“You're Like the opposite of failure," Mari put in.

“Thank you." Sam gave her an appreciative smile. "The point is: I realized that my competitive drive was coming from a part of myself I don't really Like. I've been working on it, and a large credit goes to

Beverly -- uh, to Matty's mom -- for helping me get my head on straight. I'd like to think you may have noticed I haven't been quite so competitive Lately."

Naimh smiled. "Yeah, we noticed."

“Thank goodness for Matty's mom," Alice cracked.

Everyone Laughed at that.

Then it was Naimh's turn. "I'm sorry I called you a ‘control freak’.

“Well, I kinda AM a control freak. I don't mean to come off as bossy and overbearing, but I know that I do, and I apologize if I hurt any of you."

“It's okay," Naimh insisted.

“Truth is: I appreciate how you always seem to know what to do. I'm sure we all appreciate your leadership."

She glanced around the circle and got nods from everyone, including

Belle.

“You've been a good leader," Mari added.

“The BTC would never have gone on as long as it has without you guiding us or without us following your rules. I mean, if the sex stuff had started Last year, I wouldn't have been ready to be a part of that yet and probably would have left."

“Me too," Alice chimed in.

"You DID leave for a bit," Belle pointed out.

“But if it happened last year, I wouldn't have come back," Alice sighed.

“Sometimes I don't agree with your decisions," Naimh continued, returning her attention to Sam, “and too often I just swallow my objections instead of speaking up. I let those emotions fester and build up resentment, which isn't fair to you."

“It's cool." Sam shrugged. "I get it. Believe me, I understand the struggle of trying to contain my emotions." She looked over at me for a second before catching herself, practically jerking her attention back to Naimh.

"Me too," Belle spoke up. "I'm sorry, Sam. You've been so great for me in so many other ways, and you don't deserve my resentment. None of you do. I accused you of thinking you were above the rules when I was the one trying to break them. When you took his cherry, I was only days away from finishing my period after taking birth control. Even if you hadn't crossed the line and broken The Rule, I would have done so soon enough."

Sam shrugged.

Belle added, "And then I let myself think the rules didn't apply to me when we made the sex boycott."

“Yeah, what was THAT about?" Alice muttered. "We all agreed together to stand with Neevie and you were ready to undermine that without a care."

Belle looked down at her lap.

“I couldn't help myself. I was super horny, and yes, I was selfish. I didn't realize the consequences of what I was about to do, but Matty did and he stopped us."