Hearts Attached by Scarlet Wolfe

process.
    “No, McKenzie. I screwed up early on, messing around with too many guys when I was way too young. None of them at this school take me seriously because of it. They expect me to do everything right away.
    “My hope is that I’ll meet a guy after high school that doesn’t know my past. Maybe he’ll respect me if I don’t put out immediately.”
    “I’m sorry, Amanda. I thought you didn’t mind the things you do. You could always say no.”
    “Maybe. Enough about me. How long have the two of you been making love ?” she asks seductively.
    “About six weeks.”
    Her head snaps my way.
    “Damn, you got right to it.”
    “Only because it was Luke. It felt right.”
    “McKenzie, did you miss your period?”
    I close my eyes and think. I’m not a clockwork kind of girl. My periods have always been irregular, and sometimes they are very light and for a short duration.
    The last month has been hectic. Liv and I are finally back to normal, so if I’m not with Luke, I’m trying to make sure she doesn’t feel left out.
    A couple of weeks ago, Luke, Liv, Dalton and I even celebrated Luke and Olivia’s eighteenth birthday together. “I haven’t had my period since we started having sex.”
    “Oh, damn, girl. You need a pregnancy test.”
    My head begins turning back and forth, and I’m certain I’m on the verge of vomiting again.
    “No, I can’t be pregnant. We used protection every time.”
    “We need to check. It’s not foolproof.”
    “I’m too sick, Amanda. I have to get into bed and sleep.” It all comes out as a garbled whine.
    “OK, but you need to do it soon. I’m going to go crazy wondering.”
    “Yeah, yeah. Hell, maybe I’m sick because I haven’t had a period in a while. Maybe I’m on the verge of a heavy one.”
    “I have a bad feeling about this, McKenzie.”
    I wave my hand at her and close my eyes. Everything is spinning. “Please, get me home.”
    Luke
    I’m freaking out. I waited by Kenzie’s locker between our last class, and she never showed. She’s not answering her phone, either. I can hardly concentrate through Calculus, so afterward, I search for any one of her friends.
    “Liv, have you seen Kenzie?”
    My sister rolls her eyes. “No, Luke. She’s always with you, if she’s not with me.”
    “She isn’t answering her phone, I can’t find her, and it worries me since she’s been sick.” I see Amanda and Shelby treading toward us. “Have either of you seen Kenzie?”
    “I took her home. She was pretty ill,” Amanda says.
    I scratch my head. “Why didn’t she tell me?”
    “She didn’t want you to miss class again. She was going to bed, so she probably forgot.”
    “OK, thanks.”
    “Luke, Dad will kill you if you leave school early again.”
    I groan, frustrated that I can’t take care of Kenz, but Liv is right. My dad is on me hard about my grades and not missing school.
    ***
    I can’t get Kenz to answer her door after school, so I take a key I have and let myself in.
    “Kenzie, baby, wake up,” I say after practically running to her room. She opens her eyes. “I’ve been worried sick about you all day. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
    “I’m sorry. I should’ve text, but I was too sick. All I could think about was getting to bed.” She sits up and runs her hands through her hair. She’s pale and her lips are dry.
    “When was the last time you had something to drink?”
    “Um, I kept about half a glass of water down last night, but that’s it for a couple of days.”
    “What did your mom say?”
    “She doesn’t know it’s been that bad. She was only home briefly last night, and I was feeling better then.”
    “I’m going to find you something to drink and some crackers.”
    “I think I’m better now.”
    I manage to get some food and liquids into Kenzie. She seems fine, and I’m relieved that her stomach virus is gone. Now, I hope I don’t get it.
    “Kenz, I’m sorry, but the guys and I are meeting up for practice