*Lena*
Xander wasn't there when I woke the next morning. I was somewhat grateful for it.
I wasn't sure how I felt as I rolled over in bed and looked at Xander's empty sleeping bag. I was sore, but that was a given. I'd known what to expect in that regard. While my very private parents had been more reserved and conservative during my upbringing, not all of my family members had been. That, and living with roommates for three years, had given me a pretty clear expectation about how these things were supposed to go.
But I hadn't been prepared for what I'd feel like emotionally.
I was embarrassed and slightly ashamed of my behavior.
And Xander's absence made me realize I may have made a mistake.
I didn't have much time to dwell on my feelings, however. A shadow passed in front of th
