Chapter 8

Her Homecoming was similar to his, they'd gone out to dinner and then danced together the whole night. This time they were one of the couples on the floor who kissed like there was no tomorrow. That night there was no room waiting upstairs for them, the principal had seen to that. Both were secretly relieved, for different reasons.

He was convinced she wasn't a virgin, just because of how mature she acted and how good-looking she was. He had this nagging theory that had formed from his brief knowledge of her last boyfriend: She had slept with him right away, then he'd just ignored her, not wanting her around anymore. Ryan hoped that wasn't the case.

They talked to each other every night on the phone. He always made her laugh, he was so funny. But he could get serious too, and told her how he felt about his parents and his relationship with them, and what he wanted to do after high school. He was the most sensitive guy she'd ever known, certainly a contrast to her last boyfriend.

He wished they went to the same school, or at least lived close enough where he could bike over to see her. As it was it took fifteen minutes by car to her house from his. But whenever he went out with his friends she went too, and he longed for his license so he could take her out on his own, just the two of them, without having to wait for a ride.

His parents loved her, and she liked going over there and didn't seem to mind putting up with them. His parents were pretty cool about stuff, but he wasn't about to attempt to lock them out of his room with her in there.

A month into their relationship they'd only French-kissed. They hadn't had many opportunities to do more.

One Friday night they were alone on a couch at a friend's house, the parents gone and Ryan's friend busy in his room with his own girl. While they were kissing, he slowly slid his hand up to her breast and cupped it.

Jen immediately pushed him away from her. Ryan was hurt and horrified, not knowing what to do, or how to react to her rejection of him.

She felt like a complete fool, she shouldn't have reacted that way. She was just so insecure about her body, and she'd panicked. She was scared he'd think she was a baby if he saw her. She felt like such a bitch. He'd turned away from her on the couch, hurt.

She touched his shoulder, "Ryan?"

He didn't answer.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean it, Ryan... I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry... "

He turned to face her, not looking her in the eyes. "What- why'd you do that?" he asked her, the hurt evident in his voice.

"I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry... " she repeated. He turned away again, then looked back at her.