Page 77 of Broken

“If it wasn’t for both of us, I’d guess it was dancing. We haven’t been to Breaker Hall in a while.” I sighed wistfully,and he winked at me before reaching into the backseat for our backpacks.

Jet hopped out while I was still slipping back into my jacket, and I opened my door, bracing myself for the cold. I’d just set one foot outside the car and stood when I gasped and froze, my hand flying to my stomach.

Was that?

“Izzy? What? What’s wrong?” Jet’s panicked voice filtered in as he rushed around to my side. He stepped up behind me and spread his arms, hooking his elbows on the door and the top of his car. I still couldn’t move. Shocked. Waiting to see if it would happen again or if I was just crazy.

“Izzy, what is it?” Jet pressed when I didn’t answer. “Izzy, seriously. Are you okay?” he hissed urgently by my ear. “Do I need to take you to the hospital?”

“No.” His question jerked me back, my voice an astonished whisper. I slowly turned to look at him, my eyes wide as I felt it again. The little nudge in my middle. “She moved.”

“What?” he asked, utter confusion in his features.

“The baby,” I whispered. “I just felt her move.”

“Really?” Jet’s jaw dropped. “You felt her?”

I nodded. What a strange yet utterly amazing feeling. It felt like little bubbles or popcorn from the inside. I smiled, enamored as I felt it again.I knew today was going to be a good day.

We stood there for a minute, me marveling while Jet still tried to block us from view, until I finally realized how awkward we must look. In a tremendous effort to remain inconspicuous, I forced myself to move my hand and grabbed my things from the car.

“We should probably head to class. We don’t wanna be late,” I said to get us moving.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Jet lowered his arms, still looking half in shock, and shut the door.

We waved goodbye when we reached a split in the hall, and I was practically buzzing with happiness on my way to class. Those little arms and legs I’d seen in pictures were stronger now, and the whole thing felt so much more real. Tangible. And for the moment, I was just excited.

Annie went on alert the second I entered homeroom, leaning over in her seat as I took mine. “What happened?”

I shook my head. “I’ll tell you later.” I looked around, indicating there were too many ears. “But it’s good. I promise.” I couldn’t stop smiling. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the day without telling Annie.

Or Tucker!He’d be so excited to find out! And he’d definitely know something was up as soon as he saw me.

Maybe we can go sit in his truck at lunch or something. Even celebrate a bit…

Oh! Or the stands. We can all go up to the stands again!

I pulled out my phone to text under the table, and their thumbs ups came through.

It was later that morning when my plans were ruined. I headed to my third period class, eager to see Tucker, but he wasn’t in his seat. Glancing up at the clock, I saw he still had another minute, but it was weird. He was usually here before me.

“Izzy?”

I looked up at the teacher’s voice.

“I just got a call from the office. Ms. Lane would like to see you.”

Like a punch to the gut, the color drained from my face. Because I knew there were very few reasons for me to get called tothatoffice.

Convincing myself it would be fine, I gathered my things and headed back out into the hall. It was mostly deserted now.Other than someone darting into a nearby classroom and some freshman kid fighting with his locker, it was bare, until I saw Tucker rush around the corner.

“Coach caught me for some stuff,” he explained, running a hand back through his blonde strands as he caught up to me, but then he gave me a puzzled look. “Where’re you going? Aren’t you coming to class?”

“No. Ms. Lane wants to see me.”

Alarm touched Tucker’s expression, but I shook my head. “I’m thinking Mom probably called the school this morning or something. I asked her to wait until after Thanksgiving. Remember?”

He nodded, looking like he could breathe again.

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