𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 with soft and mature themes.
College senior Sierra adores her best friend Brian, but he inadvertently thwarts her love life on occasion. She didn't expect to meet Nick that night, but they quickly fel...
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"Wake up, sweetheart." Fingers tug the corner of my lips into a smile.
Groaning, I roll to my back and swat Brian's hand. "How are you awake before me?"
"It's almost eleven."
"What day is it?"
"Friday."
Panic shoots through me and I spring from bed, scouring the room for my navy backpack. I scramble to tug my glasses on. No wonder everything was blurry.
Raising his palms, Brian steps forward. "One sec, alright? You're skipping classes this week." He drags his hands down his face. "You know why I'm here, right?"
I try not to show how much it affects me, but my voice comes out like a whimper. "Please don't. Please don't make me do this, B. I'm begging you."
"SiSi..." His forehead pinches as he wets his lips. "Come here."
People checked on me in waves this past week while I drift in and out of consciousness. I haven't slept alone in a week; either Nat or B have spent their nights watching mindless television watching and chatting until I couldn't keep my eyes open. The sedatives pull me under easily, but if I don't take them, I think about Doug. I hate thinking about Doug.
I flop back to my bed, yanking off my glasses. When he sinks next to me, I lay my head on his shoulder, and he pulls me into him, tucking my head beneath his chin. "How many times have you taken care of me?"
Air stutters in my nose as I try and take a deep breath, a shudder running through my body. I bury my wet face into his shirt, muttering I don't understand what he wants from me.
"It's my turn, Si. Let me take care of you. We can do whatever the hell you want. Listen, why don't I drive us to my parent's—"
"No. Do not involve your parents, B." Thick tears roll down my face faster than I can catch them. Patting my eyes with sweater paws, I clear my scratchy throat. "Just let me sleep. I need to sleep."
"Okay, okay, shh." The pressure of his head falls on the side of mine. "I'm with you, sleeping is awesome," he murmurs. "After, we'll come back and sleep until you can't sleep anymore."
"I don't think I can do this."
"Listen!" B moves to kneel in front of me, wrapping his arms around my legs. "You cannot let him skate on this. Doug said you wanted to have sex with him."
A sour taste fills my mouth. "I didn't. I was on a date with this amazing guy," I say, tears brimming my eyes. "And he's not going to want me anymore."
"No, I don't think that's true, but even so... we gotta do this. We can deal with the other stuff after."
