"Do you have any idea as to what you are going to order?" My conflicted boyfriend Ricky asked from his stiff stance next to me. We were in line for breakfast at Ikea, upstairs in the cafeteria where it seemed as though the entire town had come to join us for eggs and sausage. With a hungry group of about four or five people still ahead of us, I nervously checked my phone for what was probably the hundredth time that morning.

It was already 7:33 and school started at 8:30. I figured that by the time we got our food, settled in to eat, finished and got in the car, we would have only ten minutes to spare before officially being deemed late for class. Not only did today mark four more weeks of high school for me, but it was also Ricky's first day coaching baseball at my school. He seemed to be extremely excited. OR at least he claimed that he was. His eyes said differently. Neither one of us had to say it to know that it was true. Ricky hadn't stepped foot on the field since before his attack last September and deep down I was silently praying that nothing would go wrong. Both of us were.

"It's 7:33" I retorted, pushing my cell back into the front pocket of my purse

"We'll have time" Ricky replied, scanning the menus hanging overhead as if searching for a delayed flight notice "So do you know or don't you?" He stood on his tippy toes and squinted his eyes "I can't make out number six"

"Ricky! They changed the menus since you were last here. Breakfast is a standard eggs, sausage and hash browns. Anything extra is in that self serve island over there" I said pointing "But I think we should just get you some fruit. I don't think an unhealthy breakfast is good for you if you are going to be outside on you feet all day"

Ricky peeled his eyes away from the fresh rack of muffins cooling near the pancakes, and wrapped his arm around my back "I think an unhealthy breakfast is exactly what I need if I am going to be outside all day. And you know what else I think?"

"What?"

He tapped my nose a couple times with the tip of his finger "I think you need to stop worrying so much"

"I can't help it" I said, snuggling into his chest as we shuffled forward in line "I love you too much"

"And I love you Ames. But you heard what Marshall said. I'm allowed to play ball again. And I'm free to eat what I want and when I want"

"I know, I know. And I'm happy you are off restrictions. Just promise me you will take it easy okay?"

"Cross my heart and hope to live" He said smiling, angling his head to kiss me. I reciprocated, pleased that he'd used the modified version of that line instead of the real one. Knowing how much the original saying bothered me, Ricky had finally agreed to change it to something else, despite the fact that he thought I was being totally superstitious. I didn't care though. When it came to Ricky and his health, nothing was too crazy for me.

A chubby russian woman in a white coat and hairnet commanded our attention from behind the glass display. Ricky handed me a tray and grabbed two orange juices from the neighbouring refrigerated case as I placed an order for two breakfasts against my better judgement. Once served, Ricky dipped to collect the tray and carefully ( and awkwardly ) carried it to the closest cash register where I paid 6 dollars and 53 cents.

I led Ricky to an empty table next to a wonderfully large window. [The largest one in the entire dining room]. He expelled a loud breath of air as he slid the food onto the table and plopped down in his seat across from me.

I distributed the cutlery I had picked up at the cash and uncapped the lid to my juice bottle as I pulled in my chair, my eyes twinkling at the sight of my boyfriend already fully engrossed in his meal. "Good huh?" I gestured, shovelling a forkful of eggs into my mouth, still subconsciously concerned with getting to school on time

Ricky nodded his head and grunted, swishing some juice around his mouth before swallowing. "Mhmm. I'm just really glad I get to be here with you on such an amazing morning. The perfect start to what will hopefully be the perfect day"

"I couldn't agree more" I replied, grabbing his hand as it laid palm up on the edge of the table. He smirked before again devoting himself to his breakfast until there was nothing left on his plate. Once we finished eating (at 8:06 by the way) we delivered our trays to the rack outside of the kitchen and cut through the shortcuts on the first floor, purposefully avoiding its long and treacherous maze created by those silly blue arrows.

Ricky hopped into the front seat of his truck, waited for the assuring click of my seatbelt and tore out of the parking lot. Normally, I would have ordered him to slow down but with only 20 minutes until the bell and a 17 minute car ride, I was beginning to worry.

Ricky had been right when he confidently predicted back in line that we would have enough time. We arrived at school at 8:21. Not only on time but with 9 minutes to spare. Luckily, I had all my books with me after a stressful load of homework the night before and didn't need to go to my locker.

Stepping out of the truck with my enormous textbooks pressed firmly against my chest, I noticed Ricky circling around to collect me. He locked the truck from my side and slipped his left hand into my right, pulling on a flimsy red ball cap that was tucked into the back pocket of his jeans.

"You didn't bring any equipment with you?" I asked as we strolled towards the large building away from the car

"No I did" Ricky replied, as he ran his free hand over the top of his cap resting comfortably on his head "But I don't think I'll need it. Even if I do, I can just run out and get it"

"Remember what I said about taking it easy" I warned, as we stepped up onto the curb of the courtyard leading into my school

Ricky let go of my hand and jumped in front of me, stopping me in my path so that he could wrap is arms around my waist, caging me in for a kiss goodbye "Yes Ma'am" he pecked my forehead "Meet me at my truck for lunch okay. 11:30 sound good?"

"Ricky" I whispered, my face felt as if it was on fire, my hair stood on edge for I had suddenly noticed all the kids passing by. Each and everyone of them starring and snickering. "People are starring" I mumbled, lowering my face. What was this?

"Let them stare" he retorted, granting me mercy as he pulled away, aware I wasn't in the mood to really kiss him goodbye "11:30 okay?"

"Yea It's fine. I'll see you then" I turned and walked away, flipping my bangs back in frustration the way i always did whenever upset. Ricky loved teasing me about it. I looked behind me once more before entering through the main doors. Ricky still stood where I had left him, affectionately watching me to make sure I made it inside. He smiled and waved goodbye then pointed to his right into the direction of the gym. I bit my lip and nodded, eyeing my boyfriend as he walked away. Silently praying that that wouldn't be the last time I'd see him.

I made it into my first class just before the bell, still early enough to breath in the evil glare from my homeroom teacher who hated it when people came late. 80 minutes later, I took in a sigh of relief as I joined the congested mess of teenagers out in the hallway and shuffled to my locker at the end of the hall. One period down, three to go. I hadn't heard ambulance sirens or my name called on the P.A system which meant that whatever Ricky was doing, he was doing it well.

I buried my head inside of my locker to search for my Chemistry review sheet and felt a strong poke on my right shoulder. Grace. I stepped out of the claustrophobic locker and glared at my half-sister as she spun the dial of her own locker, alphabetically placed right next to mine.

"You didn't tell me that Ricky was the new gym teacher. You just said he was the new baseball coach" She said out of the corner of her eye

"I didn't tell you because he isn't. He is just doing baseball" I replied, slamming my locker shut. Chemistry could fuck it.

"Nu-uh.I have gym first period and Ricky was just my teacher"

Boy did this catch my attention "Well maybe it was just a fluke. He was probably covering for someone"

"Nope. I asked him. Not only is he the new coach but he is also the newest male gym teacher"

"Forever?"

"As far as I know" She admitted, closing her locker to walk me up the hall

"Wait - You are in an all girls class... Girls the same age as..."

"As Ricky" She said, finishing my sentence "I know. And I think you need to talk to him. Some of his new 'students' I think are finding it appropriate to get 'extra credit' if you know what I mean"

"I know what you mean" I mumbled "And I'm going to kill him!"

Grace shot me a look of disgust "Seriously Amy! You have been an emotional wreck lately. Calm your hormones girl - its no big deal. You know Ricky is cool and you know how much he cares about you. Just talk it over with him at lunch and try not to strangle him while doing so!" The bell signalling the start of second period rang "I have to go. See you at home tonight?"

"Yea... Wait! I thought you were at your mom's tonight!"

"Change of plans!" She called, sprinting down the hall to what I assumed was biology; her favourite class.

As much as I desperately wanted to race off to the gym and see for myself all of the whores throwing themselves at my boyfriend, I decided to wait until lunch. I trotted up the closest staircase to the second floor and took a left towards english where I was deemed late and handed a detention slip for tomorrow afternoon. Perfect.

After a horrifying pop quiz and with a massive headache brewing, I brought myself back down to my locker, excited to be half way through the day and ready for what I expected to be a peaceful lunch hour with Ricky. I stacked the morning's binders on the top shelf of my locker and grabbed a 20 from my purse. From behind me, I heard my name being anxiously called over and over again.

I retreated from behind my locker and twisted my neck to roll my eyes at the sight of my always peppy and never calm best friend; Madison. She jumped into place next to me, a big grin on her face. Madison and I had been friends since grade three. She had short red hair that she cut every two years and donated to kids with cancer. Madison was always happy, which was one of the reasons we got along so well. She brought out the best in me, as I was well known for my cranky snarls and depressed expressions. She claimed her goal in life was to put a smile on my face, which hardly ever happened... until I met Ricky of course.

"So is he here yet?" she cried, the excitement practically cracking her voice. She had heard so much about Ricky and yet had never met him. Back in the hospital, I never got the chance. I had prepared to arrange a visit after that day in the chapel but after Ricky's attack, my friends didn't seem that important. Now that he was okay though, it was a different story.

"Yes. We came to school together. Where were you before homeroom? I was looking for you"

"Vocals practice. We have our final competition coming up on friday"

"Oh yea. I remember you mentioning something about that. Sorry, It's been an awful day"

"Even with Ricky being here?"

"Especially with Ricky being here. Not only is he coaching baseball but he is apparently the new gym teacher. Grace said girls were practically throwing themselves at him!"

"I'm sure that can't be true... Of course I wouldn't know how likely these things are because I still haven't met him yet. The love of your life is here at our high school and me, your best friend still fails to be introduced"

I slammed my locker closed and re-juggled my binder in my arms "Would you calm down Madi? He's out at the truck right now... or at least he should be"

"So can I?" She pleaded, her legs starting to twitch with joy and excitement

"Come on"

We made our way out through the front doors of the school, squinting through the bright light of the early afternoon in search of Ricky's blue truck. Walking down the long aisle Ricky and I had parked in, I stopped dead in my tracks, a wave of nausea running through me at the sight of not one, but 5 girls, draped over the sides of Ricky's truck as he sat on the edge of its trunk.

"This doesn't seem like a good time for introductions" Madison whispered into my ear "I'm going to go find... someone... to eat with instead. If that's okay"

Lost in the conversation between Ricky and his hookers, I waved madison away "Yea sure, great. See you later" I mumbled, stretching to hear what was being said even though I was no more than six feet away. Darn this headache!

"Did it hurt when they gave you a new heart?" One brunette with fake hair extensions asked, her perfectly manicured nail drawing hearts over the blue finish of the car.

"Umm.. No" Ricky retorted, pulling the collar of his shirt in defence against the heat "I was drugged and it was new lungs. Not a heart"

"Are you going to be our teacher every day Mr. Under - Ooops, I mean... Ricky" Another girl asked, she flipped her straight blonde hair with one hand and ran her hand down his left arm with the other. I almost died!

Storming in to either rescue him (or kill him... I hadn't decided yet) I screamed his name and watched as he squirmed off of the edge of the truck and ran towards me, fully aware that he was in deep trouble.

"Hey- Hey Babe" He gulped, kissing my lips that had fallen open in shock "How was your morning?"

"What's all this?" I ordered, crossing my arms across my chest as I raised one eyebrow

"Umm, Amy. These are some of my students. There is Mandy, Amanda, Krisee, Aria, and Jane" One by one, the girls before me raised their hands and waved as Ricky said their names. I wanted to smack their stupid grins right off of their pretty pampered faces "Girls" he called "This is my girlfriend Amy"

The girl referred to as Krisee, the one who had asked about Ricky's heart, approached me and wrapped her arms tightly around me. "I would just like to thank you for helping this man get a new heart. He is just so sweet!"

"I know... he's my boyfriend" I sang, raising my voice as if talking to a child. What was this girl? Stupid? (Duh!) "and it was lungs... not a heart"

"Well still..." Her voice dropped and she onced me over with her eyes, totally disappointed with the girl her hot teacher was wasting his time with. She turned towards Ricky "See you tomorrow?"

"Of course" Ricky smiled politely stepping aside so that Krisee could round up her peers and leave us alone

"What was that?" I snarled, hopping onto the edge of the truck. I felt sicker than ever.

"Nothing" Ricky shrugged his shoulders, joining me in the trunk. He turned to his left and reached behind him, pulling out two submarine sandwiches. He handed one to me and watched me grimace "What? You don't like subs? That wasn't the case a month ago when you surprised me with lunch"

"It's not that... I'm just not hungry"

"You don't look that good. Are you sure you're alright?" He placed the sandwiches down beside him and grabbed his bag, pulling out a small plastic container of pills

"It has just been a rough morning" I replied, gesturing for Ricky to hand me the pills as he unwound the lid to his plastic water bottle.

I took the water from his hand as he slid his meds into his palm "Don't be jealous" He warned, tipping his head back to shove the four large pills into his mouth

I handed him the water and moved my hand to his chest, still used to those time where Ricky needed my help for everything; even sitting up "I can't help it. When Grace said you were teaching as well as coaching, I freaked"

Ricky took in a sigh of relief. He hated taking his medication but knew he desperately needed them "You don't need to freak. Because I'm not going anywhere and neither is our relationship. Forget those girls. They mean nothing to me"

"I know" I yawned, resting my head on Ricky's shoulder, suddenly aware of how hungry I really was "How about those sandwiches?"

"You got it!" He chimed, reaching over again to his side to grab the food "You're free this Saturday right?"

"No actually" I lifted my head "I've been meaning to tell you. Grace's birthday is this weekend. She's throwing a party. We kind of have to go"

"That's what I wanted to ask you about. Grace invited me this morning after class. I told her we would be there"

"Good, because when I don't answer she stalks me until I do"

Ricky laughed, bumping his bicep into mine in that don't hate your sister, she's nice kind of way "So it's a date?"

"It's a date"