As Long as You Love Me...

Chapter 1

Emily...

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Emilyyyyyyy…” I laugh at the dramatic dragging of my name.

“Happy birthday to you”! The entire room erupts into a cheer.

“Oh gosh someone get mom a tissue please!” I call out as I see her wiping away tears.

“I’m sorry honey,” she says in between sniffles. “I just can’t believe your 17 years old already.”

I smiled lovingly at my mother. I couldn’t ask for a better mom. She was all I had and all I needed because she made sure I had an amazing childhood and never went without. I was so grateful to be surrounded by friends and family on my birthday. “Ok…. GIFTS!!!” I yelled like an excited 3 year old.

I began opening gifts, thanking whoever it was from. I was surprised that I was actually getting good gifts this year…. I guess the list I emailed everyone came in handy, everyone except my grandma who doesn’t have a computer. I held up the oversized fuzzy sweater with lopsided cats sewn on it. “Oh nana… I love it! Thank you.” I lied as I kissed her forehead.

“You’re welcome baby, I know how much you love cats!” she said while beaming proudly at her creation.

I actually hate cats…. With an undying passion from the bottom of my soul but of course I wasn’t about to tell that to my 85 year old grandmother who had probably used all of her yarn knitting me this hideous…. I mean lovely sweater. I made a mental note to take her to the fabric store later to restock.

“Em, I got you a gift too…”

I stared at my best friend Cortney. We met in seventh grade at age 13 when some eighth grader stole my lunch. Cortney punched the boy in his face, and then we sat down, enjoyed our lunches and his! We’ve been inseparable ever since, yet I still can’t read her. It’s driving me mad because I’m dying to know what my gift is.

Then for only a brief second, I saw a devilish spark in her eye. “I can’t give you your gift right now, not in front of your family.” She said while flipping her long blonde hair and sashaying away.

I gulped. What was this chick up to? I shook my head and glanced around the room searching for one person.

“Baby, don’t you have a gift for me?” I asked Eric, my boyfriend of a year as of today.

“I sure do but you can’t get it until tonight.” He stated with a devilish grin.

I smiled but on the inside I was nervous. Eric and I have been dating for a year now, we met last year when he was a senior and I was a junior and was tutoring him in Calculus. Despite him being 6’2”, having perfect caramel complexion and the body of a Greek God, I have managed to keep my virginity. I do love him but I’m still not sure if I’m ready.

“Ok everyone thanks for coming!” My mom shouted in an attempt to get rid of everyone. She never did like having a lot of people in her house. Although I can’t see why not, we stay in an average yet nicely decorated home.

Everyone shuffled out saying their goodbyes while my mom started to clean. I kissed Eric goodbye and went to help my mom.

“Mom, you planned and cooked for this event. I’ll clean up, you go rest.” I said while grabbing a paper plate out of her hand.

She slapped my hand away. “No, it’s your birthday. Go enjoy your youth, I’ll clean up. Besides this mess will be nothing compared to when my birthday rolls around!”

I laughed and decided to go upstairs with Cortney and put my gifts away. Cortney was already upstairs by the time I arrived. I didn’t know if I should laugh or feel violated by what I saw.

“Ooooh yea baby! That’s it, spank me daddy!” Cortney whispered loudly while on my bed on her hands and knees, spanking herself.

And that’s not even the worst part… she was wearing the sweater my nana knitted for me.

“What the hell are you doing you pervert?!” I yelled while shutting my door. God forbid my mother walk by and see this

“Is this how you and Eric are gonna do it?” she asked with a straight face like she did nothing wrong.

Cortney is and has always been a freak. If she wants you, she will have you. No one can say no to Cort. Why would they? She is smoking hot. Hands down the thickest white girl I have ever met in my life! Her hips came in around ninth grade but despite that her long blonde hair is always shiny and healthy no matter how much she colors and curls it. I don’t judge her, if anything I wish I was as brave as she was. She goes after whatever she wants not only guys but also life in general. I like to say she is a free spirit, it sounds a lot better than saying she likes sex.

“Cortney… I… what? Wait. Why are you wearing my grandma’s sweater?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know… it kinda turned me on.”

I made a mental note to get a new friend. “That’s sick Cort.” I laughed, hoping to change the subject. “Ugh where am I gonna put all these gifts?”

“I know where you can put mine.” She said in a low and seductive voice.

I stood still as a statue and felt my heart racing… I was afraid to turn around and see her gift but I knew I had no choice. I slowly turned around.

Cortney was holding up a peach colored Victoria Secret teddy. I looked confused as I waited patiently for her to present the rest of the outfit.

“Well?” she asked with excitement in her voice. “Do you like it?”

“I love… the color! Umm is it a two part outfit or something, I don’t see any bottoms.”

Cortney rolled her eyes. “No you nun, this is the whole thing! Its lingerie, the bottom is a thong. It’s for you and Eric tonight when you fuck.” She says with a smile.

“Cort don’t say fuck, geesh, it’ll be a little more romantic than that!” I huff now upset because I just said fuck.

I see a smirk on her face before realizing what I basically just admitted.

“So you are going to fuc… I mean have sex!” she yells a little too loudly. I honestly don’t understand why she is so eager for me to have sex; she’s more excited than I am…. Wait…. Am I excited?

“I don’t think I’m ready.” I confess, sounding sadder than I thought I was.

I was relieved to see Cortney get serious. “Oh sweetie,” she said while sitting down next to me on my bed. “It’s perfectly normal to have these thoughts.”

I smiled a weak smile. “Really? What about you, did you have your doubts?” I asked realizing I know nothing about Cortney’s first time.

I saw a flash of something that looked like hurt but it was gone so fast that I figured I imagined it. “Everyone has their doubts but once you get going,” she said while humping my stuffed bear, “It gets better and better!”

I simply walked out of my room leaving Cortney and Mr. Pookie Bear to their business. I fought back tears thinking about how I would have to burn the only stuffed animal I had left from my childhood. The scene was funny but he was forever unclean.