AN: This is not a story, but rather a novel I finished in November and am still editing. It's mostly finished, but I might not publish the whole thing. I'm a bit nervous abouut putting it up, actually. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Strange Days is just a working title. Enjoy.

Part One: November 14th, 2005.

Evan

I had trouble keeping my mind on what Sarah was saying. I was more focused on that perfectly rounded ass of hers in those tight jeans. She was also wearing a light blue sweater so tight I could see the outline of her bra through it. No wonder I didn’t really hear her when she said:

“I’m breaking up with you, Evan.”

It took a moment to sink in, but when it did I nearly fell sideways off the chair I was sitting on.

We were in her maisonette flat on North street. Her parents were both gone and we were in the kitchen. I was sitting at the table and she was absent-mindedly looking out the window over the sink.

“What?”

Sarah turned around slowly and leaned against the counter.

“I’m breaking up with you.”

“Why? I thought everything was going good.”

“Well, yeah,” She said, keeping her eyes downcast. She seemed to hesitate here. “But I get the feeling you’re only using me for sex.”

“We’ve never even had sex.” I looked down into my cup of tea. If I could, I probably would have drowned myself in it.

“Exactly. You’re just with me because you want to lose your virginity.”

She sort of had a point there.

“Plus, you never have time for me. You’re always out boxing, or getting stoned, or partying–"

“Okay, I get the point,” I said, cutting her off. “But come on, Sarah, I really care about you. Please don’t break up with me.” I tried to keep my tone soft and pleading. I stood up and stretched my arms out towards her. She did not move, just shook her pretty head.

“Don’t say that, Evan, please don’t say that. You’re only making this harder and we both know it isn’t true.”

I just stood there. Today had started out so well. At lunch today Sarah had called me and asked me to leave school and come see her. I was positive that this would be it. I was finally going to get laid!

So much for that.

“It’s okay, Evan. Now we can just be friends, right?”

Yeah, right. Both of us knew that after this we’d probably never say another word to each other.

“Yeah, sure. Friends.” I said, looking up at her. “I guess I’d better be going.”

I was hoping she’d change her mind, ask me not to go, bring me into her bedroom, but no such luck. I turned around and left the kitchen. I walked down the hall and to the front door. I had my Timberlands on and my hand on the knob when Sarah popped into the hall.

“Evan?”

A sudden bright flare of hope when off in my chest. I turned around.

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any weed?”

The flare died.

“I thought we were broken up.”

“We are, but I was hoping you could give me some anyway. You know, for old times sake?”

I sighed, reached into my pocket and extracted the half-ounce Jimmy had given me earlier today to set the mood, and tossed it to her. She snatched it out of the air deftly, like a catcher grabbing the game winning pitch.

“Thanks!” She said brightly, then disappeared back into the kitchen, her long, peroxide blonde ponytail swinging around behind her.

I left the apartment slowly. School was out by now. I hoped I wouldn’t run into any of my friends. I wanted to be alone. If I hurried maybe I’d catch the next bus back to New Haven.

This kind of thing happened to me all the time. At this rate, I’d never lose my virginity.

I pulled the condom, also supplied to me by Jimmy, out of my pocket and threw it into the gutter as I walked. It wasn’t like I was ever going to find use for it anyway.

God help me, sometimes I’m really fucking pathetic.