Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

school who would smile back at her.

?So you like me again, huh?? he said as she made her way toward

him.

?Not you too,? Helen moaned. ?Is there a sign on my back that

says ?kick me???

?It?s just gossip, Helen. It can?t hurt us,? he said, wisely deciding

not to tease her anymore.

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?Maybe it can?t hurt you,? Helen muttered. She put a hand on her

belly. Lucas saw her do it and was just about to ask what was

wrong when Hector and Jason joined them.

?Your mom?s here,? Jason told Lucas, who nodded as though he

was expecting her.

?What?s wrong?? Helen asked.

?Nothing. We?re meeting with the principal because my mom is

going to try and talk our way back on to the football team,? Lucas

explained.

?She?s playing the ?have pity on a poor little woman raising so

many gigantic boys? card and then she?ll beg them to let us beat up

kids from other schools instead of each other. All to the benefit of

Nantucket High, of course,? Jason said with a grin. ?It never fails.

She?s like the Einstein of guilt.?

?But should you three be allowed to play football?? Helen said

with a disapproving frown. ?I mean, you all have an unfair

advantage.?

?Keep talking, track star,? Hector replied with a little heat.

?Helen runs because she needs a scholarship for college,? Lucas

said, shooting Hector a warning glance. ?We play sports because

it?s expected of us. It?s a

nnoying, actually, because we have to pretend