Madelene Martin - Deflowering Rose

I cant believe youre really back! I cried, flinging my arms around my brother right where he stood in the doorway. It seems like its been forever!

My step-brother Alec, momentarily stunned by the display of affection, dropped his luggage and guitar case and reluctantly returned the hug. His hand awkwardly patted me on the back.

I pulled away, and punched him on the arm. I missed you, asshole.

What the hell, Rose? He said in disbelief. Then he looked me over, cradling his bicep. Are you really my little sister? I barely recognize you!

He had been away for eight months, touring with his mildly successful band. And I had turned eighteen while he was gone, and was just about to finish school.

I laughed. I know! I got the braces off finally. And I smiled at him, striking a pose, showing my newly straight white teeth.

But that wasnt all. I was what youd call a late bloomer. When hed left, I had been a petite, skinny, slightly nerdy girl. Id been self-conscious of my teeth and my gawky body. Now all of a sudden, I had filled out in the hips and my breasts had grown full and soft I was curvy where there had been no curves before. It suited me, as though I had finally grown into myself, and lent me a new sense of confidence. Id let my blonde hair grow long for the first time, and of course the braces had come off my teeth.

Alec coughed, looking away, and I suddenly realized he was embarrassed.

Even since before our parents had married, Alec and I had been close. We had known each other ever since elementary school, though we had only officially been brother and sister for a few years. Id been upset when hed left home, but wed talked every few weeks on the phone.

So, tell me all about it, I prompted. The gritty stuff, not the stuff youll tell Mom and Dad. I smiled wickedly.

He dumped his stuff inside and flopped on the couch, and I sat next to him, leaning toward him attentively. I noticed he wasnt exactly unchanged either. Hed put on some muscle I guessed from carrying all his equipment around and developed a tan.

Uhh, what do you want to know? He smiled, still slightly embarrassed.

I nudged him with an elbow, getting a perverse kick out of his discomfort. Did you party?

That made him laugh. Of course. That was kinda the whole point.

I thought the point was to get famous, I teased.

Alec shifted a little. Well, that didnt quite happen yet He admitted. But we got some good exposure.

I tilted my head. And lots of girls?

Alec looked at his lap, chuckling. Hed had a girlfriend before leaving, and shed dumped him just before the tour. So I figured hed have spent a lot of time drowning his sorrows, and hooking up with women. But it wasnt the type of thing hed discuss with his sister.

I decided to take pity on him, changing the subject. Sooo, Mom and Dad are visiting Aunt Brenda for the next few days. They decided I could be trusted alone in the house. Finally. Its not like I ever had any wild parties.

That was true Id never been hugely popular or cared much about making a lot of friends. And if people paid more attention to me now screw them. They hadnt wanted to know me when Id been a nerdy, slightly awkward chick. The only exception to the rule was Sean the guy I had a crush on.

We ordered a pizza and talked about his trip. Alec told me about all the places the band had played and the antics of his friends.

So, whats been going on with you? He asked me later, as we were half-watching some terrible TV show. Hows school?

I lay back on the sofa, my head resting on the arm. Oh, its okay. We have prom in a couple of weeks, of course. Theres this new guy Sean well, hes been there all this year, but relatively new and he asked me to go.

Really? Thats great! Alec enthused, and downed most of his glass of water. Hed always nagged me to get out more, to try dating. Hell, even my parents had suggested it from time to time.

Yeah, hes nice I found myself blushing. I think he likes me. He said we should go to a movie tomorrow, actually.

Alec smirked. Well, as long as youre home by 11. He said. I thumped him on the arm again. This time I was the embarrassed one.

Yeah, I continued, Im not sure I like him, hes totally hot its just that I h esitated, searching Alecs eyes. Id always told my brother everything in the past. But Id never really discussed guys with him before Id had no reason to. I sighed, unsure of how to explain and how much to tell him.

He raised his eyebrows, waiting.

Well, Ive never been out with a guy before.

So? He asked, totally missing the point in true Alec style. Just go to a movie or something. That way youll have something to talk about after.

I rolled my eyes. Duh. I mean what do you do what if he wants to kiss me? Im eighteen and Ive never even kissed a guy. I cringed at my own words.

Oh really? Alec cleared his throat. Uh, well he wont necessarily

But I want to kiss him, idiot! I interrupted, my voice rising in frequency. Im just completely ignorant about what Im doing. Hes going to know straight away. I sat up, leaning my head in my hands. Most of my friends have been doing it for years, and Ive never even been out with a guy. Fuck. I hadnt been able to talk to anyone about this, and it felt good to finally get it out.

Umm, well, kissing is easy, Alec offered, patting me awkwardly on the shoulder. Youll probably instinctively know what to do.

I had a brilliant idea. I sat up straight. Will you show me?

Alec let his hand drop from my shoulder, a confused and slightly horrified look on his face.

Oh come on! I protested, with a laugh. Its just kissing its nothing! We used to do it as kids, for fucks sake. I remembered when we would behind a tree in the park when I was ten or eleven, and practice kissing. We hadnt known about the tongue part then, of course.

Stop swearing, he murmured automatically.

I groaned, throwing my hands up in frustration.

Come on, I repeated, bouncing up and down in agitation. You have all this experience. I need your help. Pleeease! I grabbed his arm, pulling on it and pouting.

I saw him swallow, looking into m y eyes. He had nice hazel eyes, with long lashes. I smiled slowly, somehow knowing Id won.

Okay, okay. He said. Im going to need at least one drink before I do this, though. He got up, and wandered into the kitchen.

Mom left some wine in the fridge. Bring me one! I called after him.

Not a chance, Sis! Came the answering yell.

I sat on the couch, fidgeting but happy, and wondered if I should brush my teeth or something. Somehow the thought of kissing my brother didnt make me nervous at all not like the thought of kissing Sean did. After all, he was just Alec.

I settled for pulling my strawberry lip gloss out of my pocket and spreading a thin smear over my lips. Then I straightened my long hair, brushing the blonde strands out of my eyes.

Alec walked back in with his glass of wine, and a coke for me. He stopped in the middle of the room, looked at me, and upended his glass, downing it all in one go. He sat down on the sofa next to me.

I couldnt help giggling a little. My poor brother was blushing and didnt know quite what to do. We sat facing each other and I put my hands on his shoulders, trying to look at him objectively for a moment. He was handsome, looking a bit older than his twenty-one years. He had messy dark hair and stubble on his cheeks that, knowing him, hed carefully cultivated. He too, looked more grown-up than when Id seen him last.

Sit still, he instructed. And just kind of mirror what I do. He took a deep breath, seeming to steel himself, then leaned slowly toward me. I tried to relax and not to laugh, closing my eyes and breathing steadily.

I felt his lips brush mine. A moments hesitation, then he pressed his mouth firmly against me. His mouth was soft and warm, and he smelled like wine. I felt his lips part, and obediently copied the action, letting my mouth open slightly. Our breath mingled, and I thought vaguely to myself that that was kind of nice.