The streaming sunlight shone red against my closed eyelids. I groaned. I was warm and comfortable, and even though something felt quite unfamiliar, I wasn't awake enough to place it, so it didn't bother me. I snuggled in deeper into the bed and kept my eyes firmly shut, even throwing the sheets over my head in desperation. But once I'm awake, I can't fall back asleep. It's a curse.

Sitting up, I stretched luxuriously. Back arched, arms outstretched, it took me a split second to notice two things. One: I was completely naked. Two: Grant Maddock was laying uncomfortably close to me, propped up on one elbow and sleepily enjoying the show.

My arms snapped back down and my eyes widened.

He looked amused at my reaction. "Morning, darling."

And suddenly I remembered exactly what I had been up to last night.

Oh god. Tequila? Never again.

I'm not that kind of girl. Not at all. The total number of people I've slept with could be counted on one hand with plenty of fingers left over. I don't have sex with people unless we're in a serious, committed relationship, and I do not have one night stands.

Especially not with Grant Maddocks. He was one of the more prominent figures on campus, well-liked by students and teachers alike. I may harbored a crush on him, but shy as I was, it was something I never would have acted on. He'd always been nice to me on the rare occasion we had crossed paths, but he's reputed to be somewhat of a player. And why not? With the dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and classic good lucks, he could have his share of girls.

Now including me, apparently.

I shoved off the bed, hurriedly. My jeans were on the ground next to the bed and I pulled them up hurriedly, all sleep flown from my mind.

"Hey," his voice came out, rough and deep. I turned to look at him, and wished I hadn't. He was sitting up, the sheets dipping low to reveal his toned torso, and my mind flashed back to the fuzzy memories I had of last night. I looked away, even as he said, "No hurry, alright? We can do breakfast."

Where was my goddamn shirt? I couldn't stand here and have a conversation with him topless. As it was, I had no idea of the proper morning-after etiquette. My hands were shaking, and I was very aware of Grant's eyes on me. "N-no," I said. "I should probably get back to my room. I mean, my roommates probably looking for me and-"

I knew this story. I've heard it a thousand times before. Guy and girl are drinking. Guy sleeps with girl. Guy and girl have awkward conversation and then avoid each other for the forseeable future. I've just never lived it. Nor wanted to. I would have especially loved to avoid that last step, and it was Grant, and... I needed to get to my room and have a complete breakdown.

His eyes studied me for a second. Then, he swung off the bed and fluidly pulled a pair of pajama pants on. Thank god. I could barely deal with my nakedness, let alone his.

I tried to keep myself collected as he walked closer to me. "Have-have you seen my shirt? I need to leave, I mean, I can't just walk out like this." I couldn't stop my mouth, nor the tremble in my voice.

He brushed my hair away from my face, the back of his hand lingering against my cheek. "You don't do this too often, do you?" he asked me, gentler than I would have expected. Eyes wide and nervous, I shook my head, unable to speak. He nodded in recognition and told me, "It'll be alright."

Wrapping my arms around myself, I found myself nodding back. "Okay," I breathed.

"Here, you can borrow one of hoodies," he told me, going to his wardrobe and handing me a sweatshirt with our school name emblazoned in white on the front. I gratefully pulled it over my head, even managing a smile at him, tentative and weak though it was. I couldn't help but to breathe in his scent as I did so. It was a little big on me, but what did I expect? It would be kind of creepy if he had a collection of girl's clothing small enough for me to fit into. Or any collection of girl's clothing at all, actually. He eyed me critically, then grinned. "It looks good on you."

My face flushed.

I stood awkwardly for a second, the two of us just looking at each other. What should I say? Thanks for the sweatshirt? Oh, and the mindblowing sex? I gestured to the door, and mumbled. "I should probably get going." Oh yeah, how attractive.

He nodded in understanding. "Yeah." He walked over and opened the door for me. I walked out and was about to leave when I hesitated outside his dorm room.

I turned around. He was looking at me expectantly. I had to ask. I had to. Hesitantly, I asked, "Are you going to want this hoodie back?"

Meaning, do you want to see each other again? Believe me, in a school this big, it would be not hard at all to not see his face until graduation. But somehow, even now, I didn't want that.

He looked amused, as if knowing this was the only way I would be able to ask. I waited for his answer. If he told me to keep it, it was sealed. He would just be another regret for me, and I another on his list of conquests. He grinned at me. "Well, it is my favorite one," he told me.