"What," I asked my sister, Marie, with some irritation, "is wrong with Denise?"
"A lot of things," my sister said calmly. "What particular thing are you talking about?"
"Well, it seems to me that she's spending a lot of time with you, all of a sudden. She comes around to our place frequently and she's always dressed to kill. She makes sure I know she's here and then avoids me like the plague. She seems to be both coming on to me and putting up the stay away signs. It's not that I'm interested in her particularly, but I have to admit to a certain amount of confusion."
"Oh, that. She's waiting for you to rape her but doesn't want to make it seem too easy."
"Excuse me? Is she certifiable? What on earth makes her think I'd rape her?"
"Well, you know how she competes with Courtney at everything, both of them always wanting to do one better than the other?"
"So?"
"Well, Denise thinks she's better than Courtney at everything and that if you were attracted enough to Courtney to rape her then you're bound to want to rape Denise sooner or later. She's just in two minds about whether to let you do it."
"Ah, can you back up a little bit to that part where I raped Courtney? What the hell?"
"Oh, everyone knows about it. Courtney was practically boasting about it. Half my friends think you're an animal and the rest think that Courtney probably deserved it."
"And if the parents hear that story I could be in so much trouble. When did this rape occur?"
"You don't know? How could you not know? After all, you had to be there at the time."
"I know, which is why I'm so puzzled as to how I could rape a girl without being there."
"You're saying you didn't rape her? It was consensual?"
"No, I'm saying I wasn't there, full stop. If Courtney got nailed, willingly or unwillingly, and knowing Courtney I'd say willingly, then it was by someone else. Who the hell said it was me that jumped her?"
"Um, Courtney. Are you saying she's lying?"
"Perhaps being a little free with the truth, let us say. Did she come right out and say 'Peter raped me'?"
"No," said Marie thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it she didn't. She admitted to being raped and when names were suggested she just shook her head, but smirked like crazy when your name was mentioned. It was an easy conclusion to draw."
"Bitch. That explains a few things. I suppose I'll have to do something now to scotch the rumour."
"Ah, people will expect you to deny it," Marie pointed out.
"I know, so I won't. I'll put Courtney in a position where she'll deny it. That should have some sort of affect."
"Good luck with that. All she has to do is stay out of your way."
That was true. I'd have to come up with a scenario where she couldn't stay out of my way.
My opportunity came later in the week. I was already generally in the shit with all the girls at school so I didn't see that I could get in any deeper just by upsetting the senior cheerleading squad. They had a practice after school on Thursday and I waited until it was over.
After the practice the girls all traipsed off into the change room to strip off their uniforms, shower, and dress. I gave them a few minutes and then walked in.
A very pleasant view. There were naked and semi-naked girls all over the place, all looking at me with shock and horror. (I should point out here that this was the senior squad and the girls were all eighteen or older. No way was I walking in on the junior squad.) Before they could all start yelling at me to get out I spoke up.
"Good afternoon, ladies, and what a pleasure to see you all. Ah, I'm looking for Courtney. Is she here?"
I knew damn well that she was. I'd watched as she walked in and she certainly hadn't walked out again. A young lady name of Miranda had been in the unfortunate position of being caught nude. She gave up trying to cover her charms and pointed towards the showers, so I strolled in that direction, ignoring the squeals of outrage from my audience.
The way I figured it, they all knew that I was supposed to have raped Courtney, and they were dying to see what happened when I met her. I was in luck. She was still in the shower and she looked absolutely appalled to see me standing there, smiling at her. She grabbed for her towel but I was faster, appropriating it and tossing it behind me, smiling all the while.
"Get out," she screeched.
"Hi, Courtney," I said affably. "Listen, I was wondering if you could help me. I heard that there's this crazy rumour going around that said I raped you. I was wondering if you could, perhaps, tell me how such a silly rumour started."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she gabbled quickly. "Go away. You've got no right to be here."
"Hey, I have a reputation to maintain," I explained. "Someone started that rumour and I was told it was you, so I'm seeking an explanation. I mean, if I'm going to sue someone for casting unwarranted aspersions upon my name and character then I'd like to know why they did it."
"I've never claimed that you raped me," she said, and I could see the word 'sue' had sent shudders down her back.
"But you didn't deny it when someone else suggested it, perhaps, thus giving the statement legitimacy. Are you saying or hinting that I raped you?"
"No, I'm not. Will you just go away? You're not allowed in the women's change room."
"OK, I guess, as far as it goes. Are you willing to state categorically that, if you were raped, it wasn't by me?"
"Yes. You didn't rape me." She looked around at her fascinated audience. "It wasn't Peter. I don't know how anyone got that idea."
"I do," I heard someone mutter, and there were a few mumbles of agreement.
"Well, going along with the lack of rape, I can't actually remember having sex with you at any stage. Is my memory playing tricks on me, because I'm quite sure I'd remember if I'd seem that lovely body of yours naked before? Or at least, without panties, as I'm sure you must have been missing those at the time."
"No, you haven't had sex with me. Not ever. In your dreams, maybe, but that's all."
"So you're willing to admit that I not only didn't rape you I didn't even get to score at all?"
"Right. Now leave."
"OK, so you're saying it didn't happen and you didn't start the silly rumour. Um, any idea who did?"
"It was Denise. She was the one who mentioned your name."
My, my. There was a very vindictive edge to her voice when she said that. I looked over at Denise who was one of the young ladies watching. Tastefully clad in panties and bra. She hastily started waving her hands about, denying everything.
"Hey, I just mentioned his name. Others were guessing names as well. You're the one who smirked when Peter's name was mentioned."
"Only because I thought it was ludicrous that you'd suggest him," snapped Courtney, "but that's what I'd expect from someone like you. The idea that Peter would do such a thing is ridiculous."
"Yes, well now that we've sorted this out," I broke in before the argument got under way and my character further disparaged, "I'll make my exit. My apologies for disturbing you all but I thought the matter needed to be addressed. Thank you for listening."
Courtney hadn't been the only young lovely to be in the shower when I came in. Standing next to her had been Cheryl, a lovely blonde. She was still standing next to Courtney but had a towel clutched in front of her, hiding her charms. I winked at her.
"Sorry, Cheryl, I had to speak to Courtney, but don't think I missed seeing you there. You looked sensational."
Reaching over I plucked the towel from her hand and held it to the side, giving her the once over.
"Yes," I said, nodding in approval. "Absolutely sensational."
Cheryl snatched her towel back, glaring at me, but there was a smirk behind the glare. No girl objects to being told she looks sensational.
What did make me feel slightly amazed was how many of the girls hadn't bothered to cover themselves up. They'd been too interested in watching the scene to worry about little things like that, probably because most of the others were in the same state of undress. Miranda was one of those who hadn't bothered. She was standing at the back of the little crowd, still naked.