Page 31 of Powerless

“That’s different.”

“Either you are or you’re not.”

“No, I’m not.”

“And how old were you when you had sex for the first time?” she asks.

“The day after my sixteenth birthday.”

“Aha.” She lifts her hand to wave it at me as she moves off the tree and begins walking back to where the picnic is set. “So, why should I be any different? It’s okay for guys to have sex at sixteen—or even younger—but it’s not for us?”

“That’s not what I was saying.”

“Then what?” She stops walking and places a hand on her hip while looking up at me.

“I just didn’t think you were that type of girl.” Her gaping mouth, high brows, big eyes, and head tilt tell me I probably shouldn’t have said that. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Well, you sound like a highly judgmental, entitled white man. Just so I’m clear, you do it and you’re a stud, I do it and I’m a slut?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose as I lower my head and exhale the frustration. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be so damn judgmental of people, Bennett.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and slowly nod. “I know, I did judge you. And, not that I’m trying to excuse it, but your admission surprised me.”

“Just remember what were you doing at sixteen? Why should others be different?”

Kathryn’s right, that’s exactly what I did. I judged her on something I did myself. “I’m sorry,” I apologize again.

“Apology accepted, now, let’s eat.” She reaches for my hand, and a massive weight lifts off my shoulders. We head back to the picnic where we spend hours talking about everything and anything.

By the end of the night, there’s one thing I know absolutely. I love Kathryn more with every breath I take.

10

KATHRYN

College has started and I’m damned miserable.

I hate that Bennett and I have to sneak around. I also hate the fact he’s on the opposite side of the country. And I hate this damn degree I’m doing.

But the thing I hate most of all is that every day is miserable. If Bennett was with me, it would all be a little more bearable, but all we can do is text and FaceTime.

Luckily, my dorm roommate is the thing that’s getting me through. Faith couldn’t be any more opposite to me. She’s loud, bubbly, has numerous piercings, many tattoos, and hair that’s changed color twice in the week we’ve been here. And man, is she one messy roommate. But, she’s so beautiful and accepting of everyone. It also helps that we get on like we’ve been living together for years instead of days.

“You have to stop moping around,” Faith says when she walks into our room and sees me sitting on the bed working on my laptop.

“I’m working,” I say as I glance up to see she’s changed her hair color for a third time. “I like this one the best so far.” I point to her lilac hair.

“Yeah, I like it too.” She walks over to stand in front of the mirror and tilts her head from side to side. She then pivots and walks over to my bed, where she plonks down. “We should go out.”

“No can do. I’ve already got two papers due in two weeks.”

“Already?” Faith screws up her nose.

“Uh-huh.” I glance at her, then back to my laptop screen. “It’s crazy.”

“What’s crazy is you being so damn serious. Come on, let’s go out tonight. There’s a cool bar in town that we can go to.”

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