“Showing you what you do to me!”
“Didn’t you hear me before?”
“What I heard is an immature sophomore.”
That stung. What did he expect me to do—go all the way? This was our first date!
“I’m sorry,” I stammered. Was I? Should I be? Everything garbled in my brain, especially coupled with his guilt trip.
“You’re not a virgin, are you?”
“No,” I lied.
“Good. It’s easier this way.”
What did that mean?
“So what’s the problem?”
I shrugged. “Nothing.” Why couldn’t I say what I really thought?
“Prove it.” He grabbed my hand again. “Touch me.”
I panicked and couldn’t think straight. Although I wanted to please Alec and exhibit my maturity level, this threw me and felt all wrong. I averted my eyes, avoiding his, and bit my lip. I didn’t see a choice—either do what he wants or get dumped, and the latter petrified me.
Tentatively, I reached over and touched the outside of his pants, which strained from his swollen member. I tried summoning what Katy and I had read in those dirty books she’d pilfered from the family she babysat for, and thought I should rub, not squeeze. Even though I had no idea what I was doing, Alec’s eyes were closed and his expression one of pleasure.
“That’s good,” he panted. “Don’t stop.”
I kept rubbing until he thrust his hips and convulsed in his seat. Startled, I jerked my hand away.
A few moments later, he opened his eyes and winked at me. “That’s more like it, baby.”
I smiled weakly. “Can you take me home?”
“So soon? We’re just getting started.” A Cheshire cat-sized grin overtook his face.
I practically begged. “I really don’t feel well.”
“I’ll take you home, but you’ll have to promise we’ll continue where we left off in the very near future.”
I smiled at him in response, my lips frozen in place.
Alec chatted on the way home, unaffected by my silence. He walked me to door, kissed me on the cheek and whispered, “Good night, princess.” I nearly ran into the house.
“You’re home early,” my mother said, glancing up from her latest knitting project. The television blared and my dad snored loudly on the couch. “Is everything alright? Did you have fun?”
“Mmm hmm, but I feel sick.”
“What happened?”
“It must have been the fruit punch.” Yet another lie. “My stomach hurts and I’m super tired. I’m going to bed.”
“Don’t forget to hang up your fancy dress. Do you want help?”
“I got it, Mom. Thanks.”
“Get some rest, honey.”
I went to my room, shut the door and tore off my gown, flinging it across the room. A moment later, I hung it properly in the closet. It wasn’t the dress’s fault; it was mine. Or Alec’s. Truthfully, I wasn’t entirely sure.
10
Round Two
“What happened to you last night?” Katy said, accusation blistering her tone through the receiver.
What to say? “Things didn’t go so well.”
“It looked like you were having fun to me. At least, when I actually saw you. One minute, you were dancing with Alec and the next you were gone.”
“The weed made me nauseous and dizzy, so he took me to his car to lie down for a while and see if that helped.”
“Really?” Katy’s irritation took a swift turn. “What happened?”
I hesitated. Even though I could tell her anything, sometimes Katy made things worse with her judgments and biting comments. “He guilted me into doing things I didn’t want to do.”
“Oh c’mon, You’re kidding, right? I want details!”
This was going to be impossible. “What about you? How was your night?”
“Perfect. Jeff said he wants to take me out again next weekend.”
“Sweet. You make a nice couple.”
“When are you and Alec going out again? Maybe we could double.”
I stifled a sigh. “I’m not even sure what I think about him at the moment.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Anna. He is quite a catch. Any number of girls would line up and happily go all the way.”
Did she mean herself? “I’m sure that’s true.”
“And once you do it, you’ll see what’s so amazing, so don’t blow it.” Katy had lost her virginity the previous summer while on vacation and considered herself an expert on the subject ever since. “Are you listening to me?”
“He was just so pushy last night.”
“That’s because the number one goal of the male species is to get inside our pants. But cut him some slack. He’s only human.”
After I mumbled my agreement, she prattled on about who had won Homecoming King and Queen and the rest of the court. I listened halfheartedly, still tired and irritated with my date. Or was he my boyfriend now?
I hung up with Katy and dragged myself out of bed and into the kitchen. The newspaper obscured my father’s head, my mom ate an English muffin while reading a novel and Ant was nowhere to be found. I took a seat at the table, nibbled on breakfast and fielded all the questions I could stand from my parents. I begged off to start an assignment about Theodore Roosevelt due on Monday.
Saturday came and went without a call from Alec. This disturbed me more than I wanted to admit. Did he no longer like me? Had I been a terrible date? Did he think me immature? And the worst: did he use me?
Sunday night, Alec finally phoned, acting like Mr. Congeniality. “How are you, sweetheart?”
My heart raced, a mixture of dread and longing. “Much better.”
“I had a great time the other night. You looked sensational and felt even better. I can’t wait to seal the deal.”
My body went into paralysis. How to answer that?
“What, are you speechless?” He laughed. “I have that effect on the ladies.”
“I’m not sure how to respond,” I said carefully.
“How about with enthusiasm? That, and let me
