“What would I do without you?” I leaned against my locker staring at the incredible wonder before me.

“I think the question is what would I do without you?” The space between us charged with life. He leaned into that space and placed his lips gently on mine. The hallway and the commotion slipped away in silence and there was nothing but us … until a Carver Crusaders’ wide receiver slapped Garreth on the back.

“Hey bro, pizza and fries. The lunch of champions awaits!” Derek Arnold boomed joyously. He was a tall guy with a husky build and arms that reminded me of the old sailor cartoon, Popeye. His chestnut hair was cropped close and he was so drenched in cologne that I needed to turn away just to breathe.

Garreth’s apologetic smile greeted me when I turned back around. The back of my throat tasted like Macy’s cosmetic department on a Saturday.

“I completely forgot, Teagan. Derek asked me to hang out with him and the team for lunch. He mentioned it in homeroom.”

“Just meet me at the truck, man,” Derek gave Garreth another pounding on his back, and nodded to me, finally acknowledging my presence before bounding away. He stopped short a few lockers down to talk to a couple of freshman cheerleaders who were obviously drinking in his chokingly manly aroma and attention.

“I’m sorry.” Garreth was so sincere it looked painful. “If you don’t want me to go, I’ll just tell the guys…”

“No, go ahead,” I interrupted him. How could I be so selfish? Garreth had chosen to stay behind on earth to be with me, so we’d have the chance to be together longer than the eight days he was originally allowed. It was more than I could have ever dreamed of and here I was, keeping him to myself.