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.

he asked, his

teeth. "Nothing. Just not feeling

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

mention of her name, Britney appeared. She 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 step. She

nails lightly dragging against my skin.

back against the lockers.

perfume-a little too sweet, like candy. "You know, I've been thinking we

she wanted and didn't hesitate to go after it. Maybe that's what I needed right now-something simple. Something that wouldn't leave me lying awake at night,

voice

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288 Vouchers

in closer. "What do you

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

herself-but I wasn't really listening. 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, her hands flying to my chest, but I didn't give her time to say anything. I kissed her hard and fast, hoping it would drown out the mess in my head. Her hands moved up to my shoulders, and she