Which might a bit hard under the circumstances.”
Maddie’s first time was about two weeks after mine. And only because she didn’t want to be the last in our group of friends to lose her virginity. She hardly cared for the boy at all. I love Maddie dearly, but this was one area we didn’t agree on. No way could I have done it with anyone just for the sake of it.
“She sort of looked shocked and pleased, and then gave my Dad one of her looks. Whether that meant she was relieved because she didn’t think I’d qualify, your guess is as good as mine. Anyway, then she asked me who I was going with and when I told her Lori she gave another look in Dad’s direction—which was more smug than anything—and said have a good time. Not that I expected her to ask anything about the VC. You surely remember when she gave me the sex talk?”
The sex talk, if you can call it that, happened when I was nearly thirteen. Mom came into my bedroom and threw a pamphlet on my bed and said ‘read this’. She went bright red. I looked at it and said, ‘it’s okay Mom I know all about it, we had sex education at school, remember?’ She muttered something under her breath and walked out. And the subject was never mentioned again. It kept Maddie and I amused for weeks.
“God, yes. So funny. At least she said something. I’m still waiting for mine.”
“I hate to tell you this, but I don’t think you’ll be getting it.”
I lean over and pick up my pants from the floor, where I’d left them after coming in last night, and pull them on. If I’m meant to be leaving soon I better get myself ready. I have multi-tasking down to a fine art, so talking and dressing at the same time isn’t a problem.
“No shit, Sherlock. Right. Back to what we were talking about,” Maddie demands. “The pledge. Tell me about it. What did you have to say? And how did it feel?”
Well, if I could sort it out in my own mind it would make it easier to explain to someone else, but I’m still not sure. Thinking about it, I can sort of see the value in having kids pledging. Would stop lots of teenage pregnancies, I suppose. Help. I’m sounding like creepy Jamie.
“Oh, you know. Just had to say I’d stay a virgin ’til I get married. And it felt strange. I know lots of people do it, but it does seem sort of—oh, I don’t know. Contrived I suppose.”
Yeah, that’s it. Contrived. It’s like they’re forcing kids into doing something because everyone else is doing it and not because it’s a good idea. Except it is a good idea with HIV and unwanted pregnancies. Oh, I don’t know. I’m confused.
“Well, the whole thing sounds weird to me. And you’re telling me it’s seen as really cool to belong to this club and take the pledge?”
“Yes. It’s just how they are at this school.”
“More like something in the water making them act like this, if you ask me. And what happens if they find out you’re not really a virgin? Will you be burnt at the stake like that French woman hundreds of years ago?”
“Do you think they’ll find out? I don’t know how they could. Unless we have a sleepover and I talk in my sleep and confess to them. I don’t talk in my sleep do I?”
“Suzy, the only thing you do in your sleep is snore. And believe me that will drown out any mumbling on your part. Come to think of it, it’s impossible to talk and snore at the same time so you’ll be fine.”
“Well, I suppose that makes sense. Even so the burden of this sort of secret is huge.” My body slumps in acknowledgement of the fact.
“Good job you’ve got broad shoulders then.” A snort reverberates around the room.
“Maddie,” I yell. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather you didn’t burst my eardrums?”
“Sorry,” she says in between two more snorts. “Anyway, what I want to know is are you allowed to go out with guys?”
“Of course we are. I think. I’ll go check the handbook.” I leap off the bed and almost immediately come to a standstill. Where is it?
“Excuse me? The what?” Maddie’s incredulous tones interrupt my train of thought.
“Um—the handbook. Why? What’s wrong?”
“Earth to Suzy. Your new Virginity Club has a handbook