cover photo found here:

Zara POV

Spring in Maine was strangely felt warm after a harsh, cold winter. It's been nearly a year with no evil pixies, no apocalypses, no Norse gods, and no danger. Astley and I were still together and he was still as loving and calm as when I met him. Issie was as lively as ever with it being the end of our senior year and things still going steady with Devyn. She was even more thrilled for prom this weekend. We had gotten our dresses last month. Mine was a strapless, white fit and flare with pleating at the bottom and black beading on the side; Issie was going for a classy look; She got a long, red fit and flare dress with black embroidering on the side with a pair of long black gloves and a bird's cage to go with her up doo.

"I'm so excited! I can't believe prom is THIS weekend! Isn't it weird?" Issie said semi-cheerfully.

Issie and I were just chilling at my house. Senior year had really taken up a lot of our time, so we needed to catch up. We hadn't hung out since we got our dresses, which was like a year for us. I looked up from my plate of spaghetti to Issie and laughed at her cheerfulness. I was eager especially because there was only a month left of high school. I suddenly became aware that Issie was just pushing her food around and not eating with a thick frown on her face.

"What's wrong? Tired of spaghetti?" I asked kiddingly. Issie didn't even laugh. I set my fork down. "Is, what's bothering you?"

She let out a long sigh, and then tore her gaze from her spaghetti. Her gaze met mine. Her eyes haunted and confused. She paused, then said, "Can I ask you something? Something personal?"

"Anything, Is, you know that." I told her seriously.

"Have you and Astley… ya know.. done the deed?"

Deed? What was she—. "Oh my god, Issie. No. Astley and I haven't had sex."

"Have you thought about it?" She asked me timidly. I could feel my cheeks heat. I can't say I haven't thought of it. We had actually gotten pretty close to having sex, but Astley knew without asking that I wasn't ready, being the unconditional gentlemen he is. I loved him for that.

"Well.. yea, but I'm not quite ready and Astley knows that." I looked at Issie, but she was suddenly interested in her spaghetti again. She pushed it around with her fork and frowned at it. "Issie, where did this all come from?" I paused. Then it hit me. My eyes widened. "Did you and Devyn—?"

She threw her fork down. "Fine! Yes we did it! Am I such a terrible person for wanting to have sex?" She yelled.

"Wow, didn't think Devyn had it in him.." I kidded. Issie gave me a look that said Really? I gave her a small laugh as she frowned at me.

"I'm being serious, Zara."

"I know. I'm sorry, Is. There's nothing wrong with it." I paused. "Did you—"

"Yes, we used protection."

There was an awkward silence between us. I was kind of taken back at the idea of Devyn and Issie having sex. I didn't think they had it in them, well just not quite yet.

"Sooo…. How was it?" I asked breaking the silence. Issie smiled at me, her peppy self again.

"It was Amazing! I mean it was kind of awkward at first because neither of us knew what we were doing, but then Devyn kind of got into the rhythm of it…"

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa.. I don't need that many details."

We both broke into laughter. During our laughter I heard a knock on the door.

"I've got it." I told Issie. I got up from the table and headed to the door. I opened the door. I was greeted by Astley's cool, blue eyes and warm smile. A blond curl hung lightly above his eyes. I reached my hand up and pushed it aside, then wrapped my arms around his neck. He put his hands on my hips and pulled me closer. I giggled as he knelt down and met my lips with his. Our lips touched with a soft, light kiss that quickly deepened. I dug my hands further into his hair deepening the kiss. He let out a soft moan. From across the room, I heard Issie clear her throat.

"Please keep it PG rated, thank you."

Astley laughed deeply. I rested my head on his chest, sliding my hands down to his chest.

"Was I interrupting something?"

"No." "Yes." Issie and I said in unison.

I looked over towards her glaring; she smiled sweetly at me, batting her eyes. Astley chuckled.

"It's fine. I'll come back when you're alone.." He said into my ear. His warm breath on my neck, sending chills down my back. I heard a gagging noise come from Issie. I looked up at Astley, giving him one last kiss before leaving. I watched him retreat down the driveway until finally closing the door. Putting my back to the door, I sighed heavily then looked at Issie.

"You really know how to kill a mood." I told her. She held her hands up innocently.

"Hey, I was just protecting myself from being mental scarred."

I sighed as I sat down at the table and continued with my spaghetti. There was silence for a moment.

"Do you think you and Astley will have sex?" I practically choked on my spaghetti before spitting it out. "I'm just asking, you guys are so close, and ya know like 90% of the virgin population loses their virginity at prom which is this weekend."

I set my fork down and wiped my mouth with a napkin. I paused before answering, pondering on it. Sex. Sex was a huge thing, well for some. It didn't really come up in conversation when I talked to Astley. I didn't even know if Astley was still ya know a virgin.

"I honestly don't know. If it happens, it happens. I'm not going to force it." I answered seriously.

Issie merely nodded. "Well I need to get home. My mom is still all whack-o about curfew even after a year. I mean seriously, I'm 18!" I laughed and she grunted angrily.

"See you tomorrow, Is." I told her as she headed out. She waved at me cheerfully. I waited until she got into her car and drove off to close the door. I leaned against it and sighed for a moment, then headed to my room. I flopped onto my bed, sprawled across it. My eyes began to feel heavy and weary. You know when you have that moment were you say to yourself I'll only rest my eyes for a minute. What felt like a while later, I jumped up and looked at my clock; it read 11:38 p.m.

Astley hadn't come back. I can't say I wasn't disappointed and a little sad. Okay, more than a little.

I slid my legs off my bed and headed for my dresser. I shimmed off my skinny jeans and threw on some fleece shorts. I looked towards my bathroom and stared at it for a while, wondering if I should wash my face and such, but in the end, the dull ache of my heart won and I flopped back onto my bed.

Slowly, my mind and heart eased and I drifted to sleep.