I had been counting on angry looks at the breakfast table the next morning, so I wasn't surprised to be the receiver of some dirty looks when I went into the kitchen to grab a plate. 

Normally, that would make me nervous. Being disliked by Joyce's friends. But today, I was still so high up on my 'success' from yesterday evening even their glares couldn't discourage me. 

I simply smiled at Skye and Paisley as I took a seat opposite them and next to my sister.

Skye sneered at me. "You can stop gloating now. Ty was just being nice, okay?" 

"Sure, I usually kiss people I'm 'just being nice' to," I retorted. "Oh wait, no, that's you." 

Both Skye's and Paisley's eyes widened. I saw Joyce staring at me too from the corner of my eye.They didn't expect me to stand up for myself because I hardly ever did, especially not in such a snarky way. They should've known better after yesterday. 

Paisley was the first to recover. "Don't think you're suddenly hot shit or anything," she snapped. "You are still alone with no friends and never had a boyfriend. Ty knows."

"Aw, so cute that you want to be her first time, Ty," Skye cooed, leaning her head to the side to rest on Paisley's shoulder. "That's what we told him, too. After you left." 

"Paisley, Skye, that's enough!" Joyce protested, startled. "You didn't actually say that to him, did you?" 

I didn't stick around for the answer, which I was sure was 'yes' anyway. Instead I abruptly got up and dashed out of the kitchen with my mind whirling. 

While I was in the apartment grabbing my exercise gear, I was upset. By the time I reached the streets, hurrying down the path that lead to the climbing wall, I was angry. 

The only way Paisley and Skye could know, for sure, that I never had a boyfriend was through Joyce. So much for sisterly support. 

It's not like it was all voluntarily. I just hadn't found anyone I liked yet to have a relationship with because I didn't put myself out there enough. It's not like I wouldn't like to.

Crap, and now I had to meet Ty. If Skye and Paisley had talked behind my back about me being a virgin, it would be so awkward today. Maybe he wouldn't show. It'd been more like a vague half-hearted agreement we'd meet anyway. 

Luckily for me, Ty wasn't at the climbing hall yet when I arrived. Vera was behind the counter, looking perfect no-hair-out-of-place as always. 

"Good morning," she greeted me with a small smile as I walked up to her. 

"Morning," I replied right before Vera suddenly leaned forward and reached for my face.

"Wait, you have a smudge on your cheek. Some mascara I think." Vera's thumb brushed against my cheek as she wiped it clean. 

"Oh, uh, thanks," I stammered. The skin she touched burned and I couldn't stop myself from blabbering on, "I was at the clubs last night. Must've missed a spot." 

Vera raised one brow. 

"With the dress," I added dumbly. "Everyone really liked it. So I guess I should thank you for picking it for me." 

"No problem," Vera said, though she'd lost her smile somewhere along our conversation. "I hope things went well for you. So, you want the usual? Pair of climbing shoes and a couple hours on the wall?" 

"Yeah, thanks. That sounds good," I said, wondering if I'd somehow screwed up something with Vera now. She didn't seem to like the clubs nor the people who frequented them very much. 

I decided to take my mind off of it and Ty for now as I tried some simple routes. I'd made a lot of progress since the workshop, though, my muscles were still too tired and sore from yesterday to do anything more difficult. 

Ty walked in just as I was planning on calling it a day, and part of me quickly wanted to slip into the dressing room and escape while I still could. 

I was too late. As I hopped down the wall onto the big mat, Ty had already spotted me. He smiled widely and waved. 

"Hey, Char!" he said, rubbing his hands. "Ready for the mint route?" 

I laughed. The mint coloured routes were the toughest type in this hall. I'd never even seen Ty finish one and I wouldn't stand a chance unless I practiced as much as Vera did. 

"Sure, already did two," I joked, extremely relieved Ty wasn't acting strange around me now. "But no, I was ready to call it a day. My muscles are tired."

"Aw," Ty said, stretching the word as he exaggeratedly pouted. "I was hoping we'd hang out." He gestured at the wall. "Literally."

I laughed again. "Sorry, but I'm really done for the day. My arms are jello."

"Alright," Ty finally agreed. "Hey, can we grab some dinner later? Maybe around six at Club Ocean? It's not just a club you know? We serve some great paella too around dinner time."   

"Yeah, okay, sounds good," I replied shyly, suddenly realising I was tugging at my hair and that was making it real obvious I was feeling shy. I immediately dropped my hand. 

Ty patted my shoulder. 

"Great see you there," he said, before jumping onto the wall and climbing up purely on the strength of his arms. Vera had discouraged us all from doing that, rather encouraging using technique, but Ty pulled it off. 

I couldn't help but stare at his arm muscles for a while. I nearly bumped into the counter, and would have if Vera hadn't cleared her throat just in time to make me turn. 

Seeing Vera reminded me of something else, too. 

If I wanted to go to dinner with Ty, I couldn't wear the pink dress again. He'd already seen that one and I didn't want him to think I never changed. 

"Hey, would you happen to be... at the clothing store later today?" I asked with an awkward grin. "I may need your help to shop for another dress." 

Vera shook her head. "No, not me, but my coworkers are. They're more than capable of helping."

"Oh, uh, okay. Thanks." 

Vera was wearing her solemn pokerface rather than her friendly helpful one and I slinked away to the locker room, not wanting to bother her any further. She seemed in a bad mood today. 

Just as I'd sat down on the bench to take my shoes off however, Vera walked into the room. She stopped in front of me, seemingly hesitating before speaking. 

"It's none of my business really," she started. "Though, I overheard you and Ty making dinner plans. I wanted to ask: are you sure? I just don't think he's the type of guy you want to date." 

Again with the 'not good enough' hints. I crossed my arms. "Why?"

"Because you don't strike me as the type for one night stands, okay?" Vera smoothened her hair, looking away from me. "I know I'm intruding big time here, but I don't like watching. You deserve... better." 

"Vera, I'm not imagining some sort of future with a guy I meet on a holiday." I sighed deeply. "I want a good story for later. I want something like my sister and my sister have this once. Just, this one time. I'm not making any illusions that this will last longer than exactly one holiday."

Vera followed my example and sighed deeply, too. "Fine," she then simply said. "I guess I misread you. Have fun at dinner tonight, Char." 

Vera walked out of the locker room, and I was left behind alone and agitated. Why did Vera give me the feeling she was somehow disappointed? 'Oh don't have one night stands!' That was easy for her to say. She had people throwing themselves at her. I was the only one left at my friend group at home who never had anyone. I didn't even get looked at by anyone until last night. 

It's not like I wouldn't like love and romance with everything included, but sometimes it just didn't happen that way. Ty had said it: things don't work like that around here. I had to play with the cards I was dealt. And I was here in Spain now, right here, trying to have a good time. 

Still, as I finally pulled the climbing shoes off of my feet to hand them in at the counter, I realised Vera's words had wormed their way into my brain. She was already in my head, and I doubted I'd get her out any time soon.