Rumor has it that the first time you have sex after losing your virginity is one of the most memorable times.

I definitely agreed with that.

It wasn't that the first time wasn't amazing or magical, but it was painful. No matter how gentle Nathan tried to be. Last night, however, there was no pain at all when we slept together. Only passion and pleasure.  

The way Nathan made love to me last night was different from the first time. It was like he had to have me right at that moment. He went even deeper inside me than before—something I didn't think was possible. He kissed me like he was starved for me. And when he went down on me more times than I could count, I got that familiar feeling when I think he's staking his claim. Reassuring himself that I was his.

I was so glad that my parents were already asleep when he came through my window. The cherry on top was that they were heavy sleepers and didn't wake up during the night, either. Once Nathan and I were finished, he held me for a long time and just stroked my hair. When I finally asked him if he was okay, he explained to me what happened earlier that day in the quad.

And holy shit. Talk about bombshells. Trish and that friend of Nathan's were siblings. Well, I guess he wouldn't be called a friend anymore after everything that went down. I still couldn't believe that Brian had issues with me.

Nathan explained to me about how he said that Trish had feelings for Nathan and that he strung her along. Even I knew that wasn't true. Not only have I known Nathan almost my whole life and I knew he wasn't that guy, but I also knew Trish.

I've walked in the girl's locker room multiple times after school and found her coming out of a shower stall with some random guy. Not clothed, I might add. And a few times I overheard what was going on in there.

It didn't matter anyway. Even if she did end up developing feelings for Nathan, he never told her he wanted a relationship or anything more. So that wasn't his fault. In a way, I did understand her jealousy when it came to wanting Nathan. Still didn't excuse Brian acting that way, though.

 After Nathan explained everything, I still felt like he was holding something back. When he finally told me that Brian started talking shit about me, I was even more surprised and frustrated. Whatever. I didn't care about Brian or Trish. Only Nathan. And after he told me everything, it explained why he made love to me the way he did. And it broke my heart a little because I didn't like him upset. And hearing Brian talk crap about me really upset him.

A sudden knock on my door had me jumping up in my bed. Shit. What time was it? I glanced at the clock.

8:43am.

Thankfully, it was Saturday. And Nathan had already left a couple hours ago.

"Karma?" My mom's voice carried a concerned and suspicious tone. "Why is the door locked?"

Since I was still naked, I got out of bed and grabbed my robe before walking to the door and opening it.

"Sorry, mom. Just got up and I was in the middle of changing." Not really a lie. 

She peered inside, obviously looking for signs that I was hiding a boy in here. But Nathan was a professional at making sure everything was just as it had been last night. He made sure my window was shut all the way and that he didn't leave anything behind.

My mom appeared satisfied and offered me a smile. "I came to tell you breakfast is ready."

Breakfast with my parents was a daily tradition here in the Fitzgerald house. 

"Okay, thanks. I'll be there in just a few minutes."

Once she left, I walked back to my bed to make it up. That's when I saw a note sticking out from underneath the pillow that Nathan used.

Good morning, gorgeous. I wish I could have been next to you when you woke up. Have I told you how cute you are when you sleep? Anyway, thank you for last night. And I don't just mean...you know. You're amazing and I just...thank you. Call me later.

—Nathan

There was a tightness in my chest when I re-read it. I really loved him. To the point that I knew I would never love anyone else. I knew it sounded crazy since I was only eighteen, but that's how I felt.

Nathan Jenkins was it for me.

"Karma," my mom called from the kitchen. "Breakfast!"

I scoffed at her impatience before hiding Nathan's note in one of my drawers. "Coming!"

I quickly brushed my teeth and got dressed before walking back to my room to get my phone. Just as I reached for it, I got a text message.

Harper: Hey. What are you doing today? Wanna hang?

I actually really did. I've been wanting to talk to Harper ever since Nathan and I first slept together. But with my mom getting on my case about college and starting volunteer work, I haven't had much free time. 

Yeah. Lunch time? Your place?

Harper: Sounds good. Wanna text Lanie? Or I can.

Shit. As much as I would love to confide in Lanie about everything, I knew it would be super weird and awkward because she was Nathan's brother.

Just us? I wanted to talk to you about something.

No hesitation with her response. Knowing her, she most likely already knew what it was about.

Harper: You got it. See you then.

"Karma!"

Groaning, I put my phone in my pocket and went to join my parents for breakfast.

***

"Um, Harp, what the hell am I looking at?"

Standing in the middle of Harper's bedroom, I stared at the abundance of snacks and desserts that covered the top of her desk.

"What? Today is gossip day. We need snacks for that." She had a pitiful expression on her face as she shook her head. "You can't have gossip day without snacks."

"Very true," I said with a chuckle before walking over to the desk and grabbing the box of Hostess cakes. Reaching inside, I grabbed one of the double-packed Swiss Rolls and sat on the bed. Chocolate sounded so good right now. So damn good. 

Harper grabbed her own snack and sat cross-legged at the head of her bed. "So, Karma, is this about what I think it's about?" 

Taking a bite of the dessert, I tried not to blush. "I don't know. What do you think it is?" 

 "I knew it! You and Nate finally did it, didn't you?"

Smiling so wide my cheeks hurt, I nodded. "Yeah. We did." 

"When? Where? How was it?"

"Well, the first time was two weeks ago."

"The first time? How many times have you done it?" 

I was honestly surprised at how comfortable I felt talking about this with Harper. Not because of her, but because of the subject matter. Sex always seemed like suck an awkward thing to talk about to me.

"We've only done it twice," I answered before taking another bite. "The first time was in his room. When his parents and Lanie were out to dinner. The second was last night in my room." 

Harper's hand paused on its journey to her mouth with a Dorito. "Wait, your house? With your parents home?" 

Her surprise was to be expected. Nathan and I took a BIG chance last night with him staying over. I was just grateful that we didn't get caught. 

"He snuck in through my window after they went to sleep. And snuck back out really early." 

"So...tell me! I need details." 

Shaking my head, I shrugged. "I don't know what to say. Okay, so the first time...well, he had no idea I was a virgin."

Harper's eyes widened. "What? Really?"

"Yeah. I thought he was pissed off about it at first. But I think he was just surprised. And worried about hurting me." 

"And did it hurt?" 

I nodded. "Yeah. A lot for a few minutes. Then it was okay." Now I definitely couldn't hide my blush. "More than okay." 

"And the second time?" 

"Even better. Like amazingly better." Memories from the night before had my body heating up again. "God, Harp. I never thought it would feel like that. And he is so good to me. Like, in general. So caring." 

"I think he's falling for you," she blurted and my chest tightened again.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I told her. "This is Nathan we're talking about. I'm not saying it's not possible, but we've only been together for six weeks!"

Harper's eyes narrowed. "Oh my God! You love him, don't you?"

Unable to deny it, my eyes dropped to my dessert. I was quiet for the longest time. It felt like hours went by, even though it was just a few seconds. "Yeah," I finally whispered. "I do." 

"See? Maybe he loves you, too."

Getting up from the bed, I walked to the desk to grab something else. I wasn't hungry, I just needed to move around and shake off the sudden anxiety I felt. 

"Maybe he does," I breathed. "Maybe he doesn't. But I can't tell him how I felt. Not yet. On the off chance he doesn't love me, or isn't ready to hear it, I don't want to scare him off. I don't want to lose him because I jumped the gun." 

Harper laid back in the bed and stretched. "You got a point." Her cell phone started ringing, startling us both. "Hello? Hey, L. Uh-huh. Nothing much. Just at home. Yeah, that sounds good." Harper's eyes lifted to me. "I can call Karma and ask her. I don't think she's doing anything today. Right. Sure. We'll be by in an hour." 

She hung up the phone and I asked, "What did she want?" 

Getting up from the bed, Harper walked up to me with a big smile. "I hope your day is open, because we're going shopping!"

I hated shopping. "Harper, I don't think that—"

"It's for the Halloween party the hockey team is throwing." 

"And that should make me want to go why?"

Yes, Nathan was on the team, but that didn't mean I had any interest in going to this party. Especially with the whole Brian and Trampy Trish situation. 

The expression Harper gave me was pure mischief and self-satisfaction. "Because it's a masquerade party."

***

Any suggestions or guesses to what Karma and Nate should dress up as? 

Xoxo