by Nia Stephens
“Is that right?” Gemma asked. “I think I smell a challenge.” She nodded to Christopher. “Let’s go.”
Christopher grabbed Gemma’s hand and led her to one of the ramps. “We’ll start you off with this kiddie one.”
Gemma stared at the ramp in front of her, her eyes widening. Kiddie ramp? she thought. This looks more like the adult advanced downhill slope.
As he did with his surfing instruction, Christopher grabbed Gemma’s hips and held her steady as she stood on the skateboard. After about five minutes of quick instructions, he announced to his friends that she was ready. The crowd gathered around as Gemma stood at the top of the kiddie ramp and prepared to make her debut as a pro skater. Either that or a hospital outpatient.
She stepped up onto the skateboard and pushed off. Halfway down the ramp she must have hit a pebble. She slid down the rest of the ramp on her butt. Painful and embarrassing.
She sat at the bottom of the ramp, prepared for the taunting she knew was about to come from the sidelines.
“Whoa!” Ramon said. “That was awesome! Her first fallout. Much respect.”
Everyone started to clap. “Good job,” Sascha said. “I’m surprised you even went through with it.”
Gemma stood up and wiped the sand from her butt. Then she took a well-earned bow.
“Where were you all day?” Maria asked when Gemma finally called back. Gemma told Maria all about the movies, the beach and especially about the skate park. “I had the gnarliest time hanging ten,” Gemma told her best friend.
“Oh, brother,” Maria sighed. “Now you’re even starting to sound like surfer dude.”
“Relax, chica,” Gemma mocked. “I’m kidding. But we did have a great time and I think his friends really liked me.”
“That’s great but I was still waiting for your call so we could do something.”
“Sorry,” Gemma said. “I didn’t have my phone on me.”
After apologizing to Maria for another ten minutes, Gemma told her to just come over and yell at her while she figured out what to wear to Christopher’s party.
“So you really like this dude?” Maria asked as she watched Gemma try on her fifth pair of jeans.
“I do, actually. He’s cool, laid-back and most importantly wasn’t hands-on at all today.”
Maria nodded. “Good. Did you talk to him about it again?”
“Nope. Didn’t have to. I think from here on out, everything is going to be cool.”
“I told you,” Maria said. “You just have to put them in check once.”
The girls put on their swimsuits and sat out by the pool waiting for Manny and his friend Emilio to come by. They all decided they were going to hang out together for a couple of hours until Gemma had to start getting ready for the party. She would have invited Christopher over but figured she just saw him this afternoon and didn’t want him to get sick of her.
“Yo, ladies,” Manny said, walking around back. “The fun is here.”
“Hey, there,” Emilio greeted them. The two boys exchanged a mischievous look. Then they sprinted toward the pool and did cannonballs right in front of the girls. The girls shrieked as the cold water splashed up.
“Manny!” Maria exclaimed. “You are so dead!” She shot up from the lounge chair and jumped into the water after him.
After a good ten minutes of splashing around, they both emerged from the pool and plopped down on one of the lounge chairs next to Gemma. Emilio stayed in the pool doing laps.
“Gemma, Christopher is on the phone for you,” her mother said, walking over and handing her the cordless.
Surprised, Gemma said, “Hey, what’s up?”
“I just wanted to call and tell you I had fun today.”
Gemma laughed. “Aside from a sore butt, so did I.”
“What’s that,” he asked.
“What’s what?”
“I hear voices in the background.”
Gemma glanced over at Manny and Maria who were now chasing each other around the pool. Emilio hung onto the edge of the pool, cheering them on.
“Oh, that’s just a bunch of lunatics,” Gemma said, laughing at their antics.
“You have friends over and didn’t invite me?” he asked. She couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. “Are there guys over there too?”
“Just these menaces,” she said, shooing Manny away. “Manny and one of his buddies.”
“I’ll let you go and have fun with your friends,” he said, sounding disappointed. She was about to respond but realized he had already hung up.
What the hell just happened? she thought. She felt bad for a minute before deciding if he was really angry with her—for whatever reason—she would just make it up to him tonight at the party.
“So you’re teaching my daughter how to surf?” Gemma’s dad asked when Christopher came to pick her up for the party. “How much do you charge for lessons? I would love to learn how to surf.”
“Dad, do you have to harass my dates every time they come to pick me up?”
Her dad laughed and then leaned toward Christopher. “That’s women for you. This one is just like her mother—can’t take a joke.”
Gemma pushed Christopher out the door before her dad could embarrass her anymore. Once safely in Christopher’s car, Gemma relaxed. She looked over at Christopher, thinking he just might be the perfect guy for her. It was funny how that worked. A guy she would ordinarily never think of dating ended up being one of the best guys she had ever dated. Even Maria and Manny had liked him and enjoyed his company at the pizzeria last night.
When she looked a little closer, she noticed a weird expression on Christopher’s face. “Is anything wrong?” she asked when he hesitated to start the car.
He stared straight ahead for a second and then asked, “Geez, how many guys have you been with?”
Surprised, Gemma responded, “What are you talking about?”
“You asked your dad if he always had to harass your dates whenever they come to pick you up. Exactly how many dates has your dad harassed?”
At first Gemma laughed, thinking he was joking. When she realized he wasn’t she said, “Come on, Christopher. I was just making a comment about how many times my dad has embarrassed me. It really had nothing to do with guys.”
“Seriously,” he pushed. “How many guys have you been with, because for some reason you keep cutting me off.”
Now it was Gemma’s turn to stare. “Christopher, that’s really none of your business.” It may have been easier to just admit that she was a virgin, but Gemma didn’t feel they were at the point in their relationship to discuss their sexual histories—or lack thereof.
With a sulking expression, Christopher stared out of the window, relenting only when she softly kissed his cheek and reassured him that what she had told her dad really was a joke. As he put the car into drive, Gemma hoped the rest of the evening wasn’t going to be this intense.
When they arrived at Christopher’s house, Gemma was thoroughly impressed. The beachfront house was spectacular with its modern architecture, standing mere feet away from the shoreline. In fact, you could hear the crashing waves from the front door. The inside of the house was even more impressive. Every single wall boasted a piece of modern art that Gemma figured to be an original.
The party was in full swing and since many high school kids from neighboring schools were there—even a few J. Marshall students—she recognized several faces.
After they said hi to Lita, Ramon, Jeff, Sascha, Matt, and Tina, Christopher pulled Gemma out onto the dance floor, which would go back to its former status as the living room floor before his parents came home in a few days.
Gemma and Christopher were out on the dance floor having a great time until someone bumped into her and knocked an ice-cold drink down the back of her shirt. Gemma shrieked as she turned to cuss out the clumsy fool. Her heart almost stopped when she saw Nick Simmons standing in front of her. She was not surprised to see that he was drunk.
/> “My girl!” Nick yelled drunkenly. “What’s up?” Nick grabbed Gemma, giving her a bone-crushing hug. Yup, that was the familiar smell of beer mixed with cologne she remembered none too fondly.
Gemma pushed herself from his grasp. “Get off me!” she said, disgusted. She walked off the dance floor, with Christopher following.
“You know that guy?” he asked.
“You know that guy?” she asked back.
“Not really, but he comes to every party I throw. So how do you know him?”
“His name is Nick Simmons and we go to the same school,” Gemma said. The wet spot on the back of her shirt was now sticking to her and making her cold.
“Is that the only way you know him or did you hook up with him, too?” Christopher asked suspiciously.
Gemma glared at him, refusing to dignify the question with a response. “Do you have something I can change into?” she asked, irritated.
Christopher nodded and led her up the steps and into his colossal bedroom. His family must have a maid, she thought. No guy keeps his room this clean.
He went into his closet and pulled out a tiny handkerchief. “You can make a shirt out of this,” he offered.
“Not funny.” What was with his attitude? He didn’t even have the excuse of being drunk—he was drinking soda.
He disappeared back into his closet but this time came out with a white T-shirt with the word skater printed across the chest in black. “This one is too small for me but it should fit you okay.” He handed it to Gemma.
“Thanks,” she said. “Where should I change?”
He grinned. “Right here.”
“I don’t think so.” What a jerk he’s being! Gemma glanced around the room, and since she had no idea where the bathroom was she went into his closet and shut the door behind her. A minute later she emerged wearing his T-shirt. “Did you shrink this or something? It’s even tight on me.”
Christopher smiled as he approached her. “It looks good, though.” He placed his arms around her waist and pulled her close, giving her a long kiss. “You always look good,” he murmured.
Gemma let his soft kisses melt away her annoyance. After all, she’d probably feel jealous if some girl hurled herself at Christopher, hugging him and calling him “my boy.” She relaxed in his embrace.
As they continued kissing, she felt herself being directed toward his bed. He gently laid her down without ever breaking away from her. His hands softly caressed her back. At first it felt good but then his soft caress turned into a more hostile grope. She wriggled herself free but then his hands began groping all over.
“Would you slow down a minute?” Frustrated, Gemma pushed herself out from under his body. “You’re beginning to be as bad as Nick,” she blurted. As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted saying them. That didn’t make it less true, though.
Christopher rolled over and lay on his back. “I knew something happened between you two. He can hit it but I can’t? Is that it? Is it because he’s black and I’m not?”
Gemma stared down at him, not believing what she was hearing. “I’d like to go home,” she finally said.
He sat up on the bed. “I can take you to the bus stop. I’m low on gas.”
Gemma stood up, furious. “Don’t bother. I’ll find my own ride home.” She crossed the room to the door.
“Hold up,” Christopher called, still lying on the bed.
Gemma stopped. Slowly, she turned around. “What?”
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m just frustrated.” His remorseful expression made Gemma’s anger subside a bit but she still didn’t move. She stood at the bedroom door, waiting to hear what he had to say next.
“I really like you, Gemma,” he said, getting up from the bed and coming toward her. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
Standing close, he placed his hands onto the door behind her, on either side of her face. Gemma felt her breathing become more rapid as he whispered, “I just really like you.” She felt the warmth of his breath as he leaned in and kissed her neck. Then his kisses reached her cheek and eventually settled on her lips. The kisses felt so delicious, she thought her legs were going to buckle. Slowly, he leaned away from the door and began running his hands up and down the front of her body. Eventually he ran his fingertips under her shirt and rested them on her bra.
She wanted to stop, she really did, but his kisses were so powerful it almost felt like she was in some sort of trance and couldn’t move. Her entire body felt delicious.
His hands slid out from under her shirt as they stood facing one another. He lifted his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. He pressed up against Gemma again, and resumed his kisses. But when she felt his fingers fumble with the button on her jeans she pushed him away.
“What is with you?” he demanded, his face hard with anger. “You’re acting like a virgin or something.”
“I am a virgin,” she blurted.
“What?” He took a step back and cocked his head. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“No, I’m not.”
He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “You expect me to believe you are a virgin? Look,” he snapped, “if you don’t want to do it with me then fine. You don’t have to make up lies.”
This was not the reaction she had expected. “I’m not!”
He turned and plopped back down onto the bed and threw his hands up in the air. “Forget it. I give up. I’ve dated girls like you before. I’m not big on teases.”
Gemma stared at him in disbelief. What a jerk! She quickly rearranged her clothes, grabbed her wet shirt, opened the door and left, slamming it behind her for added effect.
A bit dramatic, she thought as she headed for the front door. But she was sure he got her point. She’d mail him back his T-shirt.
The End
So you think Gemma should ditch Christopher? Read on to find out what happens.
Chapter 7
Fun and Games
“Are you telling me that you’re not going to go out with him again?” Maria asked. “Why? He’s cool, he’s hot and most importantly he really likes you.”
“I thought being hot was the most important thing,” Gemma said. “I know your scoring system.”
“Okay, those are the two most important things.”
“If you say so.”
Maria narrowed her eyes. “Is this because he’s white?”
“Not really,” Gemma said.
“Then give me a good reason why you won’t go out with him again.”
Gemma had done a lot of thinking about this, especially last night while lying awake in bed. “Okay. First there’s the whole dad thing.”
Maria looked at her curiously. “Didn’t you say your mom told you it was cool?”
“She was cool with it,” Gemma corrected. “Who knows what my dad would’ve thought.”
“That’s BS,” Maria said. “You just got freaked out because Ethan—who I still think you like by the way—and his boys were staring at you and Christopher yesterday at the pizza place.”
“That’s not the reason,” Gemma said. “What about the whole hands-on thing? I just don’t feel like having to fight off another guy and then wondering if he’s going to call me the next day because I didn’t give him any.”
“That’s easily rectifiable,” Maria said, grinning.
“And no, I’m not giving it up just because someone nags me.”
“Let’s face it. You’re not dating surfer dude because of what everyone else thinks.” Maria said.
Gemma pointed at Maria. “And there’s my last—and most important reason. If I have to hear you call him surfer dude one more time, I’m going to scream.”
“All excuses. Give me another one.”
Gemma sighed. “Tell me again why we’re friends.”
“Because you love me,” Maria said, planting a big juicy one on Gemma’s cheek. “So how are you going to tell Christopher he’s been fired?”
“Like t
his,” Gemma said, picking up the phone with faux confidence. She had thought about this long and hard. But now she hesitated, hoping she wasn’t making a mistake.
As she dialed, she felt a knot in her stomach. Her throat went completely dry.
“Christopher?” she asked when he answered. Her voice was quivering.
“Hey, Gemma. You ready for the party tonight?”
“Uh—that’s why I called.” Gemma turned to Maria for moral support but Maria just shrugged. Fine. She was on her own here. “I think it best if we could just remain friends.” There! The deed was done.
His end of the line was quiet for a second. Finally he asked, “What do you mean?”
Huh? He was going to make her elaborate? She assumed “be friends” was universal. Everyone understood that the term was a brush-off. Well, everyone except Christopher.
“I like you and all but I just don’t think we’d work out.”
“Are you kidding me?” he demanded. His tone had become harsh. Angry. “You mean after I waited so patiently for you to give it up, you’re dumping me?”
Gemma’s jaw dropped. She didn’t know what to say. Did Christopher actually think that not getting sex from someone he had just met was “waiting patiently”?
“Man,” he gave a sharp laugh. “I even suffered through that boring basketball game and still you didn’t let me go there.”
“Wh-what?” Gemma could hardly believe what she was hearing. Had she dialed the wrong number and was now talking to Satan?
“It was that guy at the pizza place last night, wasn’t it?” he continued. Gemma was suddenly very relieved she hadn’t had this conversation in person.
“Who?”
“The dude who kept staring at you. I’m sure you gave it up to him and probably a few of his buddies, but I can’t get any. So that’s how it is?”
“I gotta go,” she said and hung up. There wasn’t anything that Christopher had to say that she needed to hear. If she’d had any doubts before, they were definitely erased now.
The conversation with Christopher had left such a sour taste in her mouth that she needed to get out. Maria already had plans with Manny, so Gemma decided to get in some extra practice. Although she scored her all-time high at last night’s game, there was always room for improvement.
