Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

DISTRACTION

JOSH

I walked into school feeling like I'd slept with my head in a vice grip. Every sound, every slam of a locker, and every laugh grated against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. My thoughts spun in circles, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop them from circling back to Laura.

Laura, with her paint-splattered T-shirts and oversized denim jackets, the kind of clothes that looked like she just threw them on without a second thought. The kind of clothes that should've made her blend in. Except, she didn't blend in. Not to me. Not anymore.

My chest tightened as I spotted her at her locker. She didn't notice me-or maybe she was pretending not to. She was laughing at something Jess said, her face lighting up in a way that made something twist inside me. All I could see was her in that satin purple dress from the party, the way it clung to her curves and shimmered under the lights. The way her skin had felt beneath my palm when I steadied her.

But then, just as quickly, the image of her in the dress was replaced by another memory. Her face after the fight with Tim. The way she flinched when I moved too fast.

"Fuck it," I muttered under my breath, slamming my locker shut. The sound echoed down the hall, loud enough to make Luke, who was standing next to me, freeze mid-conversation.

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288 Vouchers.

with you?" he

"Nothing. Just not feeling

"Same. Feels like everyone's out of sync lately. You, me, even Britney's been all over

walked down the hallway like she owned it, her cheerleader uniform fitting just right, her blonde hair swept up in a high ponytail that bounced with every

Josh," she purred, her voice syrupy sweet. Before I could respond, her hand slid across my forearm, her nails lightly dragging against my skin. "You've been so hard

leaning back against the lockers. "Something like

know, I've been thinking we should hang out

a smirk, even though my chest felt tight. Britney was easy. Predictable. The kind of girl who knew what she wanted and didn't hesitate to

voice drop just enough to

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288 Vouchers

do you

parted in a coy smile, but I pushed off the lockers before she could answer and nodded toward the doors leading to the

My mind was still stuck on Laura. We reached the bleachers, and I turned toward Britney, my hands sliding to her waist as I pressed her against the wall. She gasped,