Chapter 8

Another grey sweater flew from the closet and onto the bed.

Jessica stuck her head out of Hannah’s closet door.

“Damn girl! You know we’re not middle schoolers? You know there’s no dress code in college?”

Hannah stood, frowning, with her arms akimbo, staring at the growing pile of pants, long skirts, cardigans, and t-shirts on her bed.

“You’re making a mess! Why are you making such a big deal of this? I’m just there to hang out and watch! I told you I don’t want to do anything! I don’t want to stick out anyways! That was the deal! You promised!”

Jessica walked out into the room, holding a black tank top that was a little smaller than the other tops she had seen. She smiled at Hannah. “What’s this? I daresay that if you wore this someone might be able to see your belly button! Are you sure its not too risqué?”

Hannah grabbed the top from her. “It shrunk in the wash. That’s why it was in the back of my closet. I just couldn’t bring myself to it out.”

Jessica shrugged. “Wear whatever you want. But you’ll going to feel awkward if you dress like a nun at an orgy.”

Hannah’s frowned deepened, and she cast her eyes downward as mild blush spread across her face.

“You’re not getting second thoughts, are you?” Jessica asked.

Hannah stood silently for a few moments, and then began to pace around the room as Jessica watched her with arched eyebrows.

“No.” Hannah said, balling her hands into fists. “I at least want to see this. A few weeks ago you asked me if I was a virgin. Well I’m not—but I don’t see what the big deal is. Lots of people seem to disagree. I guess I want to see firsthand what the big deal is.”

Jessica smirked. “My advice: Don’t see it firsthand. Experience it firsthand. But nobody is going to make you do anything you don’t want to do.” “Wear this,” Jessica went on, thrusting the small tank top towards Hannah. “It’s cute. You’re gorgeous. Showing a little skin never hurt anyone. Believe me, everyone else will be showing a lot more!”

“Fine.” Hannah signed, and looked towards her bed. “But it’s cold. At least let me wear something over it.” She grabbed a grey cardigan from the pile that had been growing on her bed.

“At least wear a skirt?” Jessica asked. “I don’t know if these mom jeans are quite flattering.” Jessica wrinkled her nose at a pile of jeans that she’d pulled out of Hannah’s dresser moments ago. Hannah sighed. “Fine.” She grabbed a maxi-skirt that went down to her ankles from the pile of clothes that was accumulating on her bed.