I must have had a look on my face, because Leaf tapped the inside of my ankle to pull my attention. I stopped dead-staring at the TV and glanced his way. His smile was soft, but earnest; crinkly lines formed on the sides of his dark eyes.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. I think so? I... Maybe I need some air.”

He lifted his hand so I could escape the couch. I trotted outside, pausing at Morgan’s kitchen table to shoulder into my hoodie. The day had been warm with the last vestiges of summer, but the nights were taking on a chill that already sliced through clothes, boding poorly for winter. When I stepped outside, my breath turned into puffy clouds before my face.

While it was never pleasant to feel your snot freezing inside of your nostrils, it helped to clear my head. I paced back and forth in Morgan’s driveway. Choices. I had choices. I could appreciate Leaf or I could take my baby seriously. Or...weren’t both possible? I probably shouldn’t jump into a relationship. That was irresponsible, particularly knowing Leaf would run when he found out about el bebé, but I could see him for the good guy he was. I could think about possible futures with him or really any other guy. A teen pregnancy didn’t relegate me to a spinster life forever.

Mom dated. Sure, not till I was, like, five or six, but she dated.

It’s just a long dry spell. I can handle that.

The clatter of Morgan’s screen door made me jump. I turned around, expecting to see Devi there. But no, it was the tall dark boy with the very white teeth who’d been parading through my thoughts. He’d donned his jacket, his hands sunk into his jeans pockets.

“Devi said if you wanted her I could go get her,” he said. “I just got up first.”

“Nah. No. I’m okay.” I managed a smile and looked down at my feet. Flip-flops. Oh, you’d seemed like such a good idea earlier, but now, with the cold...

“Anything I can do to help?” He was coming closer, nearing me. Fifteen feet separating us became ten, then five, then two. He didn’t cross over into my personal space, instead lingering just outside of it.

“I’ve got something I should tell you.” I eyed him.

He eyed back.

“Did I do someth—”

“I’m pregnant.”

It was one of those moments in life when everything around you was almost too still. My voice, which had been whisper soft, somehow became a bellow in all that quiet.

“Oh.” He blinked at me. “You have a boyfriend?”