"Don't say it," Rose says.
Rose and Violet are at a table outside their favorite pizzeria.
"Come on." Violet shakes her head. "How can you deny it? This proves it. You put on the pendant andβbam!βyou run into Trevor. At the library, of all places."
"Just a coincidence," Rose says.
"And guess what? He's struggling with Biology. The subject you majored in."
"Another coincidence," Rose says.
"These coincidences of yours are starting to pile up. I'm telling you, it's for real."
Rose smirks."I haven't even told you the best part."
Violet frowns. She looks cute when she does so, the way her fair eyebrows scrunch up and her lips pucker. "You fucked the hot young guy from Occiobello's. That's already the best part."
This is so much fun.
"Nope."
"Tell me," Violet says. "Speak."
Rose sips her water. "He has a huge cock."
Violet starts to take a bite of her slice and stops. "Huge cock?"
Rose picks up her own slice, devilish grin on her face. "Like you wouldn't believe. Nine inches, at least."
"Nine inches?" Violet's eyes grow wide. "Stop."
"There's more."
"Really?"
So much fun.
"Oh, yeah."
"What else can there be? Does he have an identical twin who stopped by and you banged them both?"
"
Regrettably, no. He was somehow still a..."
"Somehow still what?"
"Still a virgin." Rose takes a bite of pizza.
Violet's jaw drops. "Are you kidding me?"
"Nope."
"Let's get things straight," Violet says. "He's gorgeous, right?"
"Correct."
"He also has a huge cock plus you took his virginity?" Violet says.
"Correct and correct."
"What was it like? Being his first time and all?"
"An honor," Rose says. "And a responsibility. If I was going to be his first, I wanted to make it perfect for him."
"I bet you did," Violet says.
"I think so. I'm sure his first time was better than most anyone. I did a good deed."
"I'd say so. I'd also say he's a lucky guy to lose his virginity to someone like you."
Was that flirty?
"What do you mean?"
"You know, you're smart and sexy. It must've been great for him."
Sexy? Maybe she
is
being flirty.
"I did my best."
"Are you going to see him again?" Violet says.
"If he wants." Rose lifts her slice to her mouth and pauses. "If not, it's a fun memory for both of us. A happenstance meeting leading to sex."
"It was more than a happenstance meeting." Violet says. "It occurred due to the magical nature of the pendant around your neck. How do you deny it?"
"I've been letting myself give into temptation lately. Things tend to happen to a girl when she takes that attitude."
"But what are the chances? Running into him at the library, and all?"
"The point isn't the chance meeting," Rose says. "That can happen to anyone. It's what I chose to do with the opportunity."
"Okay," Violet says.
"Otherwise the whole story is, 'hey, I ran into Trevor at the library. How wild is that?' What you've overlooked is the idea that you have to seize the opportunities which come your way. Which transforms chance encounters into amazing hookups."
"There's truth in that," Violet says. "But I still say there's some magical stuff going on with that thing. Be careful."
"Aren't I always?"
"I'm sure," Violet says. "So, I have my own news."
"Do tell."
"I may have a date next week," Violet says.
"Good. Who is he?"
Or she? Is this your clever way of asking me out?
"You can guess," Violet says.
Ah, yes
. "Rick."
"We exchanged numbers. He said he'll call me."
You're too good for him. "
That's great."
"I don't know. I mean, we'll see."
"Go with whatever makes you happy," Rose says.
***
"All ready to go?" Eric asks.
"Yup," Rose says.
Rose sits in her bedroom closet. She's set up a chair and hung her clothes all around her to soften her voice and blunt echoes. She's wearing a headset and her laptop is open in front of her. Eric's face is on the screen looking back at her.
It's time to record her segment for Eric's podcast. The script's written, Eric's given her feedback, and Rose has obsessed over every word. Four drafts later, she thinks she's ready.
"Perfect," Eric says. "Let's get started. Is your phone off?"
"Check."
"Door closed?"
"Check."
"You're comfortable? Relaxed? You don't need the restroom?"
"Check, check, and check."
"Try to not move around while you're recording, okay?"
"Usually you like me in motion."
He smirks. "Usually. But not now. Try to keep your body still."
"Fine. If I must."
"Good," he says. "Are you sure you're ready?"
"I'm ready."
"Then here we go. Recording in three, two, one..."
Rose records her segment. Ten amazing facts about the human eye, brought to you by the fabulous Doctor Rose.
They go through a series of follow-up questions and Rose's responses. It's natural and relaxed, like two friends randomly discussing cool scientific facts.
"That was great," Eric says. "You did fantastic."
Rose exhales.
Finished at last.
"Thanks. I was nervous."
"Rose nervous?" he says. "That's hard to believe."
"I get nervous," she says. "On occasion. But I'm glad I did this. It was fun. And now, countless millions will hear my voice."
"It'll be a hit," Eric says. "But I don't have countless millions of subscribers."
"Not yet," she says. "Now will you tell me all about how it went in California?"