p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a2465a99a45393fdae70fae4985eca98"[AN: Hey babes. Alliegator here! So, mini recap time. Remember where I said the rating was Mature? For suggestive stuff and language? Great. So. That will come into effect here. No sex. But suggestiveness.😏😏 Anyhow. Did I mention you look like a babe today? Because you do. Also, the authors note from last chapter will come into effect this chapter./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="38e00228caa1a69fa58d3198f667374a"Love you! Mwah. Stay chic,br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /~~~Alliegator]/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="debb441501683a9e8f096db95f096204"••• 5 years ago •••/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3775cd9a86bf7b9e85cf347702a41820""VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY'S OURS! WE'RE GONNA WIN 'CAUSE WE ARE THE STARS!" The victory cheer was pretty cheesy but I knew that the fact I even got on the squad was great. No matter how sucky the cheers were./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3c5f49c1c9d8b7d50b27ddbe9b5e1d42"And then I caught his eye. The I know that everyone says that, but it really was like that./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c34c56ba955e672ad3d8b61af6784eee"I had heard about the British exchange student, but I didn't know he was the new quarterback. Dixie or Dede or Debbie or whatever his name was, he was cute. And British. [AN: ;-)] A brown mop covered his head and amber-brown eyes stared back into mine. Cue the blush. And the staring. But of course, Royal, a blond junior on the team, AKA bimbo, waved back and I realized he wouldn't want anything with me. Oh well./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="6423db09bc4f1a8f05dc3e7a0dc6edf6"Except he did. After the first football game of the season, which we won, he walked over to where I was sitting with Royal. I, being my weird self, figured that I might as well get to meet him before he hooked up with the blonde bimbo, right?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f964e0eda68723a2e501dc0f5356cb84""Ello. Fancy seeing you here." Dana said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="6ac405a4924cfa66b535cc4a6e5c166d""Well I should hope not. Cheerleaders typically *cheerlead* at football games." I said with a smirk./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e7c5d0e767ca0913c3c0319f62b19c12""Well bloody hell, I thought you skied. Guess I learned something new today." Dahlia said. I couldn't contain my giggle. Sadly, bimbo cut in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a835019582eb429a4548a05d2466f882""Hi there sweetie. I'm Royal. Top candidate for captain next year." Royal interrupted. David and I quickly stopped laughing to stare. I'm pretty sure everyone knew that she could barely do a cartwheel. At least, not without 'breaking a nail'./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2dfd00a4da8b6f77705ce83d5e1a46f8""Anyhow." Daniel and I shared a look. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Well that was rude. /em"Would you care to grab a spot of tea sometime?" He asked me. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Without blondy./em At least, that seemed obvious./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b42e4ea59b5e040cc68d71a7c5c0f803""Sure!" Royal butted in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1522fc9845bbefcd2ec6410e3d16b491""I'm sorry, I was talking to-What's your name, dear?" He interjected./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f37270ee8bfde9d15dfd9bcb9d05184f""Cerise." I quickly put in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f266da3fc1ae91e5b863858c7a0d04ff""Yes,right. I was talking to cerise here." He said with a glance at me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ccdb58fa757789cdfb2245ee5a37b32d"With a em style="box-sizing: border-box;"hmph/em, Royal stormed off to go flirt with some second-string loser./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="be272d2ce1e9bbf5d0a4c6435c8626b0"[AN: No offense to Brits or blondes. Especially bimbos. I'm sure you are very nice. ;-) jk. No offense though.]/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a2bb5b2119e5633e50cd3c69df5a6201"••• 5 and 3/4 years earlier •••/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7f626e15101fd71ecba1b3aa34b2609d""Hey babe." Dex said as I walked into his room. His parents were rich enough to get him an apartment overseas rather than let him stay with an exchange family./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1e7c5f94debf156bc78d92727e898a42"I plopped down on his couch with my bag of McDonald's./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c503f67db41ea6e8e5d021a30ead4320""Hey babe." I said with a mouthful of Big Mac./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="50e3d4f049dc4e5259961ce69b6def2d"I handed him his chicken wrap and coke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b311aba3c0e66fc83bd040be0cb65e55""How was therapy?" He asked casually but carefully, not to step on any mines./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a518f4d56c3ba893dff09f1d2ffd1725""Meh. Just watched a video. I prefer group therapy to personal sessions. Usually I can sneak Anna but you know her. Fits in everywhere." I said nonchalantly, letting him avoid the mines./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="25e0623a0eba4045b437f6a1fb1abb9b"[AN: This story also includes some rough stuff later on. I'll warn you ahead of time.]/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cdc577ac0423074369dd11cc10122796"After a month Dex had gotten the balls to ask me it and we really were the perfect couple. Great grades, athletics, popular. All the good stuff./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4379ef51607004226382ba3aa03c430a""Want to watch a movie? I just got Top Gun. I borrowed it from your Dad." Dex said. It freaked me out how much my dad liked Dex. They were able to discuss everything and it really creeped me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="97340d74a5c5943e247cfb915a17cdda""Sure. Why not?" I replied, not really caring./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2b26c57cc90c209f073ef49cbc49a8e5""Oh, Tom Cruise. You should have said so!" I winked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="510e826b5367c57b3efb58d97b8a04d4""As if!" Dex said while flexing his muscles./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cd9b22f9ce864fc220b44ef476c63850"The movie began to play but I kept my eye on Dex. He was so normal yet I had so many problems. He was caught up in the movie, or at least seemed so./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a9eb2f158bf8dd1d99f01d59505da2f4"I went into the kitchen to grab ketchup, which in itself was an act of love. He hated ketchup but I loved it. So he kept a bottle just for me. Something he hated, he bought just for me. He waited for me and loved me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="df04e5ba3f19c8c01716810e85e3d16b""Dex?" I asked as I walked over to him and lay down with my head in his lap. His fingers played with my hair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="36e0d35440c537e397371cac0d761922""Yes?" He said, his eyes trained on the beginning credits./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4d565850f0a6d7adebed41dd094c21bd""I love you." I said, for the first time. He had waited for me to be ready to say it and I was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="65b9f5075e03d808a43e302fbd02b834"A smile and a faint blush dotted his face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3529b2401abfaaf455167bddc677e79c""I love you too. Now shut up. Tom Cruise is on screen." He joked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9bfbd00a3a8bbccb3ba4b07491f165d0"I sat up and pushed him off the couch. I crossed my arms and stuck my tongue out. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Hmph. Boys. You declare your love and all you get is a simple 'shut up'? I think not. /emI thought to my self./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e64c95a0e8b85769f8570b0f639e2020"He of course had to be immature and pull me down with him. I lay on top with my arms crossed and stared in his eyes. Tom Cruise was saying something but we were stuck in our own little world./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="53372c462e0417e527e61f980584e7ed"I leaned down for a kiss and he gladly complied. [AN: I'm gonna push the whole mature thing here and keep it adorable and cute.] Now span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"this/span was how the first 'I-Love-You' was supposed to go.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0ddc2eaa810d95d40b2aab429522fde6"••• Current Day •••/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="81c0ac799f7a445fa5e4e1eabbfdbfee"I woke up with a happy start. That clearly answered the virgin question. I felt guilty about Dex though. I had no clue where he was or if we were still together. I figured today was the day to ask./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="40c24bb72b45f828f362b255da89a7a0"I threw on a grey chevron halter top with dark wash capris with red lining. I spotted red wedges with a low heel./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="fd74f5f000c252ed1a177e38cfd9d9fa"Natasha was in the dining room eating breakfast, looking regal as ever in a yellow silk shirt under a matching set of a navy blue blazer and pencil skirt. A navy blue necklace lay on her neck with earrings and her purse sat on the table./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="57c70a1736c371920fb1f64d5ebb8cbb""Good morning sweetie!" She said with a smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="65582e8b35bc3f556265096fc88c5a3a""Hi Mum." She took a minute to adjust but let me continue." Who was Dex?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="dbcfbad5001ed4552044e7f23cc1b76c"Her face took on a pale sheen and she took several large gulps of coffee./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="727b9ffde8fa66291e43c29778fef628""Your boyfriend." She said nervously./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b3395fa59771e406454cb255a7a1667d""Did we break up?" I asked, slightly worried./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="22bba8c06b60f110daf8fae6bdfff54e""Not really." She said with sweat forming on her brow and eyes growing watery./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ac718e1d220316bb6d3830620ca165ee""How do you mean?" I asked innocently./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="478294281ad09b8a8513555d69190553""He... was killed." She said and took a gulp of relief./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="83b1d9734897a0dd7cf11f3177d9eb49""By who?" My heart dropped as I realized why I was crying. I loved him. He loved me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4b5a3743867f8b37c6e66524bf1d4199"Her next words made me cry. Her next words made me sad. Her next words confused me. Her words changed me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eed43f43fb8dc783a894e34850f4d7b5""Your sister. Avery."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9ce1cbdeb37e030afba36473eae14184"[AN: Hey guys! Bam. Rocked that. 😉 anyway. Try and guess about Avery! Why did she go to therapy? Who is Anna? All to be revealed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d2a69f7f84aae5023d969bb54d795b88"Early Update Required: 2 comments 2 readsbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Teaser: Flashback time!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4998470119a6dff79f8c3228f7131483"Please let me know what you think. I seriously appreciate it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="14a99776552db6d62f5f4fa5c92153fb"Stay chic! I know you style="box-sizing: border-box;" /~~~ Alliegator/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="38e00228caa1a69fa58d3198f667374a"Love you! Mwah. Stay chic,br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /~~~Alliegator]/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="debb441501683a9e8f096db95f096204"••• 5 years ago •••/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3775cd9a86bf7b9e85cf347702a41820""VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY'S OURS! WE'RE GONNA WIN 'CAUSE WE ARE THE STARS!" The victory cheer was pretty cheesy but I knew that the fact I even got on the squad was great. No matter how sucky the cheers were./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3c5f49c1c9d8b7d50b27ddbe9b5e1d42"And then I caught his eye. The I know that everyone says that, but it really was like that./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c34c56ba955e672ad3d8b61af6784eee"I had heard about the British exchange student, but I didn't know he was the new quarterback. Dixie or Dede or Debbie or whatever his name was, he was cute. And British. [AN: ;-)] A brown mop covered his head and amber-brown eyes stared back into mine. Cue the blush. And the staring. But of course, Royal, a blond junior on the team, AKA bimbo, waved back and I realized he wouldn't want anything with me. Oh well./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="6423db09bc4f1a8f05dc3e7a0dc6edf6"Except he did. After the first football game of the season, which we won, he walked over to where I was sitting with Royal. I, being my weird self, figured that I might as well get to meet him before he hooked up with the blonde bimbo, right?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f964e0eda68723a2e501dc0f5356cb84""Ello. Fancy seeing you here." Dana said./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="6ac405a4924cfa66b535cc4a6e5c166d""Well I should hope not. Cheerleaders typically *cheerlead* at football games." I said with a smirk./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e7c5d0e767ca0913c3c0319f62b19c12""Well bloody hell, I thought you skied. Guess I learned something new today." Dahlia said. I couldn't contain my giggle. Sadly, bimbo cut in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a835019582eb429a4548a05d2466f882""Hi there sweetie. I'm Royal. Top candidate for captain next year." Royal interrupted. David and I quickly stopped laughing to stare. I'm pretty sure everyone knew that she could barely do a cartwheel. At least, not without 'breaking a nail'./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2dfd00a4da8b6f77705ce83d5e1a46f8""Anyhow." Daniel and I shared a look. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Well that was rude. /em"Would you care to grab a spot of tea sometime?" He asked me. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Without blondy./em At least, that seemed obvious./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b42e4ea59b5e040cc68d71a7c5c0f803""Sure!" Royal butted in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1522fc9845bbefcd2ec6410e3d16b491""I'm sorry, I was talking to-What's your name, dear?" He interjected./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f37270ee8bfde9d15dfd9bcb9d05184f""Cerise." I quickly put in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f266da3fc1ae91e5b863858c7a0d04ff""Yes,right. I was talking to cerise here." He said with a glance at me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ccdb58fa757789cdfb2245ee5a37b32d"With a em style="box-sizing: border-box;"hmph/em, Royal stormed off to go flirt with some second-string loser./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="be272d2ce1e9bbf5d0a4c6435c8626b0"[AN: No offense to Brits or blondes. Especially bimbos. I'm sure you are very nice. ;-) jk. No offense though.]/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a2bb5b2119e5633e50cd3c69df5a6201"••• 5 and 3/4 years earlier •••/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7f626e15101fd71ecba1b3aa34b2609d""Hey babe." Dex said as I walked into his room. His parents were rich enough to get him an apartment overseas rather than let him stay with an exchange family./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1e7c5f94debf156bc78d92727e898a42"I plopped down on his couch with my bag of McDonald's./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c503f67db41ea6e8e5d021a30ead4320""Hey babe." I said with a mouthful of Big Mac./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="50e3d4f049dc4e5259961ce69b6def2d"I handed him his chicken wrap and coke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b311aba3c0e66fc83bd040be0cb65e55""How was therapy?" He asked casually but carefully, not to step on any mines./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a518f4d56c3ba893dff09f1d2ffd1725""Meh. Just watched a video. I prefer group therapy to personal sessions. Usually I can sneak Anna but you know her. Fits in everywhere." I said nonchalantly, letting him avoid the mines./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="25e0623a0eba4045b437f6a1fb1abb9b"[AN: This story also includes some rough stuff later on. I'll warn you ahead of time.]/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cdc577ac0423074369dd11cc10122796"After a month Dex had gotten the balls to ask me it and we really were the perfect couple. Great grades, athletics, popular. All the good stuff./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4379ef51607004226382ba3aa03c430a""Want to watch a movie? I just got Top Gun. I borrowed it from your Dad." Dex said. It freaked me out how much my dad liked Dex. They were able to discuss everything and it really creeped me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="97340d74a5c5943e247cfb915a17cdda""Sure. Why not?" I replied, not really caring./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="2b26c57cc90c209f073ef49cbc49a8e5""Oh, Tom Cruise. You should have said so!" I winked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="510e826b5367c57b3efb58d97b8a04d4""As if!" Dex said while flexing his muscles./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cd9b22f9ce864fc220b44ef476c63850"The movie began to play but I kept my eye on Dex. He was so normal yet I had so many problems. He was caught up in the movie, or at least seemed so./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a9eb2f158bf8dd1d99f01d59505da2f4"I went into the kitchen to grab ketchup, which in itself was an act of love. He hated ketchup but I loved it. So he kept a bottle just for me. Something he hated, he bought just for me. He waited for me and loved me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="df04e5ba3f19c8c01716810e85e3d16b""Dex?" I asked as I walked over to him and lay down with my head in his lap. His fingers played with my hair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="36e0d35440c537e397371cac0d761922""Yes?" He said, his eyes trained on the beginning credits./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4d565850f0a6d7adebed41dd094c21bd""I love you." I said, for the first time. He had waited for me to be ready to say it and I was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="65b9f5075e03d808a43e302fbd02b834"A smile and a faint blush dotted his face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3529b2401abfaaf455167bddc677e79c""I love you too. Now shut up. Tom Cruise is on screen." He joked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9bfbd00a3a8bbccb3ba4b07491f165d0"I sat up and pushed him off the couch. I crossed my arms and stuck my tongue out. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Hmph. Boys. You declare your love and all you get is a simple 'shut up'? I think not. /emI thought to my self./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="e64c95a0e8b85769f8570b0f639e2020"He of course had to be immature and pull me down with him. I lay on top with my arms crossed and stared in his eyes. Tom Cruise was saying something but we were stuck in our own little world./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="53372c462e0417e527e61f980584e7ed"I leaned down for a kiss and he gladly complied. [AN: I'm gonna push the whole mature thing here and keep it adorable and cute.] Now span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"this/span was how the first 'I-Love-You' was supposed to go.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="0ddc2eaa810d95d40b2aab429522fde6"••• Current Day •••/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="81c0ac799f7a445fa5e4e1eabbfdbfee"I woke up with a happy start. That clearly answered the virgin question. I felt guilty about Dex though. I had no clue where he was or if we were still together. I figured today was the day to ask./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="40c24bb72b45f828f362b255da89a7a0"I threw on a grey chevron halter top with dark wash capris with red lining. I spotted red wedges with a low heel./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="fd74f5f000c252ed1a177e38cfd9d9fa"Natasha was in the dining room eating breakfast, looking regal as ever in a yellow silk shirt under a matching set of a navy blue blazer and pencil skirt. A navy blue necklace lay on her neck with earrings and her purse sat on the table./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="57c70a1736c371920fb1f64d5ebb8cbb""Good morning sweetie!" She said with a smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="65582e8b35bc3f556265096fc88c5a3a""Hi Mum." She took a minute to adjust but let me continue." Who was Dex?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="dbcfbad5001ed4552044e7f23cc1b76c"Her face took on a pale sheen and she took several large gulps of coffee./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="727b9ffde8fa66291e43c29778fef628""Your boyfriend." She said nervously./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b3395fa59771e406454cb255a7a1667d""Did we break up?" I asked, slightly worried./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="22bba8c06b60f110daf8fae6bdfff54e""Not really." She said with sweat forming on her brow and eyes growing watery./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="ac718e1d220316bb6d3830620ca165ee""How do you mean?" I asked innocently./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="478294281ad09b8a8513555d69190553""He... was killed." She said and took a gulp of relief./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="83b1d9734897a0dd7cf11f3177d9eb49""By who?" My heart dropped as I realized why I was crying. I loved him. He loved me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4b5a3743867f8b37c6e66524bf1d4199"Her next words made me cry. Her next words made me sad. Her next words confused me. Her words changed me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="eed43f43fb8dc783a894e34850f4d7b5""Your sister. Avery."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="9ce1cbdeb37e030afba36473eae14184"[AN: Hey guys! Bam. Rocked that. 😉 anyway. Try and guess about Avery! Why did she go to therapy? Who is Anna? All to be revealed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d2a69f7f84aae5023d969bb54d795b88"Early Update Required: 2 comments 2 readsbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Teaser: Flashback time!/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4998470119a6dff79f8c3228f7131483"Please let me know what you think. I seriously appreciate it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="14a99776552db6d62f5f4fa5c92153fb"Stay chic! I know you style="box-sizing: border-box;" /~~~ Alliegator/p
