Fredrick’s pov“Why are you in my school? You didn’t inform me you would be coming,” I asked Sophia, but she remained mute as she drove; she had a latent smile on her face, which conveyed trouble. She was pissed but tried hiding it behind a smile."Talk to me; why come pick me up? You created a scene; now everyone is talking."“You never had a problem with that, so why today? Besides, I just came to take you gaming; I was bored and I needed someone to talk to, so I came to pick you up. Is that bad?”It has been this way for a long time. Sophia was too rich to be among us; she was way richer than my dad in person, and at first, it was the best thing to date the richest and hottest girl in the state. It came with its peaks and its odds; she was always right to do whatever; I never argued her decision; she was free to do as she pleases; and I had no say whatsoever.She was loving, caring, and more compassionate than I expected from someone who had access to other bedmates; she wasn’t ent

Joan’s pov“Pregnant?” “Yes, we are pregnant; we don’t know the gender yet; since it’s not time, your dad and I just found out, and we decided to share it together with both of you,” her smile stoll handing, she was expecting a reaction of some sort.Fred I held my hands underneath the table so I didn't combust, but I pulled out anyway. Damn all of them, damn their stupid news. Mom isn’t supposed to be pregnant for him; it’s off the radar.Nothing was making sense, pregnant? It was too early to be pregnant, and she was pregnant for this man, this pervert."Aren't you happy, my love? You are finally going to have a sibling; it will be the beginning of our new family bond, and maybe we will grow to love each other as you help nurture your sibling.” She stares at him with spotless love in her eyes, and he smiles back at her.Pretense, all pretense—he doesn’t love her.“Is this what you really want, mom, a child?”“Yes,it will seal the family bond for ever,” she smiled at me. I knew what

Fredricks pov“He’s the new boy,” Mark whispered in my ears. I saw the way she smiled and how this new boy didn't lose the slightest opportunity to touch her; she blushed countless times in my presence. Before, she could perceive me from a mile apart, but now she doesn’t even notice me two chairs away from her.What are they saying that’s so funny? She never had lunch with any guy, not even that nerd from the last time. He wouldn't dare come back to her again after last time, but this guy was new. Maybe I need to teach him a lesson, one he won’t forget."I need to know everything about him; whatever you can find, give it to me,” I said."Well, I know he’s rich, like very rich, but he doesn’t talk to anyone, and from what I heard, he is a transfer student. Some said he stabbed someone in his previous school and was expelled from school since no school would accept him; he was sent here as a last resort.”I gave it another thought: He doesn’t look like he can harm anyone, but he doesn’t

Joan’s pov It was my first date night, and we drove all the way down to the community garden. “I hope you didn’t eat, because I brought a threat along,” he said, opening the door for me and leading me out, bewildered by the view.There was a blanket on the floor, and there was a basket on it. “I know it’s not much, but I just thought it would be better than just a normal dinner where we could sit and watch the sky together.” My heart welled up with so many emotions, and he was so considerate.“I love it!” I exclaimed.He took my hands, and we walked over to the blanket, bread, wine, some fruits, and a lot of chocolate. "I just want to get to know you more. I spent my time looking at you, and I might have made so many assumptions about you that night that are not true. So tell me yours, and I will tell you mine."I gave it some thought. There wasn’t much about me that I could tell everybody, "My dad died in an accident, my mom remarried, and I hate my new family so much.” I expected h

Joan’s povMom was lying in the pool of her own vomit; nothing seemed to be making sense anymore. I rushed her, carrying her, but she passed out, and her vomit had a stain of blood in it."Mom, wake up.” I tapped her hurriedly in hopes that it was all some sort of game that was beginning to seem too real, but she didn't wake; she was out cold, her body stiff and heavy, and her complexion pale and lifeless.Talking on my phone I called 911, and an hour later they carried her to the hospital. What happened to her? Did she take something? What if it was Jones who had a hand in whatever happened to her? I wouldn’t forgive him if anything were to happen to my mom. What if he wasn’t the one responsible?Mom was never suicidal; oh, what am I thinking? She’s pregnant; is she worried about it? Does she want a divorce? Did she somehow find out what was going on and decide to hurt herself?The doctor came out, and I ran towards him, unabashed by my appearance. I reached out for his coat.“What i