"If she cares about you," Val said, "then she will understand that you're not ready and respect you for that. And if she can't respect that, she she doesn't deserve you. I know that that sounds harsh and as though I'm taking the whole thing lightly, but it's the truth. You've had to learn more than most kids your age about sex and consent and your own boundaries and in some ways that gives you an advantage over your classmates: you understand what you need and want better than they do."

Val gave him a little gentle smile. "Have you talked to her about how you feel?"