One

Sydney's POV

"I can't wait for you two to do it tonight," Penny squealed.

I smiled to cover how nervous I was. "I know, right? I'm sure it'll be the most beautiful moment," I said as I hugged myself.

I would have been happier given it's Friday but since Penny and I started planning this, I've been a little on edge.

"Sweetie, I know you're scared. But that's why we didn't tell Luke. You know, so that you'd have the element of surprise." She swung her arms like it was a magic trick.

I shrugged. "I'm fine," I told Penny everything but this felt different. She wasn't going to be the one on white sheets with Luke so she wouldn't understand. I snapped out of it soon enough to notice we were at my house already.

"Eight pm. Remind your mom," Penny instructed sternly, then smiled.

"Better tell her yourself. You know how to charm her."

She looked a little skeptical then shrugged before leading me into the house. "Oh Mrs. Cambell," she sang as we went to my mom's personal kitchen.

"Hello dear," my mom smiled. It shook me every time she seemed so easygoing with my best friend. Even I don't get that side of her often. She was usually stone-cold with the servants, cracked a few smiles with my dad and just seemed like a blank page to me.

"…I think we can let Sydney out for tonight. When will you have her back?" I heard my mom say. My jaw almost reached the floor. How did Penny do it with this woman?

"Is ten okay?" Penny asked. Really, where did this girl get the guts to negotiate with the Luna of the York pack?

"Nine thirty is better. Have her back by then."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you so much." Penny beamed and left.

After some time, my mom said, "What's so interesting about that cupboard that I haven't noticed yet?"

Taking my eyes off a cupboard I happened to be staring at but didn't realize, I just went up to my room to deal with my nerves.

Hours later, it was almost five and I was the last person on the planet to be ready. I just couldn't decide on what to wear. It was Penny's birthday but I was more worried about my appearance than her gift.

Flashback

"Come to think of it, are you and Luke intimate yet?" Penny randomly asked during a quiet lunch. I almost puked out my food. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You aren't? Why not?"

I tried to appear unbothered although I cleared my throat like three times. "We just haven't gotten there yet."

"You guys have been dating for one year, six months, two weeks, and four days," she replied matter-of-factly. "Or are you scared to give him your V-card?"

I guess my expression was enough of an answer. But before she spoke again, I said, "It's no biggie. Just leave it."

She refused. "You know what? I can help. I don't even get why you didn't tell me this before. I can arrange everything for you on my birthday."

"But it's your birthday."

"Exactly. And that can be your gift to me. I mean you, you guys obviously love each other."

Flashback ends.

Looking back at that conversation, I didn't know whether to back out now, but we'd spent more time planning it than her actual birthday party. Taking a deep breath, I donned on the mini dress Penny bought me a month ago.

She was right. It hugged my figure perfectly and red was definitely my color. If I were a guy, I'd take me. By the time I was done dressing and checked my watch, it was already six thirty. I got down the stairs soon enough to hear the doorbell ring.

"Bye Mom. Don't stay up waiting for me," I said hurriedly as I pecked her and left. She was still going to wait for me.

"Did you peck her like I told you to?" Penny asked as soon as I closed the door.

"Yeah." I just hoped it'd work to calm her nerves.

"See? I've told you to be nice to the woman. It'll work magic on her and she'll make your dad cut you some slack."

I shook my head to block out her voice. When we were a little way from my house, she called an Uber. But midway into the trip, I noticed we weren't going to her boyfriend's house. "The party is at Jason's," I pointed out.

Her clenched fists didn't mirror her calm voice. "Don't worry about that. I'll tell you about it later. For now, let's enjoy the night."

We soon arrived at a club. My skin pricked me, my heels felt tight and my dress suddenly felt too revealing. I felt a little dizzy as she led me in. "But Luke doesn't know about this change in location," I tried to speak over the noise.

"Don't worry. I got it covered."

She did indeed because Luke soon came into sight. He handed us some drinks and settled his hand on my waist. "You look beautiful tonight," he whispered. Surprisingly I could even hear him. My words stuck in my throat, I just managed a smile and a nod.

I took some time to observe the disco lights and music. It was the kind of music I liked, just that it was a tad too loud for me. I gladly accepted the burning sensation the bear gave me. It came with some confidence too which washed away like water on a stone when I saw Penny in the crowd dancing on the floor. Luke was about to say something when I spoke first. "I need to get something from Penny. I'll be right back."

She was screaming, "Time to get wasted," when I got there.

"Not now," I growled as I dragged her away. "I'm too nervous, Penny. I can't do this," I admitted.

"Just get wasted then. The alcohol will keep you from actually seeing things," she said with what seemed to be an attitude. "Just do it and you'll be fine. I promise. But try to be conscious enough to make it to your special room," she added with a wink before leaving me.

Taking a deep breath, I got back to Luke, who smirked as his eyes roamed over me. "Didn't see you at school today. How come?"

I knew he was most likely just making conversation. Or maybe I just hovered around him too much and it was surprising I'd go a day without seeing him. Either way, I panicked before responding. "Penny and I were busy." He stared at me deeply but I was too distracted by the awkward silence and the noise of the club to notice how his eyes sparkled.

"You too are no fun," came Penny's voice. "Let's take shots. The first person to lose it owes the winner twenty bucks."

"You're on," Luke cheered.

"Oh, no. This is for Sydney and me. You'll be the judge."

I reluctantly agreed, not quite sure if she was helping me at this point. By the time I was three shots in, I tapped Luke. "Can you take me…outside?"

"Are you dropping out?" he asked. I thought I heard the disappointment in there so I shook my head — and it hurt. "No. You're on, Penny."

What felt like an eternity later, Penny whispered, "Take him to the room."

Nodding, I took Luke's hand. "Where are we going?" he asked.

I giggled, "It's a surprise."

We got to the room and I locked the door behind me. Surprisingly, he didn't ask any questions. But I didn't mind. Maybe he read my mind and knew I'd chicken out if I had to answer any questions. Taking off my dress in the sexiest way the girls in movies did it, I gulped. A thought threatened to stray in but I chased it away.

His hands took my underwear off and ran down my body. It felt good as my hands touched his bare chest. Before I could do any more discovering, his mouth took mine.

My eyes opened to see myself on the other side of a bed. I couldn't remember much but I knew yesterday was Penny's birthday and I was supposed to give Luke my virginity. When my hands felt my warm naked body, I smiled even though I couldn't remember much of it. Taking a deep breath, I turned to face him.

My heart sped. I was sure my death was near given the speed of my heartbeat and my shortness of breath. A sleeping tattooed man faced me. A man who wasn't Luke.

Two months later

I could barely see the room I was pacing in. It didn't matter anyway. I never told Penny about the mistake I made that night, and Luke didn't seem to notice anything either. Strange but it was better than having to explain how I slept with a total stranger.

But staring down at my hand, I didn't know which was worse: explaining my mistake or explaining my pregnancy.