BooksBarbecue
Back When We Were Friends
Chapters (52)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Dedication
  4. About the Author
  5. 31
  6. 14
  7. 31
  8. 14
  9. 31
  10. 14
  11. 31
  12. 14
  13. 31
  14. 15
  15. 31
  16. 16
  17. 32
  18. 16
  19. 32
  20. 17
  21. 32
  22. 17
  23. 32
  24. 17
  25. 32
  26. 17
  27. 32
  28. 18
  29. 32
  30. 18
  31. 32
  32. 18
  33. 32
  34. 18
  35. 32
  36. 18
  37. 32
  38. 18
  39. 32
  40. 18
  41. 32
  42. 18
  43. 32
  44. 18
  45. 32
  46. 32
  47. 33
  48. 33
  49. 33
  50. Acknowledgments
  51. Discussion Questions
  52. Booklist

“I mean, have you ever given someone a blow job?” he asked, as his head dropped to the table.

Kim shrieked, which did nothing to dispel the awkwardness. I held my breath, marveling at this girl next to me, who seemed so calm under such scrutiny. Nobody slurped. Everyone watched. And Jessica, Jessica just looked up at him with big, innocent eyes.

“What’s a blowjob?”

I snorted. But everyone else stayed quiet. Eric was basically dying, his mates doing nothing to help. Matt’s mouth was open, as mesmerized as we were.

“It’s when you...er... Come on...you know what it is...”

“Do I?” She shrugged. “I don’t think I do. I’d love for you to tell me.”

The boys started laughing, high on how well she was crucifying their mate with the simplest of questions.

“Go on then, tell me.”

“It’s...” He coughed, and he suddenly seemed about ten, rather than fifteen. Blushing so hard he was luminous. “It’s when you, er...suck someone’s penis.”

“Ohhhh... OK.” Jessica leaned back and tilted her head to one side. “And...what’s a penis?”

It was too much. Sean exploded milkshake across the table, breaking the spell. Amy and Kim squealed as they were splattered. Matt and I burst out laughing. Eric looked like he wanted to kill her, but then Jessica broke, and gave him the widest, most mischievous smile. “OK...sorry, sorry, but it was too easy!” she said. “I know what a penis is, I promise.”

I patted him on the shoulder. “It’s that thing coming out of your forehead,” I added, and the booth lost it completely. Eric just about laughed it off, and stared at Jessica with intense longing. All three of the boys did, but I think I was the only one who noticed it. Kim and Amy were both too busy dabbing at their splattered clothes. A spell had been cast. In one exchange, she’d managed to win their respect, dodge the question entirely, keep her sexual history a mystery, and yet dangle the possibility she knew a lot more than she was letting on. Plus she was funny, and looked like that in red.

Poor Kim, I remembered thinking, as I glanced over at Matt, who had very definitely noticed this new girl from Guildford. She didn’t stand a chance. Nobody did around Jessica.

31

now.

Jessica: Hey, how are you? Any chance you’re free on Tuesday? My mum has agreed to babysit again.

Fern: Hi, I’m good thanks. Busy with work and my counseling course, but otherwise A OK. Tues works for me. What time?

Jessica: It’s so cool you’re training to be a counselor. God we have so much to catch up on!!!! How’s seven at Charlotte Street Hotel? Shall we skip dinner and just head straight to cocktails? MUMMY’S FREE FOR THE NIGHT.

Why had I agreed to see her again?