Page 18 of Piggy

“That guy’s a loser.”

“So! Wait, I don’t understand. You said to get experience. Find someone. I’m telling you, Grayson. I think he was into me. He’s not even dorky or a virgin. This is great! He’s had sex before too, so he’ll... you know... last longer than ten seconds.”

Grayson curls his lip, disgusted. “I meant find someone innocent, like you. Not fucking Alex West.”

My chin trembles, shocked he isn’t amazed by this news. “You’re ruining this. Don’t make it sound bad. I’m really excited.” I choke back tears. “I don’t even know if the guy will kiss me, let alone sleep with me, but I prayed for this and—”

“You prayed for this? A one-night stand at your brother’s party?”

I skip the internal ‘Calm down, Charlotte’ speech, and as hard as I can, I shove Grayson, causing his back to thump against the sliding glass door. He definitely wasn’t expecting it.

Oops. I freaked out. Ah, hell with it!

“Fuck you!” I yell — a phrase I rarely use.

By now, more people have arrived for the party and, as I feared, I hear their laughter follow me as I storm past them.

“Wee, wee!” Killian teases, mocking a pig as he rolls a blunt. “Peepin’ Piggy is squealing again!”

“Watch out!” adds Brax. “Her face turns red when she screams!”

I snap my eyes shut. Just as I’m about to duck into the hall, I side glance.

Coming through the front door: Alex.

Shoot! He can’t see me at my worst. I move faster, running into my bedroom. Of course, I cry into my pillow for a while until I calm down.

I wait, trying to collect myself. Eventually, the party is at full swing, evident by the loud thumping of music against the walls and people laughing.

Normally, I would stay in my room.

But not tonight.

I’m changing my life. I have to do things differently. I take a deep breath and step out.

I spot Alex quick. He’s lighting up with a group of guys who are doing the same. Cautiously, I walk over to him.

Please be happy to see me.Please.

“Aye yo! Charlotte!” he greets, slinging his arm over my shoulder, giving me a strong side-hug.

Erm-my-gosh!

A few curious glances flash our way. The kind of glances that say, “Bruh, you likePiggy?”

To my surprise, Alex doesn’t unhook from me. He offers a drag from his joint, but I decline respectfully.

He laughs and squeezes me tighter. “Such a cutie.”

He said it again!

“Thanks,” I reply bashfully.

He laughs. “Look at her. All shy and shit.” His glassy, bloodshot eyes sparkle.

Oh my God. I might be in love.

The rest of the night flies. It is heaven. However, Brax gives me more than one weird look. Surely, he’s surprised I’m glued to a guy. But they aren’t really friends, so I guess he doesn’t mind.

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