Page 2 of Dirty Girl

“No. Oh God, please don’t… don’t say another word.” She stumbles over her words and it’s a fight to not smile at how adorable she is when embarrassed. “I… I should go.”

She jumps out of the bed so quickly she stumbles. I catch her before she falls flat on her face. She pulls away from my hands like my touch burns her and practically runs for the door. She turns to look at me one last time before fleeing down the hall.

Dylan

I bang my head against the closed bathroom door. Did I just get caught masturbating in Jenson’s bed—moaning Jenson’s name—by Jenson himself? How the hell did I let myself fall asleep in his bed? It’s all Jackie’s fault. Last night, I was lonely after she snuck out to meet a boy.

Not that I need an excuse to want to be in Jenson’s space—I end up in his room almost every time I stay here. I’m like a moth to flame when it comes to him. It’s been that way since the first time I laid eyes on him.

I was ten years old and had just moved to California. The move was hard for me. I’m painfully shy and don’t make friends easily. Not to mention the fact that I don’t do well in new situations. I’m incredibly awkward. I attracted the attention of the mean girls right away and they encouraged the rest of the popular crowd to torment me. It was hell.

I’ll never forget the day I met Jackie. I’d been at school for two weeks and every day seemed worse than the last. Adam Swartz was throwing rocks at me while I sat under a tree reading at recess. I ignored him because if there was one thing I had learned, standing up to him and the others only made matters that much worse. When I ignored them, they eventually got tired of not getting a reaction and left me alone.

I had just turned the page of my book when it was snatched out of my hands and tossed into a mud puddle. I’d love to say that it was the final straw and I punched stupid Adam Swartz in the mouth, but I didn’t. Though, I didn’t get the chance to react because a little dark haired firecracker jumped between us and shoved Adam right into the mud puddle he had tossed my book into.

She looked down her nose at him and snarled like an animal. I stood there in shock, watching the most popular girl in the whole school stand up for me. It had been her first day back in class after having her tonsils out and I hadn’t had a chance to meet her, but I’d been hearing about her for days. The other kids were all excited to have her back in class. I was nervous because the popular kids were the ones that picked on me the most—they were the ringleaders. I sort of expected her to be the worst of all.

“I’m going to tell your mom that you are a big ole bully,” Jackie snarled. “You’re not allowed to pick on my best friend.” Her words shocked me and I looked around wondering who she was talking about. She looked around the playground at all the kids who had stopped playing to stare at us. “None of you can pick on my best friend or I’ll tell Jenson.”

I had no clue who Jenson was, but that got their attention. They all scampered off to play, including Adam, leaving Jackie standing in front of me.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Let’s go play, bestie!”

And that was that.

Jackie Johns had claimed the meek little mouse for her friend. It didn’t stop all the bullying, but anytime Jackie caught wind of it she put a stop to it instantly. I have a feeling the threat of her brother being told was what really stopped the bulk of the bullying.

Even now, Jackie is constantly trying to get me to stand up for myself. Bless her heart, but it’s in my nature to avoid confrontation. I’m not a complete pushover—I can stand up for myself when necessary—I just choose not to unless it’s important.

Like the time I punched a boy in the eye for kissing me without my permission. I felt so bad about it when I saw the black eye I’d given him that I cried. Jackie thought it was hilarious and called me slugger for months. It took Jenson telling her to knock it off for her to stop.

Jenson always stood up for me, too. It was nice. A little too nice. I had a crush the size of the Grand Canyon on him. It all started as hero worship. Whenever I stayed at Jackie’s house, we followed him and his friends around like lost puppies. Normal big brothers would have gotten annoyed, but Jenson just laughed and let us be a part of the action.

I loved spending time with both him and Jackie. I always ate up their attention. They were my best friends… until Jenson changed. I’m not sure what happened, but one day he no longer wanted to spend time with us. Jackie just chalked it up to him being a moody teenager—something she overheard her mother say—but to me it was devastating.

When he started openly avoiding me, I tried to not let it bother me. It broke my heart each time he left at the sight of me, but it didn’t stop me from crushing on him. In fact, it made things worse. I found myself sneaking into his room just to feel close to him again. I’ve been doing it for years now without getting caught. It was so stupid of me to be in there knowing he was on his way home.

Putting my ear to the door, I listen for any sounds of movement in the hallway. Not hearing anything, I exit the bathroom and go to Jackie’s room. She’s still not home and I’m relieved. I dress in my clothes from yesterday and jot a quick note to her apologizing for leaving. Telling her I don’t feel well and that I don’t want to risk getting anyone sick at the big anniversary party tomorrow night should appease her.

I sneak out of the house, practically running to my car. I click on my seatbelt and put the car in gear when movement at the front door catches my attention.

Jenson.

He’s standing in the doorway, arms crossed against his wide, naked chest. My mouth goes dry as my eyes devour his silhouette. My panties are still wet from touching myself to thoughts of him. The man himself is so much more than my mind could ever give justice.

I shake myself out of my Jenson inspired trance and drive away.

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