Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card (Jessie and Luke)

BACK IN TIME LAURA

I'm sitting in math class, drawing nothing in particular on the back of my notepad. Math wasn't hard; it was just... boring. I didn't need to focus to pass it. It felt like a waste of my time, really. I could be painting instead

This morning, the sunrise was so beautiful. Different hues of orange and purple swirled together like they'd been pulled from a dream. I wish I could have stayed outside, trying to capture it on canvas. But no-I had to come to school, my own personal prison. The bell rings, jerking me out of my haze. I look up and watch as students filter out of the class, their chatter and shuffling echoing in the room. The last one out is Josh, with his messy hair and that deep dimple. He's so handsome, but the problem is, he knows it. The second problem is that Jess is my best friend. I would never... but oh, how badly I wanted to. Gosh, I wanted to go there so badly.

Not that Josh would ever look at me. The only time he even barely acknowledges me is when I'm at Jess's house. And even then, I can see it on his face-he has no clue what my name is.

Senior year is going to be the worst. Sure, we made that pact with Sam and all, but I just can't see myself throwing caution to the wind and letting some rando guy ravish me to take my V- card. BACK IN TIME

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That's just not me. Honestly, I have no clue why I agreed to it in the first place. Maybe it was the champagne Jess smuggled from her mom's stash. Or Sam's relentless persuasion. Whatever it was, I regretted it now.

I glance up just in time to see Luke filter out behind Josh, and a small part of me picks up on something between him and Jess. Even if she refuses to admit it, I've seen the way he lingers on her when she walks past. It's subtle but there-nothing like Josh, whose face is constantly plastered to cheerleaders.

The sound of my notebook closing snaps me back to reality. I gather my things, sling my bag over my shoulder, mentally bracing myself for the day ahead. Tonight's party was going to be horrible. Sure, everyone was hyped, but I already knew how it would go. Jess and Sam would be in their element-flirting, laughing, and probably making out with whoever caught their eye first.

And me? I'd be the third wheel, standing awkwardly in the corner with a red Solo cup I had no intention of drinking from. Or

maybe I'd drink just enough to get tipsy, find an empty room, and hide there while Jess and Sam... did their thing or whatever. The thought made my stomach twist. Why did I let them talk me into this?

D

As I step out of the classroom, the hallway buzzes with energy. People are already talking about tonight, their voices filled with excitement. Parties like this were supposed to be a rite of passage for seniors-a final hurrah before we all went our separate ways. But I couldn't shake the feeling that it was just another opportunity for me to feel out of place.

I'm halfway to my locker when I hear Jess's voice behind me.

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BACK IN TIME

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"Laura! Wait up!"

I turn and see her weaving through the crowd, her signature grin plastered across her face. "You're coming tonight, right?"

I sigh. "I don't know, Jess..."

"Oh, come on," she says, nudging me. "I don't want to do this alone. Sam's going to get dresses and meet us at my house. You can't leave me hanging."

I nod reluctantly. Of course, I'd go along with it. That's what I always do. Give in. Don't stand up for myself. Just cave. Ugh. "Fine," I mumble. "But I need to go home and grab my stuff first."

"Great," she says, her grin lighting up her face. "I'll see you at my place."

As I turn away, heading toward my car, my stomach twists. I'm not sure if it's nerves or dread. Probably both.

When I walk into my house, it's eerily quiet. The air smells faintly of stale smoke and something sharper, like whiskey. Sure enough, I find my mother passed out on the couch, a half-empty glass of whiskey dangling precariously from her hand. I sigh, gently prying the glass away and setting it on the coffee table, Grabbing a blanket from the back of the couch, I drape it over her sleeping form. On the kitchen counter, I scribbled a quick note: I went to Jess's for the night. Don't wait up. Not that she ever does. I grab my bag from my room, stuffing it with a change of clothes and my sketchpad.

BACK IN TIME

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As I head back to the door, I glance at my mom one last time. She stirs slightly, but her eyes don't open. It's better this way. Less to explain.

Sliding into my car, I take a deep breath and start the engine. The thought hits me like a ton of bricks: I guess I lose my virginity tonight.

The words feel heavy and strange like they belong to someone else. But the deal was made, and I don't back out of deals. Even if they're the worst idea I've ever had.