“Mickey…,” I paused, finding it hard to continue. My cheeks heated, “I’ve never been with anyone before,” I told her. She looked at me confused and remained silent. “I’m a virgin too.” I gulped.
“How?” she asked and then laughed at her choice of words. “I mean, I just thought with Ali, Laura, and all the other girls,” she continued, making me blush with embarrassment. “I’d heard so many rumors,” she stated.
“Yeah, I never went all the way. I was waiting,” I told her, unable to look into her eyes. “For you,” I said, staring at her soft, tiny waist. My fingers brushed against it subconsciously and it was just as warm and soft as it looked.
“I didn’t know,” was all she had to say, still in shock. I smiled at that.
“No one knew, I made sure of it.” I explained, “I went out with those girls as a distraction from you and because it was expected of me and I needed to maintain a certain image. But none of it mattered to me and nothing happened,” I promised. Mickey grabbed my face and kissed me deeply.
“If you want, we can take it slow, but when you’re ready so am I. I know I want you James; there’s no doubt in my mind,” she said; entrancing me. We continued to lose ourselves in our kiss and familiarize ourselves with one another’s body and for once everything in the world felt right, and I couldn’t remember ever being happier, then when I had her perfect body fit curled into mine.
The next week passed in a blur. Mickey and I spent every waking moment we possibly could together and it was just like old times, only now it was even better. Not only was our friendship renewed but it was stronger than before and now everything was out in the open. All our feelings that we’d once repressed, we were now able to act on and it was beyond amazing. Everything felt so right and neither of us had ever been happier. Even my family was over the moon with joy that we were finally together and Mickey spent more dinners at our house than she did her own, which was a relief for the both of us. At school we always ate lunch with her friends, who I’d grown to like as well. Derek wasn’t even so bad, once you got to know him and get over the fact that he’d been trying to get with Mickey. But who could blame the guy, he’d be crazy not to want her and go for it. The only thing that mattered was that she’d chosen me. I avoided my old group, and especially Cody, who still thought this was all part of that stupid list and that I was just playing Mickey. I was terrified if I went anywhere near them, they’d say something stupid and let it slip. I knew I should have told her the truth, that the only reason everyone was leaving us alone was in fact, because they thought it was all part of some prank, that this was all a game to me. Our relationship was still so new and everything was going so great I didn’t want to risk it and ruin what we had going on.
Mickey and I walked home, hand in hand, as per our new usual. We were laughing when my phone vibrated in my pocket, I didn’t have any real friends besides Mickey, so since I knew it wasn’t her, I got both curious and anxious at who could be messaging me. I assumed it must be June, we’d started talking more recently since Mickey wanted me to try to move forward from everything. When I saw it was Gert, my stomach sank. This could only be trouble.
“You okay?” Mickey asked, giving my hand a small squeeze as my light and airy mood disappeared.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I said quickly, hoping she bought it and wouldn’t read too much into it. She didn’t pry which was just another thing I loved about her, she’d let me tell her if I wanted to and I was thankful for this, because I didn’t want to tell her Gert was demanding I meet her tonight and threatening to ruin me if I didn’t.
Mickey stayed for dinner which was nice, I was quiet but no one seemed to notice as they all talked to each other. I walked Mickey home after dinner, stopping at her front door.
“Tomorrow after school, I’m going to Gran’s for the weekend,” she said and I felt my stomach clench at the thought of being without her for the whole weekend, “Would you like to come and stay with me?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
“I would love that!” I said enthusiastically without hesitation. I’d missed her Gran, she was always a riot. Plus, the idea of having Mick to myself every night, not to mention being far away from Gert was too good to pass up.
“Great, she’ll be so happy to see you!” she told me, overjoyed. I was really excited as well. I kissed her goodnight, never wanting to let her go, and watched as she walked up the stairs. I knew she was planning on showering before bed so I waited outside for Gert to come down, so that we could talk while Mickey was in the shower. Gert came down, her hair pin-straight and hanging loose, she wore nothing but a crop top and a pair of denim shorts, which not only looked ridiculous in this weather but did nothing but disgust me, the opposite of the effect she’d been trying for.
“Oh James, James, James,” she purred, running a finger down my chest. “What are we going to do with you?” she asked, licking her lips.
“What do you want, Gertrude?” I asked, stepping back from her touch repulsed. She cringed, hating being called by her full name.
“You may
