Taylor sat across from Jessica in a booth at the local diner. Jessica stared intently at Taylor and stirred her ice tea without looking at it. Taylor was leaning back on the vinyl seat with her arms crossed, staring right back. Finally Jessica broke her gaze. Taylor smiled. She never did lose stare-offs. Jessica spoke.
"So can you tell me why exactly, you're here with me on a Saturday night instead of out, partying?"
"Simple. I'm never 'partying' again. Ever."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Come on, Tay. That's a little extreme. It's just a dumb video. Everyone gets wasted at parties, not a big deal."
"But someone videod me getting wasted at a party. Someone has it out for me. And besides, now everyone thinks I'm a drunk party girl, which I'm not!" Taylor pouted.
"No one thinks you're a drunk party girl."
"Oh yeah?" Taylor took out her phone and found the video on Facebook. She scrolled down to the comments. "Look."
What a bitch.
Disgusting.
Does she have no respect for herself?
Dude, I totally boned her that night!
Yo same bro!
Taylor made a face and put her phone away. "Now my reputation is shit and there's nothing I can do about it. I need to find out who posted this."
Jess took a sip of her drink and let her eyes drift away.
Taylor frowned. "What?"
Jessica finished sipping. "Oh nothing, just, you know…good luck."
Mona strolled into Hector's house, with Amanda after her, followed by an annoyed Hector, who slammed the door shut.
"Nice digs, bro. Who's paying for this place? 'Cause I know your lazy ass didn't get a job." Mona dropped her coat onto the floor and fell onto the couch, putting her feet on the coffee table. Hector groaned and picked up her coat. Amanda stood awkwardly until she approached Hector. "Should I go?" She whispered.
Hector shook his head. "No, stay. I can't be alone with her."
Amanda shrugged and sat on the other side of the couch. Mona looked over at her and turned to face Amanda, probably thinking of inappropriate questions to ask her. Amanda swallowed nervously, as if she could sense it. "So, Amanda is it?" Mona smiled sweetly. Amanda nodded.
"How long have you and Hector been dating?"
"Um, about a year."
"Aw, that's so sweet. Have you guys sealed the deal?"
Amanda's jaw dropped. "Pardon?"
Mona grinned. "You know, done it."
Hector stepped in. "Okay, that's enough questioning, Mona."
She ignored him. "You're so skinny, Amanda! How are you so skinny? You're gorgeous!"
Amanda bit her lip. Hector held his breath, silently cursing Mona. Finally Amanda spoke. "I, um, I have- bulimia. But I'm getting treatment."
"What a coincidence! So do I!"
"Mona!" Hector shouted.
"What? I do! All those yummy meals at juvie, I just couldn't help myself."
Amanda looked away.
Mona jumped up, still smiling. "Well if you'll excuse me, I'm starved. Gonna go make myself a big meal." She patted her flat stomach and strolled into the kitchen. Hector gave Amanda an apologetic look, and she just shrugged. Hector sighed. It was going to be a long week.
Sam opened her eyes and blinked. Her head was resting against Colt's bare chest. Oh yeah, the picnic blanket. Oh shit, they were naked. Sam reached for her undergarments and put them on. She lay back on the blanket and thought about what had just taken place. I did it. I'm no longer a virgin. We did it. Me and Colt. Colt and me. Colt and I, Sam and Colt. We did it. We had sex. Sam rested her eyes for a moment and compared what the articles had said to what had actually happened. Nothing that anyone in those articles had said could compare to actually being intimate with Colt. It was amazing, and foreign and strange and new and exciting. Everyone says that the first time is no good for a virgin, but Sam couldn't feel more different. Everything was imperfectly perfect. Sam looked over at Colt and watched him sleep peacefully. Then she looked up at the black sky and at the black water, the waves still crashing onto shore. At that moment, Colt's eyes fluttered open. When he saw Sam he smiled groggily. "Hey, beautiful," He reached for her and Sam snuggled up next to him. She turned onto her side to face him. For a while they just stared at each other, taking in each other's features. Sam noticed little things on Colt's face she had never seen before. The little dimple he had under his chin. The scar he had above his right eyebrow. His widow's peak. Finally Colt spoke again. "So how was it?"
Sam smiled. "Everything I could have ever imagined," She replied teasingly.
Colt grinned. " So no regrets?"
Sam shook her head. "None."
Colt leaned over and kissed her. "Perfect. I don't know about you, but I'm beat. See you in the morning?" Sam nodded, and with that, Colt closed his eyes again and fell asleep. Sam as well closed her eyes and thought about losing her virginity. It had been perfect. Colt had been so gentle and kind, and she hadn't felt nervous during it at all. Of course it had hurt, but despite Colt's concern, Sam had been totally fine. After a while, the feeling of pain was replaced by utter and fantastic pleasure, that she had never experienced before. Being with Colt had made the experience so worthwhile, and she was glad she had given him her virginity. She didn't regret a thing. And with that, Sam closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of her and Colt.