***Trigger warnings for a panic attack, vomiting, and sexual activity. Sex is a big part of this story, so I'm going to give you as many warnings as I can without ruining the plot. You can always message me for summaries.***

Wait to start the song.

There were two sides to Ohio. There was the side with city lights and music venues and a Starbucks on every corner, and then there was corn and cattle country. Josh belonged to the first one. At least, he did until his parents decided that their work would be done best in a more secluded area where they could be more easily inspired to write their respective novels. Josh didn't know why some podunk town with a population of sixty people would offer more writing inspiration than a city full of new and exciting things, but here he was sitting on the sidewalk with his best friend as all of his stuff was being loaded into a moving truck.

He and Valerie Poxleitner had been best friends since they were six, and now they were going to be living on opposite sides of the state. Valerie hadn't stopped crying all day. Her head was rested on his shoulder and her arm was linked with his while she sniffled. Josh hadn't cried yet. He was convinced that his parents were still going to change their minds. The odds of that were getting smaller and smaller though with every box that was loaded into the U-Haul.

"You have to call me every day," Valerie insisted.

"I will," Josh promised.

"You have to tell me about everything that happens in your life," she continued.

"I will."

"You can't forget about me."

Josh scoffed. "That's not possible, Lights. You're my best friend."

Valerie nodded, wiping her tears on the sleeve of her hoodie, which had been Josh's until about five minutes ago. She'd cried when he gave it to her, unable to see the zipper through her tears and having to rely on him to put it on her.

She rested her chin on his shoulder, turning his head to face her before kissing his nose softly. Her dark eyes searched his for a second. "Do you think your parents would let you stay here if we lied and said you got me pregnant or something?"

Josh laughed, making her smile slightly despite the tears still rolling down her cheeks. It was hard to tell if they were pink from crying or from the October cold.

"They might let me stay, but there would be backlash for sure. Either your boyfriend would kill me, or I'd actually have to knock you up so my parents wouldn't know it was a lie," Josh pointed out logically, making his best friend laugh.

"Good point," she agreed with a sad smile. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," he replied honestly.

"This sucks so bad," she whispered against his shoulder.

"So bad," Josh agreed.

The back of the moving truck was closed with a deafening bang that rang throughout the air like a gunshot. Maybe it was a gunshot. Maybe Josh was dead, and this was his own personal hell.

Josh's mother seemed perfectly chipper as she thanked the movers and instructed them on where to bring the truck. Then she was walking over to Josh and Valerie with a large potted spider plant in her arms, beaming as if she'd just been told she'd won a million dollars. Josh hated her. He absolutely hated her.

"Okay, Joshua. That's the last of our stuff. You've got a few more minutes to tell Valerie goodbye, but then we need to get on the road," his mother told him as she set her plant in the backseat of their car, seat belting it in. "Your father's already halfway to Applecrest. We're behind schedule."

Josh didn't reply, resting his head on Valerie's shoulder and interlocking his fingers with hers. He still couldn't bring himself to cry, but he did feel like he'd been stabbed several times in the gut.

"Call me when you get there," Valerie told him quietly, sniffling as she started to cry again.

"I will," he replied just as quietly, his thumb rubbing hers gently. "I'll try to text you on the way there if I have service."

She nodded, squeezing his hand tightly. Neither of them wanted to let go. They had to have hugged each other and said goodbye and promised to call a million times before Josh and his mother left Columbus. He kept his headphones on and his hood up as she drove, wanting absolutely nothing to do with her right now. She was taking him away from the only home he'd ever known one month into his senior year. Couldn't she and his dad have just waited one more year? Did they really have to force Josh to give up everything just so they could write a couple of books that no one really wanted to read anyways? Apparently so, because Josh sat in the car for four hours mourning the life he'd left behind in Columbus.

Josh would have to make new friends, get caught up with whatever his new school was doing, get used to a new house, and build a new life from the ground up. His parents were being selfish, and they didn't even realize it.

---

Start the song. It's Coney Island by Good Old War.

The moving van was already in front of their new house when they arrived. Half of their stuff had already been unloaded, and Josh's dad was cheerfully chatting with one of the movers as he helped carry their kitchen chairs inside. As soon as Josh's mother parked the car, she was hopping out to check on her stupid plant, unbuckling it and carrying it inside.

Josh took his time climbing out of the car, only getting his skateboard out of the trunk before setting it down on the sidewalk and sitting on it. His dog bounded excitedly down the front steps of their yellow house with white gingerbread trim. It was like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, and it annoyed the hell out of Josh.

His golden retriever, Jim, was only about a year old, and he was so psyched to be surrounded by so many strange people in a new environment that his entire body was trembling. Josh couldn't relate. The most he could do was scratch Jim behind the ears when he loyally sat down next to Josh's skateboard, panting happily as he looked up at Josh.

Josh pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket, his stomach dropping into the soles of his feet when he saw that he had no service. He hadn't been able to text Valerie on the way here because the service had been too spotty. It was apparently nonexistent at his new house though, which was even worse.

"Yeah, that won't work in Applecrest," a voice said, making Josh jump in surprise.

The blonde girl standing next to him smiled, sitting down on the sidewalk next to his skateboard. Jim lost his mind, immediately flopping down in front of her, wriggling around on his back to draw her attention to his belly. She giggled, petting Jim with much more enthusiasm than Josh had a moment ago. She smiled at Josh again, her blue eyes twinkling.

"What's his name?" She asked.

"Jim," Josh replied simply.

The main reason he got along with Valerie so well was because she already knew how much social interaction freaked him out. She didn't push him too hard, and she made sure he was comfortable. Josh was so far out of his comfort zone right now that he wasn't really sure what to do. There was a lump in his throat. Oh god. If the first time he cried about the move was in front of this girl, he was going to die.

"And yours?" The girl asked, allowing Jim to roll onto his stomach and army crawl closer to her, licking her knees excitedly.

She was in a school uniform complete with a plaid skirt, button-up shirt, knee-high socks, and Mary Janes. Josh was going to have to wear a uniform too, and he absolutely hated that. He'd had to shave off his purple hair last night in order to be in compliance with the school's rules. He'd left his gauges and nose ring in though when his dad hadn't found any mention of piercings in the school handbook.

"I'm Josh," he told her nervously, tugging the sleeves of his hoodie down over his palms.

"Jenna," she replied, not holding a hand out for him to shake or really giving him any indication that he was under any set of formal expectations right now. He liked that.

"Do you live around here?" He asked, trying to make it sound conversational instead of hopeful or invasive. It would be nice to make a friend on his first day.

She smiled. "Kind of. I was just walking home from school with my friends. I live a couple blocks away. Ashley and Solána aren't allowed to talk to boys though."

When Josh gave her a confused look, she pointed across the street. He followed the gesture with his eyes, finding two girls in the same uniform as Jenna standing on the opposite side of the street. The were both just as gorgeous as Jenna. They both had wild manes of dark curls. The girl with lighter skin had pulled half of hers up into a ponytail while the girl with chestnut skin had let hers fall where it may. They were both looking at him with uncertainty, not daring to take one step off of the sidewalk toward him.

He looked at Jenna. "Which one is which?"

"Ashley has the orange backpack and the ponytail. Solána has the green backpack and goddess hair," Jenna replied simply. "They like your dog, but they can't come over here, so I said I'd come pet him for them."

That struck Josh as odd, but having bizarre parents of his own, he didn't feel like it was his place to judge. "He'll probably follow you across the street if you want to take him over to them for a minute."

Jenna beamed. "No way! I'll bring him right back. I swear. Does he have a leash or anything?"

Josh shrugged. "Probably in a box somewhere. Just talk to him while you walk, and he'll follow you."

The girl stood up, and Josh didn't mention to her that he could see her red underwear from this angle, simply looking back down at the sidewalk, which had no cracks whatsoever.

"Come on, Jim. We're going on an adventure," she told the excitable puppy, who jumped up and followed her without hesitation. His tail wagged as he ran across the street behind her.

The two girls who had been stiff as boards before dropped down onto the sidewalk, sitting cross-legged despite their skirts as they spoiled Jim with more petting and baby talk. Jim was eating up the attention, occasionally looking over at Josh to make sure he was still there to witness what an amazing afternoon his dog was having. Again, Josh couldn't relate.

"You are the sweetest little baby I've ever seen in my entire life," Ashley assured Jim as she rubbed his stomach enthusiastically.

"You are so precious. Oh my god. I want six of you," Solána praised, making Jim glance at Josh again happily as he rolled over onto his back, his tongue dangling out of his mouth.

Josh looked up when his dad came out of the house, smiling at him as if he was supposed to be having the time of his life. "You're on Jim duty, huh?" He asked his son good-naturedly.

"I was," Josh replied simply.

His father looked over at the girls who were sitting on the pavement with Jim. "Why don't you go talk to them? Make friends. Get settled."

"No thanks," Josh replied shortly, glancing over at the girls again as his dad sighed and went back inside the house.

Jim followed the girls as they walked a few houses down, where Ashley kissed the dog's nose and disappeared inside. Solána scratched him behind the ears before hurrying across the street to the house next door to Josh's, not even glancing at him as she disappeared inside. Jenna led Jim back over to Josh. The little dog trotted happily alongside her until he got close enough that his little dog brain told him it was time to sprint directly at Josh and launch himself onto Josh's lap, nearly making him fall off of his skateboard.

Josh swore under his breath, catching the dog before he could flop down onto the sidewalk. Jim's tail wagged excitedly as he looked up at Josh, who was holding him steady on his lap.

"You're not a puppy anymore, Jimmy. You don't fit on my lap anymore," Josh told the dog as he collected him up into his arms like a baby, making Jim whine happily.

Jenna giggled, sitting down across from Josh and running her fingers along Jim's stomach. "He's still a baby," she assured him. "Just a bigger one."

Josh smiled slightly at that, turning his head and laughing when Jim tried to lick his face. Jenna grinned at him.

"So can I ask you one last favour?" She asked with a shy smile.

Maybe it was because Jenna was the first person in Applecrest to talk to him or because Jim liked her or because she was a pretty girl wearing red underwear, but Josh replied, "Sure."

"Walk me home?" She asked, blushing as she said the words.

One corner of Josh's lips briefly tugged up into a crooked smile as his eyes shot away from hers. "Uh, sure. Okay."

She smiled, petting Jim and kissing his forehead one more time before standing up. Josh set Jim down on the sidewalk gently. "Jim, go inside," he told the excitable puppy firmly.

Jim whined, but shot into the house like a bolt of lightning anyways. Josh picked his skateboard up and set it on the lawn before turning to Jenna, who instantly grabbed his hand and started leading him down the street.

"So where'd you move here from?" She asked curiously, tugging at one of the straps of her red backpack.

"Columbus," he replied, instantly missing his best friend and his old home as he said the word.

"Where's that?" Jenna asked, swinging their connected hands as they walked.

Josh was surprised by the question. Everyone in Ohio knew where Columbus was. It was one of their major cities. Then again, Applecrest didn't even have cellphone towers. Maybe they didn't get a lot of information about other towns.

"It's in Ohio. It's like four hours away. It's a pretty big city," Josh explained.

"I've never been to a city," Jenna replied, smiling at him. "Is it pretty there?"

Josh chuckled. "In a way. It's a lot louder there, and there aren't apple trees lining the roads like there are here."

She frowned. "Then why would you want to live there?"

Josh smiled slightly. "It's home."

"You'll like it here," Jenna insisted. "It'll take some getting used to, but you'll like it. Applecrest is really pretty, and the people are nice once they come around. They don't love newcomers too much at first, but they warm up to them pretty quick. My friend Bea has only lived here for like three years, and everyone loves her. You'll be fine."

"What's with the no talking to boys rule?" Josh asked with a grin. "And why are you the only one who's allowed to talk to me?"

"The parents here are pretty strict. Mine aren't too bad though. Everyone here is pretty religious, so they're all afraid their daughters are going to go wild if they meet boys outside of their families. My parents trust me though," Jenna told Josh, climbing up onto a short stone wall and walking along it, maintaining her casual grip on Josh's hand. He could see up her skirt again. "Are you going to Applecrest High?"

"Is there another option?" Josh asked curiously.

Jenna giggled. "Homeschool."

"I would die if I had to spend all day with parents," Josh replied honestly, making her giggle again.

"Me too. Although, I wouldn't mind not having to wear a uniform anymore," she responded, hoping off of the rock wall when it ended. She landed gracefully, falling right into step with Josh again. "We used to have to wear ties, but then the PTA decided ties are too erotic, so those got banned."

Josh raised an eyebrow. "Ties are too erotic?"

"Apparently," Jenna said with a grin. "Too many possibilities, I guess."

Josh smirked slightly. "I guess."

They both laughed then, and Jenna tugged Josh across the front lawn of a house much like his own, except this one was white with peeling paint and a slowly dying lawn. There were various kinds of fruit trees in the front yard, and a tall elm tree with a swing hanging from its branches. There was a root cellar on the side of the house as well. Josh's mother had told him tornadoes were more common in this area of Ohio. Their new house was supposed to have one of those too.

"Is this your house?" Josh asked dumbly as Jenna unlocked the front door and pulled him inside.

"Yeah," she replied with a smile before leading him upstairs.

"Are your parents home?" Josh asked, remembering what she'd said about the parents here being strict.

"They work late at the hospital a town over. My dad's a doctor and my mom's a nurse. I want you to see something though," Jenna told him, leading up to the attic. She opened a small octangular window at the uppermost point of the house before pointing out if it. "Look. You can see the whole town."

Josh walked uncertainly over to the window and looked out. He could see his house and the quaint street it sat on. He could see miles of cornfields and fruit orchards. He could see the high school and the town hall. He could see everything.

Right smack dab in the middle of it all was a weathered scarecrow. It was dressed in overalls and a thick woolen sweater. The straw sticking out of its burlap head was fashioned to look like long blonde hair. The face drawn on it was feminine with bright red lips. However, it had clearly been exposed to the elements, leaving traces of its face streaking down the burlap material and holes in the clothing. It was in a flowerbed that was completely barren. The flowerbed was lined with circular stones similar to the ones that the wall Jenna had been walking on was made up of.

"What the hell is that thing?" Josh asked, leaning closer to the open window.

Jenna chuckled. "We call her Gefjon. She's been there for as long as I can remember. Our school mascot is a scarecrow too."

"Weird," Josh decided quietly, still studying the strange burlap woman hanging from a post uncertainly.

"Josh?" Jenna asked quietly.

He tore his eyes away from the scarecrow to look at the girl smiling shyly beside him. "I hope you really like it here."

A nervous sigh left his lips. "I hope so too."

Jenna studied his face for a minute before taking his face in her hands and kissing him. The kiss was slow, but she deepened it quickly. Josh was too surprised to do anything but kiss back, especially when Jenna walked him back against the wall beside the window. They slid down the wall until they were sitting on the attic floor. Jenna easily shifted to be in Josh's lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged at his bottom lip with her teeth before reconnecting their lips.

Josh had no idea where this was coming from, but he wasn't complaining. He kissed away from her lips and along her jaw, making her hum appreciatively. Her hands pushed his shirt up, and he let her pull it over his head before immediately leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses along her neck.

"I think it's sweet that you tried so hard to pretend you didn't see my underwear," Jenna told him, making his cheeks flush.

He lifted his head and looked at her apologetically. "I wasn't trying to...."

She smiled, lifting her plaid skirt up enough for him to see the red lace of her panties in full. His words trailed off, making her giggle as she unbuttoned her shirt. He couldn't do anything but watch as her delicate fingers popped the buttons out of their holes quickly, allowing him to see the matching red lace bra she was wearing beneath it.

"At least you're not wearing a tie," Josh blurted out, not really sure how to address this situation when he was struggling to think with the right head.

Jenna giggled, shrugging her shirt off and setting it on the floor next to them. "I can if you want me to," she told him with a grin. She smiled as she watched Josh's fingers skim across the lace of her bra in amazement.

"Applecrest isn't too bad," he told her finally.

She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck once again as she pressed another lingering kiss to his lips. "I told you it would grow on you," she told him with a smile.

"Yeah, you're definitely right," Josh replied, suddenly aware of how intensely he was blushing as he felt the fabric of her skirt with his fingertips.

Jenna smiled at him calmly. "Are you a virgin?" She asked him curiously. There didn't seem to be any judgment behind the words.

Josh shook his head. "No," he replied honestly.

The half naked girl in his lap smiled, trailing her fingertips down his bare stomach lightly, making the nerves there jump beneath her hand. She smiled up at him innocently with the bluest eyes he'd ever seen.

"I am," she replied quietly, her fingertips hooking into the front of his jeans. "Well, mostly."

Josh swallowed hard, watching her mouth as her teeth tugged at her bottom lip. "Mostly?"

"I've never let a boy inside me," she whispered to him, and Josh was struggling to focus on anything but Jenna's mouth now. "But I've let them play with me a couple times. My friends and I all promised we would stay virgins until we got married, but some things feel too good not to do. You know what I mean?"

Josh nodded, feeling dizzy now that there was no blood left in his brain. Jenna smiled, shifting in his lap slightly.

"Why are you telling me this?" Josh asked finally. "You barely even know me."

The girl in his lap smiled, shifting just enough in his lap that her full weight was exactly where he wanted her, and he couldn't help the quiet groan that left his lips. She smiled, rolling her hips slightly. Josh was pretty sure he was dying.

"When my friends and I saw you, they couldn't stop talking about Jim, but I didn't even notice him at first," she told him simply. She ran her fingertips up his chest before wrapping her arms around his neck again. "All I could think about was how much I wanted to know what you were hiding under that shirt."

Josh was pretty sure he was going to start drooling. He was starting to understand what Jim felt like when they placed a treat on his snout and made him wait before he could eat it. There was the most tempting treat in the world sitting on Josh's lap right now, and all he wanted to do was taste it.

Jenna tilted his head up so his eyes would meet hers, making him realize he'd been distracted by her tan skin and the crimson lace that covered the tastiest bits like frosting. She smiled at him as she brought him close enough that her lips brushed against his when she spoke.

"Do I even need to ask if you want to play with me?" She whispered against his lips, and Josh had her on her back in half a second.

Smut warning! Proceed to the next author's note.

Jenna giggled as her panties were tugged down her legs before being discarded beside her shirt. She grinned when Josh didn't bother with her bra or skirt before he was spreading her legs apart and tasting exactly what she'd been teasing him with this whole time. She let him eat her out for as long as he wanted, keeping her moans and whimpers quiet even as he licked and sucked her through three orgasms without any breaks.

After the third, Jenna sat up, easing him out from between her legs. Despite how sore his jaw was, he wanted nothing more than to keep going. He had no idea where this sudden need to please her had come from, but it was overwhelming all of his senses.

"Don't you want me to play with you?" She asked gently, suddenly making Josh aware of the throbbing weight between his own legs.

He nodded earnestly, allowing her to unbutton his jeans and helping her to slide them down his thighs. She smiled at him innocently despite her hooded eyes and ever-swelling pupils.

"How do you want to play?" She asked him softly, the tone of her voice almost condescending, but Josh couldn't help but lap up any and all attention she gave him like a needy puppy.

Josh wasn't even sure if he was capable of speaking at this point. Between the aching of his jaw and the desperation filling his bloodstream, he was fully aware that he had no control over the situation here. He tried to speak, but it came out as a whimper.

The girl before him pouted sympathetically. "Don't worry, honey. I'll take care of you. Just tell me what you need."

At this point, Josh would settle for humping her leg if it meant he could get off with her. Jenna seemed to have a better idea though, sliding his boxers off and licking her lips before meeting his eyes.

"Can I taste you too?" She asked him innocently, and suddenly he was whimpering again. She smiled at him. "Lie down. You're going to feel so much better soon." Her voice was gentle and patronizing still, but he didn't hesitate to do as she said.

In all honesty, Josh was pretty sure he blacked out the moment her lips touched him. He couldn't remember anything except for the fact that he'd just gotten the best blowjob of his life. Every tendon in his body was trembling by the time she sat back and smiled at him, his cum still on her lips. She licked it off with a smile.

The smut is over!

"How do you feel?" She asked him gently as she tucked him back into his boxers and helped him pull his jeans back up despite how hard he was shaking.

"Um, I-I don't, um I thi-think I'm-" he couldn't even get a sentence out, feeling completely overwhelmed by just how incredible everything felt.

He never wanted to leave Jenna's presence. He never wanted to leave Applecrest. He didn't care that he had no cell service or that the town was so weird. All he cared about was Jenna. He wanted to take care of her and to make her feel like he felt right now. He wanted to kiss her and tell her how incredible she was. He wanted to play with her hair and teach her how to skateboard. He wanted her to sleep in his bed every night and wake up next to him every morning. He wanted to be the only guy who ever touched her again. He wanted to be Jenna's. He wanted her to own him completely and to allow him the be that one lucky boy who finally got to be inside of her.

His thoughts fell silent when she smiled at him again, climbing off of his lap and pulling her underwear back on. She pulled her shirt back on too, and Josh felt like he was at a funeral. He felt more empty and broken than he ever had. In fact, he found himself starting to cry. He hadn't even cried during the move, but now he was crying because Jenna was dressed again?

Jenna seemed to be expecting such a reaction, sitting forward and kissing him deeply. "I'll let you play with more of me next time, okay? Don't be sad. You did such an amazing job. We'll do this again soon."

"How soon?" He asked pathetically.

She smiled sympathetically, climbing back into his lap. "Walk me home from school tomorrow."

"Okay," Josh replied without a moment of hesitation.

"Come find me when you get to school. You can sit with me and my friends at lunch. They'll love you," she insisted.

"But they aren't allowed to talk to me," Josh remembered dazedly.

Jenna smiled, stroking his cheeks gently with her thumbs as she pressed their foreheads together. "Oh, honey. They don't have to talk to you to love you. Besides, if you're a really good boy, I might let you touch me under the table."

Josh's mouth immediately began to water as he nodded quickly. "Okay," he agreed.

Jenna beamed, nuzzling her nose against his. "Good boy. See how many games we can play while I'm still a virgin? You don't need to be greedy with me. I'll give you everything you need if you just keep following the rules, okay?"

It was becoming more and more apparent to Josh that he'd never loved anyone as much as he loved Jenna. He nodded frantically before kissing along her jaw and making her giggle.

"I want to give you everything you need. I'll do it. Let me do it," he pleaded with her.

"We'll see, honey. You need to go home now, Josh. My mom and dad won't be happy if they come home and find out I let you play with me. They won't ever let you play with me again."

Josh was already pulling his shirt on, trying to get out as quickly as possible so he could keep taking care of Jenna. He didn't want her to play with anyone else. He could prove to her that she didn't need anyone else. He could.

"Josh?" Jenna called when he hurried toward the attic steps.

He stopped instantly, turning around to look at her. She was so beautiful. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Nothing mattered except her. He would die for her. He would kill for her. He would do anything she asked him to until the end of time.

Jenna remained sitting on the floor, her legs spread just wide enough for him to see those red lace panties. "Is red your favourite colour?" She asked him teasingly.

Suddenly, he couldn't remember any other colours. He nodded furiously, feeling light-headed at the sight of that lace laying so delicately atop the most delicious treat he'd ever been given. His breath caught in his chest when she spread her legs just a little bit more.

"Promise me something?" She asked sweetly.

"Anything," he agreed breathlessly.

"You're going to be so sleepy when you get home, but I don't want you to forget to take a nice warm shower and clean me off of you. You can play with yourself and think about me as much as you need to, but then you need to wash me off. Can you do that for me?" Jenna asked him gently, her legs still spread for him.

It killed him to do it, but he nodded. He wanted to taste her forever. He wanted her sweat and spit and cum to seep into his pores and stay there. He wanted her to be a permanent part of him. He'd do whatever she asked though.

"And Josh?" He could feel tears of disappointment gathering in his eyes as he met her gaze. She smiled at him sweetly. "Come here."

He came back over to her, sitting down beside her with his head bowed like a sulking puppy. She pulled him down to lie beside her before kissing him deeply. He felt like he was going to pass out. His brain and body were on overload. She broke the kiss and smiled at him gently.

"You'll be okay, baby. I'm going to take good care of you. You just have to be patient. Be a good boy, okay?" She soothed gently as she allowed him to burrow himself against her chest. "What are you going to do when you get home, honey?"

"Shower," he grumbled against her chest.

"That's right. Good boy," she said gently. "But what am I going to let you do first?" She asked teasingly, lifting his head up so he could see just how lucky he was that she was letting him do this one thing before he washed her away.

He blushed, holding onto the hem of her skirt shyly as he whispered, "Think about you and touch myself."

She smiled. "That's right! You've been such a good boy. And tomorrow, if you're still good, I'll let you have even more rewards. It's time to go now though."

Josh's bottom lip trembled as he looked up at her. Leaving Jenna was the hardest thing he was ever going to have to do. He couldn't even stomach the thought of it.

She kissed his lips gently. "Don't cry. You're going to have an amazing night. I promise. Gefjon will be watching over you."

The words made no sense to Josh, but Jenna had said them, so he believed every syllable. "Goodnight, Jenna."

"Goodnight, Josh," she replied with a smile.

It tore Josh apart to leave her. It was dark outside as he walked across her lawn, but he didn't care. He didn't need a light to get home. Jenna had told him to go home, so he could. It didn't matter that he'd only seen the house once and had been distracted as he walked to Jenna's house. Jenna told him to go home, so he did.

His parents were too engrossed in unpacking and discussing possible ideas for novels to see Josh stumble off to his room, feeling like he'd just downed an entire bottle of vodka by himself.

Jim was watching Josh strangely as he followed him down the hall. He didn't get excited to see Josh like he usually did. He seemed like he was on guard, his eyes watching Josh carefully. Josh couldn't bring himself to care though. He was so far away from Jenna that he felt like his life was over. He needed her more than he'd ever needed anything in his life.

Josh didn't care that Jim followed him into the bathroom, watching Josh as he closed the door and stripped out of his clothes before getting into the shower. He'd already gotten himself off three times before he realized he hadn't even turned the shower on. He heard Jim growl lowly as he reached for the knob to turn the shower on, but Jenna had told him to shower. He had to shower. Jim continued to growl and pace the room as Josh showered Jenna off of him. He cried the whole time, feeling every particle of the most perfect girl in the world leave him. It wasn't until Josh turned the shower off that Jim fell silent.

Something had shifted inside of Josh. His mind felt clearer, and he felt confused. He didn't know Jenna. He'd just met her. Why had he done that with her? Why had he suddenly been so certain he was going to be with her for the rest of his life? All of a sudden, he felt sick. He lurched forward and threw up heavily into the tub. His eyes widened as he continued to vomit up chunky red goo. It wasn't blood. It didn't really even seem like vomit. It was fruity and filled with seeds. It tasted fresh, like he'd just bitten into...a pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds filled the bottom of the tub as the water struggled to push them all down the drain.

He shut the shower off, gasping for air, the moment the last seed disappeared down the drain. He was trembling as he stood up and pushed open the shower curtain. Jim whined, climbing into the bathtub with Josh, who immediately sat down beside the whimpering dog, feeling a sob building in his chest as Jim started to lick his face. He wrapped his arms around Jim and cried until he was too exhausted to produce more tears. Every inch of his body ached, and he was terrified.

"I don't like this place at all," he whispered to Jim, who whined in solidarity.

He didn't have the energy to dry off or put clothes on before climbing into his bed, which his parents must have made for him. Jim climbed up onto the bed with Josh, grabbing the blankets in his mouth and pulling them up to cover his best friend, who couldn't stop trembling. Jim stationed himself right beside Josh, his eyes flicking protectively between the door and the window as he allowed Josh to wrap his arms around him and start to drift off.

All night, he dreamt of Columbus. He dreamt of watching it burn to the ground while Jenna sat beside him in her red underwear and held his hand. She just kept telling him he'd love Applecrest and that he'd love her even more. Josh already knew that there was a line dividing urban Ohio and agrarian Ohio. Now he was starting to understand that there was a line between nightmares and omens, and Jenna had him lying right along that line.