“Ah, good morning Miss Peterson, please take a seat.”

  Principal Olsen gestured to the chair in front of his desk. I had been called into the principal’s office during second period, which was a welcome relief because it was a particularly slow lecture on pre-colonial American history. Mr. Olsen was an older, heavier set man with a tinge of a Scandinavian accent. I had met him many times in the various clubs and roles I had at school over the years.

  “Good morning, Mr. Olsen,” I greeted as I sat down with my ankles crossed and hands in my lap. “Is something wrong?”

  “Oh, it’s never anything wrong when it comes to you, Miss Peterson. In fact, I have some big news for you. We’ve been going through our records, and I wanted to be the first to say congratulations! It looks like you will be the valedictorian this year!”

  I had a feeling this was coming. It was almost criminal how easily I had breezed through classes since being shunted back in time. While it was time-consuming sitting in grade school day after day for years, actually pulling off the assignments was no challenge for me since this was my second round at being a high school student. As a result, I never really took any pride in my grades. Being a model student was more about passing the time and to position myself towards college, which was already happening in the fall.

  I smiled cordially, regardless. “Thank you, Mr. Olsen. What happens next?”

  “Well, you’ll have to prepare a speech and submit it by the end of classes. That’s why we’re informing you so early. There will be photos and other events, but we’ll handle those when they come. How does it feel?”

  “It’s a little overwhelming, if I am being honest. I have so much going on right now.”

  “I understand completely. I hope that this will be more of a privilege than an obligation. After all, we want to commend you for your hard work all of these years and being a valued member of the student body. Your counselor said that you’ve been accepted to the University of Chicago?”

  “Yes, we visited the campus a week ago. Everything’s been finalized, I just need to make it through the rest of the school year.”

  “Well, I want to say that everyone here at Northview High School is very proud of you. You’ve been a fine addition to our school, and you will be greatly missed.”

  We talked for a bit longer about my plans and about the upcoming ceremony before he dismissed me and I returned to class. On the way out, a few of the office staff including the vice principal and my counselor Mrs. Donovan also congratulated me, and I accepted gracefully. If I was being honest, I felt guilty for the ease at which I succeeded at school, but it would have been strange for me to turn down being valedictorian with my stellar grades. Then again, I had to sit through years of classes and lectures, so maybe I earned the prestige through sheer patience and will.

  Still, as I walked back to class through the mostly-empty hallways, I was feeling sad about graduation. The classes may have been boring, but I enjoyed my high school career far more as Maya than Matthew ever did. Being a popular cheerleader who was academically active was a lot more fun than being a loner like Matthew had been. I would definitely miss the carefree days of simply being a high school girl. And a cute one, at that.

  April was a month where the end was becoming rapidly transparent. Cheerleading was mostly finished; we had held tryouts for next year’s varsity squad with Erin, myself, and the rest of the girls playing more of a mentor role rather than actively cheering. The Investment Club was still in the middle of our project which was set to finish in June, but I was already holding discussions on who would inherit the leadership when I graduated. I was the founder, after all, and wanted to pass the reins to someone worthy. On top of all this, I was preparing for the Advanced Placement exams which were set for the first week of May. I hoped that if I scored a four or a five, which was highly probable, that I’d be able to skip a lot of the lower-level courses when I started university in September. I was eager to get into the advanced level business courses, as Matthew hadn’t taken those courses so they would be new to me.

  Outside of school, other pieces were moving in my life. I had been in regular contact with Mr. Thorne, and he was actively setting up the logistics of security and communications while I finished high school in Minnesota. Since I wasn’t legally an adult until the beginning of May, he coordinated with Dad about security measures. Since the majority of my wealth was locked up at Northern Trust and the full windfall of my domain sales weren’t set to take place for months, it was agreed that a minimal amount of security would be needed. At least until autumn.

  When a security contractor arrived to install an advanced alarm system and new locks to the house, Mom was highly confused. Dad explained that it was all complimentary, due to the circumstances of my "internship." He had finally admitted to her just how successful I had been with his portfolio, and while Mom was a little shocked that this had been going on without her knowledge, after seeing the size of Dad’s modest portfolio Mom was very excited about having the ability to help with my tuition. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that my tuition was already paid in full with my portfolio.

  Even though security wasn’t too intrusive, it required me to have regular check-ins with the security consultant and with Thorne. It was unusual for him to have to work around a high school schedule, but it was very clear that not only was I an important client, I was Thorne’s primary client. I represented a great amount of wealth, and therefore fees, to his firm and I was given the white glove treatment all the way. I had the feeling that it was going to get more and more intrusive as time went on, but I had no choice but to accept the circumstances that I set in motion.

  There was no fanfare when my eighteenth birthday arrived in the first week of May. It occurred on the day of my AP exams, which already added to the amount of stress going on with every other aspect of my life. While my practice exams helped considerably, it was still a pain to take the tests. What’s more, that evening I had a quiet birthday dinner with my family and I was inundated with calls from Thorne about operating procedures and updates, now that my former trust was dissolved and I directly controlled my assets and my LLC. All I wanted to do was eat my birthday cake in peace.

  I decided not to do much as far as celebrating went. It seemed like everyone at school was burning out from the end of the year, and Thorne would always casually remind me not to be too active as it may pose a risk. I ended up just inviting Erin over that Saturday night to have a quiet evening together, away from the stresses we were both feeling. In particular, Erin was sad that her cheerleading career was coming to an end.

  “All I’ve ever wanted was to be a cheerleader, and next week it’s all over,” groaned Erin as she sat on my bedroom floor. I sat behind her, braiding her hair.

  “Well, you’ll still be able to cheer when you’re in Michigan in the fall,” I reminded her.

  “I guess,” she sighed. “But going from varsity captain to a freshman again…and that’s if I even make the tryouts. All of this end of the year stuff, it’s freaking me out!”

  “Tell me about it,” I grunted as I tied off the end of her hair. “I have to help the student council plan out prom in just two weeks, on top of everything else I have to do! I’d say I’d be happy when it’s all over, but then I have everything else going on in Chicago. There, how’s that?”

  “Love it,” Erin pulled at her braid, turning towards me. “Prom is going to be fun, once all the work is done. Do you…have any plans? With Jake, I mean.”

  “Well, we’re going together, like we always do.”

  “You know what I mean, Maya,” she said coyly, “are you guys doing anything…after?”

  “Oh. Oh!” I blushed. “God, I didn’t even think of that. I mean, Jake and I haven’t even talked about that. We never have.”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Erin tilted her head. “What are you talking about? You’ve been dating for years. I assumed that you two had already…sealed the deal?”

  “No, we haven’t done anything like that.” I paused. “Is that weird?”

  “It’s a little weird, I guess. I mean, I always assumed you two would get married or something. But you two haven’t…done anything…at all?”

  I shook my head vigorously. “In all honesty, I’ve always told myself to stay away from anything physical until I was eighteen. I mean, we’ve kissed and stuff, but nothing beyond that. I guess I thought a switch would flip when I became an adult. But now that I am one... I feel exactly the same.”

  Erin nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. I haven’t done anything with anyone either. I want to, but I’ve never really felt close enough to a guy to get that far. I would only want to if I felt really comfortable with them. Just hasn’t happened yet.”

  “I want to, too,” I answered honestly. “I think about it a lot, about what it would be like. I’m freaking out just saying it out loud.”

  “You know,” Erin smirked, “I think this is the first time we’ve ever talked about sex.”

  “What? Sure we have. We talk about everything.”

  Erin shook her head. “Never. Not once. I just assumed you weren’t interested since you never bring it up.”

  “I am interested! I didn’t think you were. But like I said, I was waiting until I was an adult.”

  “Well, we’re both adults now.”

  It was my turn to smirk. “I guess we are. So…what should we talk about?”

  “I dunno. I guess what we like? I know for me, I love the idea of just being naked with someone.”

  “We’ve been naked together loads of times!” I joked.

  Erin laughed. “You know what I mean. Not just being naked, but being alone, holding each other, that sort of thing. It just sounds really neat. But like I said, I could only do that with someone who I knew really well.”

  “I like that too,” I agreed. “Sometimes I sleep naked, just because it’s more comfortable than pajamas. But cuddling with someone like that…that would drive me wild.”

  “Well, you are a cuddler, Maya.”

  I raised my eyebrow. “What are you talking about? You’re always cuddling with me!”

  We laughed together, which was followed by a pronounced silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, but a silence of unspoken transparency. I had always steered clear of talking about sex with anyone, mostly because it felt wrong since I was legally underage.The decades of memories in my head made it more imperative that I steered clear of that topic and kept my own explorations strictly private. But at this moment, the thoughts I kept to myself were surfacing, and I could feel the heat in the room rising.

  “I know you said you hadn’t done anything with Jake,” asked Erin tentatively, “but have you thought about doing anything with anyone? Even a girl?”

  I couldn’t help but blush again. I figured there was no harm with being honest, especially with Erin. “I’ve thought about it. I’ve wondered what it was like to kiss or whatever with a girl, but I never acted on it. What about you?”

  It was Erin who blushed now. “Not really. But if I was going to do anything with anyone, it would probably be with you. I don’t just cuddle with anyone, you know.”

  “I would with you, too. I mean, if you wanted to,” I answered lamely.

  “You would? What about Jake?”

  I shrugged. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with him. I’m nervous enough just kissing him. With a girl, it would just be practice or something. To feel more comfortable with ‘the real thing,’ y’know?”

  Erin nodded. “I like that. Practice. It makes it seem less…I dunno, heavy? It might be really fun.”

  I leaned forward, afraid I was talking too loud. “Are we really talking about doing this?”

  Erin leaned forward as well. “I know, it’s crazy. But I have to admit, it’s kind of exciting.” She suddenly jerked her head to the door. “Oh geez, is your family still awake?”

  I stood up quickly. I didn’t hear anything, but now I was on guard. “Good call. I’ll go check real quick, I’ll be right back.”

  My brother Tim’s room was right next door, but he was at a friend’s house overnight. Ever since the first time I had girlfriends stay over he always made sure to stay somewhere else. It was around ten at night, so the basement area was dark, and when I went upstairs and peeked into the entry way I saw all of the lights turned off. Janie must have been in her room, and I could hear the TV on in my parent’s room. The house was pretty much asleep. I dashed back into my room, quickly locking the door behind me. Erin was standing in the middle of my room, her arms crossed around her stomach.

  “Well?” she asked nervously.

  I nodded quickly. “Coast is clear. Everyone is asleep.”

  Erin breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, what should we do now?” she asked with a timid smile.

  “Well,” I said crossing the room to stand in front of her, “we could just start by kissing? But I don’t want to rush or anything. If it feels off to you, I want to stop right away. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she echoed. “Same for you; if you’re uncomfortable, just say something.”

  I nodded, and very slowly approached her. My hand went around her waist, and I felt hers go around mine. It was a little awkward, but I could feel how warm we both were as we pressed against each other. I licked my lips, and I felt her shake a little bit as she closed her eyes. Tentatively, I leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on her lips. Both of us shuddered, and I quickly gave her another longer kiss. We shared a breath, and together we leaned in again, slightly opening our mouths as they pressed against each other.

  We kissed like this for a while, and I admit my head started to get fuzzy as we sighed into each other’s mouths. Our tongues lightly grazed each other and traced our lips. Our embrace tightened as we squeezed against each other, with her smell filling my nostrils. Briefly we broke apart, smiling at each other and giving one quick peck as we giggled together.

  “You’re a good kisser, Maya,” grinned Erin.

  “So are you,” I whispered as I attacked her mouth again, and our hands gripped our backs.

  This went on for another minute, before Erin broke the kiss and nuzzled against my neck. “Do you want to get undressed, maybe?” she murmured against me. Her hand was already going underneath my t-shirt.

  I sighed affirmatively, and I raised my arms above my head, letting Erin take the hem of my t-shirt and pulling it over my head. My thick hair got caught briefly as she tossed it aside, and I stood exposed since we weren’t wearing bras. I did the same for her, my hands brushing her skin as I helped clear her hair. Then I felt her fingers on the belt of my pajama bottoms. I shuddered, stepping out of them as she worked them down to my ankles. When she stood she was already pulling hers down, so I reached out to help.

  We hugged again, this time feeling our smooth bodies pressed against each other, resting our heads on the others’ shoulder. Our breasts rubbed against each other and our nipples were rock hard. We stood and stroked our backs, the heat quickly building between us. I could feel both of us sweating in anticipation.

  “Let’s lay in bed,” I whispered into her ear, “but let me do something first.”

  She nodded, and we broke, and I saw her fully. It was so different from the hundred times I had seen her naked before, and I was sure it was the same as she looked at me. I quickly went to the ledge along the wall and grabbed one of my candles, quickly lighting it and setting it on my night stand. I went to my light switch, taking one look at Erin, sitting on the edge of my bed in the full light, before switching it off. She looked even more beautiful in the candle light. I hoped I looked as good as she did.

  Erin scooted under my linens, and I got into bed next to her, pulling the blanket over us. I turned on my left side facing her as she lay on her right. I moved next to her, pressing myself against her and sliding my left hand under her as her hand went over me. For a while we just lay there, stroking each others’ hair and smiling at each other.

  “God, could you imagine if anyone saw us right now?” I murmured.

  “I know. This is so exciting though. I’m so turned on right now,” she replied, her hand resting on my hip under the blanket.

  As I lay under the sheets next to Erin, flickers of Matthew’s memories flashed through my mind. They were brief, foreign surges of sensation but utterly disconnected and distant. They were memories of someone else's passion, someone else's life, and they felt almost alien compared to how I was feeling now. Not to mention far less intense; every bit of me was electric and what Matthew’s memory relayed was a dim shadow.

  His thoughts dissipated as our lips met again in the dark, and we embraced and clasped tightly to each other.