into her backpack. “How are you?”“I’m good,” she answers with a nod, puts on her backpack, and then we walk together. “And optimistic! We’re finally gonna win something.”I meet her eyes and swallow, debating whether to tell her I can’t compete for a while, and she needs to have less fait
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VHe wants to see me?I blink and look up quickly, locking my gaze with another figure skater. She breaks into a smile, her cheeks turning pink. I give her an awkward smile and avert my gaze, shifting in my seat as I work out what to do.Coach Brian’s voice floats across the table. Everyone’s engrossed while feasting on steak. He says something about the school’s plan to bring harmony between the hockey team and the figure skaters. It’s an unachievable goal, so I’m barely paying attention. My eyes fall back to my phone. I tuck strands of hair behind my ear as I unlock my phone. Then I type a response quickly before anyone notices.Me: {You want to see me right now?}I hit send, drop my phone face down in my lap, lift my gaze again, and pick up my fork to keep eating. My eyes flick to my wristwatch. It’s 13:35. I have to be at the library at 01:45 p.m. to begin my shift, which means I–My phone buzzes in my lap.I pick it up and flip it over, scratching my forehead with
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VMy heart skitters. My hands press into his shoulders, my head spinning as my skirt floats carelessly. “Kaizer, put me down.” I choke out, but he’s not stopping. He spins as perfectly as he would on ice, chuckling in reckless excitement. “My Ice Queen is back!” He roars and finally stops, his arms wrapped firmly around my waist, his pretty eyes lifted and pinned to mine as I stare down at him, face flaming in utter embarrassment.My legs are folded backward. I’m pressed too close for comfort. My little top has hiked up slightly, so his skin rubs against mine. Despite the chatter and liveliness, I feel the stares of people boring assumptive holes into me.“Put me down,” I repeat in displeasure, working my jaw. Carefully, he sets my feet on solid ground. Even as my hands slide down his shoulders, he doesn’t let go, holding my gaze captive with a smile that would have melted me into hot liquid and sent me on a daydreaming course four years ago.“People are watching,”







