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outfit the night before. Knowing I was going to see Allen in class every day, I always tried to dress my best, but I went above and beyond this time because I knew we were going to be studying together. I put on a red wrap dress and some red heels and looked at myself in the mirror, realizing I looked like I was trying too hard. I took off the outfit and tried on three more before I finally settled on some jeans and a wrap top and some heels.
    I put on some lip gloss and eyeliner, then took off my wrap cap and styled my hair. Finally I added some gold earrings and my purity necklace.
    â€œYou look nice,” Momma said when I finally made it to the breakfast table. “Anything special going on today?”
    â€œNo,” I said. “Hey, munchkin.”
    â€œHey,” Cory said, glancing up from her Game Boy.
    â€œI was running a little late so I didn’t cook,” she said apologetically as she set a bowl of oatmeal in front of me.
    â€œIt’s okay, Momma,” I said, digging in after we said grace.
    I tuned out the conversation she and Cory were having, focusing instead on my meeting with Allen. By the time I made it to school, I was nervous, but I had no reason to be.
    Allen never showed for study hall, and I felt so stupid.
    When I met up with Bree for lunch, I tried to play off how much it bothered me, but she knew.
    We made small talk all through lunch, and I was just about to dump my tray when Allen walked in. He waved at me like nothing was wrong, but I ignored him. When I heard him calling my name as I walked out the lunchroom door, I thought about not responding. He caught up with me and grabbed my arm, swinging me around.
    â€œI’m so sorry,” he said. “I had to meet with Coach Patterson, and it ran late.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” I said, not bothering to make eye contact with him. Instead I spoke to a few kids who were passing by.
    â€œCourtland, please don’t be mad. I promise it won’t happen again,” he pleaded.
    â€œYou could have at least texted me,” I said, finally looking at him.
    â€œYou’re right,” Allen said, looking at the floor. He glanced back up at me with a huge smile, showing the dimple in his cheek. “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
    Seeing the dimple did something to me, and before I knew it, I had forgiven him.
    â€œJust don’t let it happen again,” I said.
    â€œI won’t,” he said and he reached down to give me a hug. I closed my eyes, loving the brief moment in his arms. It was better than anything I could dream of—until I spotted the hickey on his neck.

three
    I know I shouldn’t have been mad at Allen. I mean, it’s not like he’s my man, but seeing that hickey made me so jealous. I wondered if he had been with some other girl when he was supposed to be studying with me, but I didn’t ask him because I didn’t want him to think I liked him.
    â€œSo when do you want to get together?” he asked.
    I thought about my schedule for the rest of the week, excited he still wanted to see me. Although I could have made the time, I didn’t want him to think he could just see me whenever he wanted. “It looks like you’re going to have to study for this test on your own,” I said. “I’ve got to help my best friend with something during study hall and I have cheerleading practice after school for the rest of the week.”
    We had started learning our first dance routine, and Bree was already behind, so I had promised her I would help her. We could have worked on the dance at my house after school, but I didn’t want Allen to think I didn’t have a life.
    Allen stood looking at me. “I’ve got to do well on this test,” he said. “I want Ms. Watters to see that I’m serious about passing this class this time. What about if I come over to your house after practice? Your mom said it would be