Page 98 of Theodore

“You sawRyan?! What the hell, where was this?”

“He was at the coffee shop. Well, coming out of it when I walked by,” Mara swallowed as I reached out to hold her hand.

“It was thewayhe looked at me. Like I was aslut. You should’ve seen his eyes.”

“You’re not a slut, Mara.” I reassured her, wrapping my arms around her as she cried.

For weeks she’d withdrawn from everything, skipping school and even avoidingme. Finally, I had convinced her to come over after promising her Ryan was not in.

“Then why do I feel like one?” Mara wailed as I kissed her forehead.

“Do you know how many guys I’ve slept with?” I asked her, peering into her beautiful eyes as she shook her head. “Neither do I. But it’s a lot.”

We sniggered then, and I rubbed her hand.

“Theo’s seen me withcountlessguys,” I admitted.

Mara shook her head in disbelief.

“You guys aregoals, for real.”

“But look at us now. I’m his, and he’s mine. Now we’re together; itmatterswhat we do. It matterswhowe fuck. Because we aretogether. Ryan can’t say shit. He had every opportunity to get with you.”

She nodded as she met my eyes.

“Yeah, that’s true. If he’s so bothered, why didn’t he get with me himself? Argh. I hate men.”

I smiled as she hugged me, and I made a mental note to kick Ryan’s arse.

Then Edward’s.

“So, how was your first time?” I asked and she cringed a little.

“OhGod, I wassodrunk. I can remember his body was...ripped.”

Mara giggled as I leaned back against my bed, listening to her tell me about Edward’s body. “And it was big. Not that I have anything to compare it to.”

“But was it good?”

“Yeah…he was nice. He’s texted me since to see if I’m okay... he’s even asked me on a date.”

“But?”

“I don’t know. I feel like I should give Edward a chance. It’s over between Ryan and me.” She shrugged sadly.

“Do what feels right. At least your first time wasn’t horrible. Mine tried to have sex with me through my tights.”

We burst out laughing then as I groaned, trying to erase the memory from my mind. We heard the door bang downstairs, and we looked at each other in surprise.

“OhGod,” Mara whispered as we heard footsteps move upstairs. “Is ithim?”

I stood up, hurrying to my door as I opened it a crack, peering through.

Ryan.

“Hannah, you home?” he yelled as I jumped back from the doorway, hurrying back to my place on the floor.

“Yeah, what’s up?” I called back as Mara stared at me with horror.