<3--Who Knew It Would Be Like This--<3--HSM--

Chad slammed his laptop shut and layed down. He really liked Precious. He could tell. When she was missing it felt like he was falling apart. He was amazed at the effect she had on him so quickly. You can’t help who you like. He lay there thinking until his mom knocked on his door.

“come in.” he said quietly. She walked in and sat on the edge of his bed.

“you okay sweety?”

“No” he responded.

“me either.” Dorthea agreed. “Chad…what did you say?” she asked tentatively. He looked at her blankly. “What did she hear? Why’d she leave? What’d you say?” she asked afraid of the answer. She loved her son but sometimes he made stupid mistakes and let other people influence him into doing stupid things…like leaving the girl he had feelings for. Chad looked away knowing his Mom would be disappointed in what he was going to say.

“I called her a loser and said that I could never like someone like her.” He said. It was quiet for a second.

“Why?” Dorthea asked. She wasn’t angry like he’d expected but she was disappointed.

“because…Mom you don’t understand. At school she really is a loser. She has no friends. She gets made fun of ALL the time.” As he said this it hurt to talk about Precious that way. “Troy asked if I was into her and he wouldn’t let it go. No matter how much I said no. so I said something to make him forget all about it.” it was quiet again. Chad looked at his mom a look of pain on his face. “Mom say something.” He begged.

“What do you want me to say?” she asked.

“that I’m stupid. That I made a mistake. That it’s all my fault what happened to her tonight. That I shouldn’t be so concerned with what other people say and that I should follow my heart instead.” He said.

“Chad.” Dorthea sighed. “you don’t need me to tell you all that. you already know that because you just said it.”

“But Mom I need your help. I need your advice. Mom!” he said frantically as she got up to leave. “Mom! Tell me.” She sat back down.

“Chad. Have you told her how you feel?” Dorthea asked.

“Yes.” He said.

“What’d she say?”

“She had something to say but was afraid of how I’d react so she didn’t tell me. I got mad at her and told her not to bother me anymore.” Chad said sadly. Dorthea was silent. She got up to leave again. Chad sat up.

“Mom! Don’t go! I need your help. HELP ME!!!” he yelled at her distressed. She turned to him.

“I don’t know what to tell you son.” She responded.

“TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!” he yelled. She shook her head.

“I can’t do that. you have to figure it out yourself.” Then she left. leaving him with more questions than answers.

HSM-FF

ONE WEEK LATER

Precious sat up and looked around her room. 7 days had passed since the incident and she hadn’t talked to Chad since. They still had a project to do but it seemed so trivial compared to what she was going through without him to talk to for comfort. She never expected to feel this way. Especially about him. Gabriella had called to make sure Precious was okay. She’s really nice. What had happened had spread through school, which Precious hadn’t returned to yet. She decided to go tomorrow. She’d be able to handle it.