The Last Virgin Standing

Chapter 31: Benefits of the Aging Process

Banner by Lorimorris.

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Chapter 31: Benefits of the Aging Process

"Hey, Summers!"

Only one person called me by my last name, and that was Tyler. I turned around. He was casually walking towards me, his pace steadily--and painfully, I might add--slow. "Would you hurry up? I'm going to be late."

"Oh, relax. You have, like, two minutes."

"But my class is all the way down the hallway."

"If you run, you'll make it."

"Or you could hurry."

"Nah."

I shook my head and rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Whatever. Talk to me later, then."

"Charlotte, wait."

"If you're going to say something, then just say it!"

"A little impatient today, are we?"

"Bye, Tyler."

"Do you want to?"

"Do I want to what?"

He smirked. "Forget about it. I'll tell you later. I wouldn't want you to be tardy."

"You're impossible."

"I'm entirely possible, Summers. After all, I'm here, aren't I?"

"Stop that! You sound like the Chesire Cat from Alice and Wonderland. What were you going to say?"

He turned around. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"You're a jerk."

"You're the one who wanted to be Little Miss Schoolgirl."

"I'm going to be late anyways."

"Then I suggest you better start running."

Rolling my eyes, I decided that I'd hunt him down later. This would not be the first time I'd been tardy because of the boys, and Dad questioning my multitude of tardies was not something I wanted to deal with. I was proud of my attendance record before the school year started. It wasn't spotless (because lady problems did arise in between classes), but I attempted to keep the blemishes to a minimum.

I half-ran to my class, not wanting to run in fear I would look ridiculous and not walking to be any later than necessary. I avoided eye contact with the rest of the stragglers, most of whom didn't care if they were late. Half of them were probably skipping class anyways.

***

"How's your attendance record, Summers?"

"I don't know. She didn't mention anything about me being late."

"I suppose it all depends on what mood she was in."

"I hope she granted me amnesty."

"Good luck with that."

"Thank you. So what was it that you wanted to ask me?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me somewhere."

"Another birthday party?"

Tyler's laugh was a low growl contained with notes of amusement. He shook his head. "No. I was thinking something more private and less childish."

I smiled, tilting my head up at him. "What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking we could go up into the mountains."