When it Happens

Chapter 24

I couldn't fall asleep that night. I was tossing a turning, not being able to find the right position, and not being able to get my mind off of Nate. I couldn't believe I had stooped that low. At that moment, I wanted to give it all to him. But after my climax, I just felt icky. It's not like I was saving myself for marriage, but Jesus Christ, I was going to lose my virginity in a shower?

When I flipped my body to face the clock and saw it read 4:57 A.M., I pulled the sheets off my body, and crept out of bed, careful not to wake up Shannon as I tip-toed past her bed. I did what my gut instinct told me to do; get up and take a jog on the beach. So, I grabbed a sports bra, slipped it on under my t-shirt, and headed down to the shore.

It was really relaxing, actually. And since I loved to run, it was easy for me. After what seemed only five minutes, I glanced down at my watch and saw it was 6:03. Dang! Time flew. I jogged back to the house and with his feet in the water of the beach, I saw Nate.

"What are you doing up this early?" I questioned him, tilting my head slightly.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I asked you first."

He chuckled, "I heard your door creak open. I'm a light sleeper." I joined him sitting on the ground, the waves lightly brushing against our feet, digging them into the sand. "Okay," he continued. "Your turn."

"I couldn't go to sleep. I was filled with thoughts. So I decided to go for a jog."

"Would those thoughts happen to do with...," he asked awkwardly, referring to that night.

"Yeah. I don't know, I just kind of freaked out. It's not like I'm trying to save myself for marriage, but... I don't even know. You probably think I'm crazy. All those girls you've done this with have never reacted like this."

"Wait... you don't mean to tell me- you're a virgin?"

I nodded, smiling through embarrassment. 

His eyebrows furrowed together, and his lips quivered. "No. you're lying. You're saying you and Mikey have never done anything?"

What!? He thought me and Mikey had sex before? Yeah, right.

"Nope. We have never done anything. Just made out a few times. Maybe got handsy a couple times."

"Shit, Vivian," he dropped his head. "I'm such a dick. I just ate you out! Why didn't you tell me?"

"No!" I exclaimed. "It felt great, Nate. I regret nothing. I didn't tell you because that's something I'm kind of embarrassed about." I looked up at him. "You think I'm a prude, don't you?"

"A prude? Are you kidding? If anything, I'm impressed. And I feel like a huge jackass."

Huh, definitely not the reaction I was going for.

"Impressed?"

He nodded. "Hell yeah. Do you know how hard it is to get through your high school years a virgin? With all the temptations?"

I bobbed my head up and down in understanding. "I just... I really like you, Nate. And I wanna take things slow with you."

"Totally. When you're ready, I'm ready. And, just so you know, Ralphie... You're not just some girl to me. You already mean so much more to me than I could have ever thought."

I smiled from ear to ear as he said that, as I leaned towards him, kissing him. He lifted his hand and placed it on my jawline. I break from him and rest my nose on his, whispering, "We should probably get back before the others notice we're gone."