Alice

A few more days of school passed and everything was going swell. Nick and I were happy and together as often as possible. We sat side by side in every class we had together and at Lunch with Tracy, Gen and Nelson.

Life was good and I was feeling good. Brodie must've taken Nick's threat seriously I haven't seen him anywhere. And I wasn't so on edge 24/7 now.

But there was one problem.

I have my last meeting with Mr. Micknealing today and I was not looking forward to seeing him.

Nick didn't want me to go either but I couldn't cancel. I was told to complete 10 successful meetings with Mr. Micknealing before I was allowed to only see him once a month for check up reviews. And if I miss this meeting I'd have to start over again and I do not want that.

Everything is so weird between Mr. Micknealing and I now but there's not much I can do. What happened, happened and I will never look at him the same.

I sigh and mess with my sandwich.

"What's up," Nick asks putting his large hand on my thigh and I jump at the contact even though I was wearing jeans. The warmth of his palm transferred heat all across my skin.

"Nothing," I mumble and pretend I'm listening to the theory Gen is explaining to Nelson and a very bored Tracy.

His hand slowly rises on my thigh and I grab his hand. "Nick." I look around warily but no one seems to notice. Everyone around us is enjoying their lunch period and paying us no mind.

"Tell me what's going on." He asks again rubbing my thigh with his hand in soothing circles.

"I'm just not looking forward to seeing Mr. Micknealing today," I mumble.

His hand grips my thigh and he scoots his chair closer. "I told you not to go."

"Nick I really have to. If I go to this one I won't have to see him as much as I do now." I say clearly.

"Can't you just ask for a new person?"

"No, I can't Nick." I roll my eyes.

"Why not? I don't like knowing you're going to be with someone who my mom sees." He shivers in disgust and I feel for him. Gen's conversation has come to a halt and I know they are all looking at us now.

"I know you don't. I don't want to either but I have to." I throw my hands in the air.

We look at the rest of the table in silence.

"What's going on?" Tracy asks raising a perfect eyebrow.

"Nothing." Nick and I mumble at the same time.

~~

"Nick you don't have to come in," I say trying to pull his hand off my arm and he groans.

"But if he does anything-"

"Weird I'll leave immediately I know Nick now let go I'm late." I finish his sentence for him but can't help but laugh at the end because of his protectiveness.

He frowns and I lean in pressing my lips to his before opening the door and hopping out into the chilly winter air.

"You tricked me," Nick says referring to the kiss.

"Bite me." I joke.

"Oh, I will don't hold me accountable Alice cause I will in places you would s-"

Cutting him off, I slam the door shut and I can see him laughing through the window. The cold air now feeling hot against my flushed skin.

I run inside and sit on one of the lobby chairs waiting for my name to be called.

~~

"Uhm the pills are going well. Just slight side effects." I say.

"What kind of side effects?" Mr. Micknealing asks. He brings out his clipboard to write it down.

"At first it was bad but it's gotten so much better over time. Just sweating and dizziness but I'm now asleep before I can feel it." I say staring at my lap. I haven't been able to meet his eyes since I came here.

I hear his pen scratching against his paper and I look around looking at all the fake decor in his office. Shiny glass vases a soft coloring and pale walls. My eyes travel to his desk. Small framed pictures of him and his kids are on his desk. He's been divorced for years now so luckily no cheating was going on but still the fact that I saw him in his- oh my god I'm gonna be sick.

"Alice."

My head snaps up. "Uh y-yes." I stammer.

"We can't avoid the elephant in the room forever." He rubs his temples in clear distress.

"We should speak of it but in these circumstances stances, it's different... Now, I won't be asking why you were in their house- clearly none of my concern- but I'd like to apologize for the way you had to see me so cordially underdressed-"

"Why are you seeing her." I blurt out suddenly taking us both by surprise.

He looks taken aback for a second. "I-" he clears his throat and continues but I interrupt him.

"You know she's married," I say matter of factly.

Mr. Micknealing shakes his head. "Yes but they've been underway on a divorce. Sharon has told me she is fine with me announcing this to whomever it concerns."

I nod not really understanding. "I'm sorry for asking," I say truly and he smiles softly at me.

"Remember what we said." He reminds and I nod.

"Right I remember. I don't need to apologize so often just because I was forced to growing up. I'm a free bird with my own wings." I repeat the reference he tells me so often.

He nods. "Now there is one final thing we should cover before we end this session." He says writing something down again and I nod.

"Now our sessions are here to talk about feelings and some urges that may come up in your life. Considering your age and feelings those certain urges are completely normal to have." He says clicking his pen.

Oh god no.

"Now sex is a normal thing. And being ready for it is very important. Either it's condoms or an estrogen pill, which I believe you are taking yes? When we reviewed your medical prescriptions the other week. Now when you are with a guy or girl in that way-" I cut him off.

"You know Mr. Micknealing. I understand what your trying to say. And I don't feel... comfortable." I say quietly at the end.

"Alice, that is totally understandable. My apologies. But really if you ever have any questions it's my job to answer them." He smiles and I nod.

I stand up and shake his hand like at all of our other meetings end. "Thank you. I believe we're going to once a month yes?" I ask.

"Actually you've been cleared by your guardian. You said it was your aunt right? Legally I can sign you up for more terms but that's up to you. Well, and your case manager." He reminds.

"Oh..." I say lifting my bag over my shoulder.

"You sound displeased." He says and I shrug.

"Must've confused the times. Have a good night." I state.

"You too." He says and I close his door.

Once I'm out in the parking lot I let out a smoky breath of relief.

I open the door to Nicks truck and he smiles at me as I climb in. A small scream leaves my lips as he pulls me onto his lap at lightning speed.

"Woah." I laugh and clutch into him tightly. I missed him in that hour I was gone.

He closes my door and holds me to him. The car had been heated for a while and the warmth is thawing my bones.

"How was it." He asks shifting me to get comfortable on his lap. The position we were in sends my mind reeling.

"Uhm..." I struggle to look for the words and he runs his hands through my awkwardly tangled hair. But he doesn't seem to mind.

"Oh god don't tell me." He mumbles but I tell him anyway.

"He tried to give me the sex talk," I say and he laughs.

"It's not funny Nick," I say but can't help but laugh as well.

"What's so bad about the sex talk." He mocks but kisses my red cheek in a loving manner.

"Oh come on it's not like... you're a..." I start but stop my question when I meet his changing eyes.

"Are you a virgin?" I blurt out and feel embarrassed after asking.

He's quiet for a minute before answering. "Yes." He admits and I can't help but feel proud of him.

I smile.

"Don't smile Alice it's not like I'm proud of it." He groans and runs a hand through his hair.

"Why not?" I frown.

He shrugs. "No guy likes to admit he's a virgin especially at my age."

My frown still doesn't leave. "I like that your still a virgin... I am too." I admit quietly and feel my body heat up in embarrassment.

"But you're so beautiful how are you...?" he wonders to himself and I don't think he meant to say that aloud.

It's quiet for a few seconds and I watch him with a smile.

He meets my eyes. After a few seconds, a smirk appears on his face. "Let's go get something to eat." He offers and I clap my hands happily and move back to my seat.

It's quiet as we buckle and then Nick says.

"Alice, just because I'm a virgin doesn't mean I'm that innocent." He tells me and I gasp and look at him to see a cocky smirk.

He did not just...