Jess cancels

Jess replied quite quickly. She said shw was sorry and that Friday had been great but she couldn't do what we'd planned. I asked why, and she said it was because of Tara. She didn't want a relationship or anything, but didn't want to be 'that girl' and that Friday would have to be a one off for now. I asked Beth for advice, and she told me to tell her I understood and just give her time. I felt a bit pissed aboit it but Beth usually gave good advice so went with it. Jess replied with a thank you and that she'd be online tonight as usual. I guessed she wanted to carry on as before so told her I'd speak to her then.

Beth could see I was annoyed so suggested we go out for lunch, which was sort of her code for 'let's sort you out'. We'd had this sort of chat before so I knew what to expect.

"Whats the REAL problem here Marcus? It's not the first time you've been turned down and it's not like you don't have a girlfriend and long distance fuck-buddie already."

"I dunno Beth, things with Tara go so slow compared with Amanda, I kinda thought I could have the same closer to home you know, on tap."

The problem was that Tara went to another school, and it took a 20 minute train journey just to get to her town, let alone all the walking. Which was why we saw each other once or twice a week if we were lucky, and the reason things went slow.

"It sounds to me like you need to concentrate on getting Tara into bed. And it sounds like she gets all kinds of horny when drunk."

"I hear you Beth, but it's not as simple as 'get drunk and fuck', there's logistics"

"Explain" she replied

"Most of our partying chances are Fridays. She works Saturday's so can't stay here if we have one, and her mum would never let me stay there. Which leaves staying at her friends, and I don't know them well enough at the moment"

She agreed that it was troublesome, but told me to stick with it for a few weeks. I guess I was a little more positive at this point, there were several parties planned for the next few weeks and Beth was usually right.

I spoke to Jess later that night, alnost as if nothing had happened, except she made a point of telling me there were 6 new swimsuits in her wardrobe before she logged off.