Page 8 of Baby One More Time

I nod my head and grab my camera, handing him the little board that I’ve made up for him to hold.

He sighs. “This is not good, Mom! Can’t we stop doing this?”

I shake my head. “Nope! I get my photo of the first day every year.”

He groans but holds up the board with the worst smile I’ve ever seen on his face. “Come on, Seth!”

He grins and I snap the picture, staring at it on the screen. “Perfect!”

“Let’s go!’ He grabs my arm and I drop the camera on the couch as we run past.

“Why are we in such a rush?” I holler.

“You said we have to get someone! Come on, Mom!”

Sighing, I check the address and pull out of the drive.

I already feel like this day is gonna be way too long. How am I going to deal with this for the rest of the school year?

CHAPTER 7

Seth

Itap my foot on the front of the seat and fight the urge to sigh. Mom’s always running late and I know we want her to be a little rushed so she doesn’t look too closely at all of this but this is bad. I don’t want to be late for my first day of school.

We finally come around the corner where Connie says she lives and I wince when I see that she’s nowhere in sight. We need to go!

But as soon as Mom pulls into the driveway, I see her Dad walking out the door backwards and keeping an eye on a very grumpy Connie. I can’t stop smiling. She’s so funny!

But then he turns around and sees us in the driveway at the same time that my Mom looks up and I can see her hand drift down to move the gear shift.

I leap out of the car and smile when I hear her shout, “Dammit, Seth!”

But she puts the car in park and slams the door open. I run up and grab Connie’s hand. “Come on! We’re gonna be late!”

She jerks back but then sighs and runs for the car. “Fine!”

Both of us run for the car and I see my Mom standing in front of Connie’s Dad. Her foot is tapping and I wince.

I glance back at Connie in the backseat. “She doesn’t look happy and neither does your Dad. And do you think that they’ll figure out what’s wrong with the car?”

She smirks. “Watch.”

CHAPTER 8

Lucian

“Hi, Rena! I didn’t expect to see you so soon!”

Serena jerks to a stop in front of me, a pair of baggy-waisted pants and a slim t-shirt on her soft curves making my breath hitch wildly. The burgundy top makes her pale cheeks blush with color.

Or is that me?

“What the hell is going on, Luke?”

“My car wouldn’t start. I called Allie because she works with me at the gym and I know she doesn’t work this morning. I’m gonna have to hurry up and try to get my car fixed. I don’t know what’s wrong with it.”

She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. My eyes drop and I swear I feel drool on my lip.