his feet, lifting Harper with him, and they made their way to the bathtub. As Harper popped open the cap, the syrupy liquid flowed into the water, creating a frothy sea of bubbles. She closed the cap and placed it on the edge of the tub. Griffin gazed up at his beloved, holding her close, as they both savored the moment.

Harper let out a wistful sigh, "I'm gonna miss you carrying me when I have the fat belly."

Griffin appeared perplexed,

"I'll still be able to carry you, Lovey."

Harper shook her head,

"I'll be heavier."

Griffin leaned in and whispered tenderly, "You could never be too heavy for me." And in that moment, the two shared a gentle kiss, their lips meeting in a slow and passionate embrace. As they parted, their eyes met, filled with love and longing.

Griffin carefully lowered Harper onto the ground, then proceeded to remove his trousers. Harper followed suit, taking off her shirt and bra. After Griffin was completely undressed, he approached the bathtub, which filled up rapidly, and adjusted the handle to its original position. Harper removed her underwear while Griffin cautiously entered the tub. He positioned himself comfortably, leaning his back against the edge, as Harper approached and joined him, settling in between his legs with her back against his abdomen.

The pair released sighs of relief as they remained motionless for a brief moment, gently closing their eyes. However, this tranquility was short-lived as Harper promptly sat up and repositioned herself to lie on her stomach. It wasn't a matter of preference, but rather a necessity for her to find comfort in her designated sanctuary.

Griffin let out a soft chuckle while Harper nestled her face against the curve of his neck. With tender fingers, Griffin delicately traced the contours of Harper's supple back, and he placed a gentle kiss upon her jawline.

**

The echoes of suppressed sounds emanated from the confines of room 215, where Sarah Campbell and Jess Dunn found themselves entwined in a clandestine conversation. Perched upon a bench, positioned alongside a window that allowed the ethereal moonlight to cascade upon them, they engaged in a discourse that transcended the mundane. Their words danced in the dimly lit room, their focus fixated on one name - Ben.

Sarah shared, "It was really strange. I know finding out about Harper's pregnancy was tough, but he was furious."

Jess, perplexed by the situation, couldn't help but ask, "What did he say?"

Sarah hesitated for a moment before revealing the disturbing truth. "He not only insulted Harper multiple times, but he also threatened Zoey-"

"Threatened Zoey? So he's furious with everyone?" Jess interjected, her voice filled with disbelief.

Sarah nodded, her eyes reflecting the weight of the situation. "I believe so. I tried to reason with him earlier, but he simply brushed me off."

Jess nodded, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. What could have triggered such intense anger? Was there something more to this story?

"You know, Jess," Sarah spoke up, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "it feels like he's hiding something from us."

"Really?" Jess responded, her curiosity piqued by Sarah's revelation.

Sarah nodded, her mind swirling with possibilities. Could there be a secret lurking beneath the surface?

¸„٭⊹✡•~⍣°"ˆ˜¨the next day  ¨˜ˆ"°⍣~•✡⊹٭„¸

The room was bathed in sunlight as its rays streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow. Griffin and Harper, both seventeen years old, were nestled comfortably in Griffin's bed. Harper had her leg draped over Griffin's legs, her thigh gently brushing against his waist. As Griffin's hearing gradually returned, he could faintly make out soft whimpers emanating from Harper. However, he didn't pay much attention to it, assuming that she simply craved his presence. Yet, the whimpers seemed to carry a hint of pain rather than mere longing.

Griffin's eyes gradually opened, his hand softly descending onto Harper's waist, caressing its contour. Harper's eyes slowly fluttered open, her gaze fixed on Griffin.

Griffin's concerned eyes locked onto Harper's face as he asked, "Are you alright?"

Harper's response was a slow shake of her head, accompanied by the words, "I have a headache."

A wave of panic crashed over Griffin's mind. Could it be something more? Was it the telltale sign of morning sickness, a reminder of their precious secret?

"Should I tell your Mom and ask if you can stay home today?" Griffin inquired, his voice laced with worry.

Once again, Harper shook her head, this time mentioning a looming history test. The weight of her responsibilities was evident in her tired eyes.

A tender chuckle escaped Griffin's lips, a brief respite from the tension. Leaning in, he gently pressed his lips against Harper's forehead, a silent gesture of comfort and support.

"If the school day becomes tough, Lovey, don't hesitate to go home," Griffin advised, his fingers tenderly caressing Harper's curls.

Harper acknowledged with a nod, gently nudging his hand.

¸„٭⊹✡•~⍣°"ˆ˜¨5hrs.  ¨˜ˆ"°⍣~•✡⊹٭„¸

Griffin occupied his seat in his ELAR class during the 4th period. His thoughts were in a whirlwind as he and Harper had recently disclosed Harper's pregnancy to the majority of their friends, encompassing most of their grade. However, Griffin and Harper chose not to divulge further information about the pregnancy. Surprisingly, they encountered no negative reactions, and even if they had, Griffin would not have tolerated it.

As the bell was on the verge of ringing, a few students entered the room. However, what seized his focus was the group of individuals heading towards him.

"Hold up, Harper's pregnant?!" Paityn exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock as she looked down at Griffin, who nodded solemnly. "Oh my god," she muttered under her breath.

"Hell, Harper's actually pregnant?" Cici gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief. Griffin nodded, confirming the news. "Damn," Cici breathed out.

Tristan stormed towards Griffin, his voice booming, "YOU GOT HARPER PREGNANT?!" He forcefully pushed his way through the crowd of 11th graders gathered around Griffin's desk.

Griffin paused, "Well-"

"What happened to the shy Griffin who just moved here from Chicago? The one who struggled to open his locker?" Fey interjected, her tone filled with disbelief.

Griffin stammered, "Uh, he got way sexier-"

"Boys and girls, how about we all find our seats?" Interrupting the commotion, Mrs. Metrover, the teacher, entered the room and calmly suggested.

The 11th-grade students made their way to their desks and settled down. Mrs. Metrover scanned the room, her gaze landing on an unoccupied desk.

"Looks like Miss Dunn has departed from our midst today." Mrs. Metrover announced. Griffin's eyes fluttered, a sudden understanding washing over him. Harper's pain was palpable.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are delighted to welcome a new student today." A warm smile adorned Mrs. Metrover's face.

The entire class exchanged perplexed glances, unsure of what to expect. Suddenly, the door swung open, unveiling a girl. As she entered the classroom, every pair of eyes fixated on her. With her brunette hair adorned with stunning highlights and captivating blue eyes, she exuded an air of intrigue.

"Ah, right on cue. Everyone, This is Mia," Mrs. Metrover beamed. The entire class extended their warm welcome to the girl, their harmonious chorus of "Hey, Mia" echoing through the room. Yet, amidst the joyous symphony, Griffin remained silent, his unease palpable. Mia's eyes wandered across the classroom, exploring every corner, until they finally locked onto him. Griffin's expression turned into a snarl when he gazed at Mia, but he immediately felt remorseful as her gaze softened.

Mrs. Metrover suggested, "Mia, why don't you occupy the vacant seat behind this gentleman?"

Mia acknowledged the suggestion and proceeded to the desk. Griffin discreetly observed her as she settled down, placing her bags beside her.

Griffin shifted his body around, turning to face Mia with a heavy heart. With a deep breath, he began to speak, "Hey, I'm sorry about the look I gave you. My name is-"

"Griffin," Mia finished, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness. "I know who you are...to well."

Griffin gave Mia a perplexed look, and she simply gave a smug smile.

¸„٭⊹✡•~⍣°"ˆ˜¨9 hrs.  ¨˜ˆ"°⍣~•✡⊹٭„¸

Griffin concluded the school day with new thoughts occupying his mind. He couldn't help but wonder about the identity of Mia and how she was acquainted with him. As soon as Griffin arrived back home, he immediately began working on his homework before heading over to the Dunn's residence. His main objective was to check on Harper's well-being and update her about the current situation. As night fell, Griffin and Harper found solace in each other's embrace, with Griffin tenderly caressing Harper's hair as she nestled her head against his chest.

Griffin's voice dripped with sarcasm as he imitated, "And then she was all like 'I know who you are...too well.'"

Harper, unimpressed, rolled her eyes and retorted, "She's probably seen you on social media or something." She tried to reason with him.

"Then why did she say it with such an odd tone and smirk?" Griffin questioned, his curiosity piqued.

Harper shrugged, dismissing the matter. "She was probably just joking," she suggested.

Griffin's suspicion lingered as he muttered, "I don't know, something feels off about Mia."

Harper couldn't help but give an eye roll once again, growing tired of his unfounded suspicions.

At that moment, a gentle tap resonated from the door.

"Come in," Harper uttered. The door swung open, unveiling Harper's younger sibling, Topher, who was merely 15 years old.

"There's someone waiting for you at the door," Topher informed.

Harper's face contorted in bewilderment, mirroring the perplexed expression worn by Griffin.

"I'll be right back," Harper said to her boyfriend as she climbed off her bed. She made her way out the door, while Topher headed back to his bedroom. As she ascended the stairs and reached the front door, she unlocked it and placed her hand on the doorknob, twisting it to swing the door open.

"Okay, babe, I'm really sorry about everything with the pregnancy and Lucas, but I bought you a few things," Matt's words spilled out uncontrollably, filling the air with a whirlwind of excitement. Harper's eyes widened, captivated by the sight of all the treasures he held in his hands.

"So, I went to Bath and Body Works," Matt exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I got you some perfumes, body washes, lotions, and they were on sale, so I got some for myself too. I also got you some face masks and relaxing bath salts. And I know it might be early, but I got you some baby clothes for both genders, from newborn to 3 months, and a Chick-fil-A gift card because I felt like it."

Harper stood there, stunned and speechless. She couldn't find the words to express her astonishment. As Matt slipped past her, a smile danced upon his lips, and he carefully placed the items on a cozy hall bench inside her home.

The moment Matt's hands were free, Harper lunged forward, enveloping him in a tight embrace.

"I love you so much, Mamas" Matt whispered, his voice filled with adoration.

Harper's response was immediate, her voice filled with equal affection. "I love you more."

They held each other tightly, cherishing the moment before finally pulling away.

"Oh, my mom wanted to talk to you," Matt mentioned, breaking the spell. Harper nodded, and together they stepped out of the house. They descended the porch stairs and made their way towards Mrs. Caba, who awaited them in her car with a warm smile. She lowered the window.

"Hi, Honey. Are you feeling okay?" Mrs. Caba asked, concern etched on her face.

Harper let out a sigh, her worries dissipating. "I am now."

Mrs. Caba's smile widened, radiating reassurance. "You're a strong girl. It's gonna be okay, Mija."

Harper's beam mirrored Mrs. Caba's, but her attention was soon drawn to the backseat of the car. Her eyes locked with those of an 18-year-old, engrossed in her phone.

"Kenzie?" Harper called out softly.

The teenager looked up, her gaze meeting Harper's. "Hm?"

"I love you," Harper whispered, her voice filled with tenderness.

Kenzie whispered back with a smile, "I love you too," causing Harper to burst into laughter. Harper then turned her attention back to Matt and without any hesitation, she planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. Matt's face lit up with a smile as he opened the car door and hopped back inside.

"Bye, Baby," Matt waved as the car slowly pulled away from Harper's house. Harper waved back, watching as the car disappeared from sight, feeling a sense of longing in her heart.

She retraced her steps up to the porch and reentered the house. Swiftly, she pivoted, shut the door, and as she faced forward again, she found herself locking eyes with Griffin, who was positioned at the end of the staircase.

Griffin glanced at the assortment of items on the hall bench and inquired, "What's all this?"

Harper replied, "Matty brought them over. There are perfumes, lotions, face masks, and even baby clothes-"

"Baby clothes?!" Griffin's face lit up with a smile, causing Harper to give him a quizzical look.

Seizing his excitement, Griffin quickly composed himself and nonchalantly remarked, "I mean, It's whatever."

Harper chuckled in response.

**

As Ben strolled through the vacant parking lot, the cool night breeze gently caressed his body, while his hands remained snugly tucked inside his pockets. Upon reaching the entrance, he effortlessly swung open the door, revealing a dimly illuminated lobby that appeared to be under constant surveillance. Making his way towards the front desk, Ben encountered a lady whose expression remained stoic, her face devoid of any emotion.

Ben's voice was filled with urgency as he insisted, "I really need to speak to Lucas Mooneyham."

Regrettably, the lady's response was far from favorable. "I'm sorry, but the designated time for inmate telephone access has already expired," she informed him.

Ben quickly tried to explain his delay, "You see, I would have arrived earlier, but my wife prevented me from coming."

Unimpressed by his explanation, the lady retorted, "Well, I apologize that your wife prioritizes spending quality time with you, but the answer remains no."

Feeling defeated, Ben let out a sigh and pleaded, "Please-"

"Oh, hey there, Ben!" Just as hope seemed to fade, a police officer suddenly appeared from a distant door, making his way towards them. With a friendly smile, he greeted Ben. 

Curious about the situation, the cop turned to the lady and inquired, "What seems to be the problem here?"

"He desires to contact a prisoner, but the designated hours for communication have elapsed," The woman articulated. The cop shifted his gaze towards Ben, and they exchanged a silent understanding before the cop decided to intervene. 

 "Let him make the call. He's under my supervision," the cop asserted, leaving no room for argument. The lady wanted to voice her objections, but she couldn't overpower her boss. 

 "Come with me, Campbell."  The police officer gave clear instructions and directed Ben to a private location specifically designated for confidential communication. Once they reached their destination, the officer spoke up, breaking the previous silence.

 "Who is it that you wish to see?" the cop inquired.

 "Lucas. Lucas Mooneyham," Ben replied, his voice filled with determination.

"Ah, Lucas," the police officer stated, "I will instruct my colleagues to bring him to you," the officer said before leaving the confined area. Ben found a seat at one of the telephone booths and let out a sigh. He had managed to sneak out of the Tremont to make his way to Sulphur Springs County Jail. He had important matters to attend to and pressing questions that needed answers. However, he couldn't shake off his nerves.

Suddenly, Ben could hear muffled sounds coming from the other side of the booth. The noise of footsteps grew louder and approached. It was at that moment when a man, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, sat down in front of him with his hands restrained and several officers trailing behind. It was Lucas.

Lucas and Ben locked eyes as an officer removed the handcuffs from Lucas's wrists, while more officers entered the room. Once his hands were free, Lucas slowly picked up the black telephone from the wall and placed it against his ear. Ben followed suit, slowly raising the receiver to his own ear.

"Hey, Lucas," Ben's voice quivered as he spoke into the microphone.

Lucas smirked, his voice rough through the speaker, "Well, well, well, look who finally decided to pay me a visit...my own little brother."