The Island, Chapter 18 - Sex Stories

The Island, Chapter 18

... the water, which didn’t quite reach knee level. Alyssa seemed a little preoccupied, but I let her mull over whatever was bothering her. If she wanted to tell me, she would. Sure enough, she seemed to reach a decision. “How old should you be when you first have a boyfriend or girlfriend?” she asked with an artificially casual tone. “Well, it depends on what you mean,” I answered. “Lots of 5th and 6th graders have boyfriends and girlfriends, but at that age you basically hold hands and maybe kiss a little. I think it’s more for practice than anything. I think for most young people, serious relationships start in high school, when you start to think about love and eventually marrying.” “And sex?” “Yes, and sex,” I agreed. “Though usually that happens more around 15 or later. Not thinking about it, I mean, but actually doing it.” “I’ve never had a boyfriend. I mean, I kissed a couple of boys, and one of them called me his girlfriend last year, but he spent more time with his friends than with me.” She sighed. “I feel like I’m ready for one. I think about love, and I’d like to have someone I really care about, and who cares about me.” “It will happen, Alyssa,” I assured her. “You are a beautiful young woman and I’m sure there are a lot of guys interested in you. I know that here on this island there is a pretty limited selection, but there are some nice guys here.” “I guess,” she said doubtfully. “But they all seem interested in playing games with each other and competing at ...

... things.” I laughed knowingly. “Boys at your age are generally afraid to make a move with girls. They try to show off for them by fighting and causing trouble, so girls will notice them. But secretly they want the same thing you do. Since girls mature faster, you might have to take the lead and let one of them know you want to spend some time with him, without his friends along.” Her reply was forestalled by approaching voices. We heard two females in conversation coming up the path behind us. “Let’s hide!” Alyssa said impulsively, dragging me into the trees. “Why?” I whispered, amused. “I want to here what they’re saying,” she said with a grin, crouching down. “Sometimes I learn interesting things.” I was just about to tell her that eavesdropping wasn’t very nice, when her quarry came into view, and my comment dried up, unspoken, in my mouth. Two of the cheerleaders clambered over the rocks, hand in hand, and sat at the water’s edge. One was blonde, with long, curly hair just past her shoulders, and the other was a brunette, her hair done up in a braid. They were both wearing bikini bottoms and tank tops. “That’s Emma and Megan,” Alyssa whispered helpfully. “I can’t believe she thinks she can do it,” the blonde, presumably Emma, said to her friend. “I don’t think it’s going to work.” “You never know,” replied Megan. “She can be, like, pretty persuasive.” “I know, but I don’t think Adam’s into that. You’ve spent enough time with him. Do you think he’s, like, into girls at all?” “I ...