‘Oh, go on,’ Becky encouraged.
Alex threw her head back and quietly screamed. ‘Fine. I just happened to date… I mean, I wouldn’t even call it dating, it was more of a short-lived—’
‘Sexual catastrophe?’
As her hands covered her face, Alex made a noise like a dying animal. ‘I hate you all.’
‘I’m completely invested now,’ Aiden said, laughing. ‘What happened?’
‘I can’t,’ Alex mumbled from behind her hands. ‘Just kill me and get it over with.’
Tara immediately started the story. ‘So, Aaron was the year below us,’ she told Aiden. ‘First year in agricultural science or something farmer-y, I can’t remember. You’d have liked him. Anyway, he was fresh off the tractor… just eighteen. Big lad, y’know… sturdy and also, like Davey, thought Alex was the cat’s ankles.’
‘This makes me sound like I was a much sought-after woman,’ Alex interjects. ‘And I really wasn’t.’ In fact, she remembered the struggle she’d had getting ready.
‘I can’t go out like this!’ she’d yelped, fussing over her dress in front of the mirror. ‘I’m practically falling out of it. It’ll give him entirely the wrong idea.’
‘Oh I think it’ll give him entirely the right idea,’ Tara replied, helping Alex scoop her chest properly into her low-cut red dress. ‘Though, I’d maybe give dancing a miss. One misplaced jiggle and it’s game over.’
‘See!’ Alex cried. ‘That’s it, I’m wearing the black one.’
By now, Erin and Becky had joined them to see what all the fuss was about. ‘You look lovely,’ Becky insisted. ‘No offence but the black one makes you look like you’re going to a funeral.’
‘I’d rather be going to a feckin’ funeral,’ Alex mumbled. ‘That’s way less depressing than a first date.’
‘Come on now,’ Beth said. ‘Alan seems lovely and it’s been ages since you’ve had a date.’
‘His name’s Aaron.’
‘Whatever. It’s all just rehearsal for the main event. You’re not going to marry this boy, you’re just going to practise on him. Just have a good time.’
‘I guess…’
Despite her concerns, Alex had found herself enjoying her first date with Aaron. Although rather shy, he was fun to be around. She also enjoyed her second date and by the third they both knew that things were going to go further.
Observing house rules, Alex found herself in Aaron’s room in student halls, which looked exactly like she imagined it would. Film posters on the walls, bed in disarray and clothes scattered on the floor.
‘Sorry about the mess,’ he said, trying to kick a pathway through his room.
‘It’s fine,’ she replied, ‘My room isn’t much better.’
She could almost hear Beth cackle at this outright lie. While Alex didn’t have her own room, any room she did sleep in was spotless but giving an eighteen-year-old boy advice on cleanliness might have killed the mood.
They kissed. They had kissed before, but this time it was with purpose. This time it had intention and would lead to more than a ‘thanks for a lovely evening,’ or ‘I’ll call you’.
Clothes off rather hurriedly on Aaron’s part who appeared to be down to his boxers before Alex had even unzipped her dress. He turned her around and began kissing her neck.
‘Bend over,’ he whispered, which surprised Alex, given that he was the least assertive guy she’d ever met. She was pretty sure if she’d said no, he’d have agreed that it was a terrible idea and begged for forgiveness.
As she assumed the position, she felt his entire weight on her back followed by his arms wrapped around her. Sweet Jesus, he’s literally mounting me, she thought to herself.
‘Um, I’m not sure that this will—'
‘Just give me a second,’ he mumbled. ‘Nearly in.’
‘I don’t think you’re anywhere… WOOAHHH!’
She heard a crash as he fell sideways onto the floor. She wanted to laugh, so badly, but didn’t have the heart to humiliate him further.
