This is my first try on writing a romance book. Please be kind, and feel free to comment on any errors or inappropriate language. I made sure to put *** on language too vulgar for the fear of being shut down by Wattpad. Thanks for reading this, and enjoy the book.

                                                                                          *******

“Being in a relationship at seventeen isn’t all sweet and rosy, Cassie,” Mom said, picking her words like she was defusing a bomb. “Temptations are everywhere, and these days, teen pregnancy is practically trending—”

“Stop, Mom!” I snapped before she could finish. “Shawn and I are just  going out, not in an actual relationship, okay? And besides, I don’t even like him like that.”

Before she could say anything, Katie barged in, all drama and chaos, as usual. She flopped onto the couch, her auburn hair splaying across the cushions like she was in some tragic movie. “Ugh! Mike and I broke up. Again. And I swear, I’m not taking his sorry *ss back this time.”

“Wait—who the hell is Mike?” I asked, blinking. “Weren’t you dating that other guy... Liam? Like, last month?”

Katie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but that lasted, what, two weeks? Mike’s his friend. We started dating about some time after, and it's been the worst days of my damn life.”

Having a dramatic, boy-collecting fourteen-year-old sister teaches you one thing: don’t fall in love too easily. Hell, don’t fall at all.

                                                                                                    ********

“So how was the date? Spill everything!” Maria squealed, clapping her hands together like she was about to unwrap a juicy secret.

“It was... fine, I guess,” I said, leaning on my locker. “Pizza, milkshakes, movies. That’s it.”

“Ooooh, cute.”
Maria was the kind of friend everyone needs but doesn’t deserve—loyal, nosy, and always down for gossip.

“What about you?” I asked, deflecting. “How’s Damian? Two years together—how do you not get bored?”

She let out a short, broken laugh. “Yeah... about that. I caught him cheating on me. With Massie.”

My jaw dropped. “Massie?! You’re kidding.”

Massie—the golden girl of Wilson High. Blonde, blue-green eyes, perfect smile, and the personality of a wet napkin. Gorgeous, but toxic.

“I went to his house to surprise him with a birthday gift,” Maria whispered, sobs, sneaking in between words, “I heard a girl’s voice... peeked through the window... and there they were—tongue-deep on his f*cking couch.”

My stomach turned. “What did you do? Did you confront the jerk?”

She shook her head, eyes glassy. “No. I didn’t want to ruin things. I still love him. I... want him back.”

I gawked at her. “You don’t want to ruin what? He’s the one screwing around, Maria! He should be the one begging for forgiveness, not you.”

She swallowed hard, sniffling back tears. “It’s been a month since I found out. Around the time we got back together, actually. Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I’m not enough for him—maybe he needs someone hotter, someone... more his league.”

I clenched my fists. “B*llshit. He’s an *sshole, and Massie’s a desperate, fake b*tch. You’re more than enough, Maria. If he can’t see that, then f*ck him.”

She broke down, tears spilling over as I pulled her into a hug.

I never liked Damian. Too pretty, too perfect, too practiced. The kind of guy who looks like a dream but rots underneath.
And, surprise, I was right.
I’m always right about boys.