The morning after...
Minutes later Gabby crawled out of the tent and headed off in search of Mary. It felt perfect that she had lost her virginity too, the same night as Mary. She wanted to confess to Mary. She felt she understood Mary's behaviour a little better now that she had been with Kieran. However, she also knew in her heart that it was probably the one and only time a boy would be inside her. She knew now it was only girls that could really turn her on. If anything this night had reinforced her love for Mary. She was excited to see her gorgeous girlfriend and to embrace her and tell her everything. How she was now more certain than ever of her love for her.
She felt she understood now that Mary had just been excited at maybe getting with Finn. Afterall they had talked about 'going all the way' with boys, and it had been part of their summer plan. Even though the experience with Kieran had been confusing, it had reaffirmed her exclusive desire for girls, she understood that Mary had to have the chance to discover herself too. She was sure that Mary would be excited to share the night's events with her. Confident that they would have a giggle at the ridiculous boys when next they made love.
It took nearly half an hour for Gabby to find Mary. At last she saw her sitting by the side of the main tent, her back to the canvas and her knees drawn up to her chin.
As she approached she called softly, "Mary," even a whisper seemed loud in the stillness of the dawn. But Mary only reacted by dropping her head so that her forehead was on her knees, hiding her face.
Gabby ran to her and slid down the tent wall to crouch beside her, reaching a comforting arm across her shoulders, "What's the matter Babygirl?"
"Stop it, leave me alone," Mary's voice was muffled against her legs.
"No, I won't leave you alone, I love you." Gabby leaned in to kiss Mary's ear. "Come back to the tent with me for a cuddle."
"No I want to go home."
"What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it. I hate him."
"Come on Babygirl," Gabby took Mary's hand and hauled her to her feet. They stumbled slightly as Mary gained her balance. They embraced for a moment and as Gabby wrapped her arms around her shoulders to steady her she could feel Mary shivering slightly. For the moment Mary relished the comforting embrace of her gorgeous friend and willingly walked with her to their tent.
Once zipped inside they wrapped themselves in their sleeping bags and cuddled together. They were both fully dressed as a defence against the morning chill. They talked quietly and Mary shyly confessed that nothing had happened with Finn. They had danced and even kissed a bit on the dance area but then he seemed to lose interest when they were back among his friends. She described how he was charming but clearly not interested. She began to sob a little as she related how Pete was also sniffing round her but she described how she had dismissed him with a sharp rebuke.
"He's a fucking weasel. I hate him," she hissed to Gabby.
Gabby listened and comforted her. She felt only pity and affection for her girlfriend. She embraced her and kissed her softly on the head. Mary just seemed to melt into her embrace.
They may have dozed for a while but then seemed to rouse simultaneously. It was a little lighter outside and the tent started to glow warmly. Mary rummaged around and found a bottle of water and drank a long drink before offering it to Gabby who likewise took a long draw from the bottle. Mary lay back down beside her and as they cuddled again she asked, "So what did you get up to? I bet you shagged Molly, you big fuckin' lezzer." Her tone was jovial but betrayed an edge of curiosity, maybe even jealousy. Gabby couldn't quite make it out but decided in her turn to confess.
Gabby related her experience with Kieran expecting Mary to be understanding and supportive. But she was horrified to discover her reaction was anything but. She was at once sullen, bitter, angry and then horribly abusive.
"You fucked him?" Mary accused.
"No Babe, not really. I mean we sort of did but I couldn't go through with it. Not really."
"I thought you were a fucking lezbo, not a fucking slut."
"Stop it babe, you were getting with Finn. What's the difference?"
"I'm not a fucking lesbian, that's the difference. You're supposed to be my friend. I was supposed to get it tonight, not you. Why didn't you just fucking lezz-up Molly?"
Babe, you're being mean and stupid, stop it."
"I'll stop, I'm going home..." with that Mary furiously kicked herself out of the sleeping bag and scrambled to pull on her shoes as she fought with the zip of the tent.
Gabby tried to reason with her but it was no good and in a moment she was gone, leaving the tent flap open. Gabby heard her voice as she called her mother to demand she pick her up. She could hear the haughty argument as her voice drifted away. Gabby considered following her but she knew that once Mary got herself worked into this kind of temper there was no reasoning with her. She decided to leave it for now. She was sure that Mary would calm down later.
She waited for Mary to get out of sight before emerging from the tent. She made her way around the site and towards the farmhouse. She didn't really know what to do but instinctively headed to Molly. She texted a message to Molly which was answered almost at once and Molly told her to come to the back door of the farmhouse where she was waiting for her. It was still early and the house was silent as Molly hushed Gabby and guided her to her bedroom.
They sat on the bed and for the next hour Gabby told Molly everything that had happened with Kieran and with Mary. Molly confirmed that she knew that Finn had not got with Mary. That he had been back with his friends after they had danced for a while. Finn had told Molly that Mary was 'sweet but too young'.
"Had Mary really planned to have sex with him?" Molly wanted the full picture.
"Yes she had said it was her chance. She told me to get with you."
"She's mean." Molly seemed to roll the thought around in her head for a moment before adding with a grin, "Maybe you should have got with me then she wouldn't have been mad with you."
"She is just jealous."
"Of Kieran?"
"No. Of me. She thinks she is the sexy and experienced one and she is mad that I have gone further than her now."
"You have been all the way with a boy now. You did it."
"No, not really. I mean sort of but I didn't really let him do it. You know, not really." Gabby was then lost in thought.
"You OK?" Molly asked after a moment.
"Yeah, just really tired."
"Come on," Molly pulled Gabby to lie down. "I could sleep too."
Gabby kicked off her jeans but kept on her socks then shrugged off her blouse. She curled under the duvet with Molly who wore just her PJ shorts and a huge baggy t-shirt. They snuggled together in a spoon and settled down to sleep. Both were very tired and so in just a moment were in a deep sleep.
Gabby didn't know how long she had been out but when she woke she was in bed alone. She sat up and looked around for her phone. She grabbed it and messaged Mary. There was no immediate answer but she just assumed Mary would be sleeping too. Just then Molly emerged from the bathroom brushing her teeth.
"Morning sleepy head," she said in a burbling voice due to a mouth full of minty froth.
"Morning," Gabby yawned. "Have you got another brush; my mouth feels horrible."
"Sorry, but you can use mine," Molly offered.
"Eew that's disgusting," Gabby joked. Then rolled out of bed and reached for the brush, "Give it here."
"Hang on I haven't finished with it."
Gabby followed her into the bathroom and waited while she rinsed her mouth and the brush and handed it to her. Molly watched as she coated the brush with fresh toothpaste and began to wash her teeth. Molly was definitely attracted to the gorgeous redhead and her eyes drank in the sight of her dishevelled crescendo of hair and curvy body still clad in just her bra and panties. She noted the faint freckles on her upper arm as it flexed with the brushing movement.
Gabby noticed her close regard and asked grinning, "What?"
Molly decided that she had nothing to lose, "I sort of love you," she spoke quietly but held Gabby's gaze.
"Shit don't you start."
"You are gorgeous. I'd love to be your girlfriend," Molly tried to explain more vociferously.
"Christ Mol, weren't you listening. Last night was a disaster. I have no idea what's going to happen with Mary. I'm not even sure I can face Kieran again, and now you are telling me you love me."
Molly leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Gabby's shoulder, her lips lightly brushed the satiny soft freckle-dashed skin. "I can't help it. You just make me feel that way."
"Jesus Mol. I think I really screwed up last night. I think Kieran will hate me, probably tell everyone what I did, and Mary might even hate me too. Please just don't make it more complicated," she paused to check Molly's reaction and added, "OK?" tears welled in her eyes as she waited for the response.
Molly smiled and backed off. She was a little sad but understood that things were complicated for Gabby. She decided she would be patient. Gabby was worth waiting for, no matter how long it took.
Ten minutes later Gabby was dressed and outside again. She called her older brother to come for her and he had laughed at her on the journey home, telling her that their mother had just found out about the mad party. After the letter from Sister Clara, Gabby had lied and said she was just at Mary's, she hadn't mentioned the party. The welcome home was bad tempered and Gabby was told she was grounded for a month.
"Don't be ridiculous Mother," Gabby was brazen and stood up to her parents when they had confronted her in the kitchen. "I have work experience next week." Gabby knew her mother's hot temper would pass and so dashed off to her bedroom slamming the door for effect and to register her defiance. Gabby and her mother shared the trait of blazing independence.
In the kitchen Mr Dwyer raised his eyes and regarded his wife as if to say, 'Well, what now?'
"Go and speak to her," Mrs Dwyer had commanded.
"No thank you, she is your department. I deal with the boys if you remember."
"Really? You do, do you?" she asked with heavy sarcasm. "I think you just keep you head down and hope for the best. She is a bad-tempered madam and she needs discipline. You just act like she is a little angel."
"Sure you are both angels to me, Meg," he hugged his wife into a huge engulfing bear hug. "My wee firecracker." He kissed the crown of her heavy mane of red hair. It was true that Trevor Dwyer did think of his gorgeous daughter as the embodiment of his beautiful fiery wife.
