Addison's POV

Word travels fast in high school. Monday morning. First day back at school from fall break and I was getting looks. Some good, like smiles of congratulations. But others. Not so nice. Mostly girls who snicker or look at me with disgust. I'm pretty sure Zed noticed them too because he would squeeze my hand and quicken our pace ever so slightly. Just enough to comfort me but not enough for them to notice. His hints of anger tell me he can see the looks too.

Once we're out of their line of site Zed leans down to kiss my hair lightly and whispers, "Ignore them baby." Of course I nod my agreement, but I keep my head down with my eyes glued to the floor and a small frown on my lips.

Why do their opinions bother me? Why am I suddenly insecure about how my dress is fitting? Their opinions don't matter. All my family and friends are happy for Zed and I... right? Or are they just being nice to our faces? My eyes widen and I stop in my tracks as tears well up in the corners of my eyes. Zed immediately stops, feeling my instant panic, and grabs my face to make me look at him.

"What's wrong?! Are you ok?" He questions. I don't know if it's my look of horror or the emotions he can actually feel but he quickly wraps me in a hug. I hold him tight as my anxiety rises. I feel like everyone is staring at us in the middle of the hallway. I want to get out of here.

As if he read my mind, he pulls back and tugs me by the hand down the next hall then under the stairwell, pulling me immediately back into his embrace. "Hey. You're ok." He comforted. My tears free flowing down my cheeks now as I rest my head against his chest. "Try to relax Addy." He whispered, petting my hair with one hand while the other rubbed soothing circles along my lower back.

He continued to kiss me and tell me everything was ok until I finally started to calm down. Ironically, just in time for first period's warning bell. I stiffen in his arms again as my mind starts to race. 'Oh shit! Zed's not in my first period! Or second! Oh my god! I don't think I can do this!' My mind screams.

"You can do this, Addy." He replied to my inner turmoil and my head snaps up to look him in the eye. He gently cups my cheek and offers me a kind smile. "You're emotions are so intense right now baby. I can literally hear you in my head." He leans down and kisses my lips softly. My body relaxes at the contact. He's always been my anchor. The one thing that can always keep me grounded.

"But you won't be there with me for two whole periods!" I nearly cry again.

"You know I always walk you between classes anyways!" He smiled. "Just focus on your classes. One at a time. It'll be over before you know it!" Addison sighed with a small smile of her own and nodded up at him.

"You're right." She took a deep breath. "One at a time." Zed's smile widened.

"That's my girl!" He praised, leaning down to kiss my lips. "Now, come on! We can't be late on our first day back!" He tugged her hand lightly and she followed easily, the two teens jogging down the halls towards Addison's first period classroom.

XxX

It was horrible. I can feel the eyes on me the entire time. I tried to just focus on the lesson but every time my eyes would glance around, I'd find multiple pairs staring back at me. My eyes snap down to my notebook. The pen in my hand shaking from nerves. How was I supposed to focus like this?

XxX

Zed's POV

I know Addy's trying but I can still feel how bad of a time she's having. I prop my chin on my hand as I half listen to Mr. Zeck talk about something he's not even too sure of. Eliza taps my arm.

"Hey. What's wrong? You look like someone kicked Puppy." She whispers.

I sigh and lean over to whisper back. "More like Addison. Students are, giving her looks." Eliza looks surprised by that.

"Seriously? Why?" She questioned. I shrug.

"I just know it's really bothering Addison. And I don't know what I can do to help her. It's not like I can be there with her 24/7!" I groan a little too loudly and lightly slam my head on the desk.

"Excuse me? Is there something you kids wanna share with the class?" Mr. Zeck interrupted. My head snaps off the desk to sit up straight. Eliza straightening as well.

"No sir." We say in unison. He raises a brow but decides not to push the subject as he continues with his lecture. Eliza leans back over to whisper to me again.

"Can't you, like, comfort her from here?" She asked. My brows furrow in confusion. She rolls her eyes. "Like, with your weird connected feelings or whatever. Send her some good vibes or something!" The thought had never crossed my mind. 'Why didn't I think of that?!' I scream at myself.

"I don't know if I can. I've never tried before. But it's worth a shot." I admit quietly. She nods and sits back into her seat.

Anything is worth a shot if it's for Addy. I close my eyes and imagine her sad scared face. I take a deep breath in through my nose and out through my mouth in concentration. I can feel her anxiety and fear. I keep concentrating to focus her feelings into one place, like the image in my mind is the focal point of its origins.

I then focus my loving and supportive energy around her negative ones, imagining my feelings are like a warm blanket wrapping around her shoulders. I continue to try and comfort her fear and nervousness, hoping it can somehow translate over to her as if I'm sitting beside her.

XxX

Addison's POV

I'm hunched over my desk, wishing I could just hide in a little ball and disappear from my judgmental classmates' scrutinizing gazes. But suddenly I'm overwhelmed by a warm feeling of love, my mind immediately shifts to Zed, and a smile forms on my lips. My shoulders relax and my back straightens, a new found confidence growing in my chest.

Knowing that Zed is beside me, supporting my every move no matter what, gave her the courage to ignore all her self righteous peers. They don't know her. They don't know them. What does it matter if they call her a whore or a slut? She's only been with one man. The love of her life. And they've been together for 4 years. Their gossip and rumors have no ground, so why should she care?

She quietly laughed to herself and laid a soft hand over her belly. 'Let them talk, let them talk, if they wanna~' She sang in her head, returning her attention to the teacher's lesson with a smile on her face.