Chapter 1

The late autumn wind rustled through the trees outside my bedroom window, carrying with it the fading scent of rain and fallen leaves. I sat on my unmade bed, staring at the ceiling, still coming to terms with a ridiculous truth—I was in my final year of high school and had never even kissed anyone, let alone had sex. Nineteen years old and still a virgin.

In today’s world, that felt like wearing a badge of failure. Everyone around me—especially my friends, most of them a year younger—claimed they’d already “done it.” I wasn’t sure if they were telling the truth or just talking big, but either way, it left me feeling like I was way behind. I had started school late because of some family stuff, but now it just made me feel ... stuck.

Being a virgin at my age wasn’t because I didn’t try. I actually came close a few times—but things just didn’t work out.

One time, about a year ago, I went to my best friend’s big sister’s 21st birthday party. It was a wild night. The house was packed with people, drinks were everywhere, music was blasting—both a live band and a DJ—and girls were walking around in bikinis.

Nate and I weren’t party crashers, by the way. Lindsey, his sister, was cool with us being there.

That night, I ended up talking to one of her college friends. I think her name was Michelle. She was tall, slim, had dark hair, light blue eyes, and a smile that could stop anyone in their tracks.

She seemed to enjoy our chat—kept touching her hair and giving me these playful looks. I’m not great at flirting, but even I could tell she was interested.