A few months had passed since Katie had promised to trust Jack McCallister, and a lot had happened during that time. She'd finally told her mother about Ray. It had happened on a cold, grey day in an empty McDonald's parking lot. The smell of French fries and hamburgers, mustard and catsup mingled with the stale heat that filled her mother's tiny car. There had been shock, grief, and lots of tears. She'd been afraid her mother would blame her, curse her, or worse, kick her out of the house. Instead Cheryl immediately drove her to the police station where Katie filed a report. Afterwards, they drove around Hart waiting for Ray to be arrested. While he sat in jail, they rushed home, shoving everything they could into bags. This time though, they had somewhere to go. Unbeknownst to Katie, her mother had joined one of those 'change your life' support groups and Diane, one of the women from the group, had offered them a place to stay. Later that evening, the police called to say Ray had been released on bail. When her mother returned home a few days later to pick up the rest of their stuff, she'd found the house in shambles. Ray and his things were gone. The Hart Police Department was still looking for him. Apparently, she wasn't the only child he'd tried to molest. He was wanted in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio on similar charges.

Today, however, was not a day to think about such things. Today was a crisp, sunny, fifty degree day. Light streamed through the braches of the tree Jack and Katie stood under, creating dancing shadows on the ground.

"Close your eyes and just lean back," Jack said.

"No way McCallister."

"C'mon, you trust me don't you?"

"That's not the point," she said smiling at him. She felt like an idiot, but a happy one. For the first time in her life, things were going relatively well. She did trust him, but the thought of crossing her arms over her chest, falling back, and hoping he would be able to catch her before she hit the ground was stupid.

"Coach used to make us do this every year at the beginning of track season. It's supposed to foster team solidarity."

"I'm still not doing it," she said giggling and shaking her head. He reached for her. She dodged him playfully. After a few misses, he grabbed her wrist and drew her close in an attempt to tickle her.


Missy Belknap was on the verge of tears. Though she was surrounded by a group of perky cheerleaders, she felt completely alone. The reason stood under a tree next to the school parking lot. It was official; Jack and 'what's her name' were a couple.

Sure she'd been the one to break up with him, but he'd given her no choice. He'd been in such a funk after his accident that things had disintegrated between them.

But now, now she wanted him back.

She watched as Jack bent down to kiss Katie. She knew she should look away, and though it felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing her heart, she was like a passerby who couldn't look away from a terrible accident. Just when she thought she couldn't stand another second, Jack gave Katie one final kiss on the cheek, then walked across the parking lot.

Missy excused herself. Jack used to have gym this period but after he'd blown out his knee, the Phys Ed department had excused him from all physical activity. Now, he spent that time in the library as a study period. Missy watched and followed as Jack reentered the school, then headed toward the library, maneuvering his way to a table in the back near the stacks.

After waiting a few minutes, she slid into the chair next to him. "Jack."

"Miss," he said startled. An uncomfortable silence filled the air. They hadn't really talked since the break up. They'd seen each other a few times at JR's, but his work and her friends had acted as a buffer between them.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Instinctively, she wanted to touch him, to be touched by him, in an intimate way but now that they were no longer together, she couldn't.

"So," Jack said letting the word out in a long breath.

"Jack," Missy began. What the hell, she thought as she grabbed his hands. "We need to talk."

A look of unease flashed across his face. "Okay."

Missy breathed deeply. Lord, please forgive me for what I am about to do, she silently prayed. "Jack." She stopped. "Jack," she tried again as she squeezed his hands. "I'm pregnant."

"What?" he asked shocked. Missy? Pregnant?

"At first I thought it was the flu. Then I realized my period was late. Well, I counted back, and everything pointed to the last time we, you know," she said lowering her voice and her eyes.

There must be some mistake, Jack thought. Missy. Pregnant with my baby. This can't be happening. "Have you seen to a doctor?" he asked.

"No," she replied quickly. "I took one of those home pregnancy tests. What are we going to do Jack?" she asked as her eyes filled with tears. She'd learned at an early age that a few well-timed tears worked wonders, especially with men. The key was to use them sparingly.

Missy watched as a myriad of emotions flashed across Jack's face. She wasn't worried though. She knew he would do the honorable thing. "Please don't leave me Jack," she added for good measure. "I don't know what my father will do once he finds out. I'm so scared." Missy threw herself against Jack's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Hesitantly, Jack put his arms around her and began stroking her hair. Oh god, oh god, oh god, his mind screamed. What do I do know?

Could things possible get any worse?


Three days had passed since she'd told Jack about the baby. Their baby. Even though they weren't lovey dovey yet, she was sure it would only be a matter of time. Jack would want to be involved with their child's life and if that meant being with her then he'd do it. Phase two of her plan had gone off without a hitch. They'd told her parents. And as expected, her father had hit the roof. He'd called her a whore, a tramp, a Jezebel. Jack and his mother had been horrified, so much so that they'd insisted she stay at their house.

Now it was time for Phase Three. As she rifled through her locker, Missy couldn't help noticing Katie at her own locker down the hall. Dear God, please give me an opening, she said under her breath as she scanned the hallway. As if on cue, Katie gathered her things and headed toward the washroom just as Jessica, a fellow cheerleader and a total gossip, was heading down the hallway. Immediately, Missy slammed her locker shut and rushed at Jessica.

"We need to talk," Missy said grabbing the short blonde girl's arm and dragging her into the washroom.

"What's going on Miss?" Jessica asked breathlessly.

Missy inspected the bathroom. She could tell that Katie was in the last stall; otherwise she and Jessica were alone. "Swear to me you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you."

"I swear," Jessica said, her eyes lighting up. Missy knew Jessica's promise meant nothing. Jessica McDonald was Truman High's own CNN.

"I'm serious Jess. No one can know about this."

"C'mon Missy, you know you can trust me."

"Okay," Missy said slowly. "I'm pregnant."

"Shut up," Jessica squealed.

"Geez Jess, you're supposed to being keeping this quiet."

"Sorry," the other girl said lowering her voice. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I went to a clinic in Columbia."

"Oh my god! Who's the father?"

"Jack."

"Jack! Jack McCallister!"

"Yes. Jack and I are getting married and we're having a baby."