Sexual Education

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

“87%, not your best, London.” My father sighs and places my test next to his plate on the table. I look down at my plate of barely touched spaghetti and nod my head. My mother sends me a sympathetic smile, but I just ignore it and pick up my fork to start eating. All through dinner the air is tense and I find myself scarfing down the meal quicker than I normally would.

“Thank you, mom.” I give my mother a tight smile and pick up my plate as I push my chair backwards and stand up. My dad avoids eye contact as I walk past him. As soon as I get into the kitchen, I hear my mother scolding him.

“You have to stop putting so much pressure on her. It’s her senior year, Rick. She’s supposed to be having fun with her friends.” My mother sighs. I shake my head and rinse off my plate. My mother comes walking into the kitchen right as I finish cleaning up.

“He’s just stressed, honey. They’ve been working on a hard case.” I nod my head in acknowledgment at my mother and look into her eyes.

“You don’t need to make excuses for him.” With that, I take to the stairs and lock myself in my room for the rest of the night. I turn up The 1975 and hum quietly to the words as I re-read Eat Pray Love. Not the best book in my collection, but hey it kills time.

*** 

“I really don’t think this is a good idea, Willow.” I tell my childhood friend for the umpteenth time. She rolls her eyes in the mirror and turns around to face me; her face one of frustration.

“London, for the tenth time,” so it’s been ten times. “you’re going. Plus, I’m tired of going to these things alone.” She says and twirls back around the her mirror, picking up her mascara and applying it carefully with her mouth slightly open.

“Jake will be there,” I remind her. I hear her sigh and she places the mascara back on the table and turns around to look at me again

“Can I be honest with you?” She asks. I nod and she walks up to her bed and sits down next to me, taking my hair into her hand and motioning for me to turn around. I comply. “The reason I told you to come out tonight is because you don’t get out much anymore. All you do is go to school and home. Remember when we used to go to parties a couple of years ago? We’d have fun! Don’t you miss that?” I look at my lap and think her words over as she continues to fiddle with my hair.

“Of course I miss it, but I’m just not that person anymore-“

“Well what can I do to get her back? Hm? Because I miss my best friend!” She exasperates. She tells me to hold my hair in her hand as she stands up to retrieve a small rubber hair tie. I wait for her to finish with my hair before replying.

“How about I make a deal with you?” I move around on the bed so that I am face to face with her. She nods for me to continue. “If I come tonight, no complaints, you will show me how to do this,” I point to the side fish plait she did. She laughs and nods her head, taking my hand in hers and shaking it.

“Great, now let’s get you ready!” She squeals and jumps up from the bed running to her closet. I look down at my jeans and sweater. I thought I was ready?