The bass of the music echoed through the house

as junkies rattled our door from time to time.

The guy's strong arms were wrapped around me

as I buried my head in his chest.

I'm exhausted.

What's your name?

I asked

after realizing how little I knew about this guy.

Lucas.

He said quietly.

I'm Sarah,

I said.

Tell me about yourself.

I waited patiently as I listened to the sound of his heartbeat.

Well I'm in college now.

I'm majoring in film and literature.

I'm nineteen

and, as you can see,

I'm not really good with the ladies.

I stopped the movement of my fingers on his arm as he said this.

Smiling guiltily up at him,

I said,

Sorry about that.

But he only laughed.

Nah, it's okay.

He paused.

Do you mind if I ask you something?

I nodded

and he sighed.

Have you ever been in love?

My breathing quickened as my thoughts reverted to Virginia.

I don't know.

I said instead.

Have you?

His arms tightened around me.

Yeah.

he broke.

It's kind of embarrassing, really.

He chuckled humorlessly.

What happened?

I asked

and he paused before talking.

There's this one girl that I've cared for

for a while now.

I met her last year

when I started college.

We went on a lot of dates,

had our nice moments,

and I fell for her hard.

No matter how much Luke tried to disguise it,

I could hear the pain underneath his words.

Friday last week was supposed to be the big day.

I was finally going to ask her to be my girl.

He paused.

But she never came.

His hands trembled on my waist.

After a couple hours,

I go back to my dorm to see her naked in my roommate's bed.

He laughed again.

So I moved and got my own apartment

And I got my heart broken.

His voice softened.

It sucks that girls only go to me for advice

or when something goes wrong with their own relationships.

He sighed.

I don't know what girls see in guys that treat them like crap.

I mean, I love her,

but it doesn't even matter anymore,

does it?

I looked up at him

and he whispered,

I'm sorry.

I frowned.

For what?

I asked.

For reaching out to the first girl

who'd even agree to have a drink with me.

He chuckled.

Guess it didn't work out in any of our favors.

Lucas glanced down at me before whispering

I really am sorry.

I raised my eyebrow.

Luke-

I was the one who wanted to have sex with you.

He cut me off.

It's just that I should've known.

I allowed my hurt feelings to get in the way

and basically took advantage of-

Before he could say anything else,

I shoved him in his shoulder.

Hey.

It's okay.

No need to apologize.

Realizing that we were both partially naked,

I removed myself from his embrace

and threw on my shirt before buttoning up my pants.

Do your parents know?

Slowing down my movement,

I looked over at Luke.

Do they know about your sexuality?

Looking back down at my feet,

I shook my head.

You're the only one.

But I think it's time I tell them, you know?

He nodded.

Yeah.

Let's get you home.

Pulling on his own shirt,

he wrapped his arm around my shoulders

before guiding me out of the room.

~Sarah