MONDAY

“This egg is your child for the next week.” Mrs. McManus weaved between the rows of desks, handing an egg to every girl. “You and your partner are responsible for its well-being. You must take it with you everywhere you go. Should any marks or cracks appear on it that weren’t already there, it will affect your grade. If it breaks completely, you both will fail.”

Ashley took the cold, smooth egg gently in two cradled hands. She needed to do well on this project to bring up her science grade. Ashley’s gaze traveled around the room, creating her own list of responsible partners as Mrs. McManus read hers.

“Ashley Parks,” Mrs. McManus’s voice rang out. Much to her surprise, Ashley’s stomach somersaulted over the ham and cheese sandwich she had for lunch. “Your partner is Dylan Whitaker.” The class erupted into fits of giggles and kissing noises.

Ashley wasn’t sure if she should be excited or nervous. She and Dylan had been dating for almost a year, but she also knew Dylan could not care less about his science grade. It was baseball season. Deciding to play to the class’s teasing, she flashed him her perfect braces-never-touched-these-teeth smile. It was going to be fine.

TUESDAY

“So what should we name it?” Ashley leaned against the lockers, gazing at the Tupperware-encased egg as Dylan packed his book-bag. “I’m thinking maybe Olivia?”

Dylan rolled his eyes. “Why do we have to name it? It’s an egg, Ash.”

“It’s our *child,* Dylan. I need a good grade on this project so Mom will let me go to cheerleading camp instead of summer school. So I’m gonna be the best egg mom anyone ever saw, and you better be the best dad, got it?”

Dylan raised a blonde brow at her, grunting. “Whatever. You’re gonna need to take it tonight ‘cause I have practice.”

“What? No way! I had it last night. It’s totally your turn.” She thrust the egg at Dylan. “I refuse to be a single parent in this scenario. Do you part, Dylan!”

He shoved the container in his bag. “I guess it can stay in my gym bag for the night.”

WEDNESDAY

“Yo, Ash!”

Ashley whipped her head toward the voice calling from down the hallway. Dylan barreled toward her, bumping into other students who rushed to get to their classes before the bell. She gave him a nervous smile and went back to the index cards in her hands, fervently reading through her presentation notes.

“Ash, you gotta take Olivia next period. Coach needs us for pictures and a warmup before tonight’s game.” He tossed his backpack on the floor with a cringeworthy thud and rummaged through it for the egg container.

Ashley shuffled the cards from one hand to the other as she rubbed her sweaty palms on her skirt. “I have a huge presentation next period, Dylan. I’m freaking out.”

Having located Olivia the egg, Dylan set her container on the floor to tie his shoe. “Just breathe, babe. You’re gonna be great.”

The warning bell rang making Ashley jump and squeal anxiously. “I’m totally going to vom.” Distracted, she hastily gathered her books and binders.

Dylan was also shoving things back in his bag, looking over his shoulder at his teammates gathering at the end of the hall. “You got this, babe?” He shouldered his bag, waiting for her answer.

“Yeah, thanks,” she muttered, shutting her locker.

With a quick peck on the cheek, Dylan was off down the hall. “You’re the best!”

Ashley waved distractedly as she bolted toward her class.

THURSDAY

“How’d your presentation go? Was Olivia good for you?” Dylan smirked as he held the door for Ashley.

She brushed past him into the school lobby, rolling her eyes. “I mean, I didn’t vomit all over myself, but you know...” She broke off with a shrug before realizing what else he’d said. “What do you mean about Olivia? I didn’t have her.”

“Yeah, you did. Yesterday, I said, ‘you got this?’ And you said, ‘yeah, thanks.’”

Grabbing Dylan’s arm, Ashley stopped dead, panic setting in. “I thought you were psyching me up for the presentation.” Her eyes went wide. “Dylan, I didn’t have her! Oh my God! We lost the egg!” Ashley’s heart raced as she thought of solutions.

But it was too late. Mrs. McManus stood before them, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “I’ll see you two after class.”