Foreigner of Fire

16 - Interest Day

The birds chirping outside woke her. She opened her eyes and didn't wait for it to adjust. She was cold. She had the blanket around her – but she was cold.

What had happened last night?

They kissed, got into bed, kissed some more...Then, all she could remember was that she fell asleep. She checked under her blanket; she was dressed in her undergarments. Her cheeks began to flame up in embarrassment. He didn't do it to her in her sleep...Did he?

Would he?

She frowned, grabbing the blanket close and turning over. The other side of the bed was empty. She didn't feel sore or anything. She remembered reading the books – just for curiosity – where the girl always woke up sore in the morning after a night of sex. She didn't feel violated – just strange. She sat up and that was when she noticed the sheets on the ground.

Hugging the sheets close to her, Lily leaned over the bed and saw Ash lying on a heap of blankets, fast asleep.

Oh... She thought. He didn't even sleep in the same bed as me...

She sighed in relief. At least he respected her needs. So he hadn't taken advantage of her. A fuzzy memory climbed its way up into her mind.

He moved his hands down to the elastic of her panties, hooking his thumb through the sides.

"No," Lily protested, her hands flying to his. "Not yet." She had said. He took his hands off and smiled at her.

"Anything you want, baby." He pecked her on the lips one last time before rolling off the bed and heading to the cabinet to grab some sheets. She closed her eyes for a second – and fell asleep.

She felt relief wash over her again. At least she hadn't given off her lip virginity to a rapist.

And a lot of other virginities, she remembered. She couldn't deny how good it had felt, neither the fact that it had felt right. That night with Ash, letting him do that to her, it felt completely right.

Lily got off the bed before he woke up and began to pull on her clothes. She ran her fingers through her hair a few times before opening the door and heading to her own cabin. She needed a long shower – and that's what she got.

"Damn, girl." Aliyah breathed as soon as Lily walked into the main cabin. "Who's been snogging you last night?" She asked, her eyebrows running up and down in teasing squiggles.

"Wh – What do you mean?" Lily laughed nervously, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Have you seen your neck?" Aliyah had a teasing smile on.

"No?" Lily frowned. Aliyah took out her phone and opened up her front camera, handing Lily the phone. Lily eyed up herself and her eyes widened when she saw her neck.

"Are those bruises?! Did he beat me up last night?!" She gasped in horror.

"Oh, you chaste little virgin!" Aliyah cracked a laugh. "They're called love bites." She chuckled. "Hickeys."

"Oh..." Lily blushed. She had read about them before.

"So...How far did you do go last night?" Aliyah raised her eyebrows. "I can see the hickies traveling down to the collar of your shirt – not just your neck. Who's the lucky man?"

"Um," Lily blushed nervously. "Ash."

Aliyah's jaw dropped and she gasped, eyes widening. "Are you for real?!" She squealed, a large smile forming on her face. "Oh. My. God!" Aliyah fanned her face. Her brown skin began to redden at the cheeks. "Do you want to talk about it?!" She whispered quietly. Lily removed her hair tie and let her hair down, moving her hair down to the side of her neck, trying to cover her hickies.

"Later." Lily says quickly when Counsellor Dave walked into the hall.

"Hello campers! As you all know, it's interest day, where you tell us a bit of history about your own interests and a lot about it. That way, you can mingle with others having the same interests!" The counsellor sat down at a bench. He began to call out names. One by one, everyone went up to express their interests.

When it was Lily's turn, she hesitated. Aliyah urged her to get up, encouraging her. Lily slowly walked onto the stage.

"Tell us about your interests, Lily." The counsellor urged her on. Lily's eyes began to nervously scan the crowd. Wow, how did her father ever manage? There were so many people around.

"I'm – My father," Lily stammered. He smelt like roses and mint. "My father is the minister of the church in my town. He made me love Jesus. I was saved early and – " his silver eyes sparkled as they darkened with wanting. Lily slowed down. " – and I spend my time –" She moved her hand towards his abs and up to his pectorals. "Writing about my love for – " Her breath hitched. The hand on her neck trailed itself down to her chest, where it hovered over her shirt before carelessly tugging a button open. "My love for Jesus." Tears began to form in her eyes and her nose stung. "I've been writing since I was," Her breathing had quickened and turned heavy – he could hear it – as her body moved against him. "I'm sorry." She burst into tears and ran off the stage. She grabbed the door and hurried out, towards her cabin, clutching onto the cross on the necklace she had decided to wear that day.