"How would you know better when you've never been in that position before?" she asked. "First crushes are powerful. You're hit with all these feelings and…" boners "…and thoughts and your world narrows. Even after the first, it does, but you learn to let everything else in, too."

She smiled softly.

"If anyone failed, it was me. I should have paid closer attention, knowing your inexperience, and insisted harder when I realized something was wrong. Instead, I tried to be subtle. I failed you. It won't happen again."