I pressed my hands against his chest, feeling the words “I love you” on the tip of my tongue, but soft moans came out instead.

I collapsed, falling forward and he slowly slipped out of me.

Catching my breath, I felt him getting out of bed. I wanted to ask where he was going, but he came right back, pulling me against his chest and kissing my forehead.

Neither of us spoke for a long time. We just looked into each other’s eyes.

“I’m going to miss you,” he said. “So fucking much.”

“If we hadn’t ever had sex would you feel the same?”

“Very much so…You’re the only person I talk to almost every day.”

“Unless you have a girlfriend.”

“No.” He blew a strand of hair away from my face. “I still talk to you the same amount even then.”

“That’s probably why they all hate me.”

He grinned, kissing me again. “Probably.” He rolled me off of him and trailed his finger down my side, stopping when he reached my tattoo—a small silver key.

“When did you get this?”

“The same night we got tattoos in eleventh grade.”

”I’ve never noticed it before.”

“I’ve never had a reason to get naked around you before.”

“Hmmm. What does it mean?”

“It means I was drunk and asked for a key, so the technician asked me to describe the type I wanted, and when I couldn’t, he just did his own thing.”

“How deep and insightful…Tell me something you’ve never told me before…” His hand continued to trail down lower, to my thigh.

“I don’t think there’s anything I’ve never told you before.”

“There has to be something.” He kissed my lips. “It doesn’t have to be anything major…”

“You might’ve been partially right about the bush thing with Scott, although I was, in fact. getting bad vibes that had absolutely nothing to do with that…”

“Sure it didn’t.” He smiled. “And once again, for the record, no guy really cares about that…” He glanced down at my legs. “Although, I do enjoy the bare look.”

I rolled my eyes, blushing. “Your turn. Tell me something you haven’t told me before.”

“I hated you in third grade, too.”

“You didn’t even know me in third grade!” I laughed. “Be serious.”

“I wanted to finish what we started at the EPIC party. I wanted to have you against the wall.”

“How romantic.”

“You didn’t say it had to be romantic,” he said. “I am being serious, though…”

“Okay, wait. I just thought of something you’ve never told me about.”

“Doubt it, but what do you think that is?”

“Elliot in eleventh grade. He didn’t come to school for two weeks after my disaster date with him, after you picked me up that night. Any idea why?”

“Nope.” He smirked. “No idea at all.”

“You do know why!” I looked into his eyes. “Tell me!”

“What do I get in return?”

“Not sure, but I’ll leave if you don’t comply…”

“So, this is a threat?”

I nodded. “A very serious one. Tell me…”

“After I got my car back the next day, I called Josh and told him I needed his help with something—told him some guy had mistreated you and I didn’t appreciate it.”

“And?”

“And we found him and beat the shit out of him. He should’ve never left you alone like that…” He trailed my lips with his fingers. “Anything could’ve happened to you…”

My jaw dropped, but I quickly recovered. “He never told on either of you?”

“We gave him plenty of incentive not to.” He smiled. “He deserved it.”

“I can’t believe you did that…”

“Believe it,” he said. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Okay, say it now. Say, I think I love you…Say, I think I’m in love with you…I love you, Carter, I—

His lips were on mine again and my mind lost the thought—deciding to focus on the last few hours of our time together instead of wasting it with more words…

Twelfth Grade

Subject: Truth or Dare

Pick one.

Sincerely,

Carter

Subject: Re: Truth or Dare.

Dare.

Intrigued,

Arizona

Subject: Re: Re: Truth or Dare.

I dare you to tell me what really happened between you and Matt last night.

Sincerely,

Carter

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Truth or Dare

I picked DARE. That’s a TRUTH. That’s cheating! But since we’re speaking of Matt…Gah! I should’ve said no to being his date tonight. Why is he wearing a yellow tuxedo?

Embarrassed,

Arizona

Subject: Awaiting the Dare…

You were definitely better off coming to prom alone. I’m starting to think I should’ve done the same.

My date keeps asking me questions about when I plan on becoming a professional athlete. Tell me what happened between you and Matt, or, actually tell me anything. I need some intelligent conversation. My date doesn’t speak much.

Sincerely,

Carter

Subject: Re: Awaiting the Dare

Meet me at the punch bowl in fifteen minutes.

You’re welcome (in advance) for the distraction,

Arizona

I walked over to the punch bowl minutes later and met Arizona. “I’ve got five minutes before she notices I’ve been away too long.”

“I’ve got ten.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the ballroom.

She tugged on all the doors as we walked down the hallway, until she finally found one that would open: A janitor’s closet.

“We needed to have the conversation in here?” I asked. “Are we in grade school again? Twilight zone, maybe?”

“It was awful.” She slumped against a small chair. “Absolutely awful.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Losing my virginity.” She shook her head. “I’m hoping the next time will be better…”

“There aren’t any do-overs on virginity...That’s…not how that works.”

She rolled her eyes. “I meant sex. I figure he’ll try to do it again tonight, and I’ve heard some girls say it gets better with time so I can only hope.”

“I hope it’s better for you, too…” I sighed. “Sorry it wasn’t what you thought it would be.”

“It’s not your fault…” She looked up at me. “So, when do you plan on telling the media hounds what college you’re attending? You know all of those greedy-eyed recruiters are waiting with bated breath.”

“You’re not?”

“Why would I be?”

“Because I haven’t told you either.”

“But I know you so I’m pretty sure it’s an easy guess.”

“Out of forty six schools with full scholarship offers on the table?” I crossed my arms. “Try me.”