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Caleb, stop! Juliana screeched, hanging on to his shoulders desperately. Im

gonna fall!

No, youre not. He grinned down at her. It was late afternoon, two days after the

neighbourhood barbecue, and he had her bent over his arm, leaning precariously over a

large puddle of water.

I swear to God, if you dont let me up, youre gonna pay! She vowed, risking aglance over her shoulder and the muddy ground beneath her. Caleb, pull me up!! Her

hands slid from his shoulders to his neck, and she tried to pull herself up.

OK. He pulled her upright and leaned in for a kiss, but she ducked, and

squirmed out of his embrace.

Just for that, no kisses. She announced, running her fingers through her tangled

hair. He stared at her for a minute, shocked, before laughing.

Come on Jules, you dont mean that. He wrapped an arm around her waist and

pulled her tight against him. Nuzzling her neck, he breathed in her sweet smell (vanilla

and a flowery shampoo). Im sorry. You know I wasnt gonna drop you in, right?

No, I didnt. she said, trying to ignore the slow weakening of her leg muscles.

He kissed her cheek and she tried to stay mad at him, even just for a few minutes. She

failed miserably, and turned to meet his lips with her own. He smiled against her mouth,

and used his free hand to cup her chin lightly, pulling her closer. His other hand slowly

slid down her back to rest just above her ass. She tore her mouth away from his. Were

outside. She squirmed away again, but he just pulled her back to him.

Then lets go inside. He started to lead her to his house, but she pulled back.

I forgot! I have homework! She ran towards home, blowing him a kiss over her

shoulder. Ill see you later, OK? Unlocking her door, she hurried inside and shut the

door behind her, staring at a mirror on the wall. Her reflection stared back at her with lips

slightly swollen from the kiss, and hair all tangled, the honey-brown strands curling wildly

around her face and shoulders. Phew she said, letting out a deep breath. Im a

mess.

She headed upstairs to her room and grabbed the hairbrush from on top of thedresser. Yanking it through her hair, she peeked out the window and saw Caleb lazing

around in the hammock in his backyard. He was gazing up at her house with a small

frown on his face. She turned away, ignoring the stab of guilt she felt for turning away

from him. He was her boyfriend after all; he deserved to be able to kiss her when he

wanted. Thats not the only thing he wants though. She muttered to herself, putting the

brush back and going back downstairs, almost stepping on Pepper, her small Yorkshire

terrier. Whoops, sorry baby! she said. Pepper woofed at her and chased after her when

she went into the kitchen.

Its not like Ive done this before. She said to Pepper, grabbing a yogurt cup

from the fridge. How the hell am I supposed to know if Im doing it right? And hes done

it so many times already. Ripping off the cover, she scowled at the faint yellow goo.What if I dont like it? Eating her yogurt, she leaned against the counter, and fumed.

Now I have to pretend to do homework. Fantastic.

You know, talking to yourself is a sure sign of mental instability. Choking back a

scream of surprise, she whirled around to see Caleb looking at her reproachfully through

an open window. So, youre doing homework, huh?

Uh she stalled for time by throwing her yogurt away. It was turning sour in her

stomach anyway. I was

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Nervous? Mad? Scared? Disgusted? He sighed. Let me in Jules, lets talk

about this. She hesitated only a moment, before opening the back door and letting him

in.

What are we talking about? she asked, moving to the counter again and subtly

putting it between them. He saw her anyway, and hurt flashed across his face, gone so

quickly she thought she might have imagined it.You dont need to be scared of me. Im not going to hurt you. He walked around

the counter to stand in front of her.

Every girls first time always hurts. She crossed her arms protectively across her

chest. He looked taken aback for a moment.

That wasnt all that I was talking about he said after a moment. And where

did you learn that anyway? He still looked surprised. Like he hadnt expected her to

know that, she thought, slightly suspicious.

Health class. She paused. And my mom.

Your mom? You talk with your mom about sex? He looked completely baffled

nowlike the very idea was completely unfathomable.

Is there something wrong with that? she said defensively.

No! he back-pedalled, reaching out and grasping her shoulders lightly. Im

sorry, I got off topic. Anyway, if I promise I wont hurt you, or do anything you dont want

me to do, will you trust me and not run away again? She thought for a minute.

So, she teased, feeling her anxiety quickly fading. If I didnt want you to

breathe At her words, he drew in a deep breath and held it. I was kidding! she

exclaimed in horror. Another moment passed as she tried to force him to breathe before

he expelled all his breath and took in a gulp of air. He grinned at her as she glared.

I know you were.

You jerk! she accused, punching him. Dont scare me like that! He grabbed

her hands, still grinning.

I love you Jules. Her heart melted at his simple words.

I love you too. Leaning in, she sweetly kissed him. He released her hands,which she immediately slid up his chest and over his shoulders to tangle with the silky

hair behind his neck. His arms went around her tightly, as he backed up to rest against

the counter. His lips gently played with hers for a while, before he slid his tongue slowly

across her bottom lip. She opened immediately, feeling a tingle of anticipation, but he

pulled back and kissed her cheek instead. She tried drawing his mouth back to hers, but

he evaded her, moving instead to plant light kisses along her jaw.

You smell good. he whispered against her skin, planting a light kiss on her

neck. She trembled slightly and hated herself for it.

Caleb. She sounded dangerously close to begging. No way in hell was she

going to beg. Kiss me. There, that made it sound like a demand.

I will. he said. But all he did was move up the curve of her neck to bury his facein her hair. His hands stroked up and down her back, and she pressed closer to him,

needing the contact. He bit her neck gently and she barely managed not to shiver.

Evil. she said softly. He smiled against her skin and leaned back against the

counter. The sound of a car rumbling up the driveway sent them jumping apart.

Exchanging glances, they burst into laughter and Pepper began barking and jumping at

their legs. When her mother came into the kitchen, Juliana was clutching her stomach

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and wiping away tears of laughter while Caleb was flat on his back, fending off Pepper

and her insane tongue.

Pepper, off. Heather commanded, her lips curving into a smile. Dumping a bag

of groceries onto the counter, she hugged her daughter. Hey sweetheart. How was your

day?

Good. Juliana grinned at Caleb as he got to his feet.Hello Caleb. Still smiling, she gave Caleb a hug too before reaching for the

grocery bag and pulling out two oranges. You two go outside. Its too nice to be inside.

She tossed the oranges to them.

OK Mom. Nabbing her orange, Juliana sprinted outside with Pepper hot on her

heels. The next morning, she rolled out of bed groggily when her alarm clock rang. Im

going, Im going! She hated Mondays, but her mood brightened considerably when she

remembered that she wouldnt be eating lunch alone today. After a quick shower, she

slipped on a pair of dark jeans and a blue top before heading for the kitchen.

Morning sweetheart. Her dad smiled at her from his seat at the table.

Morning Dad. Wheres Mom? she reached for a piece of toast and bit into it

while searching the fridge for possible lunch makings.

Still asleep. She was up late working last night.

Oh, OK. He watched her peruse the fridge for a moment.

There should be a sandwich somewhere in there.

Just found it. Standing up, she grinned and shoved said sandwich in a plastic

Ziploc bag. Thanks Daddy. Blowing him a kiss, she headed out the door, slipping on a

pair of flats.

Have a fun day at school! he called.

Ill try! Walking down the sidewalk, she finished off her piece of toast and

headed for the bus stop. An arm curved around her waist as Caleb fell into step beside

her.

Morning. He brushed a kiss on her cheek.

Hey. She smiled up at him, and they walked in companionable silence. The busride went fairly smoothly, and they began walking up the steps of the school. A tall girl

with long black hair and striking blue eyes walked up to them.

Hello Caleb. She smiled slowly, stepping up to him and giving a hug. Juliana

watched in confusion, and then in growing irritation as this mystery girl placed herself in

between her and Caleb.

Hey Sarah. he said, gently pushing her away. She frowned for a second, before

smiling again.

Ive decided to forgive you for last month. She trailed a finger up and down his

chest.

Thats nice. Juliana was losing her temper when Sarah suddenly reached up

and pulled Calebs head down to hers. Their mouths collided and Juliana stared on incomplete shock.