Never Been Touched, Never Been Kissed
Passion Exclusive
YA/Teen
17K
Description
When shy, overachieving Emma Williams accidentally becomes the center of her school's drama, thanks to a leaked bucket list, she's forced to confront her fears head-on. With humiliating challenges, unexpected allies, and one infuriatingly charming Liam Carter, Emma's about to find out that sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to discover who you really are.
Chapter 1
Mar 28, 2025
Emma Williams sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, clutching a glittery pen while Katie sprawled on the bed behind her. The faint glow of fairy lights made the room cozy, but Emma couldn’t shake the knot of unease in her chest.
“Why are we doing this again?” Emma asked, twirling the pen nervously.
“Because,” Katie said, flipping through a magazine, “you need to stop being so boring. You’re seventeen, Emma. Live a little!”
“I’m not boring,” Emma mumbled, though even she didn’t sound convinced.
Katie rolled onto her stomach, smirking. “Girl, you volunteer at the library on weekends. You’ve never been to a party. And—correct me if I’m wrong—you’ve never even been kissed.”
Emma’s cheeks flushed. “That’s not the point. I just don’t… I don’t want to rush things.”
Katie tossed the magazine aside and grabbed a notebook off the nightstand, slapping it into Emma’s hands. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. Make a bucket list. All the crazy, wild things you want to do before graduation.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “A bucket list? That’s dumb.”
“No, it’s genius,” Katie insisted, grabbing a pillow and hugging it. “Just write it down. No one’s gonna see it. It’s just for you and me.”
Emma sighed, tapping the pen against the notebook. “Fine, but don’t judge me.”
Katie grinned. “Promise. Go wild.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Emma scribbled the first few items. Her handwriting was neat, the kind of careful script that only came from years of taking perfect notes in class.
“Let me see!” Katie demanded, leaning over to peek.
“No way!” Emma pulled the notebook close to her chest.
“Come on,” Katie whined, practically climbing over her. “I’m your best friend. No secrets!”
Reluctantly, Emma handed it over. Katie’s eyes widened as she read:
• Sneak into a party.
• Go skinny-dipping.
• Kiss someone unexpected.
• Lose my virginity.
Katie burst out laughing. “Lose your virginity? Emma, you went from zero to one hundred real fast!”
Emma snatched the notebook back, her face burning. “I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just… everyone else has done it. I thought—ugh, it’s stupid.”
Katie shook her head, grinning. “It’s not stupid. It’s bold. And kind of hilarious.” She pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the list before Emma could react.
“Katie!” Emma yelled, lunging for the phone.
“Relax!” Katie laughed, holding the phone above her head. “I’m deleting it. See? Gone.” She tapped the screen and smiled. “No harm, no foul.”
Emma groaned, rubbing her temples. “You’re the worst.”
***
The following Monday, Emma walked into school with her head buried in her math textbook, barely noticing the buzz of conversation around her.
“Hey, Emma,” a voice called.
She glanced up and saw Madison, one of Victoria Sterling’s minions, smirking as she walked by. Emma frowned. Why was Madison looking at her like that?
She turned the corner and froze.
Every locker—every single one—was covered in copies of her bucket list. Her handwriting stared back at her, mocking her with every bullet point. The words Lose my virginity were circled in red marker on each one.
Her heart stopped.
“Oh my God,” she whispered.
Students crowded the hall, whispering and pointing. Some snickered, others openly laughed. Emma’s face burned as she snatched one of the papers off a locker, her hands shaking.
“Who… who did this?” she stammered, spinning around.
“Emma!” Katie’s voice cut through the noise. She rushed over, pale and wide-eyed. “I swear, I didn’t—”
“Don’t,” Emma snapped, shoving the paper in her face. “This is your fault! You took the picture!”
“I deleted it!” Katie protested, looking panicked. “I swear, Emma, I don’t know how this happened!”
Emma opened her mouth to respond, but a cruel laugh interrupted her.
“Well, well, well,” Victoria Sterling drawled, stepping forward. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, and her lips curved into a wicked smile. “Little Miss Perfect has a naughty side. Who knew?”
“Victoria,” Emma said, her voice shaking. “You did this, didn’t you?”
Victoria feigned innocence, pressing a hand to her chest. “Me? Why would I bother? Though I have to admit, this is… entertaining.” She held up one of the papers and grinned. “Sneak into a party? Kiss someone unexpected? Lose your virginity? How pathetic”
The crowd burst into laughter.
“Give it back,” Emma said, her voice barely audible.
Victoria stepped closer, her smile sharpening. “Tell you what. Why don’t you prove you’re not as boring as everyone thought? Finish the list. If you’ve got the guts.”
Emma’s throat tightened as the crowd cheered Victoria on, their laughter cutting through her like knives.
“Come on, Emma,” Victoria taunted. “What’s first? Skinny-dipping? Or are you skipping straight to the grand finale?”
Before Emma could respond, another voice cut through the noise.
“Knock it off, Victoria.”
The crowd turned as Liam Carter strolled into the hallway, his hands in his pockets, his dark eyes fixed on Victoria. He leaned casually against a locker, his smirk lazy and confident.
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter, Liam? Feeling protective?”
Liam ignored her, glancing at Emma instead. “You okay, Williams?”
Emma didn’t answer. She couldn’t.
Liam’s smirk widened as he straightened up. “This is gonna be fun.”
Emma stared at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”
He didn’t reply. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving Emma standing there with her heart racing and her world falling apart.
Never Been Touched, Never Been Kissed
10 Chapters
10
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