That Summer (Part One) by Lauren Crossley Page B

women is beyond a joke. I’m a
virgin and have never even come close to having sex in my entire life, yet one
picture disproves all of that. I’m no longer respected and neither is my
virtue. One decision was all it took to ruin everything and for that, I don’t
know whether to despise myself or the people who have caused me to feel this
way.
    Utterly
exhausted and physically drained, I decide to drag my weary body back up the
stairs. I really can’t face anything to eat but the idea of a hot bath is
something I’m unable to resist.
    Immersing
myself in the water, I close my eyes and try to rid myself of the intrusive
thoughts which keep on trying to disturb my relaxation. I try so hard but the
image I have of Cole right before I left him refuses to leave my mind. I decide
the only thing I can do for now is go to bed and try to fall asleep. I change
into my pyjamas before switching out my bedroom light, hoping that I won’t be
awake for too long. I end up tossing and turning for about an hour before I
finally give into my body’s desire for sleep.
    It’s
around three o’clock in the morning when a noise at my bedroom window wakes me
up. I could have sworn it sounded like someone was tapping on it or throwing
stones, at least that’s what I thought . It’s only when I sit up in bed
and check the time on my alarm clock that I hear the same noise again.
    Rubbing
my tired eyes, I crawl across my bed towards the window and peek through my
curtains. At first I don’t see anything but darkness as my eyes take several
moments to adjust. When I notice a tall silhouette standing underneath my
bedroom window, I quickly come to realise that I was not mistaken, I really did
hear something.
    Cole.
    I
scramble for the latch, hurting my fingers in the process. I’m so frantic in my
attempt to get it open.
    “Why
are you here?” I whisper, leaning out my bedroom window.
    “I
need to speak to you. Please let me in, Green.” He takes a step back, gazing up
at me with those magnificent brown eyes of his.
    “I
thought you had been arrested?”
    “I’ll
explain everything, I promise.” He assures me. “Just let me come inside.”
    I
hesitate for a moment, considering what will happen if I give my consent and
let him in.
    “Ok,
meet me at the back door.” I instruct him, closing the window before I make my
way downstairs.
    I’m
so fortunate that my mum isn’t home right now. She’s working the night shift at
the hospital and won’t get back until I leave for college in the morning. This
is one of the reason I agreed to let Cole inside. I’m unbelievably curious and
simply can’t turn down the opportunity to have some time alone with the man who
has occupied my thoughts for so long.
    I
tip toe through the living room and into the kitchen, hastily unlocking the
back door before I change my mind.
    “Hi,
Green.” He smiles softly but remains outside, evidently waiting for me to ask
him to come in.
    “I
can’t believe you’re really here.” I tell him, trembling uncontrollably.
    “I
had to come.” He replies sincerely. “I need to explain things to you before you
hear anything from anyone else.”
    His
hungry gaze wanders down my body, taking in my black vest top and red shorts. I
raced downstairs so fast, I didn’t even think about grabbing anything else to
wear before I answered the door to him. Overwhelmed by the feeling of being
exposed and entirely self-conscious, I fold my arms across my chest, hoping to
preserve some of my modesty from his penetrating stare.
    “Please
don’t cover up on my account. I quite like the cute little outfit you’re
wearing.”
    He
says it in a playful manner but I can’t help myself from turning bright red by
his compliment. I can feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment and decide to
change the subject before he takes it one step further and says something else
which will increase my heart rate.
    “My
friend Lisa already called me. She’s the one who told me you were