'… That's why my hair isn't brushed and my clothes are from yesterday. My mother kicked me out,' Amanda whispered to Heather, who was stunned by what she'd just been told.

'Are you sure about it all though? Are you sure you're… well… you know.' Heather did a head movement, an indication she was talking about the pregnancy.

Amanda gave a smile. 'Yep, one hundred per cent sure. I mean I took like seven tests to make sure!' The girls giggled, Amanda finally relieved she could relax about this for once.

'If you don't mind me asking you, how did your mother find out?'

'Oh, of those million tests I took, I left one in my room. On the carpet. In the middle of my room. I know, stupid right?'

Heather giggled. 'Only you would do such a thing!'

Amanda joined Heather's giggling. 'Oh my God, that is so true!'

The two girls stopped laughing and took in their surroundings for a slight moment, the light, warm summer breeze sweeping their hair back.

'Oh Amanda, my mom told me to come see her at the canteen this lunch and I completely forgot to see her! Do you wanna come with me? I understand if you don't, from what I've seen, it's really busy in there.'

'Of course I'll come with you! I'm starving. Let's get something to eat!'

The girls walked side by side into the cafeteria, receiving confused stares from the students clustered around the tables. Lining up in the canteen line, Amanda grabbed a tray and let the new lunch lady, Heather's mom, load her tray. She was starving, and couldn't wait to dig in to the huge Caesar salad. Waiting for Heather, she saw her group of friends enter the room. She quickly looked in the other direction, hoping her friends wouldn't notice her. But it was too late.

'Oh hey Amanda. What are you doing in here? Thought you were studying...' said Sharon Johnson, Amanda's frenemy, who placed a manicured hand onto her slim waist.

Sighing, Amanda replied, 'I'm just getting a bite to eat. Is that a problem for you? Because I really think it's none of your business what I'm doing, is it?'

Sharon and the chorus of followers behind her giggled in unison, making Amanda roll her eyes.

'And who's this you're all so friendly with? It's not like you to have friends Amanda Stopper. Every day your reputation is going down, and ours is going up. Deal with it,' another girl blurted, satisfied she'd been brave enough to say that face-to-face with her.

'Really? How pathetic can y'all be? Like I care about reputation.' And with that, Amanda grabbed Heather's wrist from behind, and the two of them walked through the girls, who were giggling cruelly.

'Amanda… Did I make your friends hate you? Because I feel like I did, and I'm sorry. I ruined everything.'

'Heather, don't worry about it. They're all a pack of stupid javelinas anyway, I don't need them.'

'Oh...Well, I know I keep saying it, but thank you for staying with me. Those girls are scary.'

'I know, that's why we have to stay together and lay low. I'm so scared everyone is going to find out about me and Bill, and I'm going to need your support.'

Heather smiled, her braid slipping over her right shoulder. 'You know, if you need somewhere to stay, you're welcome at my house. It's only my mom and me, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind an extra help around the house.'

Amanda was blown away from the kindness coming from this girl, the girl who she had only known for an hour, yet was a real friend. She knew Heather was being sincere. She wanted to cry.

'Heather, that is so sweet of you. Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to be a pain or anything…'

'No, we wouldn't mind at all! Mom's always wanted a second daughter,' Heather raised her eyebrows so vastly; Amanda giggled childishly, Heather soon joining in.

Amanda gave Heather a tight hug, symbolising her admiration for such a sweetheart.

'Oh, Heather? I know this isn't what you're like, but do you want to help me get me revenge on that Sharon Johnson, the girl who came up to us at lunch? Revenge is my middle name. This girl isn't going down without a fight!'

'I'd be happy to help Amanda. I'm sure we'll figure something out. Maybe your upcoming baby bump will knock her flat!'