Page 36 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I force myself to sleep. I have plenty to do tomorrow. Bonnie and I are going out, and I have to make sure that there’s no evidence of Ash on me.

***

In the morning, Bonnie and I head out as soon as the sun is up. She points out different animals before nearly driving them away because of how she stomps through the woods. I get plenty of photos, anyway, and the morning passes quickly before we stop by the lake to cool off.

I spread the blanket on a patch of leaves, and I sit with my legs tucked underneath me. Bonnie leans back on her arms, her smiling face turned upward as she basks in the soft breeze.

“Got a lot of decent photos,” I comment, scrolling through the camera.

Bonnie leans in and looks them over with me. “They’re amazing. I bet that photo studio won’t reject your application if you send these.”

Oh yes, they would. These are very similar to the ones I’d sent the first time I applied, and they didn’t accept them. It would be a waste a time to repeat the same mistake.

“Wait a minute… isn’t the deadline already gone?” Bonnie asks.

“Um… yeah, it was yesterday.”

“And? Did you re-apply?”

“Yup. I sent some photos I’d taken while hiking the other day.” I keep my eyes glued to the camera, hoping she doesn’t read the lie on my face.

Bonnie—nor anyone in my family—can’t know that I re-applied using those photos of Ash. She can never find out that I’m associated with Ash like this.

“Well, I’m keeping my fingers crossed this time.”

I cross my two fingers, waving them at her. “Me, too.”

Now, there’s a long, uneasy wait until the end of summer before I’ll know what they decide.

Bonnie gets to her feet, brushing imaginary debris off her butt. “Come on, let’s go for a dip before the crowd comes.”

Setting the camera down, I shimmy out of my shorts but keep my T-shirt on, knowing people will eventually show up. The thumb-ups from my party are still fresh on my mind, but I’m not a hundred percent comfortable being half-naked with people around.

Bonnie and I have a good time, splashing each other and cooling off.

Then Peter and his friends show up.

It was good while it lasted.

He looks me over and shakes his head. “Love that you went with the T-shirt cover up again. Thanks for not putting me through that torture.”

Bonnie looks about ready to get into his face, but two of his friends distract her, getting her talking about a new video game as I wrap up in a towel.

I don’t need this bullshit. “Leave me alone, Peter. I’m not interested in an argument today.”

“Oh, come on, Elvira. What would your summer be without me pulling our pigtails?” Peter asks, actively tugging on my hair.

I slap his hand away. “Look, it’s not my fault you have nothing better to do.”

He opens his mouth to reply, but I’m done with his crap.

“Since you always tell me I’m not hot enough or too weird, why the hell do you keep messing with me? You should be hanging with some girl who isn’t … unless those girls have decidedyou’renot good enough.” I put my hand on my hip. “Is that what it is? Your special brand of charm just doesn’t measure up?”

He sneers at me. “You’re a fucking piece of work.”

“And I haven’t forgotten the stunt you pulled two years ago. You’re lucky I stopped Chase from beating your ass.” I get his face, tossing my damp hair over my shoulder. “Keep fucking with me, and I’ll change my mind. Your brother won’t be enough to save you, either.”

Bonnie untangles herself from the guys as I turn away from Peter’s red face. “Way to go, Sky!” she exclaims, falling in line with me.

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