Greya's POV...

Becker is full of surprises today. As soon we parked at school and we got out of the car, I swung my book bag and my soccer bag over my shoulder and was startled by Becker who was now holding my hand...in public and at school I may add. No one has ever seen him walking around school holding anyone's hand, so I can imagine what the reactions will be.

I love that he's feeling confident enough to put our likeness for each other out on display. I already anticipate the drama that will hit the fan and I'm not ready for any of that kind of attention. But, I allow our fingers to weave together anyway, because even though everyone else will try to ruin our day, any moment I can feel connected with him, is worth it.

"They're all staring," I state the obvious.

"Let them," He squeezes my hand and leans over and kisses my temple. He's very affectionate today.

Becker accompanies me to the locker room door, keeping my hand in his through the halls of curious guys and resentful girls.

He's already used to all this attention. Being the most attractive, athletic, smartest and most mysterious guy here; it's obvious that everyone has either wanted to be his friend or girlfriend. Gaining any piece of Becker's attention is what they all crave.

Makes me wonder about his home life and if his mom was around and if his father didn't torture him, would he have an endless number of friends by his side and a different girl in his arms every night? Would he have ever noticed me... a girl with very few friends and no parents, trying to raise a kid.

We finally reach the door to the women's locker room and Becker notices how uncomfortable I am with this unwanted attention

He turns me so my back is against the wall and cups my face with both his hands. "Hey, we've got this," he smiles and then leans forward and places a soft kiss on my lips.

"I'll see you in class," he says before leaving me wanting more of him.

"You two are getting comfy with each other," Ari teases and sits down onto the bench in front of my locker. I shrug my shoulders and smile.

"Courtney took one look at Becker holding your hand and practically threw a tantrum in the hallway," she chuckles.

"I'm not ready for all that drama," I tell her.

"I know, but it's going to happen around Becker. Just ignore it if you can. Or we can have a little fun with it," She has a mischievous look on her face when I turn towards her.

"Ari," I warn.

She puts her hand up in surrender. "All I'm saying is I can help you get rid of those superficial bitches if you need me to."

I laugh at her," Oh I know you can."

"How's you and Declan?" I ask to change the subject. I'm also curious to how those two are getting along.

"We're official!" She boasts. "Oh, and Fynn met someone too, some college guy," she adds.

"What! Is that why I haven't seen him the last few days? Why am I missing everything?"

"You're finally taking interest in a guy Greya. I know you are stressed out and busy with Chase, but I'm glad you're trying to do something for you for once. Fynn and I are happy you want to be with Becker," she ensures me.

"I feel like I'm neglecting you guys, Fynn usually comes over right away when he has news like this," I look away and shove my uniform into the tiny locker space.

"Greya, we know this relationship stuff is new for you, so we are giving you a little space to figure it all out, that's all."

"I don't need space. I want to know everything, you two are my family," I'm holding my tears back. A lot has changed in a short amount of time. Between classes, homework, playoffs, taking care of Chase, making sure we have groceries and bills paid, Becker now invading any of my free time...in a good way. I don't know how  I'm going to attend college while being a single parent figure. I have all these offers to play college soccer, that I won't even need Gram's money to pay for classes, yet what am I supposed to do, keep a ten year old in the dorms with me... I begin laugh-crying out loud thinking about all this.

"Hey," I feel Ari's hand on my shoulder. "I know what you're doing, I know there's a lot going on right now and if anyone can handle it, it's you. Fynn and I... and Becker will help you. One day at a time... so let's start with winning our game today!" She tries to lighten my mood.

When I walk into calculus class, I ignore the death glares from the jealous cheerleaders and take my seat directly in front of Becker. He looked tense when I walked in, I wonder if the extra attention is bothering him too.

I flash him a small smile and shift my belongings close to my desk. As soon as I take my seat I hear Becker release a sigh of ...relief...I think. I feel his warmth on the back of my neck when he leans over his desk to get closer to me. The only sound he makes is when he slowly inhales and then I hear him lean back into his chair.

Usually, he teases me or throws some sort of challenge my way in preparation before our games. I miss his crafty remarks. His crazy way of pushing me to do my best come game time and in return gives him confidence to bring his A game.

I turn to him quickly before the teacher arrives and stick out my hand towards him. "Whoever scores more than two goals, the other buys the pizza for dinner after," I smirk. This has worked for us the past four years of high school soccer, so why stop now.

"Deal," He shakes my hand and allows me to see those dimples of his.

As usual, I'm stuck on a stupid math problem and decide that slumping back into my chair would be better than trying to figure it out.

Becker leans forward again and hands me a piece of paper. I stare at it for a moment until I realize he's written the problem out for me so I can understand it. At the bottom he wrote, "I can tutor you if you'd like?"

I smile to myself thinking about how smart this guy is and that he wants to help me. I copy the problem down onto my own worksheet and then write my own little note on the paper Becker gave me. "I would love the help. Schoolwork is so easy for you, what are you, top 10 in the class?" I reach back and he grabs the note from me. I hear a chuckle escape his mouth.

The paper come back to me, and I read the number 1.

"What?" I say a little too loudly and the teacher looks over at me. "Sorry," I apologize.

"You're going to be valedictorian?" I write it down and hand it back to Becker. This time I turn around to see him answer me with a shrug, so I shake my head and return to my work. Of course, he's ranked 1 in the class, I've always known how smart he is. I shake my head again thinking of everything good he has going for him, yet he feels so hopeless and broken. I'm going to do everything I can to help him change that.

I wait with Becker in the classroom after the bell rings. He usually makes his way to his next class after the hallways have mostly cleared. Today though he doesn't wait. He holds my hand and leads me into the crowd, walking me to my next class. This can't be comfortable for him. People are bumping into us, causing him to flinch left and right. As we get closer to my classroom, I notice how tight his grip is on my hand and can feel the sweat dripping in his palm. I look up at him and I can tell he's been holding his breath, his eyes on full alert. I decide to pull him off to the side, away from the traffic and into a secluded space in between a row of lockers.

The look he gives me shows that he's on the verge of a panic attack, so I do the only thing that I know comforts him. I slowly raise my hand up and softly brush his cheek with my fingers.  His eyes close as he leans into my touch. "Breathe, we've got this, remember," I whisper.

He does what I say and gives me a sad smile. "I'm trying," is all he says as he gazes downwards in shame.

"I know you are, and I'm really proud of you for trying. I don't expect you to be okay with all of this in one day," I motion to the hallway packed with rushing students. "Now give me a kiss," he smiles when I say that.

His lips linger on mine until the bell rings. "We're late," I hum. "See you at lunch?" I ask and he nods.

We have one more class before I see him again and I want him to know we're ok if he doesn't try to walk me to my next class. He's already tackled more than I could ask of him in one day. He's happily surprised me more than he knows.