How am I ever going to get through this day with everything going on? I thought as I recounted last night's events. I had such a headache and the last thing I wanted to do was go to school and face Draco or Pansy. It still made my stomach churn thinking about them kissing, or even possibly more. But I had to get ready and be there for Ginny; she was going through a lot too. So I got out of bed and got dressed in a southern and feminine yellow dress. Getting ready seemed to take everything I had in me, but I somehow managed to look presentable and make it out and to class on time.

"Good morning class," Charity said. "I've got big news to share, and please pay attention as it affects everyone. The state of Georgia plans to strip funds from family planning clinics. This is a disaster, as women everywhere depend on these vital services. A group of friends and I are petitioning, and we need your support."

Pansy, who was seated next to me, gasped audibly. "I'm sorry, but do you mean abortion clinics?"

"Yes," Charity answered, sounding annoyed. "But abortions are hardly the only service they provide."

"How can you ask us to lend support to a baby killing factory? It's a sin!" Pansy folded her arms over her chest, clearly appalled. For once, I couldn't really blame her. I also was not too keen on the idea of signing a petition for these facilities. I had always been anti-abortion, just as was the rest of my family. However, as much as I agreed with her, I felt she could have been a little more sensitive in her response.

Charity took a breath and calmly replied, "I'd have to disagree. It's a choice, and if women anywhere need to know that, it's here in a place like Brunswick, Georgia."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Well maybe Brunswick just isn't the place for you."

"If you'd like to sign," Charity continued to the rest of the class, ignoring Pansy's remark. "The petition is up at my desk. Everyone else, I'll see you later."

"Astoria, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ginny asked from my other side. Unfortunately, I knew exactly what see was thinking, and I just hoped to God that she wouldn't go through with it.

As the rest of the class was filing out the door, Ginny and I stayed back. She wanted to speak with Charity, and I knew I needed to be there for moral support. She was going through a really tough time, and regardless of the choice she wanted to make, she was still my best friend. She needed me now more than ever.

"It's okay Ginny, calm down," Charity said, patting her on the back. Ginny's lip was trembling and her cheeks were wet with tears. "Let's take everything one step at a time. Tell me exactly what happened."

Ginny struggled to form the words, so I spoke up for her. "Her pregnancy test came back positive, but shouldn't she be throwing up if she's pregnant?"

"Not necessarily," Charity replied, giving Ginny's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Ginny, are you on any type of contraceptive?"

"What do you mean?" she asked. "Like a condom?"

"Well, yes, sort of. No matter what, you should always use protection."

A pained look shot across Ginny's face. "It's a little late for that..."

"So what should she do?" I asked, hoping desperately that Charity would offer up more options than just abortion.

"Well, we need to discuss your options." I sighed with relief from hearing that. "Have you thought about adoption?" I liked the sound of that. Even if she didn't want to keep the baby didn't mean that she had to abort it. There was surely a loving family out there that would be more than happy to take in her child.

However, Ginny just looked absolutely mortified. Her eyes were wide and brimming with tears and her hands were shaking. "I don't want this baby. I refuse to be another high school girl with a baby bump!" she said, exasperated.

Charity continued to be gentle with her, rubbing her back and talking softly. "Do you understand what the alternative is?

"Knock, knock." Before we were able to take the conversation any further, Pansy appeared in the doorway. "Astoria, we're waiting for you down the hall."

"Shoot, Youth Group! I'm coming." I'm not sure how long Pansy had been standing there, but I just hoped that she didn't hear much. Even if I didn't approve of the decision that Ginny was wanting to make, the last thing she needed was for someone to make this difficult situation even harder on her. Pansy would give her hell over it for who knows how long. What Ginny really needed was encouragement: encouragement to either keep the baby, or encouragement after a procedure that very well may leave her traumatized.

/

At the football field, practice was wrapping up and I notice Pansy talking to Draco. "Draco, there you are! Can you help me apply sunscreen to my back? My skin absolutely freckles under this sun without it." I tune out the rest of their conversation. I'm not interested in hearing the details of their relationship. And to think that I was starting to fall for him... How could he almost kiss me at the beach and then run off with her? I guess he wasn't different like I thought. He's just like everyone else.

Shortly later, I start back towards the parking lot so I can drive home. "Hey Astoria, wait up!" I turn around and see Draco running towards me. I think for a second about just getting in my car and leaving him behind, but instead I stay where I'm at and let him catch up. "What's your problem? Why are you ignoring me?"

"My problem?" I scoff. "You've got to be kidding me." Rolling my eyes, I put my hand on the door handle, but Draco holds the door closed with his own hand.

"I'm dead serious, Astoria."

Folding my arms over my chest, I decide to let him explain himself. "Fine then, tell me about you and Pansy the other night. I saw you two making out at the Marsh."

Shock crossed his face. "Oh man, I had no idea you saw that..." He closed his eyes, shaking his head. "Astoria, I was really drunk. I hardly remember anything from that night."

"That doesn't make me feel any better!" I pull harder on the door, managing to open it a few inched, but Draco forces it closed again.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm fucked up. You might as well know that now. I tend to break everything I touch." He leans on my car door when he notices that I am still attempting to open it, making it impossible to budge.

I remove my hand from the handle and throw my arms in the air. "What does that even mean?"

"It means that I'm not a good person. I watched my brother die and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I sabotaged my last relationship because his death left me a meaner, angrier person. I'm so angry at the world, Astoria! My brother was so good, so honest... " I noticed his eyes were glistening, threatening to let out a tear or two, but he blinked them away. "I should have been the one to get sick."

I didn't want to feel any sympathy for him, but my heart won over. "Draco, you can't mean that!" I say.

"I think about it every day. And those rumors going around about the drugs?" I catch his eyes with my own once again. "All true. I got kicked out of school because I was always on something. It wouldn't be fair to you, Astoria."

I take a couple steps closer to him, reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'd never judge you for what you've done in the past! Everyone is always telling me what's good for me and I'm sick of it."

Draco lets out a sigh. "I'm sorry, Astoria."

There's a brief silence. I look out at the sky as the sun is sinking down over the horizon. It makes the sky a brilliant orange. I think of everything that he just confided in me and I'm not sure what to say, but then with tears welling in my own eyes I ask, "What do you want from me, Draco? If you're trying to stay away from me, why are you talking to me now? Why aren't you leaving me alone?"

"I don't know how to. I don't know if I can stay away any longer."

I look down at my sneakers, my face growing warm. "I don't want you to stay away from me, but I'm worried I'm gonna get hurt."

Draco lifts up my chin with a finger and looks into my eyes. His are reflecting the color of the sun so perfectly right now, and I feel my heart start racing. "I care about you, Astoria. Don't you see that?"

I turn my head to break the eye contact. "If you really meant that you wouldn't have kissed Pansy."

"That was a huge mistake," I says, bringing his hand to my cheek to guide my eyes back to his. "You, Astoria... You're the girl I want. Tell me this isn't right." I stare into his eyes, and watch as they come closer to mine and the lids slowly shut over them. I close my own as well and his lips come in contact with mine.