The first term ended and Megan got one point better than Bren in American History. She also got her best grade ever in a science class, thanks to Bren. It was far from his ninety-eight. She did better than him in English, but he killed it in his calculus. He had some big plans for himself and she didn't doubt he would achieve them.

Her biggest problem was she liked him as more than a friend which was totally stupid since he was busy swapping bodily fluids with Harmony. Harmony was a problem too, because she was giving Megan looks warning her not to mess with her guy. Megan had no intention of messing with Bren, Harmony scared her.

Bren came over to her house once a week, and it was making Harmony angry. Megan suspected with his work schedule, Bren didn't have as much time to hang out at Harmony's house. She wondered what they talked about besides sex. She couldn't imagine the two of them talking about the unique relationship between Harry and Dumbledore. Never mind discussing what was going on in Washington or even Augusta.

Meanwhile, Megan's father who traveled and worked long hours had suddenly found time for Bren. He took him out driving in Megan's car. When Megan questioned it, he said, "I need something to do now that golf season's over."

"Dad, when have you had extra time on your hands? Besides, if you think you'll groom Bren to be a lawyer you're wrong. Science and math are his thing. Why do you think I study with him?"

"Because you like him," her mother said.

"No, because he's so smart in the subjects I'm not."

"I know you'll be my lawyer, princess."

"No Dad. I keep telling you I want to teach!" She hollered and left the room.

Her parents really didn't understand her. They didn't understand her brother, Drew, either. He went to school in California and claimed he was not coming back. Maybe that's why her father liked Bren because his own son abandoned him.

At the library, Bren said, "What's got you so down?"

"My father, he doesn't understand that I want to be a teacher. Not that you do either."

"Actually, I think I do. We're just different. You've never been poor. You can support yourself and then you can find a guy to take care of you. You'll have the perfect life on the beach all summer with your beautiful children."

"You think I'll have beautiful children?" She couldn't hide her smile.

"If you want them, but yes, they'll be beautiful. Well, unless you marry a real ugly guy! Listen, I'll talk to your dad for you. Cheer up life's not that bad. Christmas is coming." He smiled, and she felt it right down to toes.

In chemistry, Mr. Shaughnessy treated them like a couple. Did he not see him sucking face with Harmony between periods? She secretly enjoyed being a chemistry couple, but would never admit it to anyone.

Her friends stopped teasing her, but she felt like she had risen in the ranks a little, because of her friendship with Bren. No one would give her crap, except Harmony. For a girl who didn't seem too bright, she was smart enough to torment Megan when Bren couldn't hear. Megan stopped going into the girl's room at lunch. Harmony and her group always camped out there.

Harmony started with little comments for Megan to hear. "Bren told me he loves me." "Yesterday when we did it, it was the best." Then she started making comments directly at Megan. "He told me he'd rather be with me than the little science nerd." Harmony smiled as she spewed her vicious lies. "You'll never have a boy do the things to you that Bren does to me."

Megan would never think so little about herself to define her self-worth by her body.

At the library, she was quiet and Bren asked, 'What's up with you?"

"Just thinking."

"Oh, was that the smoke I see?"

She smiled. "I guess I might as well tell you."

"What? Are we having a pop quiz again?" he sounded panicked.

"Not that I know of, but you might want to know that your girlfriend is sharing intimate details about you in the girl's room."

His face went ashen. "What did she say to you?"

'She's just rubbing it in my face she's having sex." His white face turned red. "Come on Bren, it's not like the whole school doesn't already know, she practically jumps your bones in the hallway."

"I know." He looked down at his notebook.

"She also claims that you call me a science nerd. That can't be true because that's you." She stuck out her tongue to make her point.

"I'll talk to her and tell her to let up."

"No! It will only make it worse. What do you see in her, anyway?" He didn't need to answer, because he looked down at his notebook and his face was red again. "Well, I hope it's good, because I've never liked her. She's been mean to me since third grade."

"You threaten her because you're so smart and now we're friends."

"I'm staying clear of her."

"Let me know if she gives you more crap."

Megan didn't like her and didn't want to think of Bren with her. She did her best to avoid her, but it wasn't always easy.