Being a virgin at 20 didn't make Chelsea a prude, but she was definitely in the minority amongst her peers.
She was sitting in her room, musing on why "it" hadn't happened yet and could definitely come up with a few reasons, none of which were the traditional ones. No, she wasn't saving herself for marriage - god that could be years from now -- or never! Neither was she waiting for just the right guy -- at 20 she was pretty sure he didn't exist. She had definitely had plenty of opportunities, but the guys she had dated, while nice and considerate (and hot!) just cemented in her the view that, if she had given herself to any of them, it would be a case of the blind leading the blind.
So, what was she to do? It wasn't like it was killing her to still have her virginity; peer pressure was something that was truly beneath her. She did however, believe that she was missing out on something and wanted to feel the pleasure that she knew would be there with the right man. Finding that man, however, proved elusive. She wanted someone with experience, but not a "stud" to deflower her. She wanted someone who could understand that she wanted to be shown what sex could be in a mature, natural way. That, unfortunately, eliminated the guys at college. The last thing she wanted was to be some 25 year-old guy's "project", who would look at her like he'd done her a huge favour as he walked out the door.
All of these thoughts had been going through her head for a few weeks as she came up with what she thought was a bold, though risky plan. The plan that moved her to get off her bed, walk downstairs, out the door and across the street with her heart in her throat and knocking on the neighbour's door.
"Hi Chelsea!" said Mr. Mitchell, "How are you?"
"I'm fine" she replied "I hope I'm not disturbing you -- I saw your car in the driveway and figured you were working from home today"
"Well, you're right there -- what's up?"
Chelsea looked up at her neighbour and said "I have something I need to ask you -- could I come in?"
Bill Mitchell smiled and said, "Of course you can -- come on in!"
Chelsea walked into the living room of the house and turned around as Mr. Mitchell closed the door and joined her. He smiled at her and said, "You know Chelsea, if you needed to use us for another job reference, you needn't have asked, you know we would happily give you one!"
"No", Chelsea said, "It's not that". She would not let her nervousness overcome her determination; she looked directly at him and said, very matter-of-factly, "Mr. Mitchell, I'm hoping you would consider taking my virginity."
In the two seconds of silence that followed, Chelsea had three crystal-clear thoughts -- all of which were good signs: One -- he didn't laugh at her; Two -- he didn't get mad and throw her out and Three -- he didn't faint -- so she pressed on.
"I hope you don't think I'm some freak Mr. Mitchell; I've really, really thought about this."
Bill Mitchell swallowed hard. As a salesman he was trained to be quick on his feet and handle things that came out of left field, but this was not even from within the ballpark!!
"Let's sit down Chelsea, or at least, let me sit down", he smiled faintly as he sunk into the nearest chair. Chelsea sat on the couch across from him and looked up expectantly, knowing (or at least hoping) he would be full of questions.
"Chelsea", he started, "please know that I am flattered by your request, but do you have any idea what you are asking of me?"
"Mr. Mitchell, she said, "If you had any idea how long I had thought about this, you wouldn't have to ask me that."
"Okay, fair enough", he said, "Then can I ask you some questions?"
"If you didn't, then I know that I have misjudged you -- go ahead."
"First is an easy one -- why me?"
"Well, I want someone with experience."
"I'm sure that there are plenty of young men your age or a bit older that have that."
"Yes, there are, but I don't want to be just another notch on someone's belt -- even guys that are 25 or 26 are too immature."
"I can understand that -- but you haven't answered my question -- why me?"
"Well, in the years that we've been neighbours, I've really come to admire you. I know that our families don't hang out that much, but I've seen the way you are with your kids and Mrs. Mitchell. You are kind and involved and caring, but also very masculine. You aren't afraid to discipline your kids, but it's always for the right reasons and it's always done fairly and with respect. You also treat Mrs. Mitchell the same way. I notice that when you go out and I baby-sit, you always open the door for her when she gets in the car and you always compliment her on the way she looks. I guess the best way I could put it is that you are a gentleman and I think a gentleman is the perfect person to lose your virginity to!"
Bill Mitchell sat in stunned silence, in disbelief that someone that young would even notice those types of things. He looked at her and said; "I notice the same things with your family"
Chelsea nodded and said; "Yes, you're right -- but it would be kinda creepy to think of my dad in the same way I'm thinking about you!"
Bill laughed and said; "No, no -- I wasn't meaning it that way, I just meant that you have a good example to go by!"
Chelsea smiled, "I know -- I was just kidding. Do you have any other questions?"
"To be honest, I can't think of any right now."
"I guess that that means you are saying no then."
Bill looked directly at her -- "No, you're wrong -- but I'm not saying yes either."
"What are you saying then?"