Sex Education

Where Does My Heart Beat Now

Mary was surprised to find the door already opened when she arrived at Liam's.

"Hello?" She called cautiously.

"In 'ere come in."

Mary followed the sound of his voice to find him already in the living room at the flip chart with her tea already poured. She smiled oddly. It was almost like he was... enjoying this? And they'd started to develop their own sort of strange new normal.

Liam looked at her and smiled.

"You alright?"

Mary nodded. She blushed slightly. He didn't know but she'd been doing lots of homework and it was Liam that always appeared in her head when...

She went into her pocket quickly and passed the twenty quid to him. Liam's blue eyes darkened, and a slow grin spread across his lips.

"I did my homework. You were right. I was wrong. I won't...I won't doubt you again. Sorry." She said quickly and slightly awkwardly.

Liam nodded as he took the twenty.

"That's alright. Take a seat."

He didn't ask any more questions, which she was grateful for.

Mary looked at the word on the flipchart. Flirting. Oh dear.

"Right, so this is probably the most important lesson, to be honest. If you can't flirt, then a lad won't know you're interested, and then well... you won't get very far. It's easier than you think, though. Honestly, most lads will think they're in with a chance if you even bother talking to them."

Maggie nodded.

"4 easy steps. 1) Eyes. 2) Conversation. 3) Body Language. 4) Touch."

Liam wrote the stages in capital letters in the marker pen, and then he sat on the opposite end of the sofa.

"Right, let's try." He said.

Mary looked at him alarmed.

"Try what?" She asked bewildered.

Liam laughed.

"Going through the steps. Let's play pretend for a bit. Set the scene. So, we're in a bar. You see me across the room with some friends. You like the look of me, obviously. You walk up next to me. How are you getting my attention?"

Liam turned so that his profile was to her. He was looking at the wall on the other side of the room. Mary had never thought about it before, but she'd never tried to get anyone's attention before. She, in fact, always tried to do the opposite. Go unnoticed and blend into the background.

Mary sighed.

"I don't know how to get anyone's attention. I like being invisible."

Liam looked at her with a soft smile.

"Well, no matter how well you think you do it, you aren't invisible. I remember you in school. I saw you. I mean, you're pretty. That'll help get attention for starters." He said honestly.

Mary felt herself blushing. Liam thought she was... pretty? The way he'd just said it to her with no sense of shyness. He also didn't seem like he was joking or lying. But... Liam had beautiful girlfriends. Tall, blonde supermodels with perfect bodies. They were pretty not her.

Liam chuckled.

"You look even cuter when you blush like that, you know. I don't think this'll be a problem for you. C'mon, just try. Lads like it when you're straightforward with them. Just don't try any cheesy chat up lines, or that alright?"