After such a long wait, I finally reward all of your patience with another chapter! It took me forever and a day, but I finally did it! The song in the media is Daddy Issues by The Neighborhood, and I guess you could say it's quite fitting for the chapter. Tom Holland (Spiderman in the MCU) is also in the media, who I've casted as Louis. I really hope you enjoy the chapter!

Daddy was working late again tonight, which meant I was home by myself. Normally, I indulged in any form of "me" time, but tonight I really could use the presence of someone other than myself as company.

Tears streamed down my face as I pulled the blanket on the couch closer to me. I was too proud to admit I had made a mistake, even though I planned on holding onto my virginity until I was at least eighteen. That goal was torn apart by my own arrogance and the need to prove a point. Acting without thinking about the consequences was something I really had to work on.

I wiped my eyes and sniffled. Leaning my head back, I tried to keep my eyes from watering again, but it didn't help - more tears just kept streaming. Telling myself in my head to suck it up wasn't working either. Usually I had all my emotions totally under control, but today it was the other way around, and I couldn't stand it.

Earlier today I gave up one of the most sacred things any woman can give a man, and I didn't even think it over.

My fingers dug into my pocket and fished out my cigarette pack. I was in desperate need of one after the events of this afternoon. On the bright side, Drew hadn't ended up kicking me out right after he got what he wanted, and he was kind enough to drive me home afterwards, but there was still that empty feeling in the pit of my chest that was pushing me toward the edge.

Before I lost my virginity, I thought that it would be special, but I had no idea how else it could have gone down. It was what I deserved, to be honest. I wanted to rush into it, so my first time was nothing more than a meaningless one-night stand type of thing.

The blurriness in my eyes didn't let up as I lit my cigarette and breathed in the foul air. At this point, I didn't even care if my dad came in early and caught me. What was the worst he could do, ground me? I let out a sardonic laugh that doubled almost as a whimper when my tears caught up to it.

I was a mess, but chances were I'd act like nothing was any different at school tomorrow, no matter how I felt in the morning.

A shaky breath left my lips after I took another deep drag of the cigarette.

"Antonia?"

The sudden voice made me jump and I dropped my half-used cigarette in my tea, putting it out immediately. A small trail of lingering smoke disappeared above the mug.

"You're crying." Ian sat down next to me with a concerned expression on his face. "What happened?"

He quickly reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a handkerchief.

Accepting it gratefully, I used it to wipe a couple tears away. "N-nothing," I lied. "I'm okay, really."

He sent me a sympathetic smile. "If everything were okay, you wouldn't be crying."

That was a fair point, but I wouldn't let him know he was right. I looked down to where my fingers were plucking at a loose string on my sleeve.

"It's alright to be upset, about anything," he added.

When I continued to avoid looking at him, he lifted my chin so I'd meet his gaze. The coolness of his fingers comforted my overheating skin. My eyes were closed for a second before I opened them to peer into his.

There was concern in his green eyes as his thumb brushed away another fallen tear. Tingles traveled up my spine and the fiery gaze he was giving me didn't waver, even when I dropped mine. I regretted my own meekness, quickly looking back up at him again. Nothing sickened me more than appearing weak in front of someone with such presence.

"You know," he suddenly spoke, breaking the heated silence. "I may work for your father, but that doesn't mean you can't talk to me about something that's bothering you. Feel free to tell me anything. A young and beautiful girl like you should not be tied down by unspoken feelings."

However inappropriate, his words were touching, and I was starting to relax around his company. It was hard to find someone who actually cared for me these days, and it was a refreshing feeling.

I gathered the rest of my oncoming tears on the handkerchief, holding back the urge to blow my nose in it.

"Thanks," I said, somehow managing a small smile. "It's nothing serious."

My words worked up to the issue at hand slowly, still contemplating if I should let him in, or not. A sigh left my lips when I finally decided I really did need to let some of this out, or it would be a big challenge keeping it in tomorrow around Sarah-Anne or Christian.

"It's a stupid thing to cry over," I admitted. Was I just being silly? Some people in my school had lost their virginity even before freshman year, and I was making a big deal about just giving it up now. Looking at it that way made my reasoning seem even that much more silly.

Ian shook his head with much conviction. "I doubt anything worth your tears is a stupid reason." He grabbed my hand and urged me to continue with concerned eyes when I looked up to them.

Suddenly, I felt at ease. Whether it was the comforting contact, or his reassuring words, it didn't matter to me.

After taking a deep breath, I finally spoke. "I lost my virginity to a guy who may not ever speak to me again." Just when I thought the tears were over, a new set of them erupted. Without another word, I threw my arms around Ian's torso, holding him tight.

For a few seconds, he was frozen, but when he relaxed his hand found my back, rubbing it soothingly. Tears continued to fall while I found myself in his alleviating embrace.

I used to have my best friend, Maxwell Stuart, comfort me with every tear-streaked issue in my life, but he had to move to Connecticut last year. Ever since, I'd been keeping all my feelings inside, and Ian had been the first I'd broken down in front of since waving Max off that heartbreaking day.

Sarah-Anne and I had always been close as well, but becoming besties in middle school is different from someone you grew up with. I remembered father being relieved that he left, believing that parents who owned a dance club were not fit to raise children, setting that kind of an example. He loved Sarah-Anne and Christian, though; both of their parents had 'respectable' jobs.

My wandering mind came back to the warm hold of who was here now in place of Max. They both had a similar way of cradling me, and it made me cuddle up to him more because of it.

Finally, I pulled away from his hold, not wanting to overstep boundaries any further. I probably crossed over his comfort zone a while ago.

"I'm sorry," I said, distancing myself from him. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Don't worry about it." He sent me a reassuring smile when I looked up at him. "How long have I been working for your father? Three years now? I mean, we've known each other for a long while so I'd like to think of us as friends."

Given the limited amount of friends I barely managed to make, adding one more didn't seem like a bad idea.

I nodded in agreement. "Me too."

"And friends, they're there for each other," he said, a consoling grin on his face. I knew what he was doing, I wasn't an idiot. I guess some people would call me an idiot for not calling him out on it. "If you ever need to talk, or anything, I'm here."

The corner of my mouth twitched slightly when I wiped a lingering tear away, the sadness leaving with it. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

I inched closer, my smirk masking my dismissed pain. Looking up at him with my intense gaze, I noticed him gulp before he glanced at my quirked lips. They spread even wider to show my teeth. "So, what do you think I should do now?"

He didn't hesitate with his answer, like he had already thought it over.

"You don't let this guy know that he got to you." His advice sparked curiosity in my eyes. "When you go to school tomorrow, you hold your head up high, and show him and everyone else that you can't be phased. You are a fierce and confident woman, so you need to give them one."

https://youtu.be/DZMYHJvo5wc

Sunglasses shielded my piercing eyes as I walked up the front steps of the school. The chill of the morning air brushed my bare legs, my black leather skirt barely covered my ass. The deep red of the heels I borrowed from my mom matched the color of my lips.

Right once I walked into the building, almost all eyes were on me. I removed my sunglasses and shook my head to get a few strands of hair out of my face. My wavy locks bounced as I strutted down the hall, ignoring my gawking classmates. Ignoring their stares made me feel that much more above them, like I was really something to strive for. Whether they were looks of disgust or lust, I relished them all.

When I stop at my locker, I smirked at the gawking Louis.

"Hey Louie. How's it going?" I pierced his gaze with mine as I twirled my gum around my finger before sucking it off.

Wide eyes met mine and gravitated down to the rest of my body. "W-what are you doing?"

I looked up at him with an innocent smile before licking my lips. "I'm not doing anything."

My fingers played with the collar of his shirt, which expelled a nervous laugh from his lips. When he grabbed my hands and pushed them away, I frowned. "Yes, you are. Yesterday you wanted nothing to do with me."

"Who says I want anything to do with you now?" I raised my eyebrows as him, crossing my arms. Cocking my head to the side, I exchanged my frown with a smirk.

He slammed his locker, almost making me jump. "I'm not playing this game with you right now."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" I scowled at him, but before either of us could say another word, an arm wraps around my waist.

"My man, Louis." The voice belonged to Drew, and I automatically felt sick to my stomach. I never expected him to come anywhere near me today, or ever again.

Drew squeezed my hip. It was surprisingly comforting and I smiled up at him.

"Hey you." He smiled back before leaning down, packing my lips with his. At first, I'm surprised, but the sensation from last night is so familiar, I don't hesitate to give into it.

When our lips separated, I only craved more. Last night was special, even though it didn't feel that way until Ian and I talked last night. He made me realize something about myself that I wasn't aware of before. Just because I lost a piece of myself, doesn't mean I can't be just as sure of myself, if not more.

"Hey." I smiled up at him.

Louis looked at the both of us, confusion displayed on his face. "Are you guys dating now?"

We both laugh in unison. "No."

"Sure seems like it," Louis grumbled. "After yesterday I would have assumed you didn't stand a chance, Radler." He then turns to me. "Guess I was wrong about you, after all."

With that, Louis walks away, leaving me with Drew.

"That kid really has a thing for you," Drew grunted.

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" I teased.

Drew laughed nervously. "Fuck no." He squeezed my butt. "I just want to be the only guy you bang, that's all. Your ass looks really good today, by the way. I like this new Nia."

I sent him a flirtatious smirk. "Call me Toni."  

***

From now on, Nia is dead, and Toni has come to take her place. Things are definitely going to start heating up from now on, and I can't wait to dive deeper into this story. What did you think of the characters of Toni's past, so far? Which character has jumped out the most in the story as a whole? 

I'd really like to know what you guys think, so I'm hoping you'll leave a comment letting me know. Also, if the chapter was deserving, there's a little voting star in the corner of your screen, ready to be clicked!

Again, thank you guys so much for reading even though it's been so long. To those of you who have just started reading, you're in luck! For you, it's an early update. (: