log

I hurried through the dense, moonlit forest. My breath

mpfire was the theme for this year's graduation. As someone who pr

making memories," Ivy urg

will be out for the night. We could watch our favorite episode of Cow Barn Girls and order

n will be there. The Kelvin," he emphasized a

of my social life

r Cole dumped you," Pete jeered, a sat

ht now, I don't need that kind of energy," Ivy defend

I asked, already k

ight's the night you finally get lucky," Pete

hat. He's already questioning our friendship, so please don't mak

do you think you were born?" he joked,

No, just no,

te conceded, though we could tell he was

e right direction?" Ivy questio

re this is the right way," he snapped b

e passing scenery outside Pete's cousin's

ke, Keisha, what

"This is the third time we've p

st," Ivy chimed in,

" Pete asked, glancing at Ivy

up her phone. "I don't plan on being stra

lain. She had earned the nickname "drama queen" from Pete and

ty minutes, so just stay ca

" I reminded her, my eyes

ete teased. "Honestly, Ivy, I don't thin

oon Lite,"

ou attended all summer?" I as

er camp where she had a fling

old us what happened,

k with a black eye," Pete tau

t didn't go as planned, but at least I'm not a virgin,"

ow, even for you, Ivy," Pete

y for Tracy. Growing up in a religious household had its ups and downs; constantl

eputation and the reputation of our household. Sometime

approaching car, and a surg

head popped out of the

ong?" Ivy asked, excitem

ost," Daniel answered from the driv

go!" Tracy yel

ruck out here. It's more import

ally agreed. "Who

eaving Pete's cousin's truck and

gaze on me, but she

follow behind," Tracy ins

asked, his eyes fixed on

ouldn't I be

nds to overreact and get jealous

re not a virgi

ans you're waiting for the right one," h

got laid at the back of m

ust me, it shouldn't be r

to survive tonight first," I said, giving him

cked with people. Tracy and Daniel yelled wit

ming?" they ye

assured them, her ga

ng and chimed in, "Stop being a pussy, Ivy,

ser and holding my hand. She was my best

" I said, hugging h

uys," Pete sa

~

the bonfire. My eyes were fixed on Marcus, the hottest senior in school. I had a massi

re when I realized he had caught me st

see Marcus standing in front of me.

in you?" he a

nough space," I replied,

to suffocate me. I could feel the eyes of some students st

ouldn't make it,

think that?" I aske

d," he e

ch my dad's occupation as a pastor affected my soc

nd. My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't believe this was happening. "How about we

t and nervousness. He held my hand, leading the way, and

lapidated state of the abandoned house we were passing

d. "You're really pretty, Keisha. Has anyone ever told you that? I guess that must be the reason

ight might be the night I lose my virginity. I couldn't help but think about how my f

kiss on my lips. It was my very first kiss, and it felt amazing. I responded to hi

else was here. Marcus looked out towards the broken w

s I stood there, calling out his

said, standing at the crumbling porch. My eyes scanned th

expecting? Of course, he was a jerk, toying with me and leaving me strande

d, causing me to stumbl

I glanced at the screen and saw that it was already 9:30 pm. Panic set in as I noticed ten missed calls from P

as I looked around, real

ssessed the situation. It was swollen an

f a dark figure standing in the shadows, staring directly at me. My voice quivered as

hing. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in my ears, urging me to run faster. Every step caused a fresh wave of pain to shoot

thing but empty woods before me. Was it all just a figmen

ling my scream. I fought with every ounce of strength I had left, but it was hopel

lipped away, the w