"Are you trying to tell me that you and Zell have NEVER done it?" Selphie asked shocked.
"I don't think that sex is THAT important" Alli replied.
"After 16 months you have NEVER satisfied him?!?" Rinoa asked. "That's harsh. He is a guy you know"
"He's never said anything about it. We do other stuff, we've just never been all the way. What about you guys? Don't just pick on me!" Alli fought back laughing. "We all know that Squall doesn't exactly keep his love life a secret and Irvine is ladies man, no offense Selph. What about Quisty and her dear Seifer?"
"That's none of your concern!" Quistis smiled.
"I heard that Tomo next door doesn't get much sleep when Quisty comes to visit" Rinoa teased. Quistis playfully slapped her arm. "You're the odd one out Al. You should join the club. You'll be greatful when you do"
"When I lose my virginity it will be my decision when and where I want, not because you guys are pressuring me to" Alli retorted. "Can we change the subject now, PLEASE?"
Rinoa's words stuck in Alli's head the entire day. 'That's harsh. He is a guy you know' Whenever Alli thought about the things she did with Zell she felt guilty. If she went all the way, how guilty would she feel then. She realised this was one topic that her and Zell hadn't touched and decided they need to talk about it. He didn't even know that she felt guilty over it.
Later that night, Alli and Zell were laying side by side watching TV on the couch. They were close to sleep when she brought it up.
"Babe?" She whispered.
"Mmm"
"Well... Um. You know what we did last night. You know, on the couch. Well um, I never told you before, but I kinda feel guilty when we do that stuff" Zell sat up so he could assess the situation better.
"What do you mean guilty?" He asked puzzled.
"Squall let us share dorms as long as we didn't break the rules. I don't think we should do that"
"Honey. Squall knows that everyone breaks that rule. Hyne, even he and Rinoa do. What made you bring this up. I don't think we've ever talked about it before"
"At lunch today the girls were picking on me coz I was the you know... The only... Virgin at the table. Rinoa said something and it really got to me. She said I was being cruel by not completely satisfying you. Do you think so?"
"I won't deny it, I'd love to go further. But I want to make sure you are ready when we do. I'll wait as long as you want me to" Alli snuggled into his bare chest as she normally did.
"But you do want to do it?" Zell nodded.
"And are you ready?" Zell nodded again cautiously, unsure of how his reaction would go down with her. She just nodded in agreement and closed her eyes. He was kind of hoping she would continue.
"Are you?" He asked with a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"I don't know. I mean I guess I'd like to, but I don't see the rush" Zell nodded feeling slightly rejected and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry for disappointing you" she whispered. He shook his head.
"You haven't disappointed me, maybe made me a little sad though..."
"Is this better?" She asked huskily as she moved to sit on Zell's lap. Alli softly kissed his nose, then went down to his lips. He began to kiss her back, but she kept moving lower. He subconsciously let his hand toy with her long chocolatey hair. Zell tensed his muscles as she reached his abdomen. She flicked her tongue over his belly button and he gave a small laugh. She pulled away and began to fumble with his belt. With one swift movement, she released it from his pants. Deciding that she had too much control, she let Zell take over. She slid her hands down to his and then glided them up along her thighs and hips to the buttons on her shirt. Taking the hint, Zell slowly unbuttoned her shirt and removed it. She lowered herself down again and continued the sweet kisses along his stomach. The hot trail on his stomach made Zell smile. He thought back to when they first started going out. Alli was so shy he didn't even think she knew how to talk sometimes. Now she was doing THIS. She slowly began to remove his trousers and revealed his signature red satin boxer shorts. Once he was free, he tried to slide her skirt off, but it wouldn't budge. She got the hint and held herself up slightly so he could unbutton the front. Once unbuttoned, he tossed the useless garment to the side. He began to sit up, lifting Alli in the process. With her firmly in his arms, he carried her to his bed. He softly lowered her onto the bed and took in her wonderful body. He was amazed at how sexy she looked in just a simple black bra and matching undies. He paused for a moment more, wondering if this was right. Was Alli just doing this to make him happy? Or because the girls told her too. He wasn't sure and he didn't want to go any further unless it was for the right reason. Instead of lowering himself on top of her, he lay next to her.
"Alli" he said not really wanting to say what he was thinking. "This isn't right"
"What do you mean?" Alli felt slightly rejected. After all, this was what he wanted and she only wanted to make him happy. "Aren't I good enough?"
"Don't ever say anything like that. Your everything I've always wanted, but I'm not gonna let my body take over. I'm listening to my heart and it doesn't feel right" Zell's body was urging him to shut up, but he wouldn't let the physical side take over. "I want to know that we are doing this for the right reasons. Not because you want to make me happy or you feel left out"
"I don't know" Alli cried out confused. " I only wanna make you happy" she said sincerely.
"I know Al. But only if you want to too" Zell's body was still alive and tingling with anticipation, but he felt it was the right thing to do. He tried to relax and began stroking Alli's long chocolate-brown locks. He pulled her close and she rested her head on his bare chest. She gently traced the contours of it as she did every night and gradually slipped off to sleep. Zell eventually followed, but a long while after. He couldn't help it. The sensation of her warm bare skin against his was almost too much to bare. But his love for her was much stronger than the physical sensation and he forced himself to overcome it.