***Two Weeks Later***

APOV

I know I should feel relieved that I got my period but I guess I should be careful what I wish for because 'Aunt Flow' arrived with a vengeance and she is really pissed off! I lay in bed with a fever and the cramps are so sharp, I'm doubled over in pain. Noah arrives from school and puts a cold compress on my head.

"Ana?" Noah says as I open my eyes, he looks so worried about me. "I'm calling Dr. Stevens."

Dr. Stevens has been our Doctor since we were kids. He's a long time family friend. He knew both mine and Noah's parents. He checks in on us from time to time. He's not fond of us living on our own but he knows we are in good hands.

"Noah, I feel so silly. I mean it's just my period but...ooohh..." I feel that sharp pain and with that Noah walks to the intercom and pages Mason.

Mason is Head of Staff at Shepherd House. He's more like an Uncle to me just like Laurel who was Noah's one time nanny and is now the full-time house keeper is like an Aunt to me. I've known Mason and Laurel for as long as I can remember. Noah and I know that Mason and Laurel are 'together' but they try to keep it on the down low. Noah and I laugh about the fact that we are a couple trying to keep our secret just like they are a couple trying to keep their secret. It's like we have an unspoken agreement with one another about our sex lives.

"Ana honey," Laurel murmurs as she takes my temperature. "Are you feeling any better?"

"A little bit," I lie as I feel more pain hitting me hard.

"Don't worry sweetheart, Dr. Stevens is here now. You're going to be fine."

Two days later and after several tests, I have been diagnosed with uterine fibroid tumors. It sounds scary but it's not, the tumors are very small in diameter and I have been prescribed the pill to help control my excessive 'flowing' so I guess it works out well in case Noah and I...you know.

**Saturday Morning-Lake Union Rowing Club***

Our Junior year (11th grade) in high school goes by in a flash. Noah and I are making plans for our senior year and then trying to decide where we would like to attend college. I'm such a homebody, I wouldn't mind staying here and attending a local Junior College. I know I don't have to worry about paying for my higher education but I feel strange knowing that my college tuition comes from the Shepherd name. My parents have left me with a rather large nest egg and my God Parents have also taken care of me financially so money isn't an issue, I suppose I just want to do things on my own.

Noah on the other hand, has big dreams. He plans on attending Harvard and I have a sneaky feeling that he wants me to go with him. We still have a year to figure things out so I guess we will have to wait and see.

"Steele! Are you listening to me?" Coach Walsh yells from across the lake.

Shoot! That's what I get for day dreaming.

"Sorry Coach Walsh, what was that?" I shout back as I row back to the dock.

I love to scull on a single and get lost in my thoughts...I escape reality and for a little while, I imagine my life is back to normal, that I've not lost my mom and dad, that all is right with the world.

"Ana!" Noah shouts as he rows in the 8-boat, Noah is a total stud. He is always in the stroke seat. "Where are you going?"

"Coach wants to see me, I'll see you when you get back!" I shout as they boat zooms by. I wish I could row more often but my skills are better utilized as a coxswain and I know this season will be my biggest and best season ever!

"What is it Coach?" I ask as Coach Walsh motions for me to take a seat.

"Ana, you've been recruited." Coach Walsh says with a huge smile on her face.

"Recruited? I don't understand. What do you mean?" I ask wondering how this will affect me.

"Harvard wants you to attend their summer program at the end of the school year. They have offered you a full ride scholarship for rowing. They want you on their team!" Coach Walsh is practically jumping up and down.

Harvard? Where Noah is planning on attending. Did he have anything to do with this?

"I see." I say with no emotion.

"Is that all you have to say Ana? Harvard wants you!" They have singled you out to attend their rowing program and offer you a full ride and all you can say is 'I see?' Are you ok?"

"No Coach Walsh, I'm not. I'm sort of confused. Does Noah know about this?" I ask wondering if perhaps Coach Walsh is involved as well.

"Of course not, why would he know about this? The scouting and recruiting process is all done with no advanced notification to us or to our potential candidates. That way the recruiters can see everyone without the possible candidates putting on a show...so to speak."

"Ok, well. I really have to think about this. I mean, if I say yes, how soon will this happen?"

"Right after you finish your Junior year. You're grades are exemplary so you will skip your last year of high school."

"Wait a minute, this all happening too fast for me. The school year is over in two weeks. Can I sleep on this? Is this something that has to be decided right now?" I ask feeling overwhelmed...Mommy, Daddy...I could sure use your guidance right about now. I love you guys so much...I'm so sorry Mom and Dad, so very sorry.

"No, you don't need to decide at this very moment Steele but I do recommend that you make your decision quickly. These types of offers only come along once in a lifetime."

***Later That Evening-Shepherd House***

NPOV

"Ana, did you hear me?" I ask as I try to pull Ana from her thoughts. She looks worried.

"Sorry, what was that?" Ana asks as she plays with her food.

"I said, 'Are you going to eat or just push your food around the plate?' What's going on Ana, it's obvious something is on your mind." She looks at me and I get lost in her baby blues. She is so beautiful. I hope we can fool around tonight.

"I was asked to attend a summer rowing program at Harvard. Coach Walsh said I can skip my final year in high school and attend Harvard one year early. I've been offered a full scholarship. What do you know about this Noah? Did you make this happen? If so, I'm not going. It doesn't seem right, my taking scholarship money from someone who may rightfully deserve it." She sounds mad. Why would I want her to leave me? This doesn't make any sense.

"No, I didn't have anything to do with this, but this is great news Ana! We can go to college together! We won't be apart! I'll join the summer program too! I'll speak to my counselor about starting my first year at Harvard with you. I have awesome grades as well and hopefully my AP classes will impress them. I try not to use my 'Shepherd' name or money to get things that I want but this is different!"

I'm so happy! Ana and I will be together. I won't have to worry about her meeting someone else! Ana is my first and only true love. I know we are young but I cannot see myself with out her. We've been through so much together. We will eventually marry and have a wonderful life. I want to make Ana happy. She's been through enough sadness and so have I. We deserve a happy life...together!

"So...you really didn't have anything to do with my attending Harvard?" She asks me while she squeezes my hand.

"No, does that mean you plan on accepting the scholarship?" Please say yes, please say yes!

"Of course I am accepting! I cannot believe that I was chosen! I really have to step up my game if I plan on taking Harvard by storm! I'm so excited Noah!"

She jumps out of her chair, sits on my lap and kisses me. "I love you Noah." She says as she runs her fingers in my hair.

God she makes me feel so good.

"Let's take this upstairs baby." I say as I grab her hand and we run like four-year olds chasing an ice cream truck!

I take Ana to my room and despite our many times making love, Ana is still shy. She always makes my dim my night stand light. I would like to leave the light shining brightly so I can check out her perfect body but I guess there's something about girls...they are so hard on themselves.

I remember one 'mean girl' in particular that was being very nasty to Ana during gym class. Ana stood her ground but I heard her crying that night. She puts up a strong front but I know it's hard for her. Her nightmares happen every night and I told her we should sleep together but she prefers to sleep in her own room. I feel as though she's torn between wanting someone to care for her and wanting to be independent.

I'm only sixteen years old and I'm still trying to figure this all out. I hope one day I can make her feel safe, I want her to be happy with me...as happy as I am with her.

APOV

Noah dims the light and that is my cue to undress. I do it quickly, jump on Noah's bed and hide under the sheets. Noah doesn't have any self-esteem body issues, he shouldn't! He lifts up his shirt and I see his strong muscular chest. He takes off his pants and boxers and I can see he is very 'excited.' His body is perfect in every way.

Just looking at him turns me on. He's tall with a bronze God like tan, his curly blonde hair and beautiful sea green eyes pierce my eyes. My body feels warm all over, he does things to me, makes me feel things I've never felt before. I know we are young but I can't see myself with anyone else but Noah.

He looks like a surfer 'dude' from California. The kind I've only seen in the movies, why he loves me, I have no clue, I only know that we've been through so much together and if it weren't for Noah, I'm not sure how I would have survived. He is it for me and I am grateful that I have him in my life and that he loves me.

NPOV

I undress slowly because I know that Ana likes to look at me while I strip. I don't mind giving her a show. I like knowing that she enjoys looking at my body, I only wish she would do the same for me. It will come in time, I know. We're still young and we have our whole lives ahead of us to have fun and maybe we can be more 'adventurous' with each other. For now we will just do things nice and slow. There is nothing better than making love to Ana. I lose all control when her perfect body bucks up against me. I wish I could make her cum. We will just have to keep practicing until we get it right.

I lay down next to her and she cuddles up against me. I lay on my back and she half lies on my chest and kisses my nipples. I feel a shiver and I'm ready to plunge inside her but I want to make her feel good as well. I push her off of me and kiss her breasts, I softly bit her nipple and she moans with pleasure. I love hearing her moan. It makes me that much more horny only that's not such a good thing because it makes me want to fuck her hard and I'm not sure she's ready for that. I lower myself down as I plan on kissing her pussy. I start by kissing her stomach and I reach up with my hands and caress her tits. They feel so soft and sexy. I start to kiss the apex of her thighs when she stiffens up, "Uh Noah, please don't go there."

"Why Ana? I know you'd like it." I plead as I look up into her eyes.

She looks worried. "I don't know, it just...just give me some time please. I just...I'm not sure about it. I mean, I pee down there for goodness sakes."

I can't help but laugh, "Oh geez Ana, I love you!" I say as I work my way back up and kiss her face. "I'm going in baby."

She bucks her hips and says, "Yes, please Noah."

With those words Ana and I get lost in each other but I still didn't make her cum! Shit!

A/N

From time to time I will be explaining what some rowing terms mean. Sculling is when a person rows with two oars, one in each hand. Sweeping is when you row with more than one person (in a boat) and you each handle a single oar. If in the future I fail to describe a rowing term, just let me know and I will gladly explain it to you.

Keep Reading, Keep Reviewing and Keep Smiling!

Rosie :D