groupie

extra virgin

it became a running joke that i, murphy adams, was comparable to olive oil.

extra virgin.

i spent 3 of my high school years sitting at the foot of my bed on friday nights, my phone pressed against my ear, listening to someone in my small--but existent--friend group, filling me on losing her virginity. first it was elena, the second semester of sophomore year. then steph, during the summer between sophomore and junior, and the list went on.

it's not that i was ugly. at least, i hoped not. i was equivalent to soft served vanilla ice cream; nothing special and nothing out of the ordinary. and okay, i had standards too high for a girl like me. i just never understood how girls pined over guys who clearly only wanted them for the night, no longer. i wasn't afraid to say, "fuck off," to someone with bad intentions, and i took pride in it. maybe that's why i was still single.

but now, i was 18. my first year at college was approaching, comparable to the speed of the softball that had connected with my chin in the 8th grade, busting my lip open and gifting me with a white crescent shape scar on my lip. i couldn't walk into my final year of high school a big fat virgin, or at least that's what elena was telling me at this very second.

"seriously murph. everyone besides you can see it," she said, taking another sip of her cherry slurpee. it was the start of another hot australian summer, and the combination of the unbearable heat and elena was beginning to touch my nerves.
still, just to make an effort in the conversation, i asked, "see what?"
"the enormous 'V' stamped to your forehead," she said simply. elena could be a bitch, but she was also my best friend since the 2nd grade. her words hit me with impact though, even as i tried to act as unaffected as possible. i picked at my shoelace quietly.
elena sighed. usually her bitchiness wore off fast these days.
"i'm sorry. that was rude. i'm just concerned for you. you can't just waste away this summer in your room unsocial on your laptop. come out with me and party. meet new prospects. i mean heck, we go our separate ways for college in 3 months!"
firstly, last summer it was practically mandatory that i stayed glued to my laptop to fill out applications, work on college entry essays, and study my ass off. and two, i wasn't unsocial. i was just focused on my school work. it payed off too; i would be going to the university of sydney while elena would drive the 20 minutes away to our local community uni. outloud though, i argued, "hey, i did go to parties with you. and they turned out to be total busts, remember? the police came within 15 minutes and the rest is history," it was true. one second i was trying to get some space alone in the backyard, the next, running along a fleet of half drunk people with flashing lights streaming around us. not a memorable experience.
i glanced at elena to see if she was reliving this flashback, but instead saw her staring back at me with an enormous grin split across her face.
"i have an idea," she exclaimed, nearly knocking over her drink. i groaned. her ideas were always either a) illegal, b) impossible, or c) illogical.
"no, no, murphy, listen. the one thing that annoys me more than you being a nun slash virgin is you wasting our last summer together. high school is over. no more studying until uni. i'll make a bucket list for, a challenge if you will. i know you'll do it if you set your mind. deal?"
by the time her speech was over, her eyes were beaming with fierce determination and excitement. i rolled my eyes. didn't we outgrow summer buck lists after freshman year? of course i didn't say this, couldn't bring myself to, because she suddenly looked so pleased.

i was a good friend. also, a good liar.

still, i didn't look her in the eye as i said it.

"deal."

it was the worst decision in my entire life.

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a/n: first official chapter!! hope u enjoy fam pls vote and give me feedback in the comments! peace luv nugs