When I Met Her....

If You're Going To Hate Me For It

*MELONI FIORE (STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT) IN THE MEDIA*

If You're Going To Hate Me For It

Laurel's POV

          Time flies by, and I'm completely occupied with my test. The bell rings before I know it. I close my laptop and stand up to take it back to the cart. I'm passing by Julia's podium and her long slender fingers touch my arm.

"Stay behind." She says, just loud enough for me to hear.

          I'm having trouble breathing but I nod anyway, handing my laptop to student body president Melony Fiore. Totally dazed, I walk back to my seat and sit down.

"What are you doing?" Macey asks bouncing up behind me. "Second period starts in five minutes."

"I going to stay behind for a little bit." I answer, looking up at her.

"Why?" She asks, shoving her bookbag strap up her shoulder.

"I need to ask Ju-" I stop and catch myself before I slip up, "Ms.Prior something."

"Your sure you're okay? You look like you're about to pass out." Macey says.

"I'm fine." I lie, "Go ahead. There's no need for both of us to be late."

"If you say so." Macey says, suspicion dripping from her every word.

          I look around the room and Macey is one of the last people to leave. Macey left with some other people and the room was clear. Julia sighed loudly and comes to sit in the desk next to me, turning it so it faced me. I could reach out and touch her arm if I wanted to. It was bare because of the short sleeved lavendar blouse she was wearing with a pair of black slack.

"I asked you to stay late because I'm a little concerned about you and the choices you've made since you joined us here at Knightingale."

"What choices?' I ask.

"I couldn't help but overhear in class you agreeing to go out with Nathan Cartwright."

"So."

"Your new here so you don't know." Julia says, reaching over the space between us to lay her and on mine.

          My heart soars. Despite my utter annoyance, I can't find it in me to pull my hand away.

"Know what?" I ask still.

"You don't know that Nathan isn't the type of guy any girl should fool around with." Julia informs me, moving her hand off mine.

          My hand grows cold.

"We are not fooling around. Were just going to hang out." I explain.

"That would've been an acceptable answer if I hadn't seen you earlier this week purchasing a pregnancy test." Julia says, lifting an eyebrow.

"I told you then and there it wasnt mine." I insist.

"I would've believe that if not for your actions this morning with Mr.Cartwright."

"What actions?" I explode "I turned him down!"

"Who was the pregnancy test for?" Julia asks, remaining completely calm.

"I don't see how that's any of your business." I spit with fury.

"Excuse me?" Her calmness wavers.

"No disrespect intended but I can't tell you." I say, rising from my desk, "And I don't believe I'm obligated to. I'll see you tomorrow in first period."