Looking a little mollified, she wrapped her arm around the back of my neck and gave me a quick peck on the Lips, similar to the hundreds she'd given me this year already.

“What does all this have to do with Darryl?"

Belle sighed, her frown returning. She glanced at the roof again for a moment before giving me a weary Look and shaking her head.

“After our last meeting went so well, I sort of assumed he'd come ask me out on a date today."

“But he didn't?"

She shook her head. "At the mall, he was totally into me. Today, nothing. I finally went looking for him after school. But when I popped up and said hi, he pulled me into a quiet corner and..."

Her voice trailed off, her shoulders sagged, and I instinctively hugged her closely once more. She had assured me he didn't touch her, so I relaxed on that front. And I waited patiently for her to gather herself.

“He said he thought I was super-cute, but that he was looking for a

‘mature’ relationship. His words. I asked him what that meant, and although he blushed and Looked embarrassed for a bit, in the end he said he'd asked around and the other guys told him I was a girl who wouldn't put out."

My jaw dropped.

“You serious?"

"I told him I was waiting for the right guy and was hoping it might turn out to be him. But he shook his head and admitted he just wanted to get laid. He said everybody knew the BTC was a bunch of prick-teases, and he didn't want to deal with all the teasing if it wasn't going to go anywhere."

“Belle... I sighed, held her just behind her ears, and pressed her forehead to mine. "I'm sorry."

She sniffled but took a deep breath and mumbled, "He probably did me a favor. Better I know now he's just another dumb jock looking to pop my cherry before moving on to his next conquest.”

"That IS true," I agreed.

“And a very mature response, if I may say so."

“Then why do I feel Like shit?"

“Rejection is never easy."

“You seem to deal with it just fine every day."

I pulled back to look into her eyes.

“Wait, what?"

"Isn't that what it feels Like when one of the girls lets you get oh-so-close to starting something but won't give you that final inch?

Like when Sam shoves her big tits into your face and starts peeling back the edge of her bikini top right next to your Lips but doesn't quite Let you suck on her nipple? Rejection?"

I frowned.

“No, not at all.”