"Are you kidding me?" I let out a bewildered laugh. I was so confused and so hurt. We cuddled, slept together, kissed, and talked about how we like each other yet he's having sex with other girls. Mandy of all people.

"It's not what you think it is, at all," Jay started, his eyes wide. "I don't know why she has an issue with you or she felt the need to um, flaunt that, but I know what you're thinking and it's not that at all."

I didn't know what I was thinking. I mean we weren't dating, but I thought we had something at least. I don't know how he could say all of these things to me and then go sleep with a girl who let me get groped. I was hurt. Maybe I was a silly younger girl who had too soon jumped into his arms.

I didn't say anything. Tears started rolling down my cheeks before I could even say anything back to Jay.

"I-" I started to speak but instead I shook my head and turned around to go upstairs. I would just start crying and speaking nonsense if I tried to say anything more.

"Alina, wait!" He followed me upstairs. I ran into my room and tried to shut the door, but Jay managed to slam a hand against it and stop me from closing it. I was no match against his strength.

"Can we talk?"

"About what?" I said. I was now sitting on the bed with my knees pulled up to my chin. I grabbed my phone and pretended to use it so that he wouldn't think I was sitting here crying.

"About that. I can see you're upset and I want to explain."

"I'm not upset at all. We aren't together. You don't date, especially not me. You want the thrill of not being tied down and having sex whenever you want, which is something I haven't given you yet."

"Have I asked you to at all?"

I looked at him. "What?"

"Have I ever asked you to have sex with me?" His grey eyes bore into mine.

"I-I don't know." I really didn't know.

He hasn't.

He walked over to my bed and sat at the edge of it. I chewed on my lip and looked over to the side at the wall. There was nothing to look at but a plain coat of paint.

"Alina, look at me."

I sighed and made eye contact with him.

"Good girl."

I nearly choked.

"I didn't sleep with Mandy. Well, I did," he admitted, "but this was a while ago. It wasn't recent. I haven't been alone with her in ages. She texted me about bringing that underwear to her but a bunch of stuff got in the way. I was going to toss them but I wasn't going to be an asshole and one of the maids washed them, and," he looked over at me and let out a laugh. "Fuck, what a weird ass conversation. I'm sorry. Anyway," he continued, "She has texted me that she'll pick them up today and I didn't want you to see because I wasn't trying to flaunt or make you uncomfortable."

I met his gaze. As often as we fought, Jay hadn't ever lied to me. He also seemed like a whole different person than the boy I'd met my first day here. A lot more mature and considerate.

I now felt embarrassed for overreacting.

"Do you think I'm lying?"

All I could do was shrug. I was very non-confrontational.

He sighed. "I'm not. You've been with me almost everyday. When would this have even happened? I'm not that desperate. Plus I really do like you. I don't want to mess things up."

I couldn't help but smile. My emotions were all over the place, but what he had said was really sweet.

"I feel like a clown now."

Jay smiled. "It's fine. I can see how you might've gotten the wrong idea. But I swear to you that I'm telling the truth."

"I believe you."

He smiled. "Good."

Although it did feel like a weight had been lifted off my chest, I still couldn't help the pang of jealousy I felt at the thought of Mandy and Jay having slept together.

"Alina what's wrong?" Jay leaned closer. "You don't have a poker face whatsoever. I thought I cleared things up."

"When was it?"

"Hm?"

"When did you guys...you know?"

He sighed. "I don't even remember. It was like when you had first arrived here. We didn't even know each other."

I nodded. "So you guys did it in this bed."

He groaned. "I've obviously changed the sheets since then."

"I know, dummy."

"Look, I want nothing to do with Mandy. Trust me."

"I trust you."

"Do you? I know I've messed up so many times but I really have been trying to be better and I-"

I don't know what compelled me to do it, but I leaned in to shut him up, in a good way. I kissed Jay so he knew that I did trust him, one hundred percent.

"I want to do it with you. I'm ready if you are," I said.

Jay looked taken aback. "Are you sure? You seem to be really emotional right now-"

I kissed him once more. "Yes. I'm sure."