one

six

I frantically brushed a comb through my hair, simultaneously checking my phone for the time. "Shit" I muttered to myself, realising it was already quarter to seven. Quickly logging out of Spotify, I threw my phone over to land on the top of my bag was and began to chaotically rummage through the pile on the floor, that served as my wardrobe. In a weird surge of confidence half an hour ago I had suddenly felt compelled to put on quite a skimpy shirt and now it felt imperative that I found anything that would cover it up. I grabbed the blazer sticking out from the bottom of the pile and sighed smoothing it down. I looked good, uncomfortable but, all things considered, like I somewhat had my shit together. "Great" I grinned at myself in the mirror and ritualistically flipped off the ceiling before heading downstairs. 

As usual, the house was empty so I wrote a quick note to my aunt and stuck it prominently on the side of the counter. Biting my lip for a second as I thought, I texted her the same message so that there was no plausible way she could be worried. I doubted she would come back tonight anyway though. 

... 

"Hey you guys are here too" I grinned rushing over to Otis and Eric. "Yeah Maeve invited us", Otis looked confused "something about sex pretzels and finding clients". "I smiled to myself, "looks like I wasn't the only one confused then". Although I hadn't known them long the boys were already becoming somewhat predictable to me. For example I knew that Otis, though lanky and awkward had surprising talent, both in his ability to really listen to people to an extent that they  felt truly supported and also in the way, however much I practiced, he never failed to beat me at Smash Bros. He was also, kind, thoughtful, the kind of guy who messed up but was so sorry that it was impossible to be really angry at him for long. Eric on the other hand was loud, vivacious, bold and beautiful. His spirit though sometimes misplaced was intensely comforting and he was always there to spontaneously scream at you if you had done something he considered stupid. It wasn't a bad predictability though, although the all orange outfit Eric was wearing really was, and, unlike Maeve who still felt new and foreign, they were easy to be around.

"I'm gonna go and find Aimee you guys" I spoke up, interrupting them as Eric tried to wrestle Otis to the ground. Getting no response I rolled my eyes, swung my guitar case more securely over my shoulder and walked over to the drinks table. Aimee came rushing over, "You came" she exclaimed pulling me into a bone-crunching hug, before grabbing my cup and pouring what looked like cider into it. I grinned, "Aimes it's coming out the top". She looked at me with wide eyes and began to frantically mop the edge of the table, with her shirt, from which cider was now pouring onto the floor. "Oh shit" I grabbed a tissue and started to help, handing her one too. 

"Come on" she said, finally satisfied, "this is meant to be fun. Get your drink and you can meet all my friends". I straightened my blazer and walked after her, the alcohol slowly building my confidence. "Maeve, hey" Aimee yelled across the room, "look, this is Sophie, she's the girl I told you about. You know, the one with the shirt. Oh you guys are going to get on so well". Aimee looked delighted. Maeve and I on the other hand were desperately avoiding each other's eyes trying not to laugh. "So" Maeve broke the silence, the corner of her mouth turning into a half-smile "your name's Sophie". Aimee looked confused "am I missing something?" I turned to her, deciding that a feigned insult probably wouldn't be the best response in this situation. "Maeve and I bonded over a swollen penis at the beginning of term. She's been obsessed ever since", I winked at Maeve watching her mouth open in shock. "Oh yeah, we're inseparable" she winked back at me before looking down and grinning at the floor. "Anyway", she continued, "I've just explained the plan to Otis and Eric but essentially I need you to go around giving out sex advice. If it's good, tell them about the clinic, if it's shit, go bury yourself quietly, I can lend you a spade". She gave me a brutally serious look. "I-" I stuttered back in response. The whole thing was hysterically funny if anything. I mean sure I had kissed a few people back at home but just that and how was even supposed to know if I had been doing it right. Looking up to see that I was alone again, I groaned, muttering to myself, "alright, free samples here we come". 

...

A couple of therapy sessions with unsuspecting couples later, I walked upstairs, trying to find Maeve. Hearing what sounded like her fucking someone, naturally I walked straight in. For real though, I didn't think she was in a relationship with anyone and though I have no problem with one night stands, I suspected she was pretty drunk by now and it was important to me that no one was taking advantage of her. Going in, I was shocked to see Jackson, the head boy. "Shit" Jackson yelled, seeing me and trying to cover his dick with a pillow, "what the hell are you doing here". "Sorry" I stuttered, "I was just-" I stared at Maeve's chest a little too long and pulled my eyes away blinking frantically. Maeve pulled her dress back on and grabbed my hand, "next time take a picture" she whispered, "it'll last longer". I laughed slightly under my breath, relieved she wasn't mad but confused about Jackson. "It's just sex" she said, reading my mind. "Cool" I replied non commitedly, "put it on your CV, bet everyone wants the head boy". She rolled her eyes, "don't be a dick Sophie".

We ended up talking for much longer than I had anticipated, first sitting on a wall outside Aimee's house, but then on the sofa in Maeve's trailer. She curled up next to me and switched on a movie, "if you don't like this I'll have to murder you, so lie to me alright snowflake". I smiled into the crook of her shoulder "okay dickhead". "Shut up", she shot me an unimpressed look and kicked my foot away, "you're already ruining the film". I turned my attention to the screen, peacefully content.