July 25

Loon Call Island, Lake Rosseau, Muskoka

Pinching my phone between my ear and shoulder, I pull the covers over my head, creating a small, fort-like tent in my bed.

"Hold on, Vi, I'm just getting comfy."

I turn on my small booklight under the covers and smile, sound travels so clearly up here, I want to make sure this conversation stays between Vi and I.

"Where was I?"

"Um, right at the part where you were telling me you went to Theo for advice on hooking up, instead of calling your best girl."

Laughing, I struggle to apologize between giggles. "I'm sorry, Vi, he was there, and he has more in common with Greyson than you do. Plus he's got all the same, well, parts and stuff. I figured it would be good to go to the source."

"God, what was his reaction?" Her snickers make me smile.

"Well, he said not to tell anyone, but you don't count. It's like the bestie code so you're exempt. But, he was very very informative. I think he should take over teaching sex ed at Beaton. Honestly, short of making me an anatomically correct diagram, he basically walked me through everything. I mean everything. The girls would go wild."

"I so wish I had been there. Tell me everything, immediately."

I close my eyes against the tug of embarrassment. If I can't talk about this stuff with Vi, how will I ever work my way up towards talking about it with Greyson? Let alone even coming close to trying any of the things Theo suggested.

"He said he likes it when girls use their hands, mouths and feet, well, there. Feet, Vi! I thought I was going to die when he said that. Especially since Hudson was practically cuddling my foot at the time, snoring away, blissfully unaware of my total mortification and embarrassment."

Even though it feels weird to talk about all of this over the phone, I close my eyes, trying to picture her curled up under the blankets with me. Vi's laughter is contagious and neither of us is able to speak for a few minutes.

Her giggles subside, "Theo is so kinky. I always hear my sister's friends talking about him, like he's some kind of prize stallion. No limits, they say, he'll try anything, and I mean anything, once. He's not one to return to the same girl, though, or so the rumor mill goes."

"He's just restless, I think. Filling a void, without getting too close. I wish you'd been there, by the end of the conversation, we were going through his favorite positions for foreplay as he called it. The best for the girls, then the best for the guys. He was way better than a Cosmo magazine, but I get the idea it's all a big game for him, like he challenges himself to be extra inventive, just for the wow-factor."

Theo is the most open person I know when it comes to sex. He never seems embarrassed, never feels shame about his actions, or even cares what anyone thinks for that matter. He goes in eyes wide open, honest about his intentions. Take it or leave it.

I suppose it had been a bit of a shock when I'd asked him for advice, but after the initial surprise, he'd settled right back into it.

I walk Vi through the conversation I had with Theo, pausing to giggle when her shocked gasps filled the silence. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who was a little shocked.

I wish I could have a fraction of Theo's confidence, his nonchalance. On the other hand, there's also a sweet, vulnerable side to him that not many people get to see. He's the biggest softie I know, and lately, when given the choice to hang with Hudson and me curled up on the sofa, or head out to chase girls, he normally picks Hudson and me.

"I'm not sure I'll ever be brave enough to try half the things he told me about. We focused on what he calls first through third base, though. It was all a little overwhelming, Vi."

"Well it doesn't have to be, you can choose when, where, who and how. If it feels natural I don't see a reason why you shouldn't go exploring down south. Don't think Grey will stop you if you casually slide your hand down his—"

"Vi!" I giggle, unable to stop the slightly hysterical laughter bubbling up in my throat. "I'm not going to push him, he's made it clear what he wants."

"Not push, Elle, encourage. Why did you even bother asking Theo if you don't plan to take action? Okay new plan. Start above the shorts, boxers or bathing suit, but make sure he's topless, at least. Seriously. Don't let me down. I'm living vicariously through you right now."

"What happened to Dante?" At least I think the last guy she was seeing in Stockholm was named Dante.

"Lame, all he wanted to do was drink beer in the woods with his friends and camp. I want to see the city, the clubs, and dance. At least a little. My cousins are taking me out in the city tonight, so maybe I'll meet someone there to spend the last weeks of summer with."

"When are you coming home?"

"First week of September, here till the bitter end, as usual."

"I wish you were coming back sooner, and could come here for a weekend. Anyway, it's not like you see your Grandma so much, or your cousins, so you should enjoy it."

"You're right, I just miss you and the girls. Hell, I'm even starting to miss Theo."

"You're only saying that because you want his sexy advice, too. Maybe even some of his sexy experience." Vi and Theo are like gas and fire. We try to limit their influence over one another. Vi's the flame, Theo the gas. He knows how to get right under her skin.

"In his dreams."

Vi loves to debate, she loves to read the news, her academic strengths are in maths and science, similar to Theo, although he still has a distinctive artsy side to him with his music. Music that he rarely shares with the world, music that he's kept secret from his family.

If left unattended, Vi and Theo will argue for hours, shifting from one controversial topic to another. They leave every party smiling, but it can get seriously heated, with one of them always taking the role of devil's advocate.

This past year, Hudson and I had watched as steam built between the two of them at every interaction, we were just waiting for the sparks to fly. So far though, they'd kept their distance from one another, adamant they were only friends.

"See, Vi? Not so nice to be told who you should be with." I tease her gently, having suffered for nearly two years under her near to constant insisting that I belong with Hudson.

"The only difference is that I'm right, Elle. I know you think you and Grey are like soulmates or whatever, and that's all good, but if I had to put money on one of them, I'd choose Hud. Enjoy Grey, have fun, try to fix him or whatever it is you've got going there, babe, but I'm sticking around for the long game, and my money's on Hud."

"You seem to forget it takes two people, Vi. Hudson doesn't feel that way about me either. We're just friends, he'll tell you the same thing if you ask him."

"Well, then I guess I will ask him. If you're so sure."

I groan, I know I walked right into that one. "Leave it, Vi. Please. I want to be with Greyson. I really care about him, he needs me."

"It's typical you, Elle. Find the most challenging option and drive yourself crazy trying to get it the way you want it. Just be careful, not everyone is capable of change, not everyone wants to change. Just remember that."

I know Vi's right. From before I can remember, I've been drawn to Greyson, longing to expose the softer side I know is there, never really pausing to consider whether he wants to expose it, even if only to me. He wouldn't have promised to let me in if he didn't want to though. Right?

I shake that last thought off, silencing my doubt. That much I know, he never does anything he doesn't want to do.

Even as I process those thoughts, Vi's voice cuts me short. "I've got to run, Elle. My ride to the city is here, and I'm going to get my dance on."

"Have fun Vi, and go do everything I would and wouldn't do! Love you!"

"Love you more, Ellie. Tell me everything, later."

Hanging up, I climb out from under the blankets, flopping back into the bed with a dramatic poof. It's only four in the afternoon, I idly wonder what to do. I've barely had any time to myself since the start of summer.

Rolling over, I grab a book at random and head to the dock to curl up in the sunshine. I barely remember reading two pages before sliding into a dreamless sleep, exhaustion pulling me deeper and deeper.

- - - 

Can you always count on your best girl to give you great advice? Or to pick up the pieces when everything goes wrong? I know I can ;) 

Love my besties who inspired the characters of Hudson, Violet (Vi), and Theo.

Hope you enjoy the story, consider voting, and commenting if you did!

Xx Toria