The Crescent Read Online Free PDF Page B

band uniform getting into his S-10, the first and only guy I had ever slept with. My sophomore year, Jillian and I signed up for band after the encouragement of our parents. They felt it would help us “make more friends”. It sort of did, but I’m sure not in the way they had intended. We made a pact with Nate and his best friend, Brian, that we would get the whole virgin thing out of the way by Christmas break if we hadn’t found someone. None of us had, so we drew names and just did it. It was the most awful experience of my life. Something was missing and things had been weird between Nate and I ever since.
    I wrapped my fingers around my iPod tightly as I pushed it back into the holder and scrolled through to Green Day. American Idiot started blaring in my ears, taking away the memory of Nate fumbling with the condom, replacing it with the memory of Alex’s huge hand wrapped around mine. Back in the parking lot, Alex leaned against a jet-black classic Camaro and half the cheer squad surrounded him. I tried to get the thought of Ashley’s hand on his arm out of my mind as I turned the corner and cranked the iPod louder.
     
    The next four hours I spent cleaning out the exam rooms and the holding areas for the animals, trying my best to get Alex out of my head. Aunt Jamie actually let me stitch up one of the dogs that came in and tried to get me to assist in neutering a cat, but I refused.
    It was after 11 by the time she drove me home. Grant sat astute on the front step of the house when we got there, the house completely dark.
    “Oh goodness- he is gigantic!” She walked up to him and brushed both her hands down the length of his body. “I’ve never seen a shepherd this big. Maybe you should bring him in.” She tried to pick up one of his paws, but Grant refused like he did every time I tried to put a leash on him. He let her touch him a few times then he had enough and settled next to my feet.
    “Are you tired buddy?” I scratched behind his ears as he leaned his head into my side.
    “So have you got them to agree to a car yet?” Jamie motioned towards the house.
    “No, dad thinks I’m too irresponsible.”
    Jamie’s my dad’s little sister; I was closer to her than I had been with my parent’s in recent years. “You are more responsible than any kid I know.”
    “I know.” Grant head butted me on my stomach. “I think they still don’t want me going to San Diego.”
    “You’re parents are just being protective. You are very special to them.”
    “I know.” I didn’t know how else to respond.
    Aunt Jamie gave me a hug and then took off. I sat on the porch for several minutes with Grant next to me, enjoying the cool night air on my face and the moonlight casting everything in a bluish tint.
    “Come on boy, you ready to go to bed?” I patted his head and led the way to my room wondering what rumors would be flying at school over Alex’s public admission to stalking me.
    “You would not believe the day I had.” I spoke quietly. “Jillian and I only have one class together. And I got paired with the most psychotic cheerleader from hell for first period.” I pulled on my tank top and shorts to sleep in. Grant lay in his usual spot at the foot of my bed, intently listening to my drama. I probably needed to ask for a bigger bed since Grant could stretch across the whole width of it and his paws hung off the side. “Did you get bigger while I was at school?” I laughed and pushed his head away as I lay down in bed. He put his face right up to mine, sniffed and then licked the entire side of my face.
    “Ewww Grant…” I groaned, now smelling like dog breath and hamburger. I got up and washed my face in the bathroom trying to erase the awful smell. When I climbed back into bed it looked like he would do it again. “Don’t even think about it.” Pressing my hand to his nose, I pushed his face away before he could lick me again.
    “I did meet a guy today. Well… sort of, until he was