Song of a Sophomore

CHAPTER 10 - Waterfalls

The next day, I intentionally arrive five minutes late to practice and squeeze my way into the stretching circle as the girls chat. Keeping a low profile is my go-to strategy and it pays off because they girls hardly notice me. Michelle, Bethany and Katelyn are in a tight circle giggling about something scandalous.

"He was so wasted." Katelyn whispers.

Michelle leans in and raises her eyebrows. "And he was all over you."

"Mmm, hmm." A simple nod tells me everything Katelyn doesn't say.

"So?" Michelle presses for details.

"A lady never kisses and tells." After a coy smile, Katelyn looks over her shoulder and, when she is satisfied no one important is listening, she whispers. "Who am I kidding? We're going back there tonight to get freaky."

Is she talking about making out? Or... sex?  

The idea of it makes me break out in a cold sweat. The girls are only a year ahead of me, and it's hard for me to imagine being ready to do that stuff when I am sixteen. To be so close to someone—so vulnerable—stirs up an unexpected wave of mild nausea. I let out an uneasy breath.

"Are you eavesdropping, newbie?" Katelyn turns to me and I know I've been caught. 

"No, not at all." It's all I can think to say but I'm a terrible liar.

Katelyn rests on her elbows with her long legs spread into a split and batts her eyelashes, teasing me. "Are you listening to me talk about my boyfriend? I bet you're pretty curious."

"Look at her cheeks!" Bethany squeals. "She's blushing!"

Michelle turns to look, too, and I cover my cheeks with my hands. "Aw, she's so innocent!"

All three of the girls are laughing at me now, which captures the attention of our teammates who are now spinning around to look. My armpits tingle with perspiration and the icy hot sensation spreads down my arms.

"What's so funny?" A dark-haired girl named Courtney asks, peering at me through her long, black eyelashes.

"It's Rose." Bethany points at me. "Look at her blushing."

A devilish grin lites up Katelyn's face. "I know! Rosie can be her new nickname!"

Bethany claps her manicured hands together. "So tell me, Rosie, what's got you so... rosy?"

"Was it me talking about my boyfriend? About—" Katelyn pauses for dramatic effect and whispers in a deep, throaty voice "—sex?"

I am a deer frozen in the headlights and Katelyn is the oncoming car. She is about to run right over me and I'm going to let her. Too dumbstruck to change my fate, I just sit there in silence, unable to escape.

"Look at her face!" Katelyn cackling laughter is like shards of glass in my ears. "Getting redder now."

Michelle joins in the teasing. "She's probably never even kissed a boy before."

"Have you even had a boyfriend?" Katelyn already knows the answer and throws her head back at my dumbstruck expression.

My tongue is much too heavy to spew a lie or snap a witty comeback. Like a coward, I just let my jaw hang open wide while the lump in my throat grows bigger. Even if I could rally myself out of this state of suspended animation, the damage is already done.