Chapter 18

“How are you holding up, girl? Your parents giving you grief?” Marie asked on the other line. She’d been settling down in college too. We’ve been getting in touch in social media, but it was the first time I got to speak to her over the phone.

“Not really. How can they give me grief when they don’t mind me at all, right?” I asked sarcastically.

“Awww! So, nothing changed?”

I sighed. “Many things have changed, but not so much in that area. Can we not talk about my parents?”

I walked lazily toward the building on the east where my next class was going to be. This was the class I dreaded most. It was my last period, and we were doing tons of boring readings.

“Okay. Have you heard from Z? You guys were pretty hot and heavy when you parted. I’m sure you’re not a virgin anymore! We didn’t have to ask. You practically had stars in your eyes.” She sounded so excited, so happy, I lost the courage to tell her the truth about Zachary and me.

I took a deep breath. “I didn’t sleep with him,” I sai