The Checklist (Explicit Version)

Chapter 4

"A sex list, Allie? Why would you do that? Don't you have any self respect? Guys already think they can walk all over us as it is, but if you go around sleeping with a bunch of guys, not only is that not safe, but you're going to make a name for yourself."

And she would be right. Even though it was unfair men would be safe from public scrutiny.

Yet, that didn't stop me from texting the tattoo artist.

I've considered it, not gonna lie.

That boyfriend of yours seriously deprived you, huh. His reply was instant.

The image of Remi had me seeing red. Ex-boyfriend, batman. Ex.

You're not planning on making up with him?

Puh-lease. I have more self-respect.

Let me guess. Disney taught you that.

... To be honest, I could totally see Cinderella taking back the dude. I don't even remember his name, but if he cheated, I imagine her letting bygones be bygones.

Which girl is that?

For a moment, I forgot he was clueless about Disney and its princesses. I found it refreshing, although I wasn't sure why.

Blue dress. You should watch her movies!

Movies? There's more than one?

There's three, but we don't acknowledge the second one. The third one however? A-MAZ-ING. The guy actually has a personality in that one.

I'll take your word on it.

You're not going to watch them, are you?

His reply came after a few moments. No. But it's funny that you think I would.

Why? Is your masculinity fragile? The second I hit send, I wanted to slap myself in the face. Repeatedly. Because why would you say that, Althea? Why would you say that?

I was scolding myself when I heard Nellie's chair swivel. "You okay, hun?"

"Yeah," I choked, lowering my phone face-down on the table before clearing my throat. "Thirsty. I'm thirsty."

Her brows rose while I rummaged through my school bag. By the time I pulled my water bottle and laptop out, Nellie snorted in amusement. "You're scarred, huh?"

"What?" I said a little louder than needed before remembering she was talking about the imaginary photo mom sent me. "Oh. Yeah. Totally scarred. I want to dig a hole and bury myself." At least that wasn't a lie.

She patted my shoulder. "Tell your mom just because she has a banging bod, that does not mean she has to send it to her daughter."

My eyes widened in horror. "Are you saying my mom's hot?"

The corner of her mouth rose before she turned to her computer. "If it makes you feel any better, you have her body. And more, actually. You're basically her twin."

I pursed my mouth in disgust before looking at my lap. My hair, which I wore down today, was in my vision. Reluctantly, I had to agree with Nellie—I did resemble my mom.

Honestly, at times, I felt like a bland version of everyone else in the world. My hair was a medium chocolate brown shade, and while it did have some waves, it was boring. I had naturally golden skin—something I also inherited from mom's Greek heritage—and I also had her nose. It was small, yes, but it was also droopy.