Page 8 of The Pucking Kiss

“I really didn’t want to be the one to break it to, but there’s gossip going around about you in school,” she said with a careful look on her face.

“Gossip?” I snorted. “Based on what? I have practically the most uninteresting life ever.”

“Yeah, well, that might just have something to do with it.”

“Lily, I would really appreciate it if you could be more clear with me. I’m at my wits end trying to figure out what everyone’s talking about.”

“ Fine,” Lily said with a resigned sigh. “This morning, I overheard some of our classmates talking about how you haven’t even gotten your first kiss yet.”

“Oh.”

“And they’re also talking about how you haven’t even lost your virginity yet.”

I pursed my lips. Sure, both of those things were true. But I didn’t expect them to be such a hot topic of conversation in school.

“I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you,” Lilly said, a look of pity in her eyes. “I hope things get better for you soon.”

Before I could even open my mouth to answer her back, someone pushed me to the side.

“Move out of the way, virgin.”

I turned around to see Kathy’s smirking face looking back at me. Suddenly, it all made sense to me.

“You’re the one that’s been going around telling everyone all these things about me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kathy replied, but the grin on her face told me everything that I needed to know.

“I really didn’t expect you to stoop this low.”

“No one wants to hear a sob story,” she said. “You are the laughingstock of the entire school. You know, most girls get their first kiss in primary school. And here you are, a senior. It’s a pity no one wants you.”

Kathy knew that the fact that I never got any attention from boys was an insecurity of mine. I couldn’t believe she was using it against me like this.

Kathy turned to Lily, who had been silently listening in to our conversation.

“Lily, if I was smart, I wouldn’t waste my time talking to a loser like Romai. Being seen with her is practically social suicide at this point. You’re smarter than that.”

“Come on, Kathy,” one of her friends called out to her. “What are you doing standing next to the virgin?”

Kathy walked off, leaving Lily and I standing awkwardly together.

“Are you going to take her advice about not being seen with me?” I asked Lily, a hint of helplessness now seeping into my voice.

“Actually,” she stammered, “I really have to go now. I’m sorry, Romai. But I care about my reputation, too.

She walked away quickly, leaving me alone.

It was official. I had gone from Ragged Romai to Kissless Virgin Romai. Somehow, the latter felt more insulting.

I was officially the biggest loser in school, and no one wanted to be seen with me.

Chapter 4

Romai

My anger simmered beneath the surface, like an undercurrent, as I trudged up the stairs to my grandparent's apartment. My heart beat fast, and I thought I was out of breath.

“How could Kathy do this to me?” I whispered to myself. My hands were balled up into fists, and my knuckles had turned white.

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