Sibling Class Demonstration

Ten years ago, give or take a couple days, I published my first story on Lit, Dirty Naked Poker. I don't know exactly what I expected, but it definitely wasn't a decade of this. All I can say is that I'm overwhelmed, humbled, and truly honored by the responses my stories have received here. I hope I can continue to live up to those expectations for another decade or two.

Say it with me friends, one more time with feeling: everyone depicted here is over the age of 18. Now let's

fucking

gooooooooooooooooo!

"Rachel, do you love your brother?"

The young brunette looked up from her desk, dazed. She'd been so absorbed in her schoolwork, she hadn't noticed the other teacher coming into the classroom, let alone recognized that she, herself, was the one being directly addressed.

Mrs. Genesee, standing in the doorway in a dark blue dress, repeated her question. "Do you love your brother, Rachel? Truly?"

It was such an odd question. Random. Rachel's brother was a mere 11 months older than her and the closeness in age was both a blessing and a curse. She supposed they got along as well as other siblings did. As a brother, did Rachel love Aaron? Well, yes, of course. It seemed non-optional, honestly.

But Rachel sensed that Mrs. Genesee meant something more than that. And so, Rachel took her response quite seriously. Did she love Aaron, truly? Rachel had eighteen whole years of experience to draw on. Lots of arguments over who got to use the bathroom or whose turn it was to do the dishes. Shoving for space in the backseat on long drives and bickering about what to watch on TV.

But also, there was the time that Johnny Markison -- that big, dumb bully -- had shoved her into the mud and Aaron had fought him for her. Sure, Aaron ended up with a busted arm and a split lip, but it was the thought that counted.

And for all the usual sibling rivalry there were lots of little gestures, too. Aaron always made sure Rachel got the last fry, the final piece of candy, the remaining sip of soda. He listened to what she had to say (even if he didn't like it). And once, when Rachel had been getting out of the shower, she'd caught her brother glancing through the slightly opened doorway and it'd made her feel all warm and twisty inside.

So yes. Definitely. Rachel loved her brother. In a way she hadn't even admitted to herself until that moment.

"Good," Mrs. Genesee said, clasping her hands and smiling, warmly. "I need you to come with me."

Rachel gathered her things and followed the teacher out of the classroom. She felt the eyes of everyone in her grade watching her as she went out. It was weird, but Rachel was focused on what her older brother might need. Something about Mrs. Genesee's attitude, her odd question, let Rachel know that the situation must be quite serious.

Rachel followed Mrs. Genesee down the hallway, each side lined with lockers. Everything was eerily quiet with everyone else in class. Their footsteps, especially Mrs. Genesee's heels, clicked loudly on the floor.

"I must say, you're very pretty, Rachel," Mrs. Genesee said, out of nowhere. "And your body!"

Despite the random comment, Rachel felt flattered. Compared to the beautiful, statuesque teacher, Rachel -- short and broad-shouldered with a big chest and bottom -- felt quite awkward. Ill-formed.

"Oh no," Mrs. Genesee said, "I'm the one who's jealous. When I was your age, I'd have killed to have such, um, generous assets."

Rachel regarded Mrs. Genesee. The woman was tall and thin, with long, straight blonde hair so light, it looked almost white. Her large blue eyes and soft, breathy voice gave the teacher an expression of permanent sweetness and warmth. Like a teacher out of an old-timey TV show.

"You're eighteen years old?" Mrs. Genesee asked, not acknowledging Rachel's obvious staring.

"Yes, ma'am," Rachel said. It had felt like a

ma'am

moment. "You're also, like, super beautiful. I always thought so."

"Oh, thank you," Mrs. Genesee said. "I must say, Aaron's very lucky to have a sister like you."

Rachel assumed that Mrs. Genesee was referring to Rachel's willingness to help her brother out, but she flushed, nonetheless.

"Today, Aaron has a special senior project," Mrs. Genesee explained, "Ordinarily, you'd find out about it next year. But your brother's partner is out sick, so he needs you to step in."

"I'll do anything for Aaron," Rachel said, meaning it. It seemed that acknowledging her love for her brother had opened the faucet of her feelings and now they were overflowing. She fixed her glasses on her nose -- they were sitting fine, but it was a nervous habit.

"I'm so happy to hear you say that," Mrs. Genesee said, "You really do

love

him, don't you?

Rachel found it hard to respond, so she nodded, feeling her cheeks warm.

They got to the other classroom and opened the door. It was almost a mirror image of the one that Rachel had just left with rows of desks facing a chalkboard wall. The fluorescent lights almost painfully bright compared to the relatively darker hallway. The room was completely full of students. All of them sitting quietly, as if Mrs. Genesee had put the room on pause while she was gone.

Rachel's eyes immediately alighted on Aaron. He was hard to miss: standing at the front of the room, separate from the rest of the class. He kept his hands clasped in front of him, almost penitent. He saw Rachel and his eyes widened.

He looked away, shyly.

"Hi," Aaron said to some window behind him.

Aaron was broad shouldered with shaggy, brown hair and a crooked smile. His beetle-black eyes always looked like they were calculating something. Like the gears of his mind were in perpetual motion. He had thin lips and his chin had the beginnings of stubble. He looked very manly; Rachel had always thought so.

For herself, Rachel had more of their mom's looks with thick lips, large blue eyes, and a retrousse nose. Her hair was the same color as her brother's, that boring light brown, but she wore it long, down to the center of her back.

"Mrs. Genesee said you needed my help," Rachel said, well aware that she was talking in front of a room full of kids. She put all her things down by the blackboard. "I'm glad I can be here for you."

"Uh huh," Aaron said. He clearly felt quite sheepish about all this. His cheeks were adorably pinking, and his dark eyes couldn't meet hers. "Thanks."

Now, the rest of the room came into focus for Rachel. She recognized most of the students sitting there, of course. It was a tiny school in the middle of nowhere and everyone knew everybody else.

Of the girls, there was Kaylee Ryan, a stuck-up, blonde cheerleader girl. Amy Warner, a skinny, dark-haired goth who seemed to have a dirty look for everyone. And Taylor Charles, a redheaded chatterbox who was a star for the soccer team.

Rachel knew the boys, as well. Stupid Johnny Markison, muscular and tall, who gave Rachel a most curious smirk as her eyes found his. Noah Kirk, a tall, studious boy with dark brown hair who Rachel had a bit of a crush on. Mason Derricks, short and chubby; a sweet, quiet kid with dirty blonde hair.

Altogether there were 6 students in the room, all patiently waiting. Plus, Aaron and Rachel at the front, of course. Rachel couldn't help but feel a bit on display, like that.

"Well now," Mrs. Genesee said, stepping fully into the room and turning to the class, "As I was saying, Aaron's partner, Lilly Parkinson, is out today with the flu so Rachel, here, has kindly volunteered to fill in for Aaron's demonstration."

She said that word,

demonstration

, oddly like it carried a much deeper meaning than Rachel would've ordinarily assumed.

"We're already behind on time, so let's get started right away," Mrs. Genesee said, "Rachel, why don't you come over here and sit on the desk."

There was a wooden table in front of the room, right in the center. Rachel she went over and pushed herself up on it. Like everyone there, she was wearing the school uniform of a navy sweater over a light blue blouse, with a blue-tartan skirt (well, the boys had dress shirts and slacks, but it was essentially the same).

Sitting on the desk, feet unable to touch the ground, Rachel felt a bit exposed. She held her legs tightly together so no one could see up her skirt. Rachel realized she was sweating for some reason. Her breath short. Yes, she felt on display like this and it made her nervous. Vulnerable. She looked over to her brother for support, but saw he was expressing those same emotions. It only made Rachel feel worse.

Mrs. Genesee either didn't notice or didn't care. "Aaron, go ahead and kiss your sister, to start."

Rachel's breath leapt out of her. Her heartbeat pounded in her head.

What kind of weirdo class was this?!

It was clear from how Mrs. Genesee said

kiss

that she didn't mean a little peck on the cheek, either. At the same time, the way the thin, blonde teacher said the words so casually, made it also seem like such an act wasn't that big a deal at all.

Rachel's eyes flitted back to her older brother, who was standing at the side of the desk. But instead of seeing the expected look of shock, horror, or disgust, Rachel saw that Aaron was remarkable unperturbed by this request. Oh sure, he was blushing like nobody's business. And he still couldn't look his little sister in the eye. So, he was nervous. But the request itself? It almost seemed like Aaron had anticipated it.

Which was odd. Rachel had never kissed a boy at all. Having a first kiss in front of the class was already a lot to ask. But to also have that first kiss be with

her brother.

That seemed like a lot. And Rachel wasn't the only person who thought so.

"Mrs. Genesee, they're brother and sister!" Taylor Charles, the athletic redhead exclaimed. "That's..." she whispered the last word, like merely speaking it aloud was a sin. "

Incest

."

"Taylor!" Mrs. Genesee stood, hands on her hips. Her once-soft demeanor went stony. Something about that transformation made it even more intimidating. "Have you already forgotten about the class pledge?"

"Sorry Mrs. Genesee," Taylor said, looking shamed. Her face nearly as red as her hair. She said the next words almost as a mumble. "Whatever happens here, we don't talk about it. Or judge."

"Correct. And why is that?"

"Being an adult comes with adult responsibilities," Taylor said, as if reciting a rehearsed speech. "But adult things like this can't be learned from books or lectures. So instead, we demonstrate together. So, we can all share and learn equally."

"That's right," Mrs. Genesee said. She was back to her sweet, mothering self. "Of course, if you'd prefer, we can go back to using the textbook, instead."

The entire class groaned. Whatever was in that book, Rachel realized it had to be terrible.

Mrs. Genesee's smiled, warmly. "I'm glad to hear you all feel that way. But remember, this is all about being

adults

. That means doing these things, yes, but also being respectful and displaying proper comportment. Everyone's going to be up here at some point. Think about how you'd like your own demonstration to go. Taylor, I believe

your

turn is in two weeks. I know you'll want to be treated with the same respect as Aaron and Rachel today, right?"

"For sure," Taylor said. She was grinning, like all was right with the world.

"Now, I agree that this is more unconventional than anything we've viewed so far," Mrs. Genesee said, "But there's nothing to be done about it. We can't postpone. So, unless anyone is willing to volunteer to do a double..."

Everyone in the class found something far more interesting to stare at around the room.

"That's what I thought," Mrs. Genesee said. "OK, Aaron, you may proceed."

Rachel's handsome older brother walked right up to her. His thighs pressed against her knees. His dark eyes searched the floor. His cheeks seemed to be perpetually pink.

He muttered something, but Rachel was too distracted by the stress of all this -- the look in the teacher's eyes, the penetrating stares of the other students, the thought of what was about to happen -- she couldn't pay attention.

Aaron repeated himself. "Sorry," he said, "I'm sorry about all this." His voice was so quiet, he was almost whispering.

For all that her brother was tall and handsome, and super smart, Rachel knew he was almost terminally shy. Standing in front of the class like this had to be hard enough. Let alone now having to do what they'd been asked.

Rachel realized, then, that she had to be there for her brother, in a way that went beyond being in the room. After all, they already had six other students (plus a teacher!) to make them both feel uncomfortable. Wasn't it her job to be the single safe face?

"It's fine," Rachel said, "Truly, Aaron. Honestly, I'm happy I can do this for you. And besides, it's just one silly kiss."

"One kiss," Aaron said, with a wry grin. "Right."

He met his sister's bright, blue eyes for the first time. Put his hands on her shoulders, stiff and awkward. Leaned forward. Rachel gasped, but before she could get her breath out, it was swallowed by her brother as Aaron pressed his lips to hers.

It was quick. A peck at best. Weird and hard; clinical and off-putting. Not at all like what movies and books had made Rachel believe a kiss would be like. It was awkward and uncomfortable, like being kissed by a family member. Which made sense, since that's what was actually happening and all.

Still, Rachel was disappointed. It was her first kiss after all. And having it be so, well, crappy was kind of a letdown. Oddly, she felt a bit guilty, too. Like she was letting the class down as well. Wasn't it her job to help demonstrate a real kiss?

Mrs. Genesee must have felt the same way, because she gently pushed the siblings apart with her hand.

"Come now, Aaron," Mrs. Genesee said.

Again, a bit of sternness filled her otherwise sweet voice. Just that little bit of reproach, barely enough to earn the word, already had Rachel terrified. The fact that the rest of the room also seemed frozen by Mrs. Genesee's tone only made Rachel feel worse.

"I expect a little trepidation from dear Rachel," Mrs. Genesee said, that hint of ire already melted away. "But we both know you can do better than this."

"I'm sorry, um, ma'am." Aaron stuttered out. "It's only that, um, well. It's my sister and I..."

"I've seen you give plenty better kisses with Lilly," Mrs. Genesee said.

Rachel startled at that. Aaron had been kissing Lilly? She was surprised, feeling weirdly deceived. And also, perhaps most inappropriately of all: jealous.

"Yeah, but that's Lilly and this is..."

"Your sister," Mrs. Genesee said, "A woman you actually love. Or did you fib before about your feelings?"

"No," Aaron said, "Definitely not."

"OK then," Mrs. Genesee said. She stood back, arms crossed under her little breasts, as if her point had been more than made.

Aaron sucked in a breath, sharply. He looked at his sister. "Sorry," he said, "Again."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Rachel's. This time was better. A low bar, but still. His lips felt soft. His mouth more welcoming. His hands tight around her shoulders.

Rachel let herself tumble into it. She forced herself to forget the other kids in the room, the teacher judging. She let the fact that it was her brother slip her mind and instead focused on the act of affection to someone she did, truly, love.

Aaron seemed to be pulled forward as well. His mouth opened and they *smacked* lips, wetly. His arms contracted and wrapped around Rachel's back. What had been robotic became heavily, inescapably, passionate.

Rachel felt her brother's tongue press at her lips, and she let him slide it inside her mouth. Whoa! Now

this

was a kiss!

"Wow," Taylor, the athletic redhead, gasped.

"Nice," Noah, the brown-haired boy who was Rachel's on-and-off-crush, said.

"Aww." Kaylee, the blonde cheerleader, cooed. "So sweet!"

"Gosh," the shy, chubby boy Mason said.

Rachel even heard the judging, goth girl, Amy make a sort of satisfied 'hmmm.'

"Whatever," the bully, Johnny Markison said with disdain. It was almost as much of a compliment as all the nice things the class was murmuring.

And yet, it was only when Mrs. Genesee nodded her approval in Rachel's peripheral vision that the girl let herself feel like she'd truly succeeded at the task.

"Much better," Mrs. Genesee said.

And Rachel's heart swelled with happiness from the simple compliment. The power this woman's approval seemed to hold over her, it only made this experience feel all the more eerie. And that was saying something because it was certainly weird as heck on its own.

Rachel felt Aaron start to pull away and she made it clear -- with her own lips and mouth and tongue -- that that was unacceptable. She put her own hands on her brother's flank. He felt solid. Strong. The rise and fall of his breath was short and needful. She let herself get lost in the slippery connection between them.

"Yes, good," Mrs. Genesee said, "I think you can move on now."

Rachel let out a sigh. On the one hand, she felt like she could kiss her brother forever. But having this finally over with was a relief as well. It was only a kiss. And quite easily accomplished, after all. Rachel was looking forward to going back to her own class.

But Aaron didn't release his sister from his grasp. Instead, she felt his hands slide down her back and grip the hem of her sweater. And, suddenly, Rachel found herself feeling a very different emotion, entirely. One that she couldn't put a single word to. Fear-excitement-shame-anticipation.

Fexshipation

. That.

Maybe Aaron was going through the same thing. But he was too busy kissing his sister and groping at her clothes to express it. It was a strange, scary thing -- Aaron was the instigator of all these feelings but also her only safe space in the room.

Inevitably, Aaron started lifting Rachel's sweater upwards. Rachel felt her heart race faster with every inch of her blue blouse that her brother exposed.

"Lift your arms, sweetie," Mrs. Genesee said. Even her sweetness now tasted oddly sour. The way too much sugar can make your stomach turn.

Rachel didn't want to do any of this. She told herself she was being silly -- it was just showing her dress shirt, after all. She wore less in phys ed. But it was the implication of the act -- all the subsequent steps it implied -- that had her desperate to run away and hide. Squeeze her eyes shut and make the entire world teleport away.

But Rachel did none of those things. Instead, to her surprise, she did exactly as she was told. Aaron broke their kiss to pull the sweater over his sister's head. He tossed it off to the side, like it was nothing more than a rag.

The kiss broken, her sweater on the floor, Rachel's eyes refocused. Mrs. Genesee was standing by the far wall, arms crossed. The rest of the class was staring right at her, enraptured. The hungry looks in their eyes. The judging stare of the teacher. The loving expression on her own brother's face. Rachel suddenly felt nauseous. Like dropping down the steep hill of a rollercoaster. And the next climb seemed very high indeed.

What was happening? Where was this headed? With the kiss and the sweater and-

"Hmph!" Rachel squeaked as her brother covered her mouth with hers.

"It's OK," he said, between lip smacks. His voice like a breath over her ear. "I'm here. It's OK." Clearly her older brother had sensed her discomfort and was trying to help.

But

what

was OK?

That was the problem Rachel couldn't escape.

What was the

'it'

exactly that was supposedly OK?

"I understand," Aaron said, clearly showing that he didn't at all. "It wasn't supposed to be you. It's awkward and weird and I'm feeling it too. You didn't even get to do any of the earlier stuff."