"Char, are you okay?" 

Joyce placed her hand on my shoulder. I wanted to shrug it off but refrained. I didn't want this awkward late night conversation to last any longer than it had to. 

"Sure, I'm alright," I said without elaborating.

"You're home late." Joyce glanced at the clock on the wall which read 2:41 AM. "Or rather, early."

"So? You, Skye, and Paisley often get home later than this," I shot back. 

I wondered why Joyce was home anyway. Paisley, Skye and the guys weren't. They were probably still at whatever club they'd went to tonight. Maybe Ocean, maybe elsewhere. 

Joyce had this hurt expression on her face at my harsh tone, but despite feeling a twinge of guilt I didn't cave. 

"You're right, it's late. Time to go to bed." 

I got up.

"Wait!" Joyce protested. "Aren't you going to tell me how your date with Ty was?" 

Oddly enough, I didn't particularly feel like showing off to the people in the apartment. I got what I exactly wanted. More even. But... I bit my lip.

"It was fine," I replied curtly.  

"Just fine?" 

Joyce's eyes were wide with curiosity, while I narrowed mine. "Why? So if I tell you about it you can report back to Paisley and Skye about it?" 

"Wha-" 

"I don't appreciate you telling them about me never having had a boyfriend." 

"Char... I'm sorry, I just didn't know it was a big deal." Joyce pouted in a way that usually worked on guys, teachers, and sometimes our parents. Unfortunately for her, I was part of none of the former mentioned groups. 

I walked to the door. "Whatever. I'm going to bed." 

"Char!" Joyce whined again. She didn't follow me into my room, however, which was a good thing. I would've just pushed her out and slammed the door shut in her face at this point. 

I didn't know how to feel. 

Whether I should've stepped into Ty's apartment and whether what we did was a good idea. 

He was a charming guy, and I should've known it wasn't just 'let's have a drink and then I walk you home.' He'd kissed me after a few sips and I'd let him. His hand dipped below my shirt and all I did was shiver in anticipation and let him. I didn't draw the line until his hands were already down my pants, touching me. 

I laid down in my bed, not even bothering to take off my fancy clothes as I shifted below the covers and closed my eyes. Had I taken it too far? I hardly knew him, but then again, book romances were unrealistic. Maybe this was just... real life and I had to accept that.

Ty did at least keep his word and walked me home. He wasn't mad, or even annoyed that I said no in the end. 

That was a relief. Or so I thought. The next morning, after a very short and troubled night, I understood why things had gone so smoothly. 

Ty was in the climbing hall with his arm around Sarah, the waitress who had served the food at our date less than twelve hours ago, and pecked her lips.

I froze in the entrance, coming to a full halt, while Ty looked my way and smiled. He slipped his arm off of Sarah's shoulders and waved at me.

"Morning, Char!" he greeted cheerfully, while Sarah looked like she literally wanted the earth to open up and swallow me just so I would be out of the way. 

I didn't expect this to hurt. 

After all, I had only 'wanted' Ty because he was friendly and attractive, plus, because Paisley wanted him. Mostly because Paisley wanted him. 

I'd told Vera that I wasn't expecting anything, and yet... I shouldn't care, and yet my stomach sank. 

With a weak smile I waved at Ty and Sarah, then headed right to the climbing wall. When I was already standing in front of it, I realised I had forgotten to switch my shoes in my daze.

In order to switch my shoes, however, I first had to rent them from Vera at the front desk. Vera, who undoubtedly would shoot me all-saying 'told you so' looks. She was probably already doing that. I had pegged myself for the wrong type, not Vera. 

I didn't want to be in this climbing hall, where Vera was quietly judging me, where Ty had his arm around Sarah. What was I still doing here? I didn't even want to climb anymore.

Swinging my backpack over one shoulder I made for the door.

"Char!" a woman's voice called after me. Vera's voice. But I didn't respond. 

"Hey, where are you going so fast, beautiful?"  another deep voice added. 

A guy I'd seen before and recognised as one of Ty's Ocean club friends stepped in front of me, making me come to a halt. He gave me a slow, leering up and down look. 

"I saw you last night," he told me. "At the club. You seem cool. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. We can grab a bite to eat after climbing?" 

"Oh, I don't know," I murmured politely, refusing to make eye-contact with the guy, rather keeping my gaze fixated on the exit. "Maybe some other time." 

"Come on," the guy insisted, blocking my way when I tried to move past him. "Why so cold? Ty and Paisley told me you were here to have a good time. We can have a good time, too." 

I forgot I didn't want to make eye-contact with this guy. My wide eyes darted up to his smirk then further up to meet his gaze. For a few moments, I was flabbergasted. Completely stunned. Flatlined. 

That Paisley or Skye would talk about me behind my back was to be expected. But Ty? Friendly, outgoing Ty who'd told me to have more confidence and had kissed me? 

I knew what Ty and I did was likely to be a one time thing, definitely not meant to last beyond the vacation. I knew we didn't really have a 'bond' as such. But I didn't expect him to talk about me like... like Paisley would. A wave of discomfort washed over me. Had he told all his friends I was easy? 

"I--" I managed to bring out before my voice stopped working. 

I simply pushed myself past the guy and dashed for the exit, again ignoring Vera calling after me.