Forget Green Gables

OMG...Just NO

That night on the way home Jamie, Felix, and I tell Dad about our new classes, how practice went, and what drama occurred over break. Dad's eyebrows knit together when we tell him about the rumored drug busts and subsequent expulsions. Unfortunately, Felix, Danny, and Jamie all saw Dustin Martinez in school, so he is not one of the ones potentially expelled. Not for the first time, I am thankful that Mr. Springston moved Dustin out of all of my classes.

"I know you guys will experiment with things," Dad says slowly as we pull out of Jamie's drive, "but I hope you'll use good judgment and wait until you are old enough to accept the consequences."

"So, in other words, wait until we're in college to try drinking," Felix translates.

"Among other activities," Dad says vaguely, glancing in his rearview mirror at me and then at Felix. I get the distinct impression he means physical activities like sex and feel my cheeks flame red.

"Don't worry, Dad," I mutter, grateful we are turning into the driveway. Hopping out of the vehicle, I practically sprint for the door, eager to get away from my father, should he have any more life advice to impart. EW!

Do I want to sleep with Danny Algrim? Carefully, I consider all of our time together, the platonic, the romantic, the physical.

'No?' My brain starts.

'No.' My heart confirms.

Truth: I love holding hands with him, and kissing him, and snuggling my head onto his shoulder, but I do not feel ready for a more intense level of physical contact, let alone the risks associated with it. We learned all about STDs in health class in middle school. While I know it was pretty much impossible for either of us to have anything to risk giving the other, I still fear consequences. Pregnancy is another consequence which panics me. Above all, I do not feel ready for that type of experience. Maybe I will further down the road- much, much farther down the road. I grab toenail polish and try to forget with a pedicure that the conversation ever happened.

The hot pink of the toenail polished matches the cordless phone ringing on my desk. "'Ello?" I ask, the emery board in my mouth as I wipe away spare polish with a Q-Tip.
"Hi," Danny says, "it's me."

I pull the emery board out of my mouth. "Hi!"

"How was your day?"
"Um...okay. My dad gave Felix and I an awkward lecture about making good choices. I think he thinks you and I are..." I stop. "Um...err..."

"Not making good choices," Danny fills in awkwardly. "Oh. That...is awkward."

"Yeah," I answer. "So what's up?"

"Well, I wanted to know if you wanted to go to the Winterfest Dance with me? It's formal, so I wanted to give you time to find a dress and whatever."

I smile. 'Whatever' would include a mani/pedi and possibly highlights if my fun money can afford them. "Yes, I'd love to. I'll let you know what color my dress is as soon as I find it."

"Awesome. Also...what are you doing on Valentine's Day?"

"It's a Wednesday, so going to practice and probably homework. Why?"

"My dad said he'd chaperon us going out to dinner at that fancy Italian place in Lansing if we wanted. He said it could be another day if the actual Valentine's Day doesn't work."

"Oh. Emil's? The one by the capitol?"

"Yeah." "That sounds awesome. I'll ask my parents and let you know tomorrow. Maybe the Saturday before would be better..."