"Adam, can we talk?"

Adam looked up from his locker when he heard the soft voice next to him. "Yeah. What's up Becky?" He swung his locker shut, turning to look at her.

"Um… this is a bit awkward but I'm really sorry I turned you down when you asked me to go to the movies with you the other day. I… I would love to go out with you. And I was wondering if you would maybe want to be my secret boyfriend?"

Adam couldn't help smiling when Becky said she wanted to go out with him. His smile grew wider when she asked him to be her boyfriend but it quickly faded when he realized what word she'd said before boyfriend. "No. If you're so embarrassed to be seen with me just… forget it." He turned away from her and began to walk down the hall.

She followed him, grabbing his arm but he quickly pulled it out of her grasp. "Wait, Adam. Please. Wait. Please? I'm not embarrassed to be seen with you." She moved in front of him, blocking his path. "My family, they wouldn't understand. My father isn't entirely thrilled with the idea of me dating to begin with let along a…" she cut herself off before finishing her sentence.

"Say it," he said, crossing his arms. "Say it. Your dad wouldn't be ok with you dating a freak."

"I never called you a freak, Adam. That's not what I think. My father wouldn't be accepting of me dating someone… of a different religious background."

Adam raised an eyebrow then sighed. "Look, you know I like you but I'm not gonna be your lap dog. I'm not into sneaking around."

"It'll just be for a little while. A couple weeks, at the most. I just need time to figure out how to tell my father about us." She smiled at him, putting her hand on the side of his neck, her fingertips playing with his hair. "I just can't risk letting another girl get to you in the mean time."

Adam couldn't help smiling. He let out a low laugh when she mentioned other girls. "Yeah… that'll happen," he said under his breath.

"It might. Adam, please. I like you. I like you a lot. I promise, I'll find a way to tell my family."

He smiled again, finally nodding as he took a step towards her. "I guess sneaking around can be fun. What does it entail though? Can I hold your hand?" he asked, his fingers winding around her free hand. "Can I walk you to class? Am I allowed to kiss you?"

Becky blushed as she looked down at their hands. She laced her fingers through his. "Yes, you can walk me to class. And… of course you can kiss me," she said with a quick giggle as she thought about his lips on hers.

"You sure?" he teased. "Because I'd hate to…" he began but was cut off by her lips on his.