RIVER

RiverWe finally made it after two hours of driving. We headed to the apartments on campus, choosing to live in the same complex while still having our own space. Well, I did. Zach was upset about it at first, but frankly, I just wanted to live a little and feel free. I wanted that single life, you know, the kind where you should be able to blast music, watch TV, walk around naked, and eat whatever and whenever you want.Two of our good friends, Jason and Erica, were also attending UT, but they had dorms. Jason and Erica had roommates. I, on the other hand, was able to afford my apartment because of my mom’s life insurance. Dad had put the money away for me to use for college. I also had scholarships because your girl here was a smart cookie.Zach was able to afford an apartment because his family was wealthy. So, money was never an issue for him. However, Zach is a very smart guy, a genius, if you may.He chose to major in Mechanical Engineering, just like me. He said watching me fix,

AlecI was walking towards the apartment complex where my boy, Jaylen, lived. I usually hung out with him because the guys at the fraternity house were more obnoxious. He was a calm, introverted guy. He’d been my friend since high school back in Los Angeles. We both wanted to get away from our families.I had heard so many things about Texas and searched UT Austin online, becoming fascinated with the photos and reviews. So, Jaylen and I made a quick trip down here for a week before applying.The hill country was fascinating. We went to the Oasis, explored caverns, which I’d never seen before, visited rivers and lakes, attended parties, and drove through different cities, discovering a whole other world. Texas should really be its own country if you ask me. So now, here we were, living the Texan life.Jaylen was more of a computer whiz, while I was athletic. I played football for the Texas Longhorns as a wide receiver. Jaylen used to play football with me back in high school, but he got

River The logical side of me was yelling, ‘Think about it! He’s a stranger. You’re gonna end up getting hurt. This is your V-card. It’s supposed to be special.’ I squeezed my eyes tightly, trying to drown out my thoughts.Who was I kidding, though? I wanted this, and badly. For so long, I’d waited to feel something exhilarating happen in my life. The butterflies I felt with Zach at times were nothing compared to the swarm of angry hornets raging in my stomach. His touch, his kiss, the swell of his manhood, and the intensity of his stare awakened a desire within me unlike anything I had ever felt before. Maybe it was because Zach had never tried to touch or kiss me.Today, I, River Barlowe, ‘the prude,’ a name lovingly gifted to me by my sexually active friends, was about to lose my virginity to a hot stranger in college. Yup, me. What would they call me now? Actually, never mind. I didn’t even want to know.I would deal with the consequences later because, deep down, I knew I was doin

~River~I didn’t know when the movie ended or what time I knocked out, but apparently Zach had fallen asleep too. When I woke up, I realized I was sprawled across him. I lifted my head slowly and immediately noticed the embarrassing wet patch soaking through his shirt. Oh my gosh. I had slobbered all over him. Great job, Riv’s.Zach was still asleep, and honestly, he looked cute like that. His arms were wrapped tightly around me, holding me close even in his sleep. I tried carefully moving away without waking him up, but the second I shifted, his eyes fluttered open.“Hey, gorgeous…” he mumbled sleepily before glancing down at his shirt. His face twisted immediately. “What the…were you trying to provide water for the flies?”I gasped in horror and smacked his stomach. “Shut. Up. You’re so mean! I was tired, and it’s not like I can control my mouth while I’m dead asleep, you butt!”He burst into loud laughter, and despite my embarrassment, I couldn’t help loving the sound of his cackle.

~River~Zach’s knuckles had turned white from how tightly he gripped the steering wheel. At first, I felt nervous, but then another thought crossed my mind. Why should I feel bad? He’d had plenty of girlfriends before. I hadn’t had a guy genuinely hit on me in forever, and the one time someone ridiculously hot looked my way and actually talked to me, Zach suddenly decided to act like this.Breaking the suffocating silence inside the car, I finally turned toward him.“Why are you acting this way?” I asked irritably, glaring at him.“Like what, Riv’s?” he shot back in a low, gravelly tone. “Like I’m pissed that a guy kissed you?”WHAT!?“Yes. Exactly that. And for your information, it was on the cheek.”I blew my cheeks out in frustration before continuing. “You have no right to act like this.” I gestured angrily toward him. “Let me get this straight. It’s okay for you to have girlfriends, right? I’ve never once treated you differently because of the girls you dated, Z. Never. One guy fi