After (After, #1)

by Anna Todd

We live in a time where people ask which school you went to before asking your last name.

We do?

my mother had it set in her mind that I attend Washington Central University,

That is simply not the name of the school

From our first encounter, Hardin changed my life

Not a name.

The blue of his polo shirt matches the light blue of his eyes, and his blond hair is combed and lightly gelled to perfection.

Not the polo shirt

“Hey,” she says, offering a smile, a smile that I find quite intriguing, much to my surprise. “I’m Steph.”

You're telling me this could have been a lesbian romcom but instead we get knock off Harry Styles

Boys inside the female dorms on the first day? Maybe Washington Central was a bad decision.

Ha

My focus moves down his black T-shirt to his arms, which are also covered in tattoos; not an inch of untouched skin is seen.

Look I'm not saying an 18 year old can't be covered in tattoos but really how old is he

I wish each of the rooms had their own bathrooms. It’s awkward, but at least they won’t be coed. Or . . . I had assumed they wouldn’t be—wouldn’t everyone assume that? But when I reach the door, sure enough, there are two stick figures printed on the sign, one male and one female. Ugh. I can’t believe they let this kind of thing happen. I can’t believe I didn’t uncover it while I was researching WCU.

There is no way

If anything, he should be grateful that I’m not judging him for the way he has destroyed his body with holes and tattoos.

Girl.

What surprises me is that no one else that I see is covered in tattoos like he, Nate, and Steph are. Maybe I can make some friends here tonight after all.

WHAT

But then the next thing I think of is that wall of books of his—why does he have all of them? There is no way a rude, disrespectful, tattooed jerk like Hardin could possibly enjoy those amazing works.

You suck.

“Okay, now you have my attention. But, no, he doesn’t live here. Does he seem like a frat boy to you?” He smirks. “No, but neither do you,” I snap and his jaw tenses.

I mean he very much does

My white button-up shirt and tan pleated skirt are perfectly ironed and ready to be put on.

WHO ARE YOU

I try to picture what he would look like without his tattoos and piercings.

What is your problem

Hardin’s hand is so large that it covers his entire red cup as he takes a sip.

Is he also The Hulk?

Wuthering Heights is missing from where it was on the shelf, but I find it on the bedside table, next to Pride and Prejudice. Hardin’s comments about the novel replay in my mind. He has obviously read it before—and understood it—which is rare for our age group, and for a boy especially.

You suck so much

I scream and feel the tears well up in my eyes. I turn around so he won’t get to remember me like this,

Are you dying

His back has no tattoos on it, which is a little strange since his chest, arms, and stomach are covered.

????????????????

As I put my fork into my mouth, the metal reminds me of Hardin’s lip ring.

Get your life together ohmygod

I say goodbye to them at the front door, once again promising to stay away from anyone with a tattoo and within a hundred-mile radius.

Sigh

“You’re so sexy, Tess.” The idea of dirty talk never appealed to me, but somehow Hardin saying those words becomes the most sensual thing I have ever heard.

That's not dirty talk. It's a compliment.

He’s probably seen every type of bra there is, the annoying voice in my head reminds me.

I am deceased

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

:(

I ask, my anger pushing past my lust for this maddening tattooed boy.

I like Tristan; he seems really nice despite his overuse of eyeliner.

Sigh

So I lower my hand, keeping it on top of his boxers, and slowly I reach the slight bulge in the fabric.

This feels like an insult.

If he didn’t have so many tattoos, he probably would be a model.

Ma'am

“No, really. The way you are so . . . pure, it does something to me.

Yike

“I just don’t like being told no.” His voice is low but much softer than it was moments ago.

Ohmygod grow up

“Well, I am not like the other girls, Hardin,”

You did not.

I pull my bag onto my shoulder and make my way across campus to the administration building. It’s a long walk and takes me over a half hour.

It what?????

Hardin is nicer to me mostly,

Girl.

“Do you remember when you asked me who I love the most in the world?” he asks, his lips inches from mine. I nod, though it seems so long ago, and I didn’t think he was even paying attention. “It’s you. You’re the person that I love most in the world.”

Honestly dude go fuck yourself

I love this damaged, self-loathing asshole so much that I’m afraid it will crush me.

I hate you both

“A sexy rude naked guy?” he teases. “Just come in before the hot water goes away.” “I . . .” I want to, but taking a shower with someone is just so intimate, too intimate.

Girl you wanted to bang him like 18 hours ago

His lips taste like whiskey and mint, and the combination is heavenly.

I promise it isn't

I only care about this beautiful, flawed man who just made love for the first time in his life.

Barf

The dress is quite flattering, and I look better than I deserve.

What a weird thing to say

“You’re the only constant in my life; you know that, don’t you? I don’t know what I would do if you left me,” he says.

Ah, codependency. The foundation to any healthy relationship.

we have both been changed for the better by each other.

Hard disagree

I pump slowly before dipping down and bravely taking him into my mouth.

BRAVELY

“You have no reason to be talking to him; he probably thinks you want him back since you answered the call.” He runs his hands through his hair. “No, he doesn’t. He knows that I am with you.” I try my best to fight my temper. He gestures wildly at my phone. “Then call him right now and tell him not to call you again.” “What? No! I’m not doing that. Noah hasn’t done anything wrong, I have already hurt him enough—we both have—so, no. I will not say that to him. There is no harm in me being friends with him.” “Yes there is,” he says, his voice rising. “He thinks he is better than me, and he will try to take you from me! I’m not stupid, Tessa. Your mom wants you with him too—I won’t let him try to take what is mine!”

Sir.

His hair is pushed up in the front as always, but the sides are flatter than usual,

Tf does this even look like

“Then I can’t be with you. I’m sorry, but I have given you a lot of chances and you keep—” I begin. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare try and leave me.” His tone is angry, but his eyes are hurt.

I know there are four more books but babe he is going to murder you

“Did you know that the clitoris on the female body was made strictly for pleasure? It has no purpose beyond that,” he informs me, pressing his thumb against the bud.

Incredible

The black dress pants are snug but hang off his hips in the most delicious way,

That's not how pants work

“I need you,” he says darkly and pulls his jacket off. “Are you okay, though?” I ask, my heart already beating out of my chest. “Yes, I just need a distraction,”

Ah, romance

“We’ve got to get you on birth control so I can stop using these. I want to really be able to feel you.”

Boooooooooooo

“I know . . . I don’t have any excuse . . . but you have to forgive me. We can figure this out,” he says.

Literally murder him