Marie hurried to answer the doorbell. She knew it was Paul -- after all, she invited him -- but no one else was home except Marie's friends watching TV in the basement, and she didn't want to keep him waiting. Quickly fixing her hair and forgetting to breathe, she eagerly yanked open the door.
As Marie greeted her new boyfriend, her body betrayed its excitement. She found herself blushing uncontrollably, and the flutter in her stomach accelerated to a full-fledged freefall sensation. His voice gave her goosebumps, and his quick hello-kiss made her mouth water. He didn't hug her, though, because he was awkwardly holding a nondescript UPS box that he found by the door. He still managed to look cool, despite the awkward package, with his slightly messy short brown hair and tattered backpack over one shoulder -- a quietly confident look, without too much ego or fuss. Marie found it irresistible.
Marie had never had a real boyfriend before Paul. He was the first guy ever to take her beyond "second base," but, more importantly, he was the first guy ever brave enough to openly commit himself to her. She had always felt self-conscious about her glasses and her height -- a mere 5' 2". And while other girls at school all seemed to "blossom" early, Marie was just starting to develop curves at 18. She also hadn't seen any benefits from her supposedly attractive blonde hair, so she kept it short. Sometimes she wondered if boys could even see her.
That is, until Paul. They had only been dating for three weeks, but he had already seen more of her body than any other boy had ever seen, and they'd be going to the same college this Fall! She blushed harder just thinking about it.
Dating Paul made Marie think in ways she'd never thought before. She finally started paying attention to fashion, and she made the best of her young body by walking with a pronounced swagger in her hips. Today she wore a short black skirt and plunging v-neck sweater -- items she didn't even own two weeks ago. She smiled and laughed much more openly, and she was no longer embarrassed to talk about sex. Her closest friends noticed the changes immediately, and most of them recognized the glow of satisfaction in her cheeks. They all respected Paul for bringing out the woman in Marie. Many were even envious of Paul's obvious talents.
Marie offered to take the package, but Paul insisted on carrying it. Silly, but gentlemanly nonetheless. She led him down into the basement rec room, where they usually studied. Today it was History. They had a final project due, titled "a past President who would make a good President today." Paul picked Theodore Roosevelt, mostly because of TR's honesty and love for nature, traits that Marie admired in Paul as well -- in addition to his mind. He certainly was the only boy with the brains to pick a President like Theodore Roosevelt! Most other boys had yet to realize that intellect was sexy.
As Paul stepped into the rec room, he was surprised to find Marie's two best friends, Victoria and Cindy, already there, sprawled on the couch watching TV. He greeted them, and they both looked over their shoulders to greet him back. When they saw the UPS box, their eyes immediately lit up. They exchanged mischievous grins, and the race was on.
Victoria leaped up with sudden energy, "I'll take that!"
As Victoria hurried around the couch, Cindy jumped over the back, "No! Give it to me!"
The girls collided in front of Paul and snatched the package in a flurry of arms, hands, and hair. Paul momentarily enjoyed the sight of these two girls fighting for his attention. After all, Victoria and Cindy were both attractive, and getting to hang out with them was one of the perks of dating Marie. Victoria looked especially good today, with tighter jeans and more bracelets, necklaces, and Latin flair than usual. Cindy looked unkempt in comparison, no doubt straight from basketball practice, in her plain fleece sweatshirt and Addidas windpants, with her dark hair pulled back into a high, tight ponytail.
Cindy easily won the scuffle, and she turned the box to read its label. Victoria seemed anxious, "Is that it?"
Cindy squinted at the label and answered hesitantly, "Yes... Well... I think so..."
With that, Victoria snatched the box and raced back to the couch, Cindy hot on her heels. They immediately began tearing open the package, giggling nervously. Marie just sighed and rolled her eyes at Paul. His curiosity piqued, he finally had to ask, "What is it?"
Victoria shot an alarmed glance back at Marie. Marie answered with a patronizing and dramatic tone, "It's a gift for Victoria's boyfriend." She dragged out the "o" in "boyfriend," as if to mock Victoria. Victoria didn't seem to care -- in fact, she seemed relieved -- and returned to shredding the box.
As Marie and Paul headed for the folding card table where they usually studied, Paul followed up, "Why was it delivered here?"
Marie dropped into a folding chair and nonchalantly opened her notebook, "Because she was afraid her parents would open it and start asking questions."
Paul didn't bother to ask about Marie's parents. They worked all the time and were never home. This was another perk of dating Marie.
So, while Victoria and Cindy unwrapped the mysterious gift, Paul and Marie started discussing their paper on Teddy Roosevelt. Marie could honestly care less, but Paul attacked the project with admirable passion and energy. As he sat there tossing out political factoids with ease, Marie thought she could see his future. He would be a powerful and wealthy man someday, and it was incredibly sexy. Her heart fluttered again, and for a moment she fantasized about what she would do to Paul if Victoria and Cindy weren't in the room...
Victoria suddenly gasped, and Cindy laughed loudly. Paul turned to look, but the girls were sitting on the carpet on the other side of the couch, so he couldn't see the gift from here. Now they were whispering, and he heard Cindy mutter, "I told you!"
Something mischievous was afoot. Paul pretended to ignore them and return to work, but secretly he strained to hear their conversation. It was especially hard to eavesdrop on Victoria, because she had a slight accent. Depending on who you asked at school, Victoria was either half Brazilian, half Guatemalan, or half Bahamian. No one knew exactly, but she had a naturally bronze skin tone and curvy body that most girls would kill for. This made other girls a bit catty toward her and intimidated most guys. For instance, Paul considered Victoria way out of his league, and he probably never would have talked to her if not for Marie.