After (After, #1)

by Anna Todd

If I could only feel one thing for the rest of my life, this would be it.

this creep tried to hit on me,

Downplay

I make the mental decision for what feels like the hundredth time to stay away from him. I will not be anyone’s friends with benefits. Ever.

I think that if he loved her, he wouldn’t have been mean to her.

“I really do bring out the worst in you, don’t I?”

“Your pulse has quickened, hasn’t it? Your mouth is dry. You’re thinking about me and have that feeling… down there.

cringe

The attraction I feel is purely physical, which is surprising considering how opposite he is from Noah. I don’t remember ever being attracted to anyone except Noah.

have you ever actually been attracted to noah?

“Don’t ever cover up, not for me,”

I love Noah, but if I really loved him the way he deserves to be loved, I wouldn’t be having these feelings for Hardin.

I want Noah to make me feel the way Hardin does.

I am starving by the time the pizza comes so I eat almost half of it myself. In my defense, I haven’t eaten all day.

Boo

“And I am here because…?” I ask as nicely as I can. What does Hardin being out of control have to do with me?

Yeah so why'd you come before asking these questions?

“He was calling out for you,” he tells me quietly, and my heart stops.

Oh please

“I am sure he had his reasons not to tell you.” “You don’t know him;

makes me hopeful that I can help him through this, but I know what is really about to happen. “You are so pathetic.

You make me feel… something unfamiliar. I don’t know how to handle these types of feelings, Tessa, so I do the only thing I know how to do.” He pauses and blows out a small breath. “Which is be an asshole.”

Why though? Is it the khaki?

we both love books for example,”

Truly unique

I want him to want me.

I am suddenly glad that I shaved my legs this morning.

Boo

I keep telling myself that. I can behave however I want tonight with Hardin because when the daylight comes, I am going to tell him never to come near me again, and he will oblige.

Why would you believe that?

I want to be his—to be freed for a moment from whatever it is that makes me so scared sometimes.

No matter what terrible thing he says to me tomorrow, he can’t take this moment away from me.

I don’t know why you even had me come here if you were just going to leave.”

“Tell him; go on and tell him,” Hardin says.

You were pissed like a day ago when she was planning on doing exactly that

The problem is that I can’t stay away from Hardin. I am a moth to his flame, and he never hesitates to burn me.

“I mean it, I don’t want to see her again! And if I do, I will ruin her!”

Yikes

Hardin isn’t capable of being anyone’s boyfriend,”

These pants are my favorite to wear to bed, especially when I am sick, or going through a breakup,

You've never gone through a breakup??

As they get closer, Molly’s pink hair comes into view… followed by Hardin.

The fuck?

At least I know I am not the only one he is rude to.

I somehow end up in his car with him.

Somehow?

If you don’t like the way I’m dressed, then don’t look at me.”

Regular girls wear tons of makeup to look as good as you do without it.”

Boo

I ig-nore it.

I know I can’t trust him,

He has seen me cry more than anyone else I know.

There are only so many times I can have this talk with you.”

I just say things sometimes,”

Yikes

“I missed you, too,” he whispers against my hair. I smile knowing that he can’t see me. I feel the light pressure of his lips against the back of my head and my stomach flips. As much as I love it, I am left more confused than ever

listening to Hardin’s steady breathing in my ear while he slept was worth never speaking to Noah again.

“We haven’t even begun the day and you’re already annoying me,”

they giggle like schoolgirls. Well, technically they are schoolgirls, but they are also adults, so they should act like it.

I will not be yelled at; that is one redeeming quality I give my mother credit for. She showed me exactly how not to be treated by a man.

And yet

I just spent the night and most of the afternoon with Hardin and we got along, mostly.

No you did not

Hungry girls are the best.”

Wut

Hardin has seen me in my most vulnerable state, a state that no one else has, and that terrifies me as much as it excites me.

Don’t act like a child.”

sure

We both know that by this weekend you’ll be back in my bed,” he snaps.

Noah grabs my wrist and turns me to face him, which only prompts Hardin to shove Noah back by his shoulders. “Do not touch her,” he growls.

Oh please

I know I am cruel at times… well, all the time, but that’s only because I don’t know how else to be.”

Teach me to be a decent human