Page 57 of Tell Me Everything
Nina threw herself at me, pushing Alex away while Sophie patted my shoulder.
“If we ask you to come with us, it's because we want you to be there,” Sophie said.
“You don't think I'm intruding on your friendship?”
Sophie shook her head, her gaze benevolent. “No way! You'd be a perfect addition to our duo.”
“You'd be the icing on our cake!” Nina added, still half draped over me.
I laughed as Alex choked on his saliva.
“What do you say? Are you coming with us?”
They hadn't just invited me for a day's shopping. For the first time in ages, I realized that some peopleactuallywanted me. Me, Elena, the shy girl with the shitty life. Nina and Sophie were opening their hearts, waiting for me to walk in, and I was grateful.
“I'd love to.”
Chapter 21
Elena
Nina returned with our drinks, and I sipped my iced tea, exhausted. I’d forgotten that shopping could be so tiring. Because of my dance training, I'd never had time to do much else, and when I had any free time outside dance and classes, I preferred to sleep. Not being able to dance daily and at the level I'd reached was something that always stuck in my craw. And yet, shopping like normal girls was a nice change. Nina rested her head in her hand, giving me a mischievous smile.
“So, what's the most exciting thing you've done with Alex?”
“If you're talking about sex, I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you. We're not there yet.”
At least, I hoped we were at the “not yet” stage, and not the “not at all” one. Nina pouted. Would it be a good idea to ask her what Alex liked, or would that be too weird? Sophie snapped me out of my head.
“Are you waiting for a special occasion?” she asked, taking a sip of her too-sweet-looking Frappuccino.
“Everyone thinks that.”
I guess I had a sign on my head that saidinnocence. I might as well have it tattooed on my forehead. I wasn't complaining, but this wasn't me either. Did Alex see me this way, too? I'd never thought about it before, but now I wanted to know. If he thought I was a virgin, would that scare him?
“You aren’t?”
I shrugged. I wasn't particularly proud or pleased with the way I'd lost my virginity. When I looked back, the only thing I could say was: my first time had been on New Year's Eve while I was completely wasted. With a guy who'd come out of the closeta few weeks later, no less. Ever since then, I hadn't dared to go much further while being sober.
“I didn't wait for Alex, so I won't wait for anything special.”
“Does Alex know?” Nina asked, now serious.
“I never told him, no. Do you think I should?”
After all, he'd had his fill of sex with others. Did I really have to tell him about this misadventure? It was embarrassing. Besides, why was I even thinking about it? Alex didn't even know how I felt about him. My mind was skipping steps.
“I think it would be good for you both to know where you stand,” Sophie said, ever the voice of wisdom. “Maybe Alex won't be afraid to go there with you if he knows it's not your first time.”
Her words confirmed what I was thinking. “I suppose you're right. But seriously, why does everyone think I'm a virgin?”
And why did it matter in other people's opinions? I let my forehead rest against the table with a sigh as Sophie placed her hand on my head.
“You look like an angel.”
“Damn.”
Nina's face changed in the blink of an eye. From the girl bubblier than a Golden Retriever, she now sported a serious, menacing air. But her attention wasn't on us. Her stern attitude made me uneasy. The Nina in front of me looked dangerous. She reminded me of Alex. No wonder they were friends. I was about to turn back to what she'd seen when Sophie shook her head. Piqued by curiosity, I turned around despite Sophie's warning. Kelsey stood at the other end of the coffee shop. My throat tightened. We'd managed not to bump into each other. Seeing her again gave me a strange feeling. This girl had been my best friend, and yet we'd parted like strangers. It was as if the last fifteen years had never happened.
