Change the subject.

As much as you’d like to push the subject in an attempt to ease Emily into what happened today at the rooftop, you decide it’s better not to. Since you decided to leave the decisions to Megan, you won’t tell anything to Emily unless she approves.

“Can we stop talking about the fantasy of me being popular in this all-girls school? Can I finally ask you why you suddenly wanted to come here or am I not supposed to?”

Emily groans in annoyance, covering her face with her hand. “I was hoping you didn’t ask.”

“If you don’t want to tell me, I’ll shut up, but it doesn’t seem like you wanted to take the opportunity to have me all to yourself.” You joke.

That seemed to lift her spirits a little. She chuckles before turning serious again.

“It’s… my mom.” She tells you. “Since we live in this town, I’m still staying with her and don’t live in the dorms. The thing is… my father died five years ago, and since then, my mother has had 10 different boyfriends, at least that’s how many she’s taken home. These days I try to avoid my house as much as possible, especially since my sister moved out.”

“I guess things are pretty awkward?” You guess.

“Like you wouldn’t believe. I kinda felt bad for those that came in thinking they’d be my new father only to be dumped by mom a few months later.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah.” She sighs. “I’ve always wondered what she finds so fun about it. Is it fun having so many boyfriends or does she like dumping them? I don’t get it.”

“Have you ever had a boyfriend?” You ask innocently.

“That’s a very personal question, Mr. Walker. I’ll only answer if you tell me first.” She gives you a teasing grin.

You shrug and answer. “Once, in high school. Second worse experience of my life.” You say nonchalantly.

“Seriously? Why’s that?”

You think for a moment. “Do you happen to know Olivia Hughes?”

“That bitch? Sure do, but wish I didn’t. She’s caused many of my teammates more than a little trouble.” She tells you.

“Well, my first girlfriend was kind of like that, but without the pretty face and the killer body.” You sigh and groan at the memories.

“How did you even get into that relationship then?” She asks in disbelief.

“She came to me and asked me to date her and I was a horny teenager. Still am, really.” You joke self-deprecatingly.

“Gotcha.” She sighs this time. “Fine, you revealed more than it’s fair for what I have to say. No, I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve been in all-girls schools since middle school, so I’ve never had much contact with guys.”

“What about a girlfriend?” You ask, trying to sound as casual as you can.

She shakes her head. “Haven’t had a girlfriend, either. I’m not into that, but…” She eyes you carefully for a moment. “Can you keep a secret?”

“I’ll try my best.”

“There was a time when I kind of… sort of… had a crush on Megan.” Emily reveals.

Wow. The plot thickens. You raise your eyebrows in surprise.

“Did you ever act on it?” You ask.

“No. I didn’t think Megan was… willing to experiment and I didn’t want to make things awkward between us. We’ve been close as sisters since we met, so I didn’t want to ruin that by doing something stupid.”

Girl, if only you knew. This is kind of frustrating to listen to, you think. Then again, you understand and sympathize with Emily’s fears.

“Do you still feel that way about her?” You ask further.

“Kind of? I’m just very, very curious.” She admits, tracing her finger along the edge of her glass.

“Curious of what?”

“I don’t know… what it’s like to be with someone, to have a relationship, to… kiss someone. I’ve always thought that if I was going to experiment, I’d want to do it with Megan, but like I said, I don’t want to make things awkward.”

Well, those are questions every teenager ever has had. You had them up until very recently, until Emma was kind enough to clear them all out of the water. You think for a moment and decide to take the plunge with a risky offer.

“Why don’t you try it with me? The kiss, I mean.” You offer.

Emily’s eyes snap to you. “What!?” She has a look of utter disbelief.

“I’m just saying, if you’re that curious, kiss me and get it out of your system. God knows I wouldn’t mind being your test dummy. We can forget it ever happened after it and you have some answers to your questions.” You shrug.

Emily’s expression shifts from disbelief to serious consideration as she stares deeply into her glass.