*Lauren's POV*
I jumped up and looked over at Mr. Harris and this new girl very scared. The new girl gave me a small smile.
"Relax, I'm not going to say anything. Natalie Marshall."
I looked around at everyone confused. "Um hi I swear this is really confusing."
"Well, Lo this is Natalie Marshall and she's dating Jeremy Harris. I figured you two could talk." Robert smiled at me.
"Very funny. You are a jerk." I threw a dirty look in Robert's direction.
"Wait, seriously it's true. Look if it wasn't true would I do this?" Natalie held her hand up to stop me and than she started making out with Mr. Harris, like really making out with him. When she pulled away she smiled at me.
"Ok, I believe you guys but how did you guys find out about us?" I looked at Robert again.
"I saw him put the stuff in your locker." Mr. Harris responded.
"So, he guessed and told me about Natalie and himself. I think it would be good for you guys to talk." Robert smiled at me.
I turned to Natalie. "You're not a sophomore. I've seen you around but there is no way your in my grade."
"Nope, I'm a senior."
"Oh lucky you guys don't have to hide your relationship."
"No, we still have to hide it. I'm still seventeen."
"It's hard for you to hide it?" I took a seat and opened my water.
"Oh god yea, like I want to decorate my locker with pictures of us but I can't. Does anyone know about you guys?"
I shook my head. "Not a soul. Well my ex thinks I'm seeing someone."
"Fucking punk." Robert growled opening his drink.
"Yea exs are assholes." Mr. Harris laughed.
"Does anyone else know about you guys?"
Natalie nodded. "Yea, my parents know.'
"They are ok with it?" My eyes were wide.
"Oh yea, they love Jeremy. It took them a little while to warm up to him but, now they love him."
"My dad is a general in the Marines. So, I doubt he would be ok with with this."
Natalie nodded. "Yea, probably not. Hey your in good company with us. We should double date sometime."
"Yea, ok that sounds good. We can't do it around town though." Robert agreed.
"We can do it at my lake house in the Hmaptons." Mr. Harris suggested.
"Works for me. We will set a date. You can tell your dad your at my house. My parents will cover for us." Nicole grinned at me.
We finished lunch and while I was sitting in History I got called to the front office. Waiting in the office was my dad and nana.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?"
"We're going to to take you out for the afternoon and evening." My nana commented grinning. "Your hat is really cute. Where did you get it?"
I had forgotten I was wearing the hat Robert had made for me. I fingered it lightly. "Um, someone made it for me. Oh, dad I have to go get some stuff from a teachers room ok?"
"I'll go with you." My nana grabbed her purse and followed me to Robert's classroom.
"Hey Lo, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in History?"
"Yea just came to get my flowers." I smiled stepping into the room and and went to the roses on the desk.
"What if I don't want to give them to you Alice?"
"Too bad Mad Hatter. I'll text you later." I turned around and saw my Nana staring at us a smile playing on her lips.
I hurried back out to the hall avoiding my nana's eyes.
"So, what are you doing with your teacher?"
"What? He's We're not doing anything." My voice was suddenly high pitched.
"Oh don't you lie to me. I know what love looks like."
"Love? Really Nana? I highly doubt he's in love with me. " I looked over at my nana.
"Oh trust me, I know how a man looks when he loves a woman."
"You can't tell Daddy!" I squeaked out suddenly terrifed.
"Oh child why would I do that? I won't tell him a thing. Now, come on we have to tell you something."
I followed my nana to the office and my drove us home or so I thought.
"Wait, I'm not going back to school today am I?"
"Well no, not today."
"Why not?" I asked digging my phone out of my purse.
"You will find out later." My dad commented pulling into the local batting cages. I texted Robert to let him know I wouldn't be back to school. I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with my dad and nana. After we got dinner my dad turned to me.
"Lo, we've got some bad news."
"What's going on?" I asked looking from my dad and nana.
"I'm deploying for eighteen months."
I did the math quickly in my head. "A year and a half? Are you serious right now? When do you leave?"
"I leave tomorrow afternoon that's why I wanted you to be here at home this afternoon."
I nodded and went to hug my dad. We all watched a movie and then my dad went to bed. I tried to sleep but, found I couldn't. I was creeping down to the kitchen when my nana turned on the hallway light.
"What are you doing up? It's almost one am Lauren."
"I can't sleep. What are you doing up?"
"Worrying about your dad. Do you have your license yet?"
I nodded confused about why my nana had asked. "Yea, I do why are you asking?"
She tossed me her keys from her purse. "Go to your teacher friend. I'll tell your dad you went to school early. just make sure you get some sleep. Oh and make sure you are here right after school to see your dad off."
I nodded and ran to my room. I packed a small over night bag with my bathroom stuff and made sure I had my school stuff before going to my nana's car. I thanked my nana as I passed her in the hallway.
