I waited patiently, but the way my foot tapped on the floor said that was a lie. Still, I waited. The last bell of the day, the bell for those that had been given detention, would soon ring and Anita’s time in detention would be over. I’d made sure mine would be the first face she saw as I waited at the door. I’d left my own class early, after the teacher left when she was called to the office. I had to see Anita, see her face. I wasn’t disappointed. When she came out of the door her face scrunched up in the cutest way and her jaw dropped. I have that effect on people, what can I say? Anita was good though, and the shock was quickly replaced with a grin.The difference from when we first met to now was so huge; I unconsciously smiled back.“Hey,” she said, walking over to me. “What are you doing here?”Her curly red hair was in a pony tail on top of her head, soft, glossy curls caught my attention before I glanced down to see those eyes of her smiling up at me.I grinned at her. “Si

I sat down on the bed, bouncing a little. It squeaked in protest, but I ignored it. The bed felt hard under me, nothing like my own big, soft bed. I almost wished I could take Anita to my room, but that might not go down well with my parents. I didn’t want her to see what my home life was like, either.“There isn’t much in here.” I’d noted the absence of pictures or the other wall hangings I’d noticed in the bedrooms of others girls I knew. It wasn’t like my sister’s room at all; hers had been covered with ribbons she’d won for a variety of activities, and other mementos from her time in high school. Anita leaned back against the door and crossed her arms over her chest.“I don’t need a lot of stuff, to begin with. All I ever do in here is sleep or study.”“Hmm.”Our gazes met and held, and the small space between us grew charged.“Come here,” I said, motioning with my hand for her to sit next to me.The bed was pushed against the wall opposite the door, but there was just enough spa

A loud whistle blew, and I looked up just in time to eat dirt, a bunch of other guys falling with me. I wasn’t even sure if I tripped or if someone dropped me because my head wasn’t in the game.All of my attention was on Anita.I hadn't told her I had practice today because I didn’t have time to, but she should have known, right?The other thing on my mind, though to a lesser degree, was my parents. Was it just me, or did the fights seem to get much worse recently? I wasn’t sure, and it wasn’t like I could ask, so I kept out of it, but then it had me thinking of spending a night at Anita’s place. I knew I couldn’t, there was no way her mom would allow it, but the thought was nice.It was that moment of distraction that landed me where I was, on the ground with a lot of weight on top of me that was a little slow to get off.“What are you guys doing!” Coach practically screamed at us. “Get up and start the play again! Everybody focus, or we’re leaving here after dark!”There were groan

It was lunch, and Haley and I were seated at our usual table. My focus wasn’t on eating, though, as I kept glancing around the room, looking for someone.Hayley, finally getting fed up with me not paying her any attention, sighed and poked me in the arm.“What’s going on with you today, Anita? Actually, no. What’s been up with you recently because today isn’t the only day I caught you acting weird. Is something wrong?” She looked around before leaning closer and whispering. “Is it the baby?”I winced and quickly covered her mouth. We were alone, and there wasn’t anyone sitting too close, not to mention the cafeteria was as loud as usual, but it would mean hell for me if people found out. I’d have to do something once it started showing, but I thought I should at least tell people—meaning Mom and Evan—that I was pregnant before focusing on other details.“I’m just wondering where Evan is,” I admitted.Her eyebrows jumped up. “Wow. You two did grow close, huh? You’re even looking for hi

I just rang the doorbell and got surprised when the door was opened in the next second, and Evan was the one standing there.“Um, hi,” I murmured.I didn’t know what to read in his expression when he just stood there and stared at me, but I figured he was at least surprised to see me there.“Sorry—” I started to say, only to cut off when he suddenly grabbed my hand and dragged me into the house.I yelped and hurried behind him as he tugged at me, and we hurried up the stairs. He pushed me into a room and closed the door behind us, and I realized half a second later that it was a bedroom, most likely his. In the next moment, Evan whirled me around so fast I was dizzy, then he wrapped an arm around my waist, drug my body harshly against his, and slanted his mouth over mine in a hard kiss before I had time to think.“Mmh!”I let out a sound of surprise, my hands went up to his shoulders and clutched at him. I wasn’t sure whether to push him away or pull him closer. Evan didn’t give me mu