Avery Entering the classroom for our Human Sexuality final, Jase begins chuckling. Oh boy, what now? I turn to see whatâs caught his eye. Self-Love 101 is written on the white board at the front of the room.
Okay... this should be interesting. Professor Gibbs hadnât given us any indication what would be on the final today, and now suddenly Iâm nervous. And not just because I didn't study for it--that was impossible to do without knowing what material to study. No, I'm nervous for an entirely different reason.
Once the class is settled, Professor Gibbs sets my mind at ease. All we have to do is write one last journal assignment on what weâve learned in his class, and weâll turn this in as our final.
We get to work, and Jase steals glances me throughout the hour-long class, a little smirk tugging his lips. I wonder how much of his paper is about me. I will kill him if he writes anything embarrassing.
Especially anything about my first orgasm. I glance at his paper and swear I see the word Whistle. He clucks and shakes his head, shielding the page from my view. I narrow my eyes and keep writing.
Once our papers are turned in, Professor Gibbs invites anyone who cares to share to tell the class what theyâve learned. The old me wouldâve hung my head, dare not make eye contact with him for fear of being called on. The new me has butterflies in her belly, half of me wanting to raise my hand, the other half nervous and unsure.
A girl in the back shouts out, âCommunication during sex is important. Weâve gotta teach guys what we like!â
The class erupts in laughter. Wow. She went there. Huh. This class is kind of awesome.
A guy sitting in front of me with a mop of blond curls raises his hand. âUse lotion. Less chafing.â
I roll my eyes. A few more people speak up, and most of them take it seriously. The girl next to me says sheâs learned if you want a real relationship, not to jump into bed right away. Jase surprises me by raising his hand next. Iâm more than a little curious about whatâs on his mind.
âI learned a lot this semester. I met this amazing girl, and we worked on her ability toâ¦Oâ¦I mean overcome some fears and insecurities. And I learned itâs more fun to give than to receive.â
My face goes bright red. I want to kick him. But when his gaze meets mine, I just smile at him. A big, dumb, Iâm-totally-in-love-with-you grin. Itâs the same grin heâs giving me. With Jaseâs encouragement, my butterflies take a leave of absence and I raise my hand.
âAvery,â Professor Gibbs nods.
I take a deep breath. âIf something doesnât feel right, donât do it. And most importantly, never film it.â
Once the words leave my lips, Iâm a little unsure if I shouldâve said all that. Itâs probably too bold to put that out there, but hey, let them wonder. I have nothing to hide. Anymore.
âAmen sister,â a girl calls from the back of the room and my nerves ease. Wow. I guess I'm not the only girl in the world to make a mistake...
It's then that I realize Jase is watching me, his blue eyes dancing on mine. His expression is happy, and relaxed, and he looks... proud of me. I'm proud of me too.
No regrets. Just life lessons. And Iâm feeling pretty good about what Iâve learned along the way.
* * *
The End