Once we curled the tires so they brushed the curb, and convinced the ticket guy that our tickets were real, and that we weren't Swedish immigrants looking for a place to stay for the night, her arm curled seamlessly around mine in a firm grip, as if to ward off passerby that might come between. I couldn't help but wonder what her mother would think, if she really knew why I brought her daughter here, if she knew what was going on. How I couldn't say how I felt. How Jane was my one thing I could hold onto, my one piece of sanity. And how I probably couldn't control what might happen. And that I really didn't want to mess this up. Right there in the doorway, I prayed for good ripples.

"Um, Jane?" I timidly asked. We were outside after the concert, and I needed to straighten something out.

"Yeah?"

I was tentative about this question. "You didn't tell your parents, did you?"

"Well, um, I knew they wouldn't let me anyways. "

I sighed. " Cha, they're going to freak out when they find out."

"But they won't." She frowned. " I told my mom I was at Grace's house. Don't worry, she won't tell."

"That's not the point! If your parents don't know, when you come back no longer a-----.."

"What?"

A random guy had suddenly entered my field of view.

"Um, kid, is that your truck out there? 'Cause it's gonna get towed."

"Uh, yeah, ok, just a sec. Jane, I don't think either of us realize how important this trip is, and that some things might happen that weren't planned. And I want you to say that you trust me." I reasoned.

"I trust you to take me here and make sure nothing happens."

This wasn't going over well. "Nothing happens?" Wha---"

"Your truck's going dowwnn." The guy smirked.

Both of us yelled: "Shut up!"

Joan suddenly looked worried. "Adam, there's nothing that's going to happen, right?"

"Um, well.."

"Promise me!"

"I can't! I thought you'd want this as much as I would."

" I do, but..."

The guy looked annoyed. "Kid!"

We were losing it. "Hey, let's go get the truck and we can talk this over."

She relaxed. "Fine."

"Jane?

"You know, I didn't tell my dad either. He thinks I'm working an extra shift."

She snorted, turned her face to mine and left a light kiss on my lips.

From the very beginning, I could never help my hands. Drawing over to hers in Chemistry class, before I'd even drawn my conclusions. Just like the health guy said. Romantic love was like a mental illness. As we savored each step toward the camper, throwing out bits of conversation and holding them in the air, the door came mercifully fast. Engagement in flowing hormones had already begun, confusing me and the feelings going through my head. It sat in my stomach, this feeling, but at the same time flowed like electricity, the same way I always felt near her, but it was amplified about a thousand times, like the pounding volume of speakers. And the marching band began, this scattered parade of hands, lips, hair, and any grasp of the other. Heading in a flurry on the slick ebony pavement, I can already feel the bruises on my neck, the ones I will savour later. I trace her delicate collarbone, mouth incapable of speech and otherwise occupied. She sighs contentedly. But then the drummer trips. She shakes me off.

"A-Adam?" She's breathing hard. " I know where this is going."

"Yeah, so?" I smile mischeviously.

"But not right now." I know what she's thinking, but I want to calm the restless seas.

"Isn't it the perfect opportunity?"

"Well, yeah." Her chocolate eyes waver.

"I brought protection." I hoped this was a satisfactory answer, me having spent all yesterday afternoon pondering what type to get at the drugstore.

Her voice cracks. "Well, we've talked about this. We weren't ready."

"Cha, that was like, last year. We've been going out for a long time. This is sorta the next step, isn't it?" I held those words out, hoping to take them back.

Her lip trembled. My heart was aching with guilt. The last thing I wanted to do was make her cry. It wasn't that I needed to prove something. I just wanted to make our first time special, something neither of us would forget. Something to assure her that she was the most important person in my life. But I guess she wasn't receiving my intentions. I cupped her soft chin in my hand and raised her eyes to meet mine.

" I love you, Jane."

"I love you" she breathlessly whispered, just as I claimed her mouth and laid her down on the bed. She replied full force, sliding her small pink tongue into mine as the supply of oxygen and resistance became low. I knew then she was meant for me, and I was meant for her. A bold hand snaked it's way down from her shoulder, over her delicious curves that made it tremble. Down, my hand continued it's southward journey, gracefully swirling in her belly button and making her moan as she stroked my hair. Down, into that secret warm place between her thighs that I aimed for. Then she suddenly sat up, breathing hard.