Unrealistic

3. Reproductive Systems and Stuff

“By now you should already have a good knowledge of cells and molecular genetics,” says Mr. Crenshaw. “We will be moving into body systems and structures which means…. Dissecting frogs.”

A reverberated “Ughhhh” sounded across the classroom.

“Ughhh~ yeah I know, I know,” says Mr. Crenshaw. “You think you’re the first class of students that groan about seeing the insides of an amphibian?”

Some students chuckle while most are still making a face.

“Well we won’t be doing those labs for a couple of weeks,” says Mr. Crenshaw to a unifying sigh. “However, you will be working in pairs on a report over the major systems including but not limited to the reproductive system, nervous and endocrine systems and digestive and excretory systems….”

Mr. Crenshaw drones on about the different systems we would have to cover in our reports when Andy turns around in his desk.

“Yo Syl-vi-a” he sings my name, to which I can’t help but smile at. “You want to be my partner as we go over the reproductive system and you know, other stuff.”

The way he says “reproductive” and “stuff” does weird things to my body. I have to suppress the million exclamation marks that are threatening to spill out of my ears.

“Um… sure” I have no backbone.

“Awesome, awesome,” he says with a nod like he’s listening to a song in his head. “You want to come over to my place tonight?”

Do I??

“Oh sure, I would have to find a ride and clear it up with my mom first but it should be okay.” I say with as much confidence as possible.

Inside, I have Amy’s voice screaming at me to cancel immediately.

“Cool, cool,” he says, still with matching nods. “I’ll give you my number and then you can give me a ring when you’re ready to come over, cool?”

“Cool,” is all I can say.

He writes his number on a piece of notebook paper, rips it out and folds it before handing it over to me. 

“There you go, goddess.” 

The bell rings and he winks at me before getting up to leave.

I am glued to my desk with his paper folded in my hand. I can’t seem to get my feet to move at all.

Did he just call me ‘goddess’??

*         *         *

“Sylvia Booker you are not going to his place!” yells Amy jogging behind me.

“Amy! Shut up!” I stop and look around, making sure there weren’t any prying ears.

“Keep moving ladies!” yells Coach Percy through her megaphone on the opposite side of the tracks.

I start to move again, trying to keep a steady pace with Amy. I could easily finish my laps around the track but I keep pace with her so we can chat.

“Syl, you can’t possibly think this is a good idea?” she says as we resume pace. 

This time I make sure to run alongside her in case she decides to yell out again.

“It’s not like it’s a date,” I say.

“No, but you used to like him, and is Patrick going to be okay with that?”

“I’ll talk to him tonight, but why wouldn’t he?” I say, getting defensive. “It’s a school project. I”m sure he has to work with other girls, too. And what about you?”

“What about me?” she asks.

“Well you’re partners with Jared, does that mean you’re dating now?” I ask, trying to make a point.

“Well no,” she says pensively. “But it’s not like it couldn’t lead to anything. Today he flirted with me.”

“What?” I involuntarily stop, “How??”

“LADIES!” crap.

“Sorry coach” we yell in unison as we start to pick up pace again.

“Next time it’s detention!” yells Coach Percy.

“Amy, details!” The sudden excitement makes it harder to keep breath.

“Well, I asked him to borrow a pen and he said next time he’ll charge.”

“Wait what?” My feet almost stop moving when Amy grabs my arm to keep me going.

“You’re going to get us detention if you stop again!” She reminds me. 

“I mean was that it?” I ask, a bit underwhelmed.

“Okay so it wasn’t like sparks were flying, but he said NEXT time,” she says enthusiastically.

I try to match her joy, but I can’t help but compare her experience with the ones I have with Andy.

“Well that’s nice,” I give her a thumbs up as we finally embark on our last lap.

We actually take the last lap seriously and put more effort into finishing since we still needed time to shower and get our things together for the end of the school day.

“Finally ladies!” says Coach Percy as we cross the finish line, “I could have gone to get my nails done and been back and you still would be yammering away on the track.”

Amy and I shrug at each other and suppress the need to laugh at Coach Percy’s annoyance.

We head over to the girl’s locker room while she continues to berate the other students finishing up their laps.

“Coach Percy needs to get laid,” Bethany says when she clamors into the locker room behind us.

I laugh but Amy makes a face.

“How do you know she isn’t married?” Amy asks.

“Well if she is, her husband isn’t doing the job.”

“GROSS!” says Amy as she rolls her eyes, “You shouldn’t be talking about someone’s s*x life, it’s private.”

Bethany rolls her eyes back. She begins to undress and I can’t help but notice she’s got a pretty muscular body. Her dark complexion only defines her physique even more. She’s a softball player so I imagine that’s why she’s really fit but not much of a runner.

“Wow Bethany, I would kill for your thighs.”

She smiles as she forgets Amy’s cross remarks.

“Thanks, my boyfriend Brandon loves them too,” she winks at me and heads towards the shower.

“Ugh, I wish she wouldn’t make comments on her s*x life,” Amy murmurs.

“Was that a comment on her s*x life?” I ask seriously.

“Oh you’re so naive Syl, but I love you.” Amy says as she undresses too.

She’s a bit more plump but she’s not athletic in the least. Even then, she isn’t overweight or anything and she’s got a nice figure. 

“She is basically saying that her boyfriend has been down there and who knows what else.”

“Oh” I honestly wouldn’t know what that would entail.

I am for a lack of better terms, a virgin… in all ways but kissing. Maybe it’s because I bloomed a little late or I had pastors preaching at me about my virtue at a young age, that I haven’t ventured far past a kiss here and there with Patrick.

“Have you… you know.” I ask Amy.

It probably was a weird question to ask as we are both naked and about to head into the showers but Amy immediately covers her boobs with her arms.

“NO, never!” she exclaims. “I’m saving myself for marriage, aren’t you??”

“Yeah, of course,” I say back.

At least, I was always told I had to, so I guess, yeah, of course.

“Okay then,” she says with affirmation. “Let’s hurry, my brother won’t wait long if we want to ride with him.” 

“Okay.” I say as I climb into the showers.

I let the water run down by body as Amy’s question revolves in my head.

I am waiting for marriage, right?

*          *          *

“Do I need to call and confirm your study date?” mom asks.

“It’s not a date, please don’t call it that.” I groan.

“A date refers to a set time for a task too, you know,” she points out. “Will his parents be home?”

“I don’t know, I could send him a text and ask.” 

Hey, my mom wants to know if there will be parental supervision. SEND.

…

ANDY BISHOP: Yesiree. Dad will be here if your mom needs to double check ;) 

“His dad will be there, but do you really have to call?” I give her a pleading look to say ‘no.’

“No, but you better get right back in your sister’s car if his dad isn’t there,” she commands.

Mom isn’t a really strict parent, it’s just her. Dad bailed on us when I was five and I don’t really remember him but Mallory does. She says he was barely home and when he was it was just to sober up. Mom thought he would get himself together for our sake, but he never did, and she was glad he left. She never got involved with anyone else though.

“I promise, I will.” I swear. 

Mom nods and I am grateful that we have a good relationship.

“Mallory! I’m ready to leave whenever you are!” I skip into her room and sit on her bed.

She’s getting ready for her date with her boyfriend Hector. He goes to Jackson’s Fine Arts Academy as well.

“What do you think?”

She’s wearing a fitted black button shirt with a mini green skirt and silver heels.

“I can’t wait til you get tired of that outfit and I can have it!”

She throws a makeup sponge at me.

“You’re such a dork,” she says laughing. “Seriously though!”

“Definitely H.O.T., emphasizes on the ‘OHHH’ la-la” I say whistling.

“Perfect,” she says as she turns to look herself over in the full length mirror.

“Can I ask you something?”

She looks over at me and sits on her vanity stool. She always gives me her full attention.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Are you waiting till marriage to… you know?”

“Am I waiting to have s*x?”

She’s definitely more blunt than I am.

“Yes that,” I say scrunching my nose.

She smiles but she thinks for a moment before answering.

“I know what I’m supposed to tell you,” she began, “but I think it’s more about finding the right person.”

“Is Hector the right person?”

She blushes, which I rarely see her do.

“I don’t know honestly,” she says. “We definitely do things, but we haven’t gone that far.”

“Things?” I ask curiously.

She laughs.

“I know we normally can talk about everything but this is just kind of weird,” she says before clearing her throat. “I think it’s not something you should rush into, especially if you’re not well-versed in what those things are.”

“I feel like everyone knows but me!” I exclaim as I fall back onto the bed and cover my face.

I’ve seen all the teen dramas and everyone has s*x, but everyone in my life seems to be talking about other things.

“Syl, it’s okay. Not everyone is physical in high school. Some people wait until marriage, and that’s okay,” she assures me.

“I guess so,” I say.

“Patrick isn’t pressuring you is he?” she asks with concern in her voice.

“No, he is pretty adamant about waiting for marriage,” I say.

“And you?” she asks.

“Same,” I say, but not with as much conviction as I should.

“So you do you, Syl. Don’t worry about anyone else,” she says as she gets up and gathers her things into her purse.

I’m pretty certain that waiting until marriage is what I want, I just wish I wasn’t as curious about what the “physical stuff” actually entails. 

On my way over! SEND.

…

ANDY BISHOP: See you soon goddess ;) 

*         *        *