done it once (well, twice but in the same session) and that was over a year ago. So I could well have closed up. Which means that although technically I’m not virgin, in reality it could well seem like I am when I do it again.”
That has to qualify as the most stupid thing I’ve said in a long time. And judging by the snorts coming down the phone Maddie thinks so too.
“Suzy. I’m going to miss you soooo much. No-one else I know could say something like that and get away with it. Maybe they’ll let you in if you explain your re-virginisation theory. I can see it now. You’ll stand up and say ‘my name is Suzy Green and I’ve been re-virginised. And I take the pledge to remain so until I next have sex.’”
“Stop it,” I say, laughing so much tears stream down my face. “I’m trying to be serious.”
I reach over, grab a tissue from the box on my bedside table and wipe my eyes. I really should laugh more often.
“Yeah, me too.” I can almost see Maddie’s eyes rolling toward the ceiling and her head shaking in reproach. “Anyway, I still don’t understand why it’s such a big deal.”
“Because Lori’s a member.” How pathetic does that sound? I really need to get a grip.
“And Lori is?” I detect a note of sarcasm in Maddie’s voice. But I don’t know why. It’s not like Lori and I are best buddies or anything. We hardly know each other. Unlike Maddie and me. We go as far back as kindergarten, and apart from a couple of weeks when we were fourteen (which was very silly and over some boy who turned out to be a complete dick) we’ve always been best friends.
“A girl at school. She has to look after me and show me around.”
“What’s she like?”
“Cool. Really clever and sporty. And she’s pretty. But not up herself,” I add quickly, before Maddie has a chance to say anything, which she’s quite likely to when you think about our views on the in-crowd at my old school— views we weren’t reluctant to express. “You’d like her. She’s okay.”
“Sounds like Rosie.” The tone of Maddie’s voice drops a little when she mentions my sister Rosie. Or should I say ex-sister. That doesn’t sound right. I don’t mean ex as in isn’t my sister anymore. I mean ex as in Rosie is dead. “Sorry I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No it’s okay. I don’t mind talking about her.” Not to Maddie. Anyone else, well—some things are best left unsaid. At least they are until I can deal with it better. “And now you mention it I suppose Lori is a bit like Rosie. A passing resemblance, maybe.”
In a pale imitation sort of way. Rosie is, I mean was, unique. Everyone loved her. There was nothing she couldn’t do. And no-one could have wished for a cooler older sister. And she was as popular as they come. Yet she always had time for everyone—unlike the aforementioned in-crowd. So where’s the problem in me wanting to be like Rosie? Especially as I know Mom and Dad want me to be more like her—even if it’s the total opposite of how I’ve been for most of my seventeen years.
“So this Lori. She’s the reason you want to join the VC?”
“VC?”
“Duh. Virginity Club. You know the place you’re wangling entry into, despite falling a tad short on the entry criteria.”
“Oh, that VC. No it’s not because of her. And before you ask it’s not because of Guy either.” Oops, I didn’t mean to let that slip just yet.
For the second time a snort echoes in my ear. Maddie really needs to control herself. I’m feeling more and more like I’m on a farm.
“Excuse me,” she splutters. “Guy? Who is Guy?”
“Just some guy,” I say, sniggering at my sad attempts at a joke. “Who happens to be hot,” I add, sort of under my breath but it comes out louder than I intend.
“And who also happens to belong to the club. Now that’s more like the Suzy I’ve come to know and love. If there’s a guy-Guy involved then I can see why you want to join.”
“That’s not the only reason, though it may have a slight bearing on my decision. But really it’s all to do with my plan to become miss-perfect student, who the teachers don’t pick on for no reason at all. And if it means hanging out with the popular kids to