For Her (The Girl I Loved Duet 1)

My aunt is a bit less understanding. I’m already eighteen, so she can’t stop me from going to Amber’s house, but she’s made it very clear that Amber is not welcome to spend the night in that way. It pisses me off, but I get why. My mom had me way too young and dropped out of high school. She doesn’t want me in that same situation in case Amber gets pregnant. But I’m not stupid, and we’re both careful.

Besides, no way would I get someone pregnant and leave. If Amber were having our baby, that baby would be the most loved baby in the universe. For a second, a future spins out in front of me where Amber and I graduate and both follow our dreams, but together. We have a house and kids and everything seems surrounded by a gentle golden glow.

“You okay?” she asks, bringing me out of my reverie.

“I’m perfect,” I say, leaning down to kiss her, and she goes limp in my arms. It must be one hell of a kiss. And then she’s suddenly way too heavy. “Amber?”

I pull away, and she’s not with me. She’s in my arms, but it’s like she’s melted, head falling back with no control. She’s not conscious. “Amber!” I shout it, but no response. Shit.

I scoop her up into my arms and run. Or at least move as fast as I can out of the prop room and through the halls of the school. Hopefully the nurse is still here. I know she stays late some days, since she’s also the school counselor. If she’s here, she’ll know what to do.

Amber’s breath touches my arm, and I can feel a little relief in the fact that she’s still breathing. But I’ve never seen her do that, pass out with no warning. God, is she actually pregnant? I’ve heard of people fainting when they’re pregnant. I wouldn’t be mad, but that would completely change Amber’s life, and mine. I would feel…

I don’t know how I would feel. Right now I just want her to be okay. Please be okay.

Kicking open the door to the nurse’s office, I shout. “Hello?”

I don’t bother waiting outside, I go straight back to the backroom with the bed and lay Amber down on it. “Hello?”

“Hello?” A voice answers, and the nurse steps around the corner. “What’s going on?”

“She passed out,” I say, out of breath. “We were waiting for rehearsal and she just fainted.”

The nurse—I think her name is Miss Stevenson—snaps into action. “Did she hit her head when she fell?”

I shake my head, “She didn’t fall. I was holding her.” A furious, anxious, blush rises to my cheeks. “I was holding her, we were kissing and suddenly she collapsed. I brought her straight here. Is she going to be okay?”

The nurse is checking her pulse. “I don’t know. I need you to wait outside though.”

“What?” Panic streaks through me like lightning. “Please just tell me if she’s okay or not.”

“I will,” she says shortly, “but for privacy reasons I need you to wait in the hall.” I hesitate and she throws an annoyed look over my shoulder. “Go.”

I retreat to the hallway, my mouth dry. God, she has to be all right. Amber is my everything. She’s what makes this state and this school home. I can’t lose her. She has to be okay.

She has to be.

13

Amber

Present

Gloria appears at my side with a cup of coffee, and of course it’s made exactly the way I love it. She’s a great assistant, but I absolutely hate that I can do almost nothing for myself. It’s been two days since the accident, and she’s been waiting on me hand and foot. I can’t drive, so she picks me up in the morning and helps me into the car since it’s still incredibly painful to put weight on it. She brings me coffee, runs more errands than I usually have her make.

She deserves a bonus.

But she’s helping me save face a bit because I’d rather lean on my assistant than run around the set on crutches looking like an idiot.

“Thanks, Gloria.”

She beams. “Anytime.” Seriously, she fits her name. She’s one of the most optimistic people I’ve ever met and she constantly has a smile on her face. It’s almost too much, but I’m glad that she brings extra light to the set. Especially today.

According to the schedule, today is the day we film a pivotal scene, even if it seems mundane on the surface. My concern isn’t the particulars of the shot, but the fact that Peter will be shirtless. I might spontaneously combust. It’s been a long time since I was in the same room with him while he was naked, but it hasn’t been long since he kissed me. Kissed me and left me wanting more than I could ever say, and I pushed him away.